Rejecting Royalty

4: A poop show

SAPPHIRE'S POV

Henry and Chelsey walks hand in hand behind Alpha Dante towards the podium and I feel my chest constrict in betrayal and hurt.

I don't understand,

I really don't.

I feel Red's hand wrap around my forearm, squeezing it tightly, not that it mattered because I could not feeling anything aside from the hard thrumming of my heart and the ringing in my ears. I felt my wolf howl in outrage and pain but nothing registers. I couldn't even comfort my wolf. She wants to be let out and claw Chelsey. I was barely stopping her either.

Tears start to form in my eyes and my vision starts to turn blurry as I stare at Henry's smiling face; like he felt my stare, his eyes find mine and surprise first registers in his eyes, then followed by anger and then regret. I feel my wolf howl in pain as Chelsey locks her arm around Henry's-- then pain. Nothing could have prepared me for the earth shattering pain that came when Chelsey turns her head and plants a kiss on his lips and with Henry's eyes still on me, my tears finally cascades down my cheeks in sorrow. Breathing was suddenly hard to do, blinking suddenly hurt. Everything just hurt.

I could feel a couple of people stare at me but at that moment I didn't care. It hurt. It just hurt a lot. I felt my mother's calm presence beside me as she stands silently and weaves her fingers through mine; which I was grateful for. Henry pulls away from the kiss and opens his mouth like he wants to say something but the pack was still howling in mirth and celebration. I blink my tears away and stand a little straighter. It doesn't matter, I will give him a chance to explain.

He has to.

Slowly, everything starts to come back to me. I feel someone boring lasers at my face and found Alpha Warrick giving me a smug stare. I gave him an equal stare of defiance not caring if I appeared to be challenging him. He mocks me in the most humiliating way possible. He knew-- He knows Henry would never say no to him and he probably took advantage of that.

I breathe out and my gaze finds Alpha Orion's. He was already staring at me though, in concern. He saw. He saw the whole thing happen, he probably figured it out. I can't take this. I just can't. To think Henry said Warrick would lose a son if he denies me. Apparently, that was all lip service.

I gently pull my arm out of Red's grasp and release my hold on mom's hand and step back.

"Sapph-"

"Just, let me be Red. I'll go ahead." I then turn around not waiting for her reply.

I enter the woods leading to our tiny cabin, the trees suffocating me with every step I take and the pebbled ground feeling like tiny shards of glass piercing my soled feet.

Before I could go any further, I hear footsteps run after me. My wolf perks up and starts wagging her tail. See how cruel the mate bond is? My wolf and I were hurt just minutes ago and she was already ready to forgive him.

Not me, though.

"Why did you follow me?" I ask, my voice coming out strong and stable, the exact opposite from what I was feeling.

Good. All my life my mother taught me to be calm it must be for moments like this.

"I- I have to reject you." He stares at me with remorse all over his face and I knew- I know he didn't want to. I know he was forced into this. I look past him and see the former alpha staring at me as if ready for me to pick a fight.

"Do you really?" He looks to the purple sky and sighs. He couldn't even look me in the eyes anymore.

"Why?" I follow up and look my mate in the eyes.

"For the pack. I- I'm sorry Sapphire but we need the alliance treaty..." he trails off. He isn't even looking at me anymore. He's planting lasers on the ground now as if willing it to swallow him whole. I clench my fists and force a breath out.

"So this has nothing to do with the fact that I'm an omega? Or that your father just hates me?" This brings his head up and with the guilt all over his face, I laugh instead. A dry humorless laugh.

This was useless. I honestly thought he would come here and tell me and he just wanted to follow the alpha's orders for show and actually want to elope with me. I thought he would at least want to fight for our bond. He is weak. He will always be weak. My wolf, suddenly understanding the full gravity of the situation gives me the reigns and sits back down, blocking whatever connection was established with his wolf.

"Sapphire-" He starts, but I cut him off. He probably feels my wolf's block. It probably hurt him. I want it to hurt him.

"Don't worry Henry, I Sapphire Greene accept your rejection wholeheartedly. From now on we are strangers, nothing more; I deny the gift of the moon Goddess. I will also accept the consequences whenever the Goddess deem fit." With that, I step back and walk away with my shoulders straight and my head held high.

"I haven't rejected you yet!" Henry yelled after me but I hold up my middle finger to him and continue on my way as I yell back.

"You didn't have to." The moment he showed up in front of the three packs and kissed Chelsey, that was rejection enough. Betrayal in its most raw form.

NOELLE'S POV

I stare after the princess and breathe out trying to reign in my anger. I know this needed to happen. This rejection needed to be done but that doesn't mean it was okay.

"Is she going to be okay?" Red asks, tears streaming down her face for Sapphire. Ruby stares at her daughter then glances at me. She and Red came to the pack two years after I did and she is the only one who knows about everything. She was the palace physician after all. She literally brought the princess to life.

"Lady Noelle, Dr. Ruby." I place a smile on my lips and turn to Orion who walks towards us slowly with his Beta.

"Not too loud alpha, no one here is aware of anything." I whisper, and take his hand to shake. I could feel Red's eyes volley from me to her mother to Orion in confusion.

"Lady? Doctor? Huh? You know each other?" She asks, giving the alpha a once over.

"It's nice to see you Orion, but unfortunately I have to leave early to explain everything to my daughter." I stifle a laugh as Red gives her mother a glare.

"My apologies." Orion steps aside letting Ruby and Red pass by him as he turns to me with a smile. I haven't seen this child since he was six years old and attempting to help the princess and I escape.

"Two years of looking and I've finally found you." I smile and gesture for the alpha to follow me as I walk towards the woods to avoid prying eyes. Especially since Warrick just enters the clearing. My heart still breaks every time I see him with his chosen it's been a dull ache.

"I'd like to introduce my Beta, this is Andy." I give his Beta a smile as he bowed his head with respect. The man was slightly shorter than his alpha but looks highly capable with his buzz cut and muscle bulk.

"Orion, did the King send you?" I ask getting right into the topic. We've been hiding for twenty-two years and I know the war is far from over. He falls into step with me, the leaves crunching under his weight.

"Yes. He isn't feeling too well these days and he believes it is time for the Princess to reclaim her throne." I nod and stop once we get to a small clearing in the woods. I turn to Andy and ask him to keep watch for any prying ears.

"Orion, I know the Princess is ready, I've taught her everything from politics to the blueprints of the palace and the different packs, there's just one more thing she lacks." He looks to me expectantly before I continue.

"She needs to learn self- defense and battle strategies. I know you're the best teacher and I know she can learn from you all those things." Orion nods his head, looking thoughtful.

"It would be my honor to help the Princess. We'll get back to the Palace the day after tomorrow, I'll give you both a day to tie loose-ends here while I'll figure out a way to get you both out." I grasp his arm and shake my head.

"We'll hold a meeting with the alphas tomorrow and reveal her identity. As early as now, it would be wise to get these packs as allies."

"I understand, Lady Noelle, I'll contact the King and inform him. Would you want your cabin to be guarded tonight?" He asks looking past me looking quite agitated.

"Even if I said no, would you have listened?" Orion looks at me and smirks as he shakes his head.

"How?" He asks, talking about his connection with the Princess.

"I am the Queen's familiar, Orion. I know all about that connection. Ever since you were six you would hover around the Queen and then the Princess when she was born and try everything in your power for her to be calm and to never be hurt. Did you think the King would have allowed you near her if you aren't?" His eyes widened at the revelation.

"You mean, the King knows?" I nod my head and pat his face softly.

"Orion, I expect you to protect the Princess to the best of your abilities." He nods his head and gives me a ninety degree bow.

"I will."