Chapter 77 CHAPTER 77
Lisa walked slowly along the curved stone path of the palace gardens, letting the hush of the gardens settle inside her.
The palace gardens were quiet this morning, washed in a soft, golden glow.
Her hair was still slightly damp from her shower, her thoughts drifting treacherously back to the moment she had fallen on Liam earlier that morning.
Her cheeks grew warm.
Celia snickered inside her mind.
Still thinking about him? I swear your heartbeat gets faster the moment his name crosses your mind.
Lisa pressed a hand to her chest and muttered, “Please stop.”
I’m only saying what you’re feeling.
Lisa sighed, her face flushing all over again. She tried to shake off the memory, tried to distract herself by focusing on the flowers, the stone benches, the soft sunlight filtering through the leaves. But the warmth in her chest refused to fade. It was silly – she knew – that such a small incident would line for so long in her mind, but she just couldn’t drop it.
She rounded a corner near the fountain - then stopped.
A tall man stood several meters away, hands clasped behind him, taking in the garden with a thoughtful, almost nostalgic expression. His dark hair was streaked with silver, his posture straight and proud. He wore simple but well-made clothes, the style of someone who valued practicality over fashion. When he turned at the sound of her footsteps, his eyes widened - sharply, suddenly, as if he had seen a ghost.
Lisa froze.
The man stared at her with disbelief carved deep into his features. For a long moment he simply looked at her, his gaze softening with something close to awe.
Then he bowed.
Deeply. Respectfully. Reverently.
“Pardon me, my princess,” he said, his voice warm and gravel-deep. “But it brings me great joy to finally lay eyes on you."
Lisa blinked, startled. “I…. I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I don’t know who you are.”
The man straightened, placing a hand gently over his heart. “Forgive me, Princess. I am Alpha Reed of the Red Valley Pack.”
Lisa’s lips parted. “You’re… Reed?”
He nodded with a small smile. “I arrived yesterday to see your brother. I was in a hurry and… ashamed to say, I came without a gift prepared for you.” His expression flickered with embarrassment. “Please accept my apologies. A princess deserves more than a rushed greeting.”
Lisa shook her head quickly. “You don’t owe me a gift. Truly. Your greeting alone is enough.”
Reed’s shoulders eased a little, relief softening his features.
Lisa hesitated, then asked quietly, “You said… I remind you of my mother?”
Reed’s eyes warmed with memory. “The resemblance is unmistakable. When I saw you, I thought - if only for a moment - that Queen Helena herself was walking through these gardens.”
Lisa exhaled softly, moved beyond words.
Reed continued, voice rich with emotion. “Your mother was… extraordinary. She was the first queen - no, the only queen - who ever visited Red Valley.”
Lisa listened, drawn in completely as Reed spoke.
“She didn’t care that our pack lives simply,” he said. “That we lack the electricity, the gadgets, the modern comforts of the city. She didn’t come with guards or servants. She came as herself.”
He smiled faintly, remembering. “When she visited, she stayed for days. Sometimes a week. She worked beside our women - tending the fields, cooking, washing clothes by hand. She hunted with the warriors. She sat with the elders and listened to their stories. Many did not even realize she was the queen. She blended with our people so easily… like sunlight slipping between branches.”
Lisa felt a sting of tears in her eyes.
Reed’s voice dropped, heavy with sorrow. “When she disappeared… the pack prayed for her return. And prayed for you… the baby who vanished with her. When we learned that the princess had been found alive - grown, beautiful, and back where she belonged - many wept.”
Lisa covered her mouth with her hand, overwhelmed.
Reed went on gently, “We wished to come greet you as a pack. Every woman, every warrior, every child wanted to see the daughter of the queen they loved so dearly. But with these attacks… with our young men missing… we have not been able to organize ourselves.”
Lisa reached out and touched his arm lightly. “Please don’t feel guilty. You’ve already come so far. And when everything calms… instead of your entire pack traveling here, I will come to Red Valley.”
Reed’s eyes widened. “Princess… you would do that?”
“Yes.” Lisa smiled softly. “A princess should know every corner of her kingdom. And I want to see where my people live.”
Reed bowed deeply again, emotion thick in his voice. “You honor us. The women, the children… they will be overjoyed.”
They walked slowly toward the fountain together, and Reed’s expression grew somber.
Lisa asked softly, “Alpha Reed… I heard about what happened. Your pack was attacked. I’m so sorry.”
His jaw tightened. “Yes. And six of my young men were taken. I…” His voice shook slightly. “I feel responsible.”
Lisa placed her hand over his, reassuring. “You didn’t fail them. And Ethan and Liam are already working so hard. They will bring them back. I believe that.”
Reed exhaled, his eyes glimmering with gratitude. “Your brother… he is a good king. Truly. Young, yes, but wise. He carries the kingdom with steady hands. I have never seen him falter - not once.”
Lisa smiled proudly. “Yes I have noticed. My brother tries his best.”
“He does more than that,” Reed said earnestly. “He leads all of us - modern packs, old-fashioned packs like mine, even the smallest villages - with the same fairness. The kingdom is lucky to have him.” Reed hesitated, then added softly, “And lucky to have you back.”
Lisa swallowed hard, her lips trembling with emotion. “Thank you, Alpha Reed.”
Reed studied her face again, his expression gentle. “You carry your mother’s kindness. And her strength. I see it in the way you speak… the way you listen.”
Lisa looked away, feeling her chest tighten with emotion. “I wish I remembered her.”
Reed nodded slowly. “If you ever visit Red Valley, the elders would tell you stories of her. We never forgot her. And we will never forget you.”
Lisa blinked back tears and whispered, “I would like that very much.”
Reed stepped back respectfully. “I will leave you to your walk, Princess.”
Lisa watched him bow and walk away, her heart unexpectedly full and warm.
Celia whispered tenderly inside her mind,
Everyone treats us so well here. It makes me happy.
Lisa closed her eyes, letting the sunlight warm her face.
She could feel the connection - to her mother, her people and to her kingdom…
To a world that finally welcomed her instead of breaking her.
It felt good to belong.