Broken Queen

7. The odor of treachery.

The conclusion of the yearly exchange day brought Luna Alvara nothing but depression, dissatisfaction, and dread. The very existence of the illegitimate filth in the pack brought her anguish and sleepless nights. She couldn't let that little b***h live in peace after what she had done!

"Regina, here is your morning tea," Olivia placed the cup in front of her but her voice was low.

"What's wrong?" Regina inquired but then her eyes landed on the tea that looked like little more than plain hot water.

"We don't have much food left in the pantry," she admitted.

"Why?"

"I went to the main kitchen this morning to request your monthly grocery allowance. I was told that Bernice has ordered that your grocery ration be reduced to a quarter portion. I'm scared that when the groceries arrive tomorrow, we won't be able to feed ourselves for even a couple weeks," Olivia explained worriedly.

Luna Alvara was in charge of the pack finances, while Bernice was in charge of the pack's kitchen and other essentials. Regina had never been given her full share, and now Alvara had ordered Bernice to only contribute 25% of the groceries to her household in order to appease her rage.

"Interesting," Regina chuckled as she sipped her morning tea, despite the fact that it was just hot water. She was being punished by Alvara for acquiring the slave.

"Now what will we do, Regina?" Olivia sounded discouraged.

"How much food do we have stocked away in the pantry?" Regina asked.

"Umm, not much. Some vegetables, a few dry grains are left but we lack meat, eggs, and fruit," the maid informed.

"How many days can we go with what we have?"

"Around four days," Olivia reported. "After yesterday you’ve one more person under your care. The food will only last a few days and that’s if we only eat twice a day," she continued, before coming up with an idea. "How about you discuss it with the Luna?"

“There’s no need,” Regina remarked. Regina was responsible for feeding her servants and slaves as mistress of the packhouse. Without groceries, the Princess would be forced to grovel at the Luna's feet, at which point Alvara would take back the young slave in return for the food.

“So what do we do next?” Olivia asked.

"Accept anything they provide us without argument." Regina placed the cup back on the table before continuing, "I'm sure the seeds I instructed you to plant in the backyard have grown into plants. Tend them carefully, and soon we'll have a fine crop of vegetables," she explained calmly.

“Okay,” Olivia nodded in confusion. “I never knew you were fond of gardening, Regina. You’ve a great deal of knowledge on plants as well,” Regina merely smiled and grabbed her cup.

She had become familiar with plants in her previous life when Grant would remain in Laila's room.

"Make sure to send April to the market and ask her to purchase five hens. They can provide us with eggs. You and Jake can go to the pack's forest to gather wild growing fruit, to fish, and hunt," Regina continued.

“I understand,” Olivia squealed in delight. The food issue seemed to be resolved. She never imagined that instead of imploring the Luna, Regina would fix the situation herself. "But Regina, I'd rather go hunting by myself. Don't send Jake with me," Olivia said, biting her lower lip.

“Why?”

“We aren’t friends anymore,” she explained.

“Did he say that to you?” Regian raised her brows.

"No, but he is head over heels in love with April and will do whatever she asks. After our encounter yesterday, I doubt he'll even look me in the eye again." Regina smiled, happy that Olivia had finally recognized April's cunning on her own. She took a deep breath, putting the cup back on the table.

"Then it'll be fascinating to wait and see if friendship or blind love wins," Regina said. Olivia was puzzled by her assertion.

"Princess, please don't marry me off to that slave," April cried, her eyes welling up with tears,” April dashed into the room and landed at Regina's feet.

“April, what are you doing?” Olivia was surprised but Regina admired the scene with calm serenity. She had missed this drama. Jake walked in but looked annoyed for some reason.

"I'm terrified of him," April hadn't slept all night in horror.

“Scared? But he hasn’t even looked at you, April. What scared you?” Olivia asked, which annoyed April.

"Haven't you seen how awful he looks? His entire face is covered with so much hair that no one can see his eyes. He looks so creepy it's unbelievable. He’s covered in grime and stinks. He frightens me." April's tone was weaker than usual in order to elicit sympathy.

“Oh…” Regina blinked.

“Please Princess, I love Jake,” April sobbed but Jack scowled. Last night April intended to run away from the pack but Jack refused to leave his family and friends. Then they had an argument about his relationship with Olivia.

“That’s all? You could have always just told me that you loved Jake, April,” Regina replied.

“Yes, we’re lovers Princess,” she explained.

“Really? Then what about you, Jake? Do you love April?” Regina raised her gaze to Jake.

The twenty-year-old wolf was intelligent, brave, and strong when it came to matters of war but was a fool in love. Regina had watched Jack fall into April's trap in previous life. She used him so that she could become pregnant because her mate was unable to do so, then she accused Jake of stalking and murdered him using her mate as the weapon. When Jake died, he had been little more than a betrayed and devastated shell. His love had been genuine, but he chose the wrong person to give it to.

“Yes,” Jack hesitated to respond as he struggled with many emotions. His gaze stayed fixed on Olivia for a few seconds before she turned away.

“Then I'm not going to push a third wheel between lovers. I’ll give the slave to Olivia,” Regina announced. April's eyes twinkled as her lips curled into a wicked grin. She escaped the unwanted marriage. Olivia would be the one to marry that ugly monster. Jake would be hers alone.

Olivia's eyes widened in shock. She’d gotten a husband in a blink of an eye? Jake's wide eyes drew her attention. He was pale and appeared to want to say something.

“Thank you, Princess,” Olivia embraced Regina's big hearted actions with a smile. Jake clenched his fists tightly. Olivia's marriage to another man upset him more than when he was certain that April had no choice but to marry the same man.

April grimaced when she noticed Jake's reaction to this new outcome. She looked between him and Olivia, choosing that moment to grab his arm and pull him over to her. Olivia ignored them as they started to leave.

"Olivia, go hunt in the forest. However, you need to return before nightfall. I heard that there were several unmated wolves roaming the woods, so be cautious," Regina cautioned as she rose from her seat. Jake’s ears perked up, he stopped right away to look back.

“I understand Princess,” she bowed but someone objected.

“What do you mean, you understand?” Jake pulled away from April walking over to Olivia. "Didn't you hear the Princess mention unmated wolves in the woods? You should never wander out alone! I’ll accompany you, let's go," he said, grabbing her hand then departing the room in an instant, leaving April stunned. Her mouth hung open as she struggled to figure out how she was left ignored and alone. He was supposed to be hers yet he had left with another woman.

“Jake!” She attempted to stop him, but he was already gone. She chewed her lower lip frantically until she felt Regina's gaze on her. She quickly checked her attitude and donned an innocent look.

"How about you get back to work, April? Are the toilets and rooms clean?" Regina's eyes were emotionless.

“I understand, Princess,” she felt humiliated as she bowed.

****

The packhouse smelled strongly of cherry, tea, and sweets that evening. Every food on the table was both delicious and expensive. Regina glanced down at the food before returning her attention to her cousins who had brought it with them. Their lips were curved into bright smiles that would give even the Devil chills. Their sudden arrival had numerous meanings.

"These snacks are for you Regina. I wanted to share them with you and Violet," Laila offered with a smile. Regina mentally chuckled, unable to process what she had just heard. When it came to Laila, she would not share a strand of her hair unless she had an ulterior motive. So these ‘gifts’ definitely came with strings attached. She had come with her snobbish servants and an expensive tea to demonstrate her fortune and authority to Regina.

"I’ve tried them. Trust me, you’ll love them," Violet elaborated. She had joined Laila in order to mock Regina's reduction in grocery portions. They were curious to discover how destitute she had become.

“Yes, Arlo fetched them for me from the Crown Prince's Palace. So you can appreciate how delicious they are. Don't share them with anybody," Laila said in a conspiratorial tone, Violet giggled. Regina's face instantly became stern when she learned that the snacks were from the Crown Prince's residence. She would rather eat poison than anything that had been touched by Crown Prince Miles. Every touch that man had made to her body felt like acid being poured over her skin. Even after being reincarnated, she recalled every whisper he made in her ear and felt every scratch he had made on her chest.

“Thank you for sharing the snacks,” Regina smiled and motioned for Olivia to take them away. "So, what brings the two of you here today?" She asked, acting oblivious to their intentions.

“Your birthday is two days from now, Regina. We brought your birthday gifts,” Laila explained. Every year, these two snakes would arrive at Regina's with something nasty that they referred to as presents. Regina had welcomed them since only her cousins had paid attention to her. She'd interpreted everything as love and concern.

“April, bring the boxes!” Laila ordered.

April stepped back after she placed them on the table in front of Regina. Violet and Laila anticipated that Regina would jump up with excitement and immediately open them, but the Princess remained calm and waited for them to open the gifts. Laila got annoyed for a second when she did not get the reaction she expected. Was this b***h treating her gift like a s**t?

“Your favorite color is white,” Violet first showed her gift, which was nothing more than a white veil. It had beautiful embroidery. The material was rich and smooth. Regina stared at it blankly. White was her favorite color years ago but not anymore.

“Here is mine,” Laila showed her a pot of rouge. It just had expensive packaging but it was a cheap rouge that would damage the skin once applied.

“Do you like them?” They asked in unison, causing Olivia to frown. They had intentionally brought a veil and rouge for Regina to insult her. April mentally smirked. The ugly Princess needed rouge the most to cover her scar.

“I love them,” Regina smiled, accepting them without any excitement. She already knew what they were going to give her. She motioned for Olivia once more to take them away. Olivia nodded but bit her lip. How could the Princess smile when accepting such heinous gifts?

“Make sure to use them for the upcoming mating balls, Regina,” Violet suggested. They adored the fact that she hid behind veils and her hair.

"You’ll be thrilled when I use them," Regina promised. Laila arched her brow slightly when she realized her words could have different meanings. Laila had no idea why Alvara was so upset over the slave, but she despised Regina for irritating her Mother. Her gaze darted around the packhouse in search of someone special.

“You’re looking for someone?” Regina asked which startled Laila a little.

“I wonder where that slave is that you bought?”

“Rex? He’ll be here tomorrow,” Regina provided as little information as possible. Catching April's sneering expression at Olivia as well. She was too busy serving water to notice how delighted April was about her marriage to a slave.

“Who addresses a slave by their name?” Laila disguised her frown. Violet rolled her eyes briefly, which Regina noticed from beneath her hair. Her purpose for stopping by was not the same as Laila's. She had another reason that she couldn't wait to spill.

“Regina, we're going shopping tomorrow. We require gowns for the mating ball. It's just two days away. Mother asked that I invite you. Are you going to the mating ball?" Violet eventually got to the point. If Regina didn't show up, who would they sneer at? How else would they look perfect in the eyes of the Princes?

“If Aunt Bernice has invited me to go shopping then how can I refuse? I’ll be ready tomorrow morning,” Regina promised, but she avoided answering the question about joining the mating ball. Grant would find out that she was his mate that day.

“Great, then how about we get going? Mother mind-linked me about a small meeting. There is a guest waiting for us,” Violet offered, departing with Laila. Regina sat there for a few moments. The guest, he was the one who Bernice had been treating like a god. He had finally left. This was different from her previous life. What exactly had Bernice talked to that man about?

“Regina,” Olivia shook her shoulder a little to draw her from her thoughts. The Princess got up from her seat to meet the man.

Every high-ranking female stood with their maids, while a man stood with his warrior. His back was still turned to Regina, but she came to a sudden halt as soon as she detected his foul odor. The odor of treachery.

“Regina is here, Carl,” Bernice used an overly sweet voice that showed her intentions to the man.

"Regina," Carl turned to her with a bright smile. He was the son of a powerful Alpha and the Royal Gamma of Alpha Prince Grant in Regina’s previous life.

"How have you been?" He chuckled, presenting Regina with a bouquet like he usually did. He was aware of her likes and dislikes and treated her like the Princess she was.

Carl had been one of her closest pals since she was young. He had been the only one to never sneer at her scar and veil. They had been inseparable until his Father sent him to live among the Royals two years ago so that Carl might pursue his ambition of becoming Grant’s Royal Gamma. Every Alpha in the Dyson Kingdom aspired to get close to the Royals. Carl had the passion and insane aspirations to become Grant's Gamma, which he accomplished in the past. He was overjoyed when Regina was crowned Luna Queen. He stood by her side until the day he betrayed her. That was the day the mask that he had always worn, that of a best friend and supporter, was removed exposing the truth beneath.

Carl had witnessed Regina's abduction from her bedroom by the Alpha Adonis. As her Gamma and best friend he owed it to her to defend her with his life, it was part of the Gamma pledge. Regina screamed, wept, and defended herself in the empty corridor until Carl strolled through by mere happenstance. When Regina's eyes begged for help, Carl turned a blind eye to her predicament.

Alpha Adonis mercilessly dragged her away by the hair. Her best friend and Gamma then testified in front of the royal jury and the Elders that he had watched Luna Queen Regina fleeing with an unidentified male. He and Laila had teamed up to gain Grant's favor, he labeled her a characterless Queen who seduced him behind Grant's back.

Regina recalled her weeping infant who had fallen to the floor when Alpha Adonis had unexpectedly entered her room while she was breastfeeding her son. His head smacked off the wood and he yelled in pain. She was afraid that he was bleeding and had only been trying to lift him up, which was why she hadn't noticed when Adonis shackled her wrists.

"Regina," Carl waved his hand in front of her face to gain her attention. While her mind wandered back to the present he grinned, Regina thought about how Carl had unlocked the back door for Adonis, making the kidnapping easier for him.

"Did you hear me?" Carl chuckled, finally gaining Regina's attention.

"Yes," Regina smiled back, not letting her eyes turn red.

"Then you’re attending the meeting ball, right?" He handed the invitation over. He was the Royal Fmily’s loyal dog, thus he accepted the job of passing out the invitations.

"Fortunately, Crown Prince's Miles' birthday coincides with the start of the mating season. The Kingdom will celebrate Crown Prince Miles' birthday first, then follow it up with a mating ball," he explained. "Regina, I'm looking forward to seeing you there. I would appreciate it if you could attend my posting ceremony. I’ve passed all of the tests, and Alpha Prince Grant will announce me as his Royal Gamma at the ball." Carl's voice was quiet, he usually spoke to Regina as if she were a five-year-old girl.

"You’re coming right?" Carl lifted his eyebrows to ensure Regina's presence at the ball. This was the first time that he had not received the usual attention and admiration from the Princess. She said very little, but he admired her powerful aura. It was new. This little flower had matured into a lady over the past two years, his blue eyes did not forget to inspect her surreptitiously. Regina's scar didn't bother him since he remembered how gorgeous she used to be.

"Sure," Regina smiled, finally assuring her attendance. "I would love to see you become a Royal Gamma, Carl," she said, but it was an oath that she took for herself.

"Then I’ll be waiting," he gave her a delighted smile. He wanted to speak further and learn more about this different Regina who drew him in, but Violet dragged him to her side to talk about his accomplishments. Regina continued glancing at Carl's cheerful face with crimson eyes.

Yes, he would achieve his dreams. He would become Grant’s Royal Gamma. But he needed to pay the debt that he owed her in blood.

"Olivia, what about my appointment with hybrid Edger?" Regina asked, observing everyone having a good time with Carl. The two packs were friends and for some reason Carl was close with Bernice and Violet.

"I arranged the appointment for you, Princess. It’s tomorrow morning," Olivia replied quietly. Regina looked at Carl once more before returning to the packhouse.