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CHAPTER 6
~Jade's POV~
I hated being here.
Not because of the size of the room, or the walk-in closet that could swallow my entire bedroom back home. Not even because of the soft bed or the thick curtains or the quiet luxury pressing in on me from all sides.
I hated being away from my mum when my life was falling apart.
I sat on the edge of the king-sized bed and pulled out my phone again, thumb hovering over the screen like that alone could summon comfort. The battery icon glared back at me—10%.
"Great," I muttered.
My fingers flew to my mum's contact anyway. One ring. Two. Straight to voicemail.
"Mum," I whispered under my breath, trying again. Same result.
Panic crawled up my spine.
I stood and began to pace, crossing the room, turning back, then crossing it again. My traitorous and unwanted thoughts drifted to Troy. Normally, by now, I would've texted him. Or sneaked over. Or waited for him to show up when no one was looking.
I took out my phone and scrolled through my messaging app, my chatting sites… All in silent hope of Troy sending an apology message.
Instead, I stared at old chats that suddenly felt embarrassing. Pathetic.
A small part of me wanted to know if everything was a prank but before my thoughts could spiral, Javelin snapped in my head.
"Don't you dare think of that scum."
"He was my boyfriend," I shot back silently.
"He was a mistake," she corrected. "And you now have mates who would protect you."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Last I checked, none of them even want me."
Javelin huffed. "Well, can't blame them. Would you want yourself after that mess?"
"That was an accident."
"You still sent it," she said bluntly. "Give them time. And be grateful—if you weren't royal blood, punishment would've followed."
Her words stung because they were true.
I dropped back onto the bed, letting my head rest for the first time since all these mess, phone slipping from my fingers just as a knock echoed through the room.
I froze, my eyes darting as I shot into a sitting position. Another knock followed, softer this time.
I crossed the room and unlocked the door cautiously.
Two women stood outside, both beautiful in a quiet, composed way. They wore simple blue gowns with white aprons tied neatly over them. Their hair was pulled back in a single ponytail, their expressions respectful.
They bowed immediately. "Lady Jade," the first said gently. "We are your attendants."
I blinked. "My… attendants?"
"Yes," the second smiled. "We've been assigned to you."
"Oh," I said dumbly, stepping aside. "Um—come in."
At first I wondered if my mates had come, but when I saw the girls, I knew they were still angry at me.
The girls entered and bowed again. "My name's Julia," the first introduced.
"And I'm Jesmina," the second girl, a wine haired introduced herself.
"We're here to prepare you for dinner with the King," the first added.
My stomach dropped. "Dinner?"
"Yes, my lady."
"I—" I swallowed. I still hadn't come in contact with my mother, hoping she'd wake me up from this dream but here I was in this lavish room. "Do I have a choice?"
They exchanged a look, then glanced back at me with soft smiles. "Not really."
Figures.
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~King Ash's POV~
The palace had never felt quiet until she walked through it. My blood, my pup… one I never knew existed until the Elf Prestess foresaw it.
I stood in my study, hands braced against the edge of my desk, staring at nothing in particular.
"She's thinner than I imagined," Elias said carefully from across the room.
My Gamma always chose his words wisely.
I said nothing though. Of course she looked thin. She lived away from me, away from the life she should have had. The door opened without ceremony, and my Beta stepped in, sharp-eyed as ever. "You've seen her."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes," I answered.
"And?" he pressed.
I straightened, turning away from the window. "She looks like her mother. She's the carbon copy of the late queen."
Silence followed.
Before either of them could speak again, a guard's voice rang out from the corridor. "Your Majesty. The Star Elf Priestess seeks an audience."
My jaw tightened. Elias and my Davion exchanged a glance and stepped aside as the doors opened.
She entered like moonlight given form.
Long silver hair spilled down her back, shimmering blue eyes catching the light. She wore a white floral gown that seemed to glow faintly, and in her hand was a carved staff humming with ancient magic.
"King Storm," she greeted, dipping her head slightly. "It has been a long time."
I exhaled slowly. "We saw a week ago," I said. "Except times have changed, it wasn't."
A small smile hung at teh corner of her lips. "You found your daughter I was told."
"Yes. I could smell my blood on her. I…"
I looked away, unsure if I spoke further now, my emotions wouldn't take over.
"It must be hard, I know," Seraphina expressed. "However," she stomped her staff on the ground and immediately the room was engulfed in darkness, suddenly illuminated by the embers dancing on her staff, "it means my prophecy about the war and the dark one's return would come to pass too."
I held my breath, knowing if the future spiralled as she had seen, it wouldn't be good. "Seraphina—"
"You see it, King Asherion. The age of war shall rise again and to stop that calamity, you need the Lost Lycan Princess."
My chest fell. I did not know what to think at this point, but I knew I had to protect my heir. For a long time I had given up hope on having an heir, but things changed when the prophecy came.
Seraphina stomped her staff once more, and light returned to the room.
"The question remains, would you sacrifice Jade Snow, your daughter and your heir or would you watch your kingdom fall to ruin and go down in history that way?"