Chapter Sixteen

“Move your fucking shit.”

Laura rolled her eyes, contemplating the repercussions of shoving the girl face-first onto the luggage cart.

She crunched another handful of granola.

Laura was the first to arrive at the departing point–the place they’d initially been welcomed. Sophia was one of the last, dressed in a long orange dress paired with oversized shades–a one-eighty from Laura’s depressed attire. The shades did nothing to hide the puffy state of her face.

A number of the others appeared to have experienced a similarly rough night.

Laura had to remind herself that not all women held greater expectations for themselves, other than subscribing to a lifestyle fighting for false ideations surrounding a male and his throne.

She shook her head. She couldn’t waste her energy on understanding the entitlement she didn’t grow up on.

Everything was set for their departure from the castle to the hangar, where jets sat idling for take off.

Laura took a last look, before stepping across the castle’s threshold into the morning sun. She thought she was the first to do so, but a look to her left revealed Evelyn positioned in the shade.

Laura tilted her head.

Evelyn was watching her intently–and seemed to have been for a while, given her angled position looking into the entrance. Then she opened her mouth to speak...

But whatever words she was going to share were interrupted by the exclamation of the others just inside the door.

“Oh thank God,” Sophia’s exaggeratedly breathless voice reached Laura as she stepped back inside in time to watch her nearly collapse. Evelyn followed closely behind.

Everyone’s attention centered on a male attendant as he continued reading from a tablet.

“Following this determination, the female in question–as well as her accompanying pack member, have been sent home, and clan Aurelia is to be stripped of their official clan status–official announcement pending. Any further concerns may be addressed by the king and queen shortly.”

The taste of metal flooded her mouth. She’d gnashed her lips hard enough to draw blood.

Her fist curled.

The female couldn’t even last a *day*? Long enough for Laura to disappear before she decided to out herself?

*Fuck*.

Tightness slowly settled back in place. The tension was already giving her a headache.

“Ladies.” A woman steward clapped to settle the herd of lambs.

“For those who I haven’t introduced to–and those who may have forgotten–I am Lucie Andor, this castle’s head steward.” She smiled, the gazes of the candidates saying exactly how much they cared.

“Now–it’s been quite the excitement, and I’ve just been told the king and queen are awaiting your presence, so if everyone will follow Issac down the corridor.”

She motioned the male to her right, who promptly turned to move deeper into the castle, salivating she-wolves pressed tightly on his heels.

Laura lingered, turning to see what Evelyn had wanted to say, only to find the space beside her empty.

*Sigh*.

Laura trudged after the masses, following the scent of heavy perfume since she’d lost sight of them. She pulled a pack of M&M’s from her pocket, consuming the candy in seconds, before running her hand through the length of her hair, ensuring it remained its boring brown.

The chatter was low when she entered the room. This one was smaller than the one where they introduced themselves–though no less grand, with its interior regal red walls and dark marbled floors. There was a handful of expensive-looking wood tables, circular in design, each seating up to seven. A glance at Sophia showed her whispering animatedly in a cluster with a handful of other Alpha candidates, their current air of arrogance belying their earlier lack of confidence.

Laura took a seat, far enough from the collection of others–but not so far as to draw attention, spotting Evelyn on the far side of the room, looking every bit the cool ice princess as she politely refused conversation from others.

Laura faced forward as a casual pair entered.

She was almost late in greeting as she failed to recognize the pair as the king and queen in modern and casual attire. This close to them, their features looked all the more fitting of their titles–unmistakably regal.

Laura held her breath as she unintentionally locked eyes with Queen Lana, the regent’s gaze lingering longer than comfortable.

She breathed when she finally turned away. Laura realized as she glanced around the room–nearly forgetting–that she was the only one wearing literal sweatpants.

*Nice.

Way to not stand out*.

“Apologies for the late announcement and the position this has put you ladies in,” Queen Lana began, “For compensation, we plan to award each of your clans commensurately.”

“As for the state of current matters, you all should be fully aware that the consequences of participating in harmful activities extend beyond the individual.” King Reagan’s tone was much harsher than the one he’d used the day before. The room grew uncomfortable, at odds with the demeanor the king carried.

Laura detected a trace of his power.

“Keep that in mind.”

‘*Yes sir*’ echoed across the room. He gave a curt nod in response.

Laura’s neck began to tingle, the source entering a moment later.

She choked on his scent as she pulled a pack of peanuts from her pocket.

He walked casually, his face appeared a practiced mask of politeness–the ‘*smiling without really smiling*’ look.

There was no mistaking it. He was just as annoyingly handsome as her first look at him.

He was dressed in tapered jeans, a light t-shirt hugging his outline. His hair flared a little more today, like he worked through it with putty, and–*why am I noting this*?

She frowned at herself, refocusing her eyes to acknowledge the tanned blond next to him.

*That one knows fun*.

The male beside the prince smiled a little too bright, his eyes taking time to appreciate the handful of scantily clad bodies in the room. It reminded her of the shittier half of the males of Pack Grayson.

“Events will continue as planned, with this evening officially starting the public’s viewing of the ceremony.”

Laura’s ears perked as the others chattered in excitement.

“So please, if there is anything you need during your stay, let us know.” Queen Lana smiled, her face radiant.

His voice was smooth, and hearing it for the first time sent the vibrations straight to her base, “I’ve taken the liberty to assign each of you a personal attendant earlier than planned. They should be waiting to introduce themselves in your rooms and will be on call twenty-four-seven for you. Please accept this as a small apology for the lack of attention amid the confusion of yesterday evening. If there are no questions or concerns at this time, we look forward to seeing you all at dinner.”

She finished the bag of peanuts, and now angrily munched on a pack of raisins.

The royals turned and exited the room, the candidates taking their turns to leave.

*Well, shit*.