Page 35 of Rejection to the Alpha King's Daughter

“You have no right to my Throne. You aren’t even my daughter!” Alexander bellows, the hushed voices of the crowd following suit as some question if what he says is true or if it’s a way to try to intimidate me. I smile, slowly stepping towards Alexander and watch as he backs away and glaring at the silver mask in my hand.

“You’re right. I am not your daughter.” A collective gasp of shock from the crowd has me chuckling, making me stop my footsteps as the moonlight above illuminates me.

“I am Crystalline Thorn, the Lost Princess protected by Morai, Goddess of Destiny, and daughter of King Spirit and Goddess Luna.” My voice carries around the room, over the silent crowd. Declaring my true heritage brings the power of a royal to my blood and with a smile I pull out the moonstone necklace from inside my gown and put it on, the orb glowing.

“I am the rightful Queen of the werewolf nation, and I challenge Alexander Thorn, my some-what great-nephew for my claim.” My eyes never leaves Alexander, watching as his jaw clenches and unclenches. His eyes burn with hatred, and if looks could kill, I would be dead over and over again.

“The law states if someone with a claim to the throne challenges the current ruler, the current ruler has no choice but to agree.” Albot exclaims after silence reigns over the room for a few moments, neither Alexander nor I willing tospeak or back down. He knows he is cornered, that he has no choice but to accept.

“Fine. I accept the challenge.” He grounds out through clenched teeth, passing his crown to Narin who stares at me with a look I can’t comprehend.

“But it will be to the death. And if I win, your pack will be destroyed.”

“Fine by me, Alexander. But if I win, your allies with be killed.” With my agreement, I watch as Alexander shifts into wolf form without hesitation, charging at me with a loud snarl. Rolling my eyes, I dodge just in time to avoid his claws from tearing into me and shift. My dress explodes in a shredded mess of fabric, the remains littering the floor.

Shaking out my fur, I back away watching Alexander quickly spin around to face me and letting out another snarl. Giving him a low warning growl, I decide it is my turn to attack, bolting towards the grey wolf before me and slamming my small frame into him, forcing Alexander to stagger back and giving me an opening to claw at his face.

Before he can retaliate, I dart under his legs and to the left before whirling to face the wolf before me once more. Blood is seeping from Alexander’s face, his left eye closed shut. Shaking his head, Alexander growls in pain and frustration before barreling towards me, a murderous aura surrounding him. Luckily, with my small stature I am able to jump just as he lunges at me, landing on his back and sinking my canines into his hip.

A loud roar of pain is let out from him, and before I know it, he has rolled over and I find myself being squished. With a yelp, I release his flesh and focus on kicking, my sharp claws digging past fur to flesh until the scent of blood grows stronger and the wolf above me jumps off in pain.

Before I can roll away, sharp teeth clamp around my legas Alexander shakes his head, throwing me around like a ragdoll before releasing me. I go flying through the air, landing against the wall with a sickening thud and whimper. I most likely broke a rib, but I can’t give up.

Standing to my paws, I glare at the grey wolf and push the pain I am feeling out of my mind. I am angry, furious that this man abused me all my life, that he cared so little of his mate and pup that he allowed Soulless to kill her—his mate and the she-wolf I called my mother. We glare at each other, growls filling the air between us, then I move.

Rushing towards the large grey wolf with the remaining strength I have put into finishing this wolf before me. He dodges just as I reach him, moving to the right but slips on the fabric that used to be my dress. I take this opportunity and spin on my back paws just in time to lunge and grab his jugular with my sharp teeth. We fall to the floor, him underneath me, trying to throw me off and forcing me to clamp down harder. I can taste the sharp tang of his blood, the red liquid spilling from the wound I am inflicting and dying my white fur with it.

His hind legs kick at me, scratching my stomach but I ignore the pain. Alexander needs to die. Shaking my head, I hear his whimper of pain as his jugular tears, blood flowing out faster. His kicks grow weaker until he is left barely moving.

Letting go of his flesh, I back away to see his eyes staring at me with shock, the wolf I once feared slowly dying in front of me. I want to let him suffer, left him feel the fear and pain many under his rule faced and then I remember the crowd around us. If I leave Alexander to suffer, I will be just like him even if we all know he deserves it.

With a sigh, I shift into my skin form and limp towards Alexander, letting him see me as my left hand turns to clawsand I tear into his neck, reaching for his spinal cord. With one last look at the now-defeated King, I pull and snap his spine and kill him instantly.

Power seeps into my body, power that connects me to every wolf in my nation, power that awakens the Royal blood inside me, speeding up the healing process as my wounds from the fight instantly heal. I can hear the wolves of the Royal Pack through the pack link, many asking why they can no longer feel Alexander while others explain that I have killed him. I chuckle, turning to link my wolves only to find nothing. I try again, trying to link anyone in Astraea and look to Albot with panic.

“Can you link them?” I ask as he steps closer, wrapping his jacket around my naked body.

“Link who?” He asks, confused.

“Our pack! I can’t link anyone in Astraea.” Panic settles in and I wonder if the wolves I call my family have fallen into a trap.

“Crystalline, you defeated Alexander and are now the Queen. You lost the ability to link Astraea when you snapped his neck.” Albot calmly explains, running his fingers through my messy hair as he pulls me into his arms. I take in his scent, forcing myself to calm down.

“So they are safe?” I ask quietly, burying my face into his chest.

“They are safe. Alexander and his followers are dead, and you are the Queen.”

?Chapter 27-Narin’s Truth?

Sitting on my throne, I watch as the maids of the palace run about, happily chatting as they do their work. A week has passed since I killed Alexander, a week spent settling in the Royal Pack, weeding out traitors, and fully accepting those who bend the knee to me into the pack. Everything seems like a blur, from throwing traitors into dungeons to interrogating those who attended the ball to hosting a Zoom meeting with Alphas around the world to explain why Alexander was killed and my true identity.

“Crystalline.” Albot calls out, his smile and soft gaze just for me as he approaches the throne, scooping me into his arms. The maids giggle, used to our displays of affection for one another as he has done this many times in this stressful week, the worst part being when a maid walked in on us kissing on the balcony after me having a breakdown from the stress of dealing with traitors.

“It’s time, darling. You need to face him for us to be together.” Albot whispers into my ear as he tucks my head under his chin. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, understanding what he means. After the ball, Narin was thrown into a cell for being the Beta. Although he is being held prisoner I made sure that no one abuses him, that his food, although bland, would be made with quality ingredients until I can find the time to talk to my ex-mate. To find a way to break the bond still humming between us so that I can be with Albot.

“Does it have to be now?” I ask, feeling Albot carry me away from the throne and out of the room.

“We have time now, so yes.” Albot answers with achuckle, kissing the top of my head. I groan, burying my face into the crook of his neck and deciding to stay silent. He is right, now is a good time with everything settled and the only worry we have left is tracking down my brother. Albot carries me down the winding hallways of the Palace, his footsteps echoing softly off of the hardwood floors and stone walls. As we grow closer to the dungeons, the mate bond hums inside me, and I shudder. I cannot wait to be rid of it soon. I am surprised when we reach the door to the spiralling staircase that will take us down to the cells and completely walk past it, instead ending up in front of a different door, one that leads into an unused office.

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