The Alpha’s Rejected Bride
Chapter 22

The next day was a lazy day, I kept listening to music and watching movies in my suite. When it was midmorning I couldn't take it anymore so I decided to take a walk around the castle.

I get into an all-black sweatpants outfit, put on a simple chain around my neck, and a pair of Balenciaga sneakers then go outside.

I have been walking for a while now and I notice there is a guard following me. He's keeping his distance but his eyes are following me like a hawk.

The castle is none like I've ever seen in my life. It's a beautiful huge mansion that has more than one water fountain in the paved driveway.

It has some statues and lined trees, and not too far there is a nice lake that is kept clean. The grass is mauled leveled, and a few white benches to sit on.

I take a seat on the bench and watch the white and black swans drink from the lake. I follow their movements in the air and find myself smiling. I wonder how their life is, carefree and just living. I want such a life too. I'm particularly looking at the two black and white birds, they seem to get along well, their color complementing each other.

I get up to stretch my legs and move closer to the lake absentmindedly when I feel someone grab me. I abruptly turn and stare into the eyes of a man. He has chestnut hair, a sly smile on his lips, and fox-like eyes with a mysterious glint to them.

He is tall and has an athletic body.

I pull away as we are so close.

He smiles

"My lady," his voice is deep and husky.

"Who are you?" I ask.

He sighs and extends his hand to me

"I'm Darren. I'm kind of family here," I nod and shake his head. I signal him to back away a bit since we are still standing close.

"I'm sorry, I thought you, you- I was there when you know what happened," he gestures to the lake and

I roll my eyes. I'm sure he knows that I once tried to end my life.

"Everyone is scared to say it?" I ask. He shrugs.

"It's just you know... difficult," he sighs.

We go back to the castle together at a slow pace. We are not talking but it's comfortable. The guard who

was following me earlier seems to have disappeared.

We stop in front of the huge glass doors and the guards stationed there, bow.

A woman in uniform rushes towards us. She bows " Sir, that woman is here again,"

Darren's body goes rigid and his eyes widen a little. He turns to me with a tight smile.

"Lady Lucy, do have a good day and I'll see you at dinner,"

I squint my eyes in confusion, dinner? I usually have dinner alone or with Enol.

"They haven't told you about-"

"Darren Illinois!" an angry voice growls. We turn at the same time. Just at the entrance, stands a petite woman, she is wearing a slutty red outfit and high heels. She has long black hair and full breast that can barely be contained in the dress.

The woman is angrily looking between us.

"You left me for her!" She squeaks in an Insanely loud voice. Darren growls in irritation.

"Molly, please leave," he says politely. She scoffs and walks towards us.

She gives me a disgusting once-over look and crosses her arms against her chest.

"No big breast," she points out, I narrow my gaze on her. My breasts are not too big like hers but they

are round and I love them just like this.

"No makeup, at least she has an a*s but not bigger than mine, "

I'm just standing there, shocked.

"Darren since when do you like plain? you can do better!" She screams, her voice echoing through the empty ballroom we are standing in.

I watched as Darren try to de-escalate the situation, now the woman is crying while shouting, she thinks

we are together but no matter how much he tries to tell her we are not lovers, she won't listen.

I turn to leave the two of them but the woman growls, cutting me. I raise my eyebrows at her.

"What?" I snap, my voice was hard. She squints her eyes.

"I thought you were human," she whispers.

"So?" I ask, defensively.

Even Darren has an indecipherable expression on his face.

"You- you can't leave us here," she's stuttering.

"I'm tired of watching this drama, it's getting boring," I say in a bored tone. She is looking at me with fury in her eyes.

"Are you sleeping with my man?" Her voice is threatening and just because I want to cause her distress, I smirk and look up at Darren sweetly, he looks shocked, his mouth ajar.

"You little b***h! He's my man!" Molly shouts. I roll my eyes.

A few maids are watching us quietly.

"Oh really, are you sure?" I ask. I clear my throat and look her dead in the eyes. I approach her and she takes a step back. She looks intimated now.

"Look, I can be the worst b***h if you push me, next time you come here and cause drama I'll have you

arrested," I say without flinching.

The woman looks scared.

"You are not a wolf, you're not one of us,"

"Oh, are you sure you want the king to you to hear you say that about his goddaughter?" Darren has a sly smile on his face as he plays along, this girl is a trouble maker and he couldn't rid himself of her, so I decided to help.

"King's god... Goddaughter?" Her voice is shaking now. I move closer to Darren and snake an arm

around him and he puts his hand over my shoulder.

"Yes, so watch your mouth, and don't ever come near my man again," I warn her sternly. She nods and scurries away.

We are laughing hard at her expression and so are the few servants and guards that were watching the show.

Darren and I sigh and he says

"Thank you, I've been trying to rid myself of her for months but she is everywhere," he says and we laugh again.

"What is going on here," I know that voice, and damn, it sends shivers down my spine.

Prince Rayan, Jasper, and Enol approach us, a little behind them is Olivia, I snarl at her sight. She has a perfect smile on her face.

"What's up?" Darren waves with a smile. Rayan has several expressions on his face before it settles on confusion while Jasper is wearing his usual gentle smile and the youngest prince just looks curious, he has a mischievous smile on his lips.

"What's up? Your f*****g arm is resting over her shoulder," Rayan all but growls, and I'm taken back. I forgot that we were still in this position.

"Oh brother, her arm is snaked around his waist as well, clearly they are comfortable like that," Enol adds, making a growl vibrate from Rayan's chest. I glare at him. Darren and I look at each other and then giggle softly again. We pull away and I lower my head slightly at the princes just the way Rhodes taught me. She said I shouldn't bend too low to them like others. I don't know why.

"Oh, my prince why do you look angry? Isn't it obvious what's going on?" Olivia says, she sounds ecstatic.

"What?"

"They are a couple!" She claps her hands a bit and Rayan chokes and starts to cough.

"Wow, Lucy, I didn't know Darren was your type," Jasper says, intently looking at us.

"I don't have a type," I shrug. Olivia is done helping Rayan calm his cough and comes to us. She pulls me in a quick hug

"Congrats, he's a fine catch. Honestly, I thought you'd go for a man like the first prince," she admits, the brothers are just quiet. Enol is enjoying this a bit much though.

"Why do you think that?"

Olivia smiles showing her white straight teeth that I want to punch.

"Who wouldn't, he's the most handsome, hottest of course, and all the questions you were asking me

last time, I didn't want to say it but you sounded... Jealous," she whispers the last part. I swear this girl

is ignorant. My fist is clutched and I feel like any moment I can jump her and rip all her hair out. I'm watching her lips as she speaks.

Jasper frowns while Enol facepalms and shake his head

"While Darren is hot, he's a man w***e. He's like a child who can't stick to a toy, in this case, a s****l partner,"

Darren growls.

Rayan and I stare at each other for a while, his eyes suddenly soften and I thought I saw the hurt in them.

"I've changed,"

"How sweet, see Lucy, he changed for you," she softly pinches my cheek and I swat her fingers from me angrily.

Rhodes is at my side in less than a second. She holds my arm and whisper

"Let's go, you are having dinner with the royal family in two hours,"

I nod and bow to them before making my exit.

"Thanks, Lucy," Darren hollers, I only nod.

I'm sitting in front of the mirror, they are about five girls in my ensuite bathroom, all running around. In front of me are a lot of cosmetics that will either go to my hair or face. In the far corner of the room are two gorgeous dresses, one black, my favorite color, and the other sequin silver, they are designed almost the same except one is long and the other short. They have thin strips and a low neckline that leaves some room for cleavage and shows part of the back.

I sink into my chair " thus it begins," I whisper.

After nearly three hours,

I'm standing in front of the mirror, wearing a sequined silver figure-hugging gown that accentuates every curvy on my body

My brown hair is styled into a voluminous down-do for the occasion.

Rhodes opted for glamorous makeup, going for dark eyeshadow with lashings of mascara, and nude lipstick, everything is on point.

"Oh my god, they'll die when they see you," Rhodes hugs my shoulder. Damn, I look hot!

I naturally have a slim waist but it looks slimmer in this dress. The high heels I'm wearing make me look

three inches taller and, I'm wearing diamond earrings my godfather gifted me not too long ago. I love them, they just give me that perfect finish.

"Why are you making a big deal anyway," I ask.

"It's the queen's dinner, my lady," Rhodes responds and I squint my eyes and stare at her blankly.

"The queen?" She nods affirmatively.

"She's alive," I state, and no one talks about her. I thought she died or something.

"Yes, she has been unwell, so inactive in some of her duties,"

She explains.

"How?"

She smiles" that's not for us to tell you, my lady," she sighs and inspects my face once more.

"You look extra beautiful," she smiles

"Thank you,"

"The princes are already downstairs,"

"Is it just them? And their parents?" I ask

"No, a few others will be there like beta Darren, sir Yadiel, and maybe two high-ranking councilmen, like the king's counselor and the royal secretary and his family," she informs me. Yadiel, I repeat softly, wherever did I hear that name?

We descend the stairs, into the main room and I hear soft chattering not far from here.

My steps are soft and silent despite the heels I'm wearing, thanks to the modeling Bootcamp I went to a

few years ago, all Naomi's doing. Crystal and I were supposed to fail so it should help raise her chances

to win Miss universe. My heart constricts and I take calming breaths.

When the huge doors open, the chattering dies down and they all turn to me.