The Princess's Revenge Chapter 89

Valencia’s POV

I took it with trembling hands and read:

To Alpha,

I express my sympathy for the attack your pack has suffered. However, I am occupied with Marcus and Wiley's funerals and internal pack affairs, unable to provide support.

Given Aldermere's threatening presence in the north, I have decided to continue Marcus's policy and maintain the alliance with Elton. Lastly, the key to unlock that slave's iron collar has been lost, with no spare available. I deeply regret this.

Luna Kestrel

The parchment slipped from my numb fingers, floating to the floor. Lost. The key was lost.

The collar felt heavier than ever around my neck. My fingers traced the cold iron, and I wanted to scream. To tear it off. To break something.

"Valencia?" Logan's voice sounded distant.

Dr. Vance picked up the letter, his face growing paler with each word he read. "This is..." He shook his head, unable to finish.

"Fucked up," I whispered. "Everything is completely fucked up."

My body started trembling. I'd never get this collar off. Never. Even if I became Luna tonight, I'd still be wearing this iron reminder of what I really was. A slave. Forever marked.

"The pack will never accept me," I said, my voice cracking. "How can they respect a Luna who wears a slave collar? They'll always see me as less than them."

"Valencia, stop." Logan moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me against his chest. "We'll find another way."

"What way?" I laughed bitterly. "The key is lost, Logan. Lost! Luna Kestrel made sure of that."

"There has to be another solution. Someone who can break it."

"Don’t forget...If you try to break it by force, the needles inside will instantly pierce through my neck. It's designed to kill any slave who tries to remove it." My voice came out harsher than I intended.

His arms tightened around me. "Then we'll find whoever made it. Make them remove it."

"They're probably dead. Or in another kingdom." I closed my eyes, trying to push down the anger and despair threatening to overwhelm me. "Face it, Logan. I'm going to wear this collar for the rest of my life."

"No, I'll never give up on you."

Despite everything, his fierce protectiveness made something warm bloom in my chest. I knew it wasn't his fault. I shouldn't have taken it out on him.

Dr. Vance cleared his throat. We'd almost forgotten he was there. His face was creased with worry as he looked at the letter again.

"I don't understand," Dr. Vance said, frowning deeply. "Luna Kestrel publicly broke with Elton at the funeral. She was furious about Marcus's death. Now she's suddenly allied with him again? This complete reversal makes no sense."

Logan's chest rumbled against my back as he spoke. "It's probably Beta Grover's influence."

"Grover?" Dr. Vance looked up sharply.

"He's Quinn's older brother," Logan explained. "Elton's Luna."

My eyes widened. "Quinn has a brother in Mistmarsh Pack?"

"Yes. He's been their Beta for years. Before Quinn even married Elton."

"That changes everything," I said, understanding flooding through me. "No wonder Luna Kestrel changed her mind. Her own Beta is pushing for the alliance."

"Family ties are stronger than pack politics sometimes," Logan said grimly. "Grover probably convinced her that maintaining the alliance is the safest option."

"It makes sense," I admitted, though the words tasted bitter. "Mistmarsh Pack and Emerald Grove Pack working together again. Just like old times."

Dr. Vance sighed heavily, setting the letter on the table. "This is logical, yes. But it doesn't help our situation." He looked at Logan with deep concern. "Alpha, our position is more dangerous than ever."

My heart sank. He was right. The reality of our situation hit me all at once. Inside the castle, we were running out of food. Outside, Elton was probably planning his second attack right now. Luna Kestrel had chosen to ally with our enemy instead of helping us. And somewhere on the edges of our territory, mysterious forces were lurking.

"I sent a letter to Soren this morning. Asked for his help." Logan said.

Dr. Vance's worried expression deepened. "Alpha..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Soren is more cunning than Elton. More calculating. He never makes a move unless it benefits him greatly."

"I know." Logan's voice was steady. "That's why I'm prepared to offer him whatever he wants."

"That's dangerous," Dr. Vance warned. "Soren's ambitions are... significant."

"We're at the edge of survival," Logan said flatly. "This is life or death now. I have to ensure everyone's safety, no matter the cost."

"What does he want?" I asked.

Logan was quiet for a moment. Then: "The crown. He wants to be Alpha King."

My stomach dropped. "And you'll support him?"

"If it means Cliffwatch Pack survives? Yes."

"But Logan—"

"I know what I'm doing, Valencia." He turned me in his arms so I was facing him. "I know exactly what Soren wants, and I'm willing to give it to him. The crown means nothing if my pack is dead."

The determination in his gray eyes was absolute. This wasn't the Logan who'd second-guessed himself after Clarence's death. This was the Alpha who'd held the northern border for years.

"Are you ready?" he asked as we stepped into the corridor.

The hallway was dark. The sun had completely set, and only a few torches provided flickering light.

"No," I said honestly. "But I don't think I ever will be."

"Then we might as well get it over with." He offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Valencia," Logan said softly. "Whatever happens tonight, remember that I chose you. Not because you're convenient or available, but because you're exactly what this pack needs."

"What if they don't see it that way?"

"Then we'll make them see." He smiled, and it was the confident, slightly arrogant smile I'd grown to love. "I'm still the Alpha. My word is law."

Despite my nerves, I smiled. "You're impossible."

"And you love it."

I did. God help me, I really did.

We descended the stairs to the third floor. The great hall stretched before us, transformed from the simple dining space I remembered. Torches blazed in every wall sconce. Long wooden tables had been arranged in rows, with the head table elevated on a platform at the far end. Black and silver banners hung from the ceiling beams.

Servants hurried between the tables, setting down plates and cups. The smell of cooked meat filled the air, but as we got closer, I could see how little food there actually was. Each plate had maybe two ounces of meat, a small piece of bread, and some withered vegetables. The wine pitchers looked half-full at best.

"Alpha!" A servant girl nearly dropped her tray when she saw Logan. She immediately bowed low.

More servants noticed us and stopped their work to bow. "Alpha," they murmured in unison.

Dr. Vance turned to me, his expression serious but kind. "Valencia, let me explain tonight's process so you're prepared."

My stomach clenched. "Okay."

"First, we'll have the feast - though calling it that might be generous given our supplies," Dr. Vance said. "After everyone has eaten, the Luna ceremony begins. Alpha Logan will stand and give a speech, announcing you as his Luna."

"Then what?" My voice came out smaller than I wanted.

"You'll walk up to the platform. Stand beside him. If no one objects or challenges the decision, Alpha Logan will complete the marking right there in front of everyone." Dr. Vance glanced at my neck. "That's the entire process."

"But I'm wearing an iron collar," I said anxiously. "Logan can't mark me with his bite. The collar's in the way."

"There's a second method," Logan said, his voice reassuring. "We'll each use a dagger to cut our palms. Then we'll use the blood to draw symbols on each other's foreheads." Logan took my right hand gently, tracing a pattern on my palm with his finger. "I'll draw this on your forehead - a horizontal line with a V beneath it. It's the ancient mark of bonding."

Relief washed through me. "And I'll draw the same on you?"

"Yes. The blood bond is just as valid as a bite mark. Some say it's even stronger because it requires both partners to shed blood willingly."

Dr. Vance nodded. "It's an older tradition, but completely legitimate. The pack will recognize it."

"Dr. Vance!" A young warrior rushed into the hall, his face flushed and breathing hard. "Alpha Logan! We need you both immediately!"

"What happened?" Logan's voice sharpened.

"The patrol team. Something's wrong. They sent a runner back - said it's urgent."

Logan's jaw clenched. He looked at me. "The feast starts in thirty minutes. I need to handle this."

"Go," I said, though anxiety twisted in my chest.

"I'll be back before it starts." He squeezed my hand. "Wait here."

Logan strode out with the warrior, Dr. Vance following quickly behind. I stood alone in the great hall, watching servants continue their preparations.

I walked to one of the windows, looking out at the darkening sky. Stars were starting to appear. In a few hours, I'd either be Luna or... I didn't want to think about the alternative.

"Well, look what we have here."

I turned. Five warriors had entered the hall, all looking exhausted and dirty from patrol duty. Their leather armor was dusty, faces streaked with sweat and grime.

The one who'd spoken - a thick-necked man with a scraggly beard - was staring at me with narrow eyes. "Dressed up real pretty, aren't you?"

"Excuse me?" I said.

"That's a fancy dress for a servant," another warrior said, younger with crooked teeth. "You stealing from the stores?"

"I'm not a servant."

The bearded warrior laughed. "Right. You're that slave. The one who thinks she's gonna be Luna."

My hands clenched. "Alpha Logan chose me."

"Yeah, we heard." The youngest of the group, barely older than twenty, smirked. "Must have a talented mouth to convince the Alpha of something so stupid."

"What did you say?" Heat flooded my face.

"You heard him," the bearded warrior said, stepping closer. "Everyone knows how you got this position. On your knees, working that pretty mouth until the Alpha lost his mind."

"That's not true!"

"No? Then explain how a worthless slave ends up as Luna." He circled me slowly. "You can't fight. You can't lead. You can't even shift. What exactly do you offer besides spreading your legs?"

"Stop it," I said, but my voice shook.

"The pack needs a strong Luna," the crooked-teeth warrior said. "Someone who can actually protect us. Not some bed warmer who got lucky."

"I saved people during the attack," I said desperately. "I killed rogues."

"That doesn't make you Luna material," the bearded warrior said. "You can't even be marked by the Alpha!" He pointed at my iron collar and laughed loudly. "Look at that!"

The others behind him burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the hall.

I felt that everyone's eyes were on me. I felt rage burning in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.

I pointed at a brown-haired young warrior standing behind the others. My voice came out cold and sharp. "I saved you. I personally fed the antidote into your mouth when you were dying."

The young warrior's eyes went wide with shock. His laughter died instantly, replaced by confusion and discomfort. "You're lying," he said angrily.

The smiles disappeared from the other warriors' faces. They looked between me and their companion uncertainly.

"All of your antidotes came from the stone house," I continued, my anger breaking through. "I was the one who carried them to you. I saved your lives while you were writhing on the ground, poisoned and helpless."

"Don't believe her, she is a LIAR," the crooked-teeth warrior growled.

"Our Luna's gonna be a collared bitch!" the youngest chimed.

"Maybe that's what the Alpha likes," another suggested with a nasty grin. "Easy to control. Just yank the collar when she gets mouthy."

"SHUT UP!" I shouted. I felt it sleeping inside me. She was awake, and she was angry, but I couldn't shift there. It would have ruined the Luna Ceremony. I couldn't mess it all up.

"Or what?" The bearded warrior moved even closer. "You gonna cry? Run to the Alpha? Prove us right that you can't handle anything yourself?"

"The pack's gonna eat you alive tonight, little slave."

"GET THE FUCK AWAY!"

Logan's voice roared across the hall. The warrior immediately stepped back.

I let out a long breath. I felt as if my almost uncontrollable anger had found an outlet. I subconsciously soothed it, and it gradually calmed down.

Logan crossed the hall in seconds, his face dark with fury. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Alpha, we were just—" the bearded warrior started.

"I heard what you were doing," Logan snarled.

The five warriors went pale.

"You dare insult my Luna?" Logan's voice was deadly quiet now, which was somehow worse than the shouting.

"Alpha, she's just a—"

"Choose your next words very carefully," Logan warned, his hand moving to his sword.

The warrior's mouth snapped shut.

"Get the fuck out," Logan said. "All of you. Now."

They practically ran from the hall, not looking back. I could feel the atmosphere in the great hall become strange, awkward, and unnatural. Everyone was looking down, busying themselves with their own things, as if what just happened hadn't occurred.

Logan turned to me, his expression softening. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," I lied.

My heart sank deeper. This was a terrible start. If five random warriors felt bold enough to say those things to my face, what would happen when the entire pack was gathered? When Captain Tatum made his move?

Tonight was going to be a nightmare.