Choose Your Alpha, Princess

chapter 7

POV Syrena

Dawn crept through Nina's kitchen windows as I stumbled through her front door, still wearing last night's clothes and another man's scent.

"Coffee's ready," Nina called from the kitchen table, not even looking up. "Thank the Moon we're she-wolves—no hangovers to nurse."

I collapsed into the chair across from her, accepting the steaming mug with shaking hands.

"So?" Nina's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "How was your mysterious man?"

"Don't." But the words tumbled out anyway—the bar, the hotel, the way he'd touched me like I was something precious instead of broken. By the time I finished, tears streamed down my face.

"I betrayed him, Nina. Devon and I swore monogamy, and I—"

"You did exactly what he did." Nina's voice cut sharp. "Except you waited until after he took three wives."

"That doesn't make it right." I pressed my palms against my eyes. "Do you think Devon feels guilty? About Mira and the others?"

Nina snorted. "Devon's an Alpha. Men would kill their own mothers for that kind of power. Guilt? He probably sleeps like a baby surrounded by his new toys."

"You don't know that—"

"Don't I? Where is he, Syrena? Has he looked for you? Sent messages? Or is he too busy preparing for his binding ceremonies?"

The silence answered for me.

Three days passed in Nina's guest room. Three days of avoiding mirrors, of jumping at every knock, of wondering when I'd find the courage to face my pack.

"You can't hide forever," Nina said on the fourth morning.

"Watch me."

"The pack hunt is today. If you don't show, they'll declare you a deserter."

She was right. I couldn't give them more ammunition against me.

The forest embraced us as we shifted, our wolves racing through undergrowth with dozens of others. For blessed hours, I was just another wolf—not the barren Luna, not the betrayed wife, just muscle and instinct and speed.

When I separated from the pack to shift back near the eastern border, the forest seemed too quiet. I'd barely pulled on my clothes when my wolf senses screamed danger.

I spun, claws extending, but the attackers were ready. Four of them, moving with military precision. I managed to rake my claws across one's face before something bitter filled my lungs.

Aconite.

The world tilted, darkness rushing in as my wolf retreated in agony.

* * *

Soft pillow pressed against my cheek when consciousness returned. My head throbbed from the aconite, every movement sending waves of nausea through me.

"Finally awake." A woman's voice, cultured and controlled.

I lurched upright. The room screamed wealth—silk tapestries, crystal chandeliers, luxurious furniture. The woman sat across from me in a throne-like chair, her silver hair perfectly styled, her business suit said that she was not an ordinary person.

"Your blood test confirmed it," she said without preamble. "And I personally verified the birthmark. You are Princess Odette."

"What are you talking about?" I scrambled to my feet, backing toward the door. "Who are you? Where am I?"

Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose. "The wardens didn't explain?" She sighed, irritation flashing across her features. "They'll be disciplined for resorting to aconite without attempting communication. Though it did allow us to collect your blood sample efficiently."

"You drugged me and kidnapped me for a blood sample?"

"We retrieved you, Your Highness." She stood. "I am Lady Margaret, First Advisor to His Majesty. A citizen reported seeing your birthmark—the crescent moon with star-point notch below your left collarbone. It's unique to the royal bloodline."

"That's insane—"

"Your DNA confirms it. You are the daughter of the Lycan King Magnus, hidden away twenty-six years ago." She moved closer, studying me like a specimen. "Elder Leon has been protecting you at His Majesty's request all this time."

"Leon knew?" The betrayal hit me.

"Everyone who needed to know knew." Margaret gestured to the opulent room. "You're currently in the King's winter residence. He awaits at his primary estate. Are you prepared to meet your father?"

"No! This is madness! I'm not a princess, I'm—"

The door burst open as I ran for it. Soldiers flooded in, blocking every exit.

"Let me go!" I snarled, my wolf rising despite the lingering aconite.

"Stand down!" Margaret's command cracked like a whip. The soldiers froze. "You will not lay hands on her."

She walked toward me with deliberate steps. "Gentlemen, may I present Her Royal Highness, Princess Odette, daughter of His Majesty, heir to the Lycan throne."

As one, every soldier dropped to their knees, heads bowed in submission.

The room spun. This couldn't be real.

"I want answers." My voice shook, barely a whisper.

"Of course, Your Highness." Margaret's smile was sharp as broken glass. "Your father will explain everything. The car is waiting."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You always have choices, Princess. But some doors, once opened, cannot be closed." She gestured toward the exit. "Your destiny awaits."

Two soldiers flanked me as we walked through corridors dripping with wealth and power. Every servant we passed dropped into deep bows. My reflection in gilt mirrors showed a woman I didn't recognize—wild-haired, wide-eyed, wearing clothes still dirty from the forest.

"Devon doesn't know," I said suddenly.

"The Alpha who discarded you for fertile wives?" Margaret's tone dripped disdain. "His ignorance is irrelevant now."

"He's still my—"

"You're royalty, Princess. He's just another Alpha who couldn't see the treasure he held."

The doors opened to reveal a garage filled with vehicles worth more than my entire pack's territory. A black limousine waited, engine running.

"Your father has been waiting for this meeting," Margaret said as I climbed inside. "He's hoped for this day for so long."

"Why now? After twenty-six years?"

"He'll explain everything himself."

As the car pulled away, I pressed my hand against the window. Somewhere behind us, my pack continued their hunt, unaware their Luna had become a princess. Devon was probably with his new wives, planning their future while mine rewrote itself with every mile.

"How long to the estate?" I asked.

"Three hours, Your Highness."

Three hours until I met the father who'd hidden me. Three hours until answers. Three hours until Princess Odette consumed whatever remained of Luna Syrena.

I closed my eyes and let the tears fall.