The Alpha’s Rejected Bride
Chapter 23

First, the room is decorated beautifully and has a nice scent as well. It is very cool and bright. There is a long table in the middle and there is antique-looking cutlery.

I look at every person in there, they are not more than ten, they are all wearing elegant outfits and holding a glass of Champagne in their hand.

Prince Rayan and jasper are standing next to a man I met last time, he is looking at me intently, his cold golden eyes make me shiver, today he's dressed in a black costume, and his hair is neatly done as well. He really can clean up very well. There are a few faces I don't recognize, but I know some, Misheck is here talking to Delish, she is wearing a burgundy mini dress that has a round neck and long sleeves, it is fitted at the waist before falling to a short length with a flare. She is smiling softly at me.

There is also an older-looking man with them, he has a serious expression on his face and next to him is a woman who is smiling with a soft expression.

Next to the couple is a tall thin man with a mustache, he has a sharp nose and sunken eyes and a beautiful brunette by his side, they were laughing.

Enol walks to me with a gentle smile, I smile at him, thankful. We link arms and I swallow thickly as we walk into the room just as they return to their conversation.

Enol takes me to his brothers. Rayan is staring at me with a small smile plastered on his lips, once in arms reach to them, Jasper kisses my cheek softly.

"You look beautiful, lady Lucy," he compliments. I smile and accept it.

However, Rayan does not move, he is just drinking me in lustfully and not even bothered to hide it. He visibly swallows

"Brother, aren't you going to say something?" Jasper asks.

Prince Rayan gets out of his daze

"Indeed, you are very beautiful, my lady," he blinks a few times.

I blush profusely, he looks very handsome in a dark blue suit, he's not wearing a tie and his first three buttons are undone, leaving us a glimpse of his skin.

"And You look hot," I immediately bite my tongue as those words leave my lips. " I meant really good," I breathe and silently curse myself. I hear chuckles.

I close my eyes momentarily and say, "you ALL clean up well," I put emphasis on the word all. Enol removes invisible dust on his collar with a proud look.

"Especially you,"

"I know," he says cockily. "I clean up best,"

The waiters bring my champagne and Darren joins us, he winks

"Hi, girlfriend. You look gorgeous,"

"As do you," I say and playfully wink back. He smirks, I feel cold eyes on me but I pay no mind to Rayan.

I'm trying not to let him close to my heart, he made it clear we could only be friends.

Darren's phone rings, I hear him groan and curse before excusing himself.

"Lucy, I'm sure you have met Yadiel, he's a family friend and a warlock," yes, so that's where I heard that

name.

I'm not too surprised to hear that he is a warlock because I knew about their existence but they are rare. He only nods in my direction.

"Well, hello!" I almost scream in annoyance when I hear Olivia's voice not far from us. This woman is everywhere I go and she's not my favorite wolf. I clutch Enol's arms tightly as a million ways to kill her play in my head.

"Careful with those hateful emotions, you might end up causing a mess," Yadiel smiles. We are all looking at him in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Prince Rayan asks, but the man sighs.

"It's obvious she doesn't like Miss Chien, looking at how she's clutching her hand,"

He points out, I didn't realize I was doing that. I don't bother denying it, Olivia just infuriates me and I

feel so bad because she hasn't done anything bad to deserve my anger for her.

Olivia joins us and goes straight to kiss Rayan's cheek. I ignore the sting that pierces my heart. She greets everyone and gasps when she notices me.

"Wow, omg! You look beautiful. Are those diamonds on your dress?" She inquires, I only shrug.

"Has Darren seen you yet? He will love you!" she squeals as though we are friends

"They are not together!" I hear Rayan says angrily. She raises her eyebrows and says.

"You'd have my support if you were,"

I'm glaring at her while she looks at Rayan expectantly. What does she want?

Seeing he's ignoring her, she turns to me but I don't let her open her mouth.

"I'm parched, can we get a drink?" I ask Enol, he looks at my hands.

"You have a drink," he raises his eyebrows. I gulp it in one go and smile.

"And I don't," before he can say a word, I grab his arm and drag him out to stand somewhere else.

"I'm sorry, I can't stand her for some reason," I tell Enol. He chuckles

"Olivia can be a bit much sometimes but she's a good girl,"

"she's a good girl," I mock by mimicking his deep voice and making a face, Enol only squints his eyes.

"And the way she is all over Prince Rayan, so annoying right," I'm ranting to Enol now. He calls the waiter "Here, take another," I nod and grab a glass from the tray. Enol dismisses him.

After a few minutes, the young prince introduces me to the people present, most just three people I don't know. Secretary Rachael and her husband Enock, Misheck, and Delish's parents. I didn't know they were siblings, half-siblings. They share the same father but different mothers.

Enol also introduces Mr. and Mrs. Illinois, Darren's parents. Everyone here has a high-ranking position and that leaves me to wonder why that skank is here, she mentioned once that her parents hold prominent positions here but they didn't come, then why did she?

A servant interrupts us as she announces that the king and queen are on their way.

The door opens and everyone straightens up. The king walks in, his imposing aura dominates the room immediately, walking beside him is a woman, she is quite tall like most werewolves and has pretty grey almost blue eyes and exceptional long sunny shiny blonde hair, her face has the same qualities on either.

Her dress is very eye-catching, it's a one-shoulder floor-length dress with a crystal neckline and shawl. She looks very beautiful and elegant.

She is radiating confidence and serenity.

"Is that the Queen of wolves?" I whisper, still keeping my eyes on her.

"Your godmother and my mother, yes," Enol has a smile on his lips.

"She's beautiful," I barely whisper.

"The queen Luna of the royal city," he trails, finishing his drink. He has had quite a few already and I know they don't let him as he is still seventeen.

The royal couple is greeting the secretary and his family politely, from my observation, they are close to them, they converse casually but keep it respectful.

Then prince Rayan and Jasper, and everyone with them goes to pay their respect as well, I can't hear their discussion but I see Olivia's lips moving nonstop, I snort.

The queen takes Rayan's face in her hands and whispers something in his ears. His expression changes

to an uncomfortable one then his eyes snap to me for less than a second.

"Let's go say hi," Enol says casually but the royal couple is heading our way.

The queen sighs and smiles widely at me

She hugs me. At first, I'm stiff, taken back by her actions. Slowly I wrap my arms around her and relax in

her embrace. It feels so comfortable and motherly, I almost cry.

She pulls away and smiles. Oh my god! She has dimples.

"Oh my, you're so beautiful," I blurt very low but she hears.

She giggles.

"You're more beautiful," I'm sure my ears are turning red.

"I'm very happy to see you again, the last time I did you were four-five," She turns to her husband

"Right, honey?" She asks the king who nods.

"I honestly wasn't expecting you to grow into a fine woman so soon!" She sounds ecstatic and I find

myself smiling at her enthusiasm.

Finally, the king caress my cheek and kiss my forehead.

"I see you are doing well, my dear," he says in his deep voice.

"Yes, Doctor Misheck did a good job," I smile.

"Nonsense! It was all your hard work,"

Rayan and Jasper are coming toward us.

Rayan gently shoves Enol aside and takes his place by my side. His mother smiles while Enol frowns. Jasper ruffles his hair comfortingly. We are laughing and chatting, the atmosphere is friendly.

We are at the table now, my godfather is at the side and on his right is queen Astrid next to her is Yadiel, they exchange hush tones and they seem to be close. The councilor and his wife then Darren are facing them next to permanent secretaries Rachael, Misheck, and Delish.

I'm sitting at Rayan's right even though Olivia wanted the spot badly but one word from the queen, she scurried and sat near Delish, I get the feeling that they don't get along well, they keep sending each other death glares or oppose what the other say with smart sarcasm.

Enol is next to me while Jasper seats on Rayan's left.

"Oh Lucy dear, do you know Rayan almost kidnapped you when you were little?" I gasp and look at Rayan but he is looking a little embarrassed and not meeting my gaze.

"He hid her in our jet under my seat," the king chuckles.

"Stop," Rayan mutters but the queen shrugs.

"Yes, my brother has always fancied her even without her front teeth," Jasper adds." Dad, do you still have that old picture from when we were in the pool?"

"What picture," I laugh.

"Of You, Rayan, Enol in diapers and I, you had no teeth but still smiled brightest, it's cute and funny," They are talking about how we used to play together when we are younger but I don't remember a thing, they stopped making frequent visits when the queen's illness got serious, I'm curious to know what she is suffering from. She does look frail and pale and the king asks her from time to time if she is feeling unwell or if she would like something. He is very caring.

The chefs begin to dish out plenty of food. It looks delicious and my stomach is lowly growling, I flush and close my eyes in embarrassment when Enol and Rayan let out a laugh.

"Brother, are you still persuading your dream of marrying our Lucy?" Jasper suddenly asks and all eyes turn to him. I swallow hard.

"Remember mother?" Jasper continues to remind the queen. My heart is racing, marry me? How? "Oh yes, he said he'd marry you so you don't part, how sweet" the queen laughs beautifully. I look at Rayan expectantly but he still averts my gaze, taking gulps of what smells like strong liquor.

"It was just a stupid childish dream, look at them, they are not compatible," Olivia says, getting everyone's attention.

I hold the glass tightly in my hands I'm scared it might break. Does that girl always have to run her potty mouth?

"I actually think they look great together, look at them," Secretary Rachael smiles.

Most of them nod their approval but Olivia of course.

"Well, they are totally different and she can't rule by his side now,"

"Why?" I ask, glaring at her.

"Well, humans-"

"Don't," The king's word is solemn. And she lowers her head.

Delish scoffs

"Shame on you, Olivia,"

She glares but doesn't say a word, I feel tears dance in my eyes.

I'm sure Olivia will be the one person to remind me I don't belong.

"I for one think she will make a fine queen," Yadiel says after the long silence, taking everyone by surprise. He hasn't participated in any conversation except the private one he has with the king and queen.

"Indeed," the queen backs him. However, Yadiel's golden eyes are on the crown prince. "Don't you think so, my prince,"

Prince Rayan is glaring at him and takes my hand in his then face me, his eyes are gentle "Indeed, Lucy would make a fine queen for anyone more tamed out there, after all, she doesn't need a crown on her head to be queen," he smiles. Anyone but yours. I almost utter bitterly. And what does he mean by tamed?

The air suddenly becomes thick.

My mood is sullen already even as we begin to eat. They are now talking about the royal city and the packs

I've learned that most of them are either, warriors, trackers or hunters, they are extremely talented in their fields, once again, I'm the only one who stands out. Just human. Even Olivia Is a good hunter for f**k sake!

The rest of the dinner goes on smoothly, they try to include me in their conversations but I'm not interested anymore.

"Are you feeling all right?" Enol asks, concerned. I nod and gulp my wine.

"Don't you think you are drinking too much, Lucy?" Olivia asks. I raise my hand to her.

"Please, shut up. I've heard enough from you this evening,"

I whisper but seeing we are in a room full of supernatural creatures, they heard. Everyone is silent.

Olivia's eyes are wide and her lips are parted in utter shock. Misheck and Delish laugh out then Enol and

Darren.

The queen muffles her laughter while the king and others just look surprised. I get to my feet, and bow,

"Can I please be excused, I'm feeling unwell,"

"Oh my dear, what is it?" The queen sounds concerned. I shake my head.

"I'll be fine, Olivia is right. I think I drank too much champagne, my body isn't meant to process lots of

it," I laugh.

"She's lightweight, like you," the king chuckles.

"Dad, since when do you use such terms," Enol asks but my godfather has a proud expression on his

face. I bid everyone good evening and the queen stands up and pulls me in an embrace again. As I begin

to leave Rayan stands up

"I will escort you," he offers but I shake my head.

"I know my way," I walk away.

"Burn," I hear Enol whisper just as the door close.