4

Pink

I stood before the king, silent and unable to find words. From the moment I set eyes on him, my heart became entangled in love. But why did he call me his mate? Did this mean he truly accepted me, despite my outward appearance of poverty and disarray?

Working tirelessly within the castle walls kept me isolated from the lives of werewolves, leaving me ignorant even of the king’s name. The fault lied with the castle for keeping me so disconnected. In my circumstances, it only worsened. Lacking the opportunity for proper education and practice, make me as nothing more than an “illiterate Luna.”

The tenderness I saw in the king’s eyes was beyond my comprehension, as if he had finally discovered his own happiness within me.

But why? He held the title of the most powerful Alpha, able to easily choose another in my place. So why me?

He reached out and took hold of my hand, pressing a gentle kiss upon it. Though a shiver coursed through me, I couldn’t deny that I didn’t dislike his touch.

I blinked, at a loss for words. “Your Majesty, I am truly bewildered.”

In response, he removed his lavish jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “Why, my Luna?” The gentleness in his voice sent my heart fluttering like a bat in the darkness, as if witnessing the early dawn.

“I am destitute and soiled,” I began, my voice faltering with self-disgust.

Cupping my cheeks, he peered into my eyes, as if delving into the depths of my mind and soul. “Pink,” he stated, as if he had read my entire being. I blushed lightly and nodded in response.

“Where is your house? Where do you live?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

My mind raced, unsure of how to respond. Should I reveal the truth about my past? The fact that I had been adopted as a princess, abandoned by my real parents, and subjected to abuse and servitude? Or should I cloak myself in lies and deception?

With a nervous gulp, I gathered my courage and asked, “Do you want to hear the truth?”

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he responded, “Sure, everything. I despise dishonesty, always remember that.”

Fidgeting with my fingers and glancing around at the members of his pack surrounding us, I felt a surge of determination. I didn’t seek revenge or pity from anyone. All I desired was a chance to escape and start anew. But what if he changed his mind about being my mate after hearing my full story?

His perceptive gaze focused on me as he took a step closer. “Where do you live, Pink?”

In a burst of honesty, I blurted out, “In the royal castle.”

“Good,” he replied with unwavering confidence. “Then come with me. You don’t have to explain anything. I will figure it out on my own.”

As he took hold of my hand, a sudden realization struck me. I had just fled from Derek and Garrett, who could spread lies and slander about me. But even worse, they might try to harm me in front of the Alpha King.

Shaking my head, I protested, “No, I can’t go there. Please, let me go. You won’t be able to protect me. Nobody there likes me. The entire pack hates me.”

A low growl rumbled through his chest, and he swiftly turned his head towards his men. “Inform the king of the pack that I’m coming,” he commanded.

One of his men hastily rushed off, leaving me bewildered by their presence in the forest. Where were the cars?

The king pulled me into an embrace, offering me a sense of safety and security. “You are my mate, my Luna. I will protect you, and all the werewolves will too. Understand?”

Blinking in surprise, I raised my finger in a childish promise gesture. “Promise me?” I asked.

He chuckled softly and crossed his promise finger with mine delicately. “I promise you by my life. I have searched for you relentlessly. By the way, do you know my name?”

I shook my head, overcome with embarrassment and awkwardness. “No, sorry, my king. I didn’t even know that you are the king. Sorry—I didn’t even get practice over my powers,” I apologized, stumbling over my words.

He regarded me with sympathy and gently placed a soft kiss on my uncleaned forehead. “Don’t be sorry. You don’t need any practice. Because you will be the queen. All of the packs and kingdoms, even I, will protect you.”

As those words sank in, I couldn’t help but remember my deceased father’s words. They escaped my lips before I could stop them. “That’s what my father, King Valdo, said,” I muttered.

His brows furrowed as he scrutinized me from head to toe. “Your father, King Valdo! Then why are you wearing—” He paused, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Suddenly, I found myself lifted into his arms, my feet leaving the ground. I gasped, but I didn’t protest. “You are so tiny and weak. You won’t be able to walk all that distance. I like that I’m taller than you to carry you all the way,” he explained, a touch of fondness in his voice.

Blushing, I rested my head against his broad chest. “I’m not tiny, my king. You are very tall and strong.”

He chuckled and continued to walk, his royal pack trailing behind us. I remained silent, listening to him converse with his men about various matters. The warmth and comfort of being in his arms lulled me into a peaceful slumber for a few minutes.

Unbeknownst to me, in my sleep, I muttered, “I miss you, daddy. My brothers didn’t protect me.” Tears escaped my closed eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

A warm hand softly wiped away my tears, but I remained in my slumber. It was only when I heard the blaring sound of horns and the boisterous cheers of the crowd that I woke up. The castle was alive with excitement and welcoming the king.

For the first time in my life, I heard his name. “Welcome, King Valdo.”

He has the same name as my deceased father!!

The cheers and noise abruptly ceased, replaced by utter silence as all eyes fell upon me wrapped in the arms of the king.

I opened my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest, and whispered, “Daddy, Valdo. Are you still alive? You didn’t die?” The name Valdo echoed in my mind, fueling a sliver of hope that had been buried deep within me.

But reality struck me hard, and I realized that it wasn’t a long nightmare. My father was truly gone, and standing before me was the new king—the one who shared his name. Gently, he placed me back on my feet and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m King Valdo. A nice coincidence, I suppose,” he said with a warm smile, his lips brushing against my cheeks, leaving a lingering sensation.

As I stood there, absorbing this new revelation, I could hear the familiar sound of my brothers, Garett and Derek, approaching with heavy footsteps. Fear gripped me, and I instinctively moved to shield myself behind King Valdo. I didn’t want them to see me in his presence—it would only invite their ridicule.

However, Derek was shameless as ever and reached out to grab me, his voice dripping with disdain. “What are you doing, Pink, with King Valdo? Go back to the kitchen where you belong.”

King Valdo’s hand swiftly intercepted, forcefully pushing Derek back, causing him to stumble. His voice carried an edge of aggression as he commanded, “Take your dirty hands off my Pink now.”

Derek’s surprise was evident in his gulp and cough as he awkwardly straightened himself. “Your Pink?” he stammered, a mix of confusion and uncertainty coloring his tone. “What do you mean by your highness?”

In a gesture that sent a shockwave through my entire being, King Valdo laced his fingers with mine, his eyes locked onto Derek and Garett. Drawing himself up to his full height, he arched an eyebrow challengingly. “She’s my mate, my Luna, and soon she will be the queen of all the Alphas.”

My mind couldn’t fully comprehend the magnitude of those words. Everything seemed to blur, and I felt myself losing grip on reality. Overwhelmed with emotions and the weight of my newfound destiny, I succumbed to the darkness, fainting in King Valdo’s strong and protective embrace.