<i>Zephyrine </i>


    It wasn’t long before we were both called into a short meeting with the Lycan Prince.


    Ka and I followed the path to the meeting hall where we had seen Apex earlier. He was there now, nked by his sisters and a few elderly men. There is no raven on his shoulder this time.


    I passed the bow to Alpha Auedric’s Beta, and lowered myself into the seat as expected. Ka still looked stunned that I could handle a bow with such precision.


    Nyroth was there too, staring at me in confusion and awe, when the husky, deep voice of Apex cut through the silence.


    “You’re from White Pack too?” he asked.


    I swallowed hard and lifted my gaze to meet his piercing eyes, but before I could answer, he asked again.


    “Have you received the invitation?”


    Alpha Aeudric chuckled lightly.


    “No, Your Highness. White Pack hasn’t gotten any invitation yet. Perhaps it’s still in process?”


    “Hue Pack has gotten an invitation,” Nyroth added quickly. “Does that mean the host I represent should handle the coronation? She won each round of the trials.”


    Apex didn’t look at him or anyone. He merely nodded, turning slightly to his Beta.


    “White Pack should be invited. And the host shoulde from their pack. It was mentioned she hosted festivals in Ash Pack as well. I am impressed.”


    The hall fell silent. I could feel Dessyn’s heartbeat hammering beside me. She reached under the table and squeezed my hand, her grip trembling with gratitude and excitement.


    The meeting ended almost as abruptly as it had started. Apex rose, every movement deliberate, radiating sheer power. He started toward the door but paused mid–step, turning his formidable gaze back to me.


    “You’ll be there tomorrow? At the coronation?”


    I went still. I hadn’t nned on attending. Jurrek would represent Ash Pack.


    “Yes, Your Highness. She wille,” Dessyn said quickly, her voice bright and eager before I could speak.


    Apex inclined his head slightly.


    “Good work out there. I am impressed.” And then he was gone, disappearing like a shadow fading into the walls.


    A smile threatened to break across my face. Why did it feel so much lighter now that Apex had acknowledged me?


    I turned to Dessyn, my eyes wide, wondering why she had spoken for me.


    Before I could scold her, a giggle drifted from ahead. One of the princesses stood, smiling as she approached with her hand extended. I rose, taking it respectfully, and she pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles.


    “Mearez. That’s my name,” she said softly, her smile warm. “You handled it well out there. I’m impressed. Not many have your… skills.”


    <b>I </b>swallowed, unprepared for the praise. I never know they watch too.


    “The preparations for the coronation start tomorrow night. Will youe with the host?” she asked.


    I lowered my gaze to decline politely, but Dessyn stepped forward, practically glowing with excitement.


    “Of course, Princess Mearez. She will definitelye.”


    “Then we’ll be expecting you,” Mearez said, her presence leaving a strange, calming warmth behind her. The second princess rose silently and left without a word, her quiet exit leaving a strange, lingering weight in the hall.


    wow eyes.


    That’s when sobbing reached my ears. I turned to see Ka, tears streaming down her face that I nearly roll my eyes. It’s obvious she’s shedding fake tears.


    “Ka…” Nyroth called, but she bolted from the hall. He set his jaw and followed her, with Kai right behind.


    I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.


    “Zephyr, thank you,” Alpha Acudric said, his gratitude clear in his eyes. I returned a faint, respectful smile.


    We walked out together. Alpha Auedric and his Beta entered their carriage, and soon they were gone. Dessyn and I made our way to ours when Ka suddenly appeared.


    “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” she demanded, ring.


    I remained silent. We had hardly spoken before, and I had no desire to start now. I turned to climb in, but she grabbed my wrist. A bold, reckless move.<fn84f8> Find the newest release on Find_Novel(.</fn84f8>


    I froze. Physical contact. Slowly, I looked at her hand, then into her face. For a split second, a dark thought shed through my mind. Snap her neck. Get it over with.


    “You did that on purpose,” she repeated, her breath hot with fury. “You lied. Said she hosted festivals in Ash Pack just to win. Apex over. And where on earth did you learn such… skills?!”


    I didn’t respond. I pulled free and started to turn when Nyroth stepped behind her.


    “Ka, let’s go home.”


    “No! Why should I? Your so–called mate lied, and it cost me everything!”


    Mate. My heart skipped. My gaze darted to Nyroth. What else had he told her?


    “What lie did I tell?” I asked calmly.


    She red, venom dripping from her words.


    “Ash Pack? A peasant like Dessyn has no business there, much less hosting a festival!”


    Dessyn stepped forward, but I gently gripped her wrist, holding her back.


    “It’s not a lie,” I said and turned toward the carriage.


    Ka threw her final insult like a dagger.


    “Only the Moon Goddess knows what you did with Apex at the memorial hallst night.” She turned to Nyroth, her voice trembling with malice. “Your mate is a whore. She must’ve slept with Apex Blood.”


    I went cold. The word echoed in my mind, sharp and vicious. I looked to Nyroth, seeing the way he swallowed hard, stepped back, and climbed into the carriage silently.


    Leaves. Without a word.


    A whore? An insult that should have stained the Ashmere name forever.