Broken Queen

6. Exchange Day.

The annual exchange day in the Dumas Moon Pack was always held four days before the start of the mating season. Any item could be bought or sold, but the trade items that everyone was interested in were slaves.

Every one of the Dyson Kingdom's strong and wealthy packs were invited to the event. They gathered in the huge clearing that the Dumas Moon Pack used for festivals. The guest vendors sold an array of valuable items. A new set of gold bracelets were the center attraction that most wolves could only gawk at, and only the wealthiest could afford.

“Please feel free to look around. We hope everyone will find what they are looking for,” Alvara announced at the start of the event. Bernice and Alvara grinned, since this was their favorite day of the year. When they exploited the Dumas Moon Pack's assets to sell at a higher price to affluent werewolves.

“This year, Luna Alvara is the sole organizer of the event. I wonder where Alpha Harrison is?” The gossip caught Regina’s ears.

“I saw the Alpha leaving with his Arlo early in the morning. I saw some royal wolves too. Maybe they left for an official meeting,” an Omegas whispered.

"What's wrong, Regina?" Olivia inquired as Regina came to a halt in front of a kiosk selling rubies. Obviously, she did not have the inclination or the funds to purchase them.

"Alpha Harrison went to a meeting at the palace?” Regina wondered, her gaze drawn to where Bernice was greeting a few high-ranking wolves from neighboring packs.

"Yes, I heard that Crown Prince Miles and Alpha Prince Grant summoned Alpha Harrison and Arlo." The talk amongst the Omegas spread like wildfire across the pack. Regina lifted her brows as she fiddled with her ring. Why did that meeting sound familiar?

“Is hybrid Edger Cecil attending the meeting?” Regina inquired.

“Yes, how did you know?” Olivia exclaimed in surprise but Regina’s lips lifted into a smile.

Her enemies had already begun to set the game in motion. Regina's past would repeat itself as a result of this discussion. They’d already begun their strategy against the Maze Forest.

“Olly, I have a job for you,” Regina mumbled as she observed Bernice carefully catering to one man in particular. The man’s back was facing Regina, but the clothing he wore revealed that he was from one of the wealthy packs.

“This servant is ready to follow your orders, Princess.”

“Go to hybrid Edger Cecil's shop this evening and make an appointment for tomorrow,” Regina commanded.

“I understand, Princess,” Olivia nodded. Regina arched her brow when she noticed Bernice escorting the man inside her home. Bernice dismissed her maid and warriors so that she could serve him personally.

“Who is he?” Regina wondered.

“Oh…Regina, my child,” Luna Alvara called loudly in surprise as she spotted Regina walking in the clearing.

“Shouldn't she be hiding in her room like a hermit?” Laila scowled, shocked by Regina's appearance in public. She had become a laughing stock among her friends when Regina escaped this latest scandal.

“Come here,” Alvara smiled as the pack members moved away when the Princess walked closer to Alvara. Everyone's eyes, including Bernice’s, noticed the way Regina walked like a high ranking she-wolf, as if she were a Queen.

“Luna,” Regina bowed her head slightly.

“It’s surprising that you joined the event this year, Regina,” Alvara faked a smile, despising Regina’s appearance at her event.

“How could I miss my own pack’s event, Luna,” Regina gave her a warm grin.

“She dared to show up to the occasion in her old clothes” Violet studied her from head to toe. “She has the fortitude to confront people with that hideous face? Violet c****d her brow in an attempt to view Regina's scar through her hair, but it was too long and dense.

“She is as ugly as ever, yet she was trying to be courageous,” Laila sneered, which brought a smile to Violet's lips.

“But I wonder about April's freedom. Regina snatched her hair from her,” Violet turned to face April, who was standing a good distance away from them.

“Ugh, it’s difficult to look at her ugliness. She appeared to have just escaped from a mental hospital,” Laila made a disgusting face.

April’s eyes were red from sobbing, yet Jake remained by her side. When April continued to ignore him, he seemed hurt. That's when Jake felt a hand on his arm pulling him away.

“What are you doing, Olivia?” Jake asked in confusion.

“That should be my question, Jake. What the hell have you become?” Olivia challanged, letting go of his hand.

“What do you mean?”

"Can't you see how cruel April is to you?" Olivia reprimanded him, "You're with her even though she looks horrible, and you continue to suffer her poor attitude."

"She's merely upset, Olivia. She isn't ugly to me. The loss of her hair has left her furious and slightly unhinged. If you were in her shoes, you'd act the same way," he defended, leaving Olivia stunned. She moved closer to him, staring into his eyes.

"No, Jake, if I were in her shoes, I would never push you away. If those concerned eyes of yours were on me, I would never let you go," she whispered as Jake lost his train of thought, having focused on her lips. A silence fell between them before Jake blinked. Olivia immediately looked away when she realized that she crossed the point of no return.

“I…I believe April will be back to normal in a few days,” Jake cleared his throat.

"Stop fooling yourself, Jake. It's time to wake up," Olivia mumbled, hiding the grief in her heart as she turned to go.

“I can’t leave April, Olivia,” he said, which raised the fury in her heart.

“She only uses you for s*x. She doesn't love you,” Olivia snapped.

“But I love her,” he countered. Olivia's heart burned with that agonizing truth she’d known for years.

“Great. That means this is the end of our friendship right?” Jake was surprised when she asked that. She’d overheard April's conversation with Jake, in which she demanded that he discontinue his friendship with Olivia because Olivia was now more beautiful than her.

“No…it’s not…”

“You don't need to answer. I understand,” Olivia smiled sadly, turning to leave.

“Olivia…wait…” he opened his mouth to stop her, but April dragged him away.

Olivia cried when she saw Jake leave with April but when she turned to walk to Regina's side, her mistress was already watching at her. When their gazes met, Olivia burst into tears.

Regina had seen and heard everything that occurred between them. She knew it was going to happen. Olivia's one-sided love was bound to hurt, but there was a reason Regina hadn't changed it. Olivia swiftly brushed her tears away and returned to her side.

“Go and calm your mind in the packhouse, Olly,” Regina suggested.

“No, I'll just end up thinking about this if I’m alone right now. I don't want to be upset over something I already knew the outcome of. I want to be here with you, Regina,” she replied, Regina nodded.

"All the good stuff is going to be sold soon, Regina. I wonder what you’ll buy today," Violet paused then pointed to a pricey golden bracelet in exchange for four female slaves. Bernice grinned delighted when her daughter purchased something featured at the event. Violet relished everyone's shocked looks and adoration. Her choice of in men was likewise comparable.

Violet thrived on challenge but despised obstacles, so when Regina was forced to sleep with the Third Prince in the past, Violet went insane. She’d always been skeptical that Vayu was the Third Prince's son and not Alpha Prince Grant’s, which had been the reason she poisoned him.

"I’m sure Regina will buy something unexpected and different from the rest of us," Laila sneered what sounded like praise to others. Bernice mocked Regina once more while chuckling, while Alvara smirked for a split second. She had to keep up her image of the loving adoptive mother.

"Am I right, Regina?" Laila smiled warmly but did not hold back her snark.

"I’ll try not to disappoint you, Laila," Regina smiled back, which irritated Laila.

‘This poor, ugly Princess could really act! What in the world could she possibly purchase without any money?’ Laila mumbled under her breath.

"I want to buy that rouge," Laila pointed to a small pot of rouge, but her voice was frantic. One of the most prized objects from the Kingdom's most expensive shop was this rouge.

“It’s rare and very expensive,” the crowd gasped.

“Yes, they say it’ll even transform an unattractive woman into a beautiful lady!” The gossip started again.

Despite her beauty, Laila tended to lose confidence whenever Regina was around. Regina’s scar provided Laila some comfort, but the pot of rouge captured her attention.

“In exchange I offer four female slaves,” Laila announced, putting the Trader in a tough situation.

"My apologies but this rogue is worth more than six or eight female slaves," he bowed his head in order to escape Laila's annoyed glare. She took his denial as a personal offense. She was about to lose face in front of Regina.

"Mother, help me buy this rouge. I can't let that ugly girl laugh at me," she immediately turned to Alvara for help.

"Plus I want to impress Grant at the upcoming mating ball. It’s only 3 days away. Please help me!" She urged in a hushed tone, which made Alvara chuckle. Alvara wanted the Alpha Prince as a son-in-law and she was willing to go to any length to get it.

"Bring that slave here," Alvara ordered two warriors that were already dragging a tall yet hideous-looking male slave into the clearing.

“Isn't he the slave who was locked up in the storage room on the North side of the territory?” Bernice muttered under her breath in interest.

"How about this young wolf in exchange for that rouge?" Alvara presented a deal that no trader could refuse.

“It was difficult to find a 6-foot-tall, well-built adolescent wolf,” the gossip amongst the traders started.

“Yes, he could serve as a gigolo for sexually frustrated old and middle-aged she-wolves from wealthy packs,” a few snickered amidst themselves.

“This young man was unquestionably s****l pleasure material,” everyone knew about noble families’ filthy deeds, but no one dared to speak of them.

"Definitely, Luna Alvara," the Trader immediately handed over the expensive rouge to the Luna as his people began dragging the young slave along with them.

“This slave is stubborn!!” The Trader’s people grew angry. Despite being bound, he let forth a short roar of rage.

“Disgusting!” When the slave passed by, everyone cringed away in disgust. He had long, filthy hair that covered his face. His chest was naked and grimy, and his entire body stank.

“A youthful male slave is worth more than 15 female slaves. The Trader was going to make a huge profit by converting the man into a gigolo,” Bernice suspiciously watched the exchange take place.

“Aunt Alvara isn’t someone who would accept a loss like that,” Violet remarked. “However, she seems determined to kick this young man out of the pack, cleverly using him in exchange for a pot of rouge.”

Bernice noticed Alvara refusing to make eye contact with her. Even though they’d lived together for more than 20 years, the high-ranking wolves of the Dumas Moon Pack had some dark secrets hidden amongst them.

“Show me your rogue,” Violet asked. Laila's lips were spread in a satisfied grin. She made sure to show Regina her prize.

"Now it’s your turn, Regina. I’m afraid that everything of value will be sold before you can decide," Laila pretended to be concerned, while Violet grinned covertly.

"I’ll buy that slave," Regina pointed to the young slave that Alvara had only just sold. The slave raised his bulging eyes to Regina. The Princess wanted to purchase him? From a distance, he could make out her small face. He could see that she wasn't kidding as their eyes met.

“She wants to buy that dirty slave?” Regina became the focus of everyone's astonished gazes, but she found Alvara's face particularly intriguing.

“The penniless Beta Princess yearns for something she can't have.” Laughter broke out in the clearing.

When Olivia caught April laughing, she scowled. She was making fun of her closest friend, who’d always treated April well. She then recalled Regina's warning from the day before.

"My apologies Princess Regina," the Trader cleared his throat while trying to control his laughter. "I hope you can purchase him. However, as you just heard, I acquired this young slave in exchange for six or eight female slaves. I don't think you have enough money to pay me." The Trader was courteous in his explanation, but his grin gradually disappeared as Regina's cool look made him feel foolish.

"Six or eight female slaves. That's all?" Regina's impersonal questioning prompted the Trader to become alarmed. He would be humiliated if he let go of this slave now.

“No,” his tone became slightly severe as he struggled to contain his pride. "I upped the price the moment the slave came into my possession," he corrected.

“What price do you currently want?” Regina questioned casually as she observed Alvara's anxiety from the corner of her eye. The Trader's eyes flared with a new layer of rage.

“It’s more than you expect, Princess Regina. I’m afraid you can't pay and I can't sell, so please excuse me,” he answered, motioning for his men to transfer the young slave. Alvara exhaled and grinned at the Trader. They were collaborating.

"I'm sure the price of the slave can't be greater than your life." Regina approached the Trader again.

"What do you mean?" He gritted his teeth as he asked. How dare this young orphan girl threaten him over a slave.

"Eight years ago, Royal Beta Jermaine, my Grandfather, freed you from slavery. If I remember correctly, when you were sold, your organs were going to be harvested," Regina reminded him with a grin that caused his face to blanche. "You begged my Grandfather and swore to repay that day with your life. I believe that p*****t is due. Sell me this slave," she commanded, observing his terrified eyes darting back and forth between her and Luna Alvara.

“I…can't…”

"Or you might as well forfeit your life to my Grandfather as payment." Regina cut him off with another demand, the Trader's heart dropped in terror. Anyone from the Dumas Moon Pack would be prepared to behead him at the mere mention of Beta Jermaine. Not even Alvara could save him.

“You…you can buy this slave, Princess. He is yours,” he stammered, avoiding Alvara’s furious glare and shocked expression. “Release him quickly!” He ordered his people pushing the young slave toward Regina.

“No, you can’t buy that slave, Regina,” Alvara screamed desperately, startling even Laila.

“Why would Mother become enraged over a slave?” She mumbled in alarm. Violet went back to her Mother's side, who was intently observing Alvara's behavior.

“Why Luna?” Regina naively questioned, but Alvara bit her lip stumbling over her words. Alvara's heart ached as the curious chatter of the people surrounding them began, as Regina's lips were hooked into a smile.

Would the haughty Luna acknowledge that the slave she sold was Alpha Harrison's illegitimate son?

Harrison was a horrible Alpha, husband, and Father. He was narcissist, self-centered, and greedy. Twenty years ago he got the pack's best female warrior pregnant.

“Harrison, you are a horrible mate but how can you cheat behind my back?” Alvara screamed. She lost her mind in a fit of rage, despite knowing Harrison had raped the woman.

That she-wolf gave birth to a son who could compete with Alvara's son Arlo. Alvara cleverly threatened the female warrior using her son's life as leverage, ensuring that Harrison never discovered that he had an illegitimate son.

Alvara let the female warrior continue to live in the pack, then the female warrior died two years ago leaving his son alone.

“No illegitimate filth will take her son's position. Harrison's Alpha position will only be filled by Arlo. Isolate him in the store room!” Alvara implicated him in a theft so that he had a blade hanging over his neck.

Alvara shuddered just thinking about her demise. She kept her emotions and expression under control before smiling at Regina.

“I want to buy him back, Regina,” she stated. She would poison the slave as soon as she regained control of him.

"You've already sold him, Luna. He's become one of my people,” Regina informed everyone loudly enough for all to hear. I'm afraid I won't be able to return him to you. I’m following the regulations of the event. Nothing bought or sold can be returned to the previous owner."

Alvara gnashed her teeth wishing she could shred the tiny slut to ribbons seeing she was playing with her using shitty rules.

“You still can’t buy that slave, Regina,” Alvara feigned a grin as she sank her nails into her palm.

“Oh Moon Goddess,” Regina's pitiful cry resonated, startling the entire clearing. "Why does the Luna want something that is mine?" Regina's eyes were full of tears, which surprised Alvara.

“The Luna made her cry…” people began chattering once more. The fake persona that Alvara had created of being a good adoptive mother had begun to crumble.

“No, you misunderstand, Regina,” Alvara brought the kind expression and tone back as she placed her hand on the Princess’ shoulder. "I'm afraid people will point fingers at you if an unmarried young female like you buys a young male slave. I’m trying to preserve your honor, Regina," she continued, her eyes full of concern.

The crowd eagerly agreed, which provided Alvara relief. She won this round with her little b***h of an adopted daughter!

“You’re so thoughtful of my reputation once again, Luna!” Regina exclaimed, which caused Alvara to beam. There was no woman alive that didn’t value her reputation.

“Yes, I am. After all I’m your Mother, Regina,” the Luna gave her a warm smile while turning to grab the young slave’s chain.

"But I didn't buy this slave for myself, Luna," Regina explained, stopping her hand.

“What do you mean?” Alvara turned to look at the stubborn b***h of the Princess in annoyance. "Slaves are intended to serve their Master, buying him means you've become his mistress, which is inappropriate for a young woman like you," Alvara reiterated, her patience wearing thin.

“I’ve bought this slave for my maid,” Regina replied, turning her eyes towards April.

“For me?” April’s face turned pale.

“I’ve found a husband for her,” Regina added with a smile.

“What? I’m going to marry that hideous monster?” April nearly collapsed. She would need Regina's consent to marry now that she was a low-ranking Omega. But the fact that she would have to marry a stinking slave was beyond anything she’d imagined.

“I hope you understand my good intentions, Luna,” Regina returned her smiling face to Alvara, who’d completely lost her s**t.

“The Princess is so kind!” The pack members fawned. Purchasing a spouse for a maid was a noble act.

“Please excuse me,” Regina bowed her head slightly before exiting the clearing with the slave's chain in hand. Olivia immediately followed her.

“My every attempt to reclaim the slave failed,” Alvara was stunned when she realized Regina had waited for her to sell the slave so that she could buy him herself. How had that little slacker known she was planning to sell him?!

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Laila asked, hating her Mother’s defeated expression.

“That b***h!” Alvara growled, then left the event in a fit of anger. Her daughter swiftly followed her.

"I'm not sure why, but Regina scares me, Mother,” Violet turned to face her Mother. “She has been acting strangely since her release from prison. She even defeated the Luna at her own game and purchased the slave without money.”

“Don’t make me laugh by admitting that little w***e scared you, just by purchasing a dirty slave,” Bernice raised her brows as she led her daughter back to their house. “It was Alvara’s own stupidity that caused her to make a fool of herself. We should pay attention to more important things. You need to see the big picture, Violet,” she explained, entering the hall.

“Big picture? What do you mean?” Violet asked in confusion.

“The mating ball. Get ready to secure the Third Prince as your husband.”

“How?” Violet’s eyes shone in excitement. Bernice smiled, turning her towards the guest who’d been waiting for them.

“Leave everything to me,” she grinned.

***

“You can leave,” Regina dropped the slave’s chain when they reached the woods. He looked at the path that would lead him to the border.

“The Princess is granting me my freedom?” He asked in confusion.

“Wasn't that what you asked me for?” She inquired. The young man remembered the day that he was accused of theft when he’d mouthed his message to Regina asking for help. In her previous life, Regina could only sympathize with him. He’d been sold as a gigolo. Years later, when he tried to escape, he was killed by his wealthy werewolf Master, but in this life she saved him.

A sudden sense of respect rose in the man’s heart for Regina when he understood that Regina had never forgotten that he had asked for help. She saved him from a painful death.

“I have nowhere else to go. You bought me as your slave, so now my life is yours,” he fell to his knees.

“I don't need your life,” Regina declared.

“Then what can I give you, Princess?” He lifted his blue eyes up to her.

“Loyalty,” Regina stated. “I want your loyalty,” the man blinked, then lowered his head in submission.

“This slave devotes his whole life and loyalty only to the Beta Princess Regina until my dying breath,” he announced. Regina smiled.

“Now the real game begins.”

Dragon Empire

In a room that typically smelled of books and was full of antiques now smelled strongly of smoke and old wine. The drapes swayed in time with the raging storm. A tall gorgeous man dressed in gray pulled the door open to find the huge wet form of his master reclining in the dark on his king size bed.

"Where is she?" Aiden Crown, the Crown Prince of the Dragon Empire, questioned his closest friend, Garner. His caramel hair dripped water onto his naked chest while his green eyes watched the rain dance outside the window.

"The woman you saved is in Dyson Kingdom," Garner informed him, piquing Aiden's interest.

"The Keeper is a werewolf?" Aiden's brows furrowed in bewilderment. When the Dragon Prince had separated his shadow, staying under the sea for over 120 hours, saving the dying woman he’d no idea that she was a werewolf. His appearance in that dark room had been the result of teleportation. It’d only been his shadow, not his actual physical presence. Even though he’d wrapped his tail around her thin waist, his shadow couldn't see, hear, or feel anything. A shadow had no emotions or sentiments, yet it could affirm that it was a female. He could only see her black eyes, and every curve of her body appeared to be a shadow to him. As soon as he had proof that the Keeper hadn’t died, his shadow returned to Dragon Empire.

"I never realized that a woman could be a Keeper, Aiden," Garner brought a point up that the Dragon Prince couldn’t overlook. His shadow dragon couldn’t deviate from his aim. He needed to find the Keeper, but how had he found himself in a dying woman's room? What had caught his attention?

Aiden closed his eyes and leaned against the head of the bed. When he remembered her big beautiful black eyes, his fingers circled the glass of wine. Instead of being terrified by his shadow dragon, the she-wolf appeared fascinated and hadn’t even flinched. Unconsciously, Aiden licked his lower lip, curious about how her lips would feel if she closed those sexy eyes.

"Who is she?" Aiden’s voice was heavy yet curious at the same time.

"Beta Princess Regina," Garner informed as Aiden took a sip of his wine lost in deep thought.

"What are my next orders?" Garner asked, grabbing a glass and pouring himself some wine. "You haven’t confirmed whether I should accept or decline the Dyson Kingdom's invitation to the mating season ball. They’re still awaiting your response," he reminded.

"Accept the invitation," Aiden replied, leaving his glass on the bedside table as he walked closer to the window.

"Really? The Dragon God Aiden Crown will finally bless the Dyson Kingdom with his presence? That is truly unexpected," His friend exclaimed dramatically.

"What is there to be surprised about?" The Dragon Prince asked, grabbing the bottle of wine.

"You’ve never accepted their mating season invitation before," Garner started but was cut off.

"Because those stupid mating ball events are for werewolves. What would a dragon do among them?”

"Yes, you're right. It is unlikely that a Dragon Prince would find his mate among werewolves," Gardner chuckled. It was difficult for a dragon to find their mate. "If you wish, I can have our people capture that Dyson Kingdom's she-wolf. So you won't have to leave the Dragon Empire," he proposed.

"No need," Aiden remarked as he poured the rest of the wine into a plant. "I'll handle her on my own," he said as he emptied the bottle and turned to exit the room.

"We leave tomorrow. Inform hybrid Edger Cecil of my arrival," Aiden declared.