Rejected by Him, Claimed by His Father

signaling that the coronation was about to begin. In a few minute

ant white gown. Around her, the other maids whispered amongst themselves

was

nally, she was going to clear her parents name and tell every

hed out of her room, following the other ma

was extreme

e silence, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The golden chandeliers made the hall look ext

thing. At the center of it all, the elders placed a heavy silver crow

l Alpha

rely noticed. Her hands clenched the fabric of

ony was a

ices echoing through the grand hall. "It

nce

deep gaze moving across the

looking

ot from fear, but from hope. His gaze moved slowly, deliberatel

he begged silently, her eyes fi

-he look

eyes

art st

sappeared. There was no crowd, no n

of him-of the man he had become, of the strength in his voice, the kindness in his heart.

knew, without a doubt,

in the way he looked at her. He was about to choose her. Sh

ips p

chosen m

m fell

ed to him. Eve

ed so hard it hurt. Tea

She braced herself, ready to hear her name

nto pieces when he announc

, Catherine

felt wrong coming out of his mouth. What wa

d the right name until Damian repea

lder Gregor, a member of the Elder Counci

r, some even whistled in excitement. Smiles and nods

ine heard

heard t

Bia

best frie

Bianca wasn't shocked. She didn't even look confused for a s

nt, Catherine re

d known a

n had been so sure, so confident that he would pick her as

e have even

hem until the time was right. And she believed him. She trusted him with her heart, her soul, everything. But standing there, listening

eart

ungs as he turned to Bianca, his hand reaching for hers like she had always belonged to hi

ight lights. And then, to Catherine's utter surprise, Bianca

lapped. Some screamed out of joy. Others raised their

t for

chest rose and fell too fast, and her heart pounded so hard it hurt. Tears burned her eyes,

the storm inside her. She pressed a hand against the co

ner. Catherine wasn't the kind of person to eavesdrop-but something in their

ght!" one of the voices said. A g

s blood tu

im?" a second voice asked, quieter

w intense around her, pressing

!" The first voice conf

olently as she continued eaves

" the voice continued. "Once the celeb

feet. The words replayed in her head, slow

ing about her.

arp gasps. She placed a hand over her mou

mind-so fierce and terrifying s

ve the

ghts spu

amian. Who els

ved. The man s

hy would h