Chapter 60: Royal Tensions
Lily stood frozen as Zayn’s gaze locked on her.
His eyes widened slightly, taking in the blue dress that hugged her curves. The intensity of his stare made her cheeks flush with heat. For once, she didn’t see coldness or anger in his eyes—just pure, undisguised appreciation.
“You look...” Zayn paused, his voice dropping to a husky whisper only she could hear. “Beautiful.”
The simple word sent warmth spreading through her body. Lily lowered her gaze, not knowing how to respond to this unexpected complint from the man who rejected her as his mate. The one who vowed to destroy her.
“Well, isn’t this a lovely sight?” A deep voice cut in.
Lily looked up to see Alpha King Dace approaching them, his tall fra adorned in royal regalia. His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he assessed her from head to toe.
Nervousness gripped her tightly. She felt like a hand was coiled around her neck. Lily took a small step back.
“My, my, Zayn. Your little Luna has transford beautifully,” Dace complinted as he circled around Lily like she was prey. “She looks nothing like a slave girl but a proper Luna-to-be.”
Zayn’s jaw tightened. “You’re too kind, Your Majesty.”
“How could I not?” Dace’s laugh bood across the courtyard, drawing attention from nearby pack mbers. “It’s like watching an ugly caterpillar transform into a butterfly overnight.”
Lily shifted uncomfortably at the Alpha King’s poison-laced complints. She wished she could disappear.
“Darling, aren’t you going to introduce ?”
Luna Queen Regina appeared behind her husband, her elegant gown trailing on the ground as she locked arms with Dace. She looked like a porcelain doll with a perfect painted smile. But beneath the surface, Lily could feel the tension.
“Alpha Zayn,” Regina nodded. “Won’t you introduce us properly to your new Luna?”
Zayn cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, this is Lily Brightpaw, my mate. Lily, this is Luna Queen Regina.”
Regina gave Lily a small nod of acknowledgent. Lily gave her a small curtsy while keeping her eyes on the ground, just like how Martha had taught her.
“She’s lovely,” Regina comnted, her eyes assessing Lily carefully. “A much better improvent from your mistress, I must say.”
Lily felt a shiver run down her spine at the ntion of Victoria. She couldn’t help but glance at the crowds. It did not take long for her to find Victoria glaring at her with undisguised hatred. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, knuckles turning white. Her perfect features twisted with rage.
“I always knew Zayn preferred soone more... pure...innocent,” Dace chuckled, leaning in closer. She could sll the sting of alcohol lingering on his breath.
“Tell , Lily, has he shown you his peculiar tastes yet? Alpha Zayn here has quite the reputation for liking it rough.”
Dace burst out in laughter, as if he had heard the funniest joke. But the crude comnt hung in the air like a poisonous cloud. Lily felt her face burn with embarrassnt. Zayn’s body went rigid beside her, rage bubbling within him.
“Your Majesty,” Zayn’s voice was dangerously low. “Perhaps–”
“Please excuse my husband, Alpha Zayn,” Regina quickly interjected with her signature perfect smile. “The day has barely begun, and he’s already drunk too much. You won’t hold it against him, would you?”
Zayn didn’t get a chance to respond.
She tugged at Dace’s arm. “Darling, let’s head to the carriage. We have a long journey ahead.”
Dace’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “Go ahead if you want. I still have things to discuss with Alpha Zayn.”
“But surely we can all—”
“I said I still have things to discuss with Alpha Zayn,” Dace cut her off, his voice dropping to a threatening growl.
Regina’s perfect mask never slipped, but Lily caught the flash of humiliation in her eyes.
“Of course, my King.” She turned to Lily and Zayn. “It was lovely eting you, Lily. Perhaps we’ll speak more when you visit the capital.”
As Regina walked away towards the royal carriage, Lily noticed a figure moving through the crowd in her direction. It was Zephyr, Ezra’s twin brother. She watched as he approached the sa carriage that Regina entered.
She recalled how she had caught them in a compromising position. How Zephyr warned her to keep her mouth shut. Lily bit her lip as her hands fiddled with the hem of her dress.
Before she could process this further, Dace stepped directly into her line of sight, blocking her view.
“Co closer, little one,” he commanded, gesturing for Lily to step forward. “I have sothing to tell you before I leave.”
Lily hesitated, looking to Zayn, who gave her a slight nod. Reluctantly, she moved closer to the Alpha King.
Dace leaned down, his breath hot against her ear as he whispered, “If Zayn can’t satisfy you, don’t worry. There are many others who cannot wait to fuck you. Myself included.”
Lily’s blood ran cold. She stumbled backward, bumping into Zayn’s chest. His arms ca around her automatically, steadying her. Their sudden contact made her flinch, still reeling from the Alpha King’s disgusting words.
“What did you say to her?” Zayn asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked between her and Dace.
The Alpha King shrugged his shoulders, “Just sharing so friendly advice with your Luna. No need to get so worked up, Zayn. You jump at the slightest of things. It’s all in good fun.”
Dace took a step back before announcing loudly for those nearby to hear. “I look forward to seeing you both in the capital for your honeymoon. I cannot wait to host you, newlyweds.”
The surrounding pack mbers laughed nervously, not daring to upset either Alpha.
Lily did her best to maintain a brave face. She stood beside Zayn as they bid goodbye to Alpha King Dace and the other visiting Alphas, forcing herself to smile despite Dace’s words echoing in her mind. It made her skin crawl.
“Did his Majesty say ‘newlyweds’?” Soone whispered close by.
Lily tensed.
“You must have heard it wrong!”
“I heard it too...”
Lily glanced around, hoping to ease the building tension within her. She couldn’t help noticing the stares she was receiving from all sides—so curious, so hostile. Even Victoria was glaring at her.
Every glare was a reminder that despite her new dress and position at Zayn’s side, many still saw her as nothing more than the enemy’s daughter.
When she turned to look at Zayn, hoping for so reassurance, she found his expression cold and distant. The warmth she’d glimpsed earlier had vanished completely, replaced by the stone-faced Alpha she knew all too well.
Was he angry about Dace’s comnts? Or was he simply reverting to his usual self now that they were surrounded by others?
Had she upset him?
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