Chapter 172: A Princess’s Vengeance
Chapter 172: A Princess’s Vengeance
(Celeste’s POV)
The sacred burial grounds exuded a suffocating sense of grief and tradition. Every step I took felt weighed down by the heavy gaze of those present and the unspoken expectations that
loomed over me.
As the Alpha King suggested I attend Marcus’s funeral procession as his “unclaimed mate,” my silver–scarred wolf bristled inwardly, her instincts screaming in protest.
The notion wasn’t just humiliating–it was another chain meant to bind me, to keep me
tethered to a dead man’s shadow for years to come.
Before I could gather the words to protest, Alexander stepped forward. The sharp sound of his boots against the stone floor reverberated through the somber atmosphere. His white wolf
emanated a tension so palpable it felt like the air itself had turned to ice.
“Your Majesty,” Alexander began, his voice firm yet tempered with the respect required when addressing the Alpha King, “such an arrangement would be scandalous. According to pack law, if Celeste participates as Marcus’s unclaimed mate, she cannot accept another mate claim for three years.”
The strength in his words sent a ripple through the gathered crowd. Whispers broke out among the attending pack members, soft enough not to disturb the sacredness of the
mourning ground but loud enough to carry speculation.
The Alpha King’s violet eyes, so reminiscent of Marcus’s, rested on Alexander thoughtfully. While I despised the man standing before me for his betrayal, I found myself silently clinging
to the lifeline his argument presented.
“An excellent point, Alexander,” the Alpha King acknowledged with a slight incline of his head. His voice carried the weight of authority as if his every word was law itself. Relief pooled in my chest, but it was short–lived, as the sound of soft footfalls echoed closer behind us.
“Ah, but father…” The dulcet voice of Princess Katherine cut through the air like a blade
concealed beneath silk. Her violet eyes gleamed maliciously as she stepped forward, the
flowing train of her ceremonial robes dragging elegantly behind her. “Surely Celeste should at least wear the traditional mourning attire? After all, Marcus died protecting her.”
The lie, the false narrative I had carefully constructed to save my own life, was now being
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Chapter 172: A Princess’s Venge…
used as a noose to tighten around my neck. Katherine’s lips curved upward in a saccharine smile, though the triumph in her eyes was anything but sweet.
The Alpha King’s mate, Luna Isabella, joined her daughter with a nod of solemn approval. “It would bring comfort to Regina in her time of grief,” she added, her tone soft and maternal, a stark contrast to the cold calculation lurking beneath her words.
I clenched my fists, feeling the scars across my palms press sharply into my skin. The weight
of Katherine’s suggestion settled heavily over the room. I could see the way her words made
the Alpha King pause, mulling over the implications. My silver–scarred wolf stirred within me,
restless and aggravated. The sensation of being cornered became all the more unbearable
with every passing second.
“Celeste,” the Alpha King finally decreed, his violet gaze locking onto mine, “you will
participate wearing full mourning attire. It is a fitting tribute to Marcus and will honor his
sacrifice.”
It wasn’t a choice. It was a command.
I bowed my head stiffly, masking the storm of emotion brewing within me. “As you wish, Your
Majesty,” I murmured, keeping my voice even.
The moment the attention shifted, I stepped toward the altar where Marcus’s body lay in state. Grasping the bundled herbs meant for the moon–blessed tribute, I crouched to light the sacred offering. Smoke curled into the air, carrying prayers for the dead that I didn’t particularly feel
inclined to utter.
Behind me, the soft click of high heels against the stone announced Princess Katherine’s approach, her very presence dripping with superiority and smug intent. “How touching,” she remarked, her tone thick with condescension as she stopped a mere step away. “Such
devotion to your departed mate–claimed.”
I ignored her, focusing on placing the herbs delicately into the ceremonial burner. The low flicker of flame provided a momentary buffer, a fragile sense of calm despite the fury seething just beneath my skin.
But Katherine wasn’t one to give up easily, especially not when she clearly relished the opportunity to twist the knife. She stepped even closer, ducking her head slightly to meet my
gaze.
“You think you’re so clever,” she hissed, her soft tone reserved only for me. Her violet eyes bore into me like twin daggers. “Using me to get to Scarlett through that boutique incident.”
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My hands paused mid–motion. I looked at her, confusion momentarily replacing the guarded neutrality on my face. “What are you talking about?”
Katherine’s lashes fluttered, feigning innocence, though her wolf radiated smug satisfaction.” That ceremonial robe,” she began, her voice dripping with disdain, “the one you manipulated me into showing Scarlett? It was made with rare moon–blessed fabric.”
I blinked, still lost. Her accusation made little sense.
“You didn’t know?” she asked, and then laughed bitterly. “Of course not. Let me enlighten you.
That robe was specially commissioned to your exact measurements.” Her eyes narrowed further, her expression darkening. “By Alexander himself.”
The realization hit me like a blow. My breath caught as her words settled into place. Alexander had commissioned that robe for me. Not for Scarlett. Not for Katherine. Me.
The herb bundle slipped from my fingers, clattering softly onto the altar. Memories came flooding back, bringing with them the bitter taste of betrayal. That robe must’ve been his clumsy attempt at reparations for remaining silent while I rotted in Moon Shadow Prison four
years ago.
From the very start, he had known. He had been there. And yet, his intervention came too late, wrapped in moon–blessed fabric and guilt disguised as generosity.
Katherine mistook my shock for another opportunity to strike. Her wolf surged with
aggressive dominance as she stepped into my space.
“Stay away from Alexander,” she demanded, her voice low but fierce. “He’s not for the likes of
you.”
The absurdity of her warning jolted me out of my stunned thoughts. Slowly, deliberately, I turned to face her fully, allowing her to see the smoldering defiance in my gaze.
“You needn’t worry,” I said, my voice colder than I intended. “Alexander is marking with Scarlett
soon. I have no interest in him.”
Katherine flinched at my words, her wolf’s dominance faltering momentarily. Still, she wasn’t one to back down so easily. Instead, her curiosity seemed to replace her hostility.
“You truly don’t care for him?” she pressed, eyeing me suspiciously.
“My only concern is survival,” I replied bluntly, brushing past her question. “Alexander made
his choice. That’s the end of it.”
For a moment, Katherine studied me, her sharp gaze dissecting every word and movement as
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Chapter 172: A Princess’s Venge…
though she were searching for cracks in my armor. Then, something unusual happened. Her
expression shifted, ever so slightly.
“Perhaps…” she murmured slowly, her tone shifting from threatening to contemplative.” Perhaps we could help each other.”
I arched an eyebrow, hesitant but curious.
Katherine stepped back slightly, tilting her head as if weighing her next words carefully. “I’ve had my eye on Alexander for years,” she admitted quietly, though the steel in her voice betrayed the vulnerability of the statement. “His strength rivals even royal wolves. He would make an excellent mate for a princess.”
Her meaning was clear. Katherine wanted Alexander. Not Scarlett. Not anyone else. Just him.
“You hate Scarlett as much as I do,” Katherine continued, her violet eyes searching mine for
confirmation. “And she’s the only obstacle standing between us.”
“And you expect me to help you? Why?” My voice came out sharper than expected, but I
couldn’t bring myself to care.
Katherine’s lips curled into a small, calculated smile. “Because every wolf has something to gain in an alliance. And if you ally with me, Celeste… Scarlett will never be able to mark with
Alexander.”
For the first time in years, I found myself wondering if Katherine’s venomous intentions could align with my own desperate need to break free.
“Think about it,” she said with quiet confidence, turning on her heel to leave. “Together, we could ensure Scarlett never becomes Alexander’s mate. And you… you might get what you’ve always wanted. Freedom.”
