Elena''s POV


    Marriage... Marriage... Marriage...


    I couldn''t count how many times I''ve heard about it in recent days. People were so bothered about my marriage that they were either trying to be a wingman or giving tinnecessary free advice.


    Hence, when I returned to the Ironpaw Pack andy my back in thefort of my soft bed, no one could imagine the relief I felt as rxation cursed through my entire body


    But then again, being rxed and having a peaceful moment that wouldst a minute seemed to be a luxury I couldn''t have. Just a few secondster, Zara knocked on the door and informed me that Beta Jude was here to officially hand me a royal decree.


    ''What can it possibly be about?''


    A royal decree? I was there earlier. Why didn''t they give it there?


    It... I can''t possibly have something to do with what Queen Celine said, did it?


    But I rified it to her. I''m sure she talked it out with the King already...


    Despite the confusion, I fixed my wrinkled clothes and messed-up hair as I rushed downstairs, where I found Jayden amodating Jude.


    Jude was having a small talk with Jayden. He stood upright with his hand on his back, holding what I could presume was the letter of decree.


    "Jude, what do I owe the visit? I just came from the pce moments ago," I greeted, cutting his conversation with Jayden short.


    Giving me a slight bow, he greeted me before showing his hands and pulling out the purple sealed envelope with the royal stamp on it.


    "May I?" he asked, gesturing to open the decree and present it to me.


    I gave Jayden and Zara a knowing look, which they immediately understood. They hurriedly stood behind me in an upright and formal position to receive the King''s letter. Once we settled, I looked back at Jude and nodded my head.


    He ripped the envelope open and folded open the letter, reading, "By the decree of the Lycan King - should Princess Elena not find a suitable mate within three months, His Majesty, King Desmond, will take her as his secondary Queen."


    As soon as his words reached my ears, I was bbergasted. I was stoned in my ce, and my mind instantly went to oblivion.


    The disbelief I felt was so overwhelming that I thought I heard him wrong. After a long moment of silence, I blinked a couple of times and stutteringly asked, "...W- what?"


    Jude remainedposed and folded the letter to its original appearance before putting it back in the envelope.


    He then nced at his watch before extending his hand to hand me the letter. "By this time, the King''s orders have been announced throughout the kingdom.".


    If I had fallen into nkness earlier, right now, my mind whirled, and a storm was seemingly formed within me.


    Swallowing and trying to keep my breathing calm, 1 rocked my brain and forced every gear of it to work as I processed this shocking news.


    However, the longer I processed it, the more confused I felt and the more questions formed in my head.


    I just couldn''t understand what the fuse was all about.


    If King Desmond really wished to marry me, there wouldn''t be a need for this ridiculous three-month ultimatum. He''s the King, for pete''s sake. He could simply dere it and be done with it. After all, no one in this kingdom had the power of any kind - may it be status or skills to challenge him, nor would anyone dare to do


    So.


    So... Why are the three months for? What''s he ying at?


    It''s not that I wasn''t grateful for the time I had to n and make possible changes to it, but still...


    Taking a deep breath, I looked up and met Jude''s eyes. Narrowing my eyes, I intently look at him for a couple of seconds to grab his attention and put pressure on him before asking firmly, "What''s all this? What does the King really want? This is not him."


    I''ve known him for so long, and he treated me as nothing more than a younger sister he needed to look after because of our familial bond... It''s just... It''s all too sudden and absurd. None of it made any sense.


    Jude remainedposed, nonchntly staring at me without offering further exnation.


    Of course, what was I expecting? He wouldn''t be the King''s Beta if he couldn''t take a high amount of heat.


    I cleaned my fist in hopelessness and confusion, knowing there was nothing much I could do.


    What should I do?


    No one in the kingdom would dare topete with the Lycan King for a woman.


    His deration undoubtedly effectively ensured that no one woulde forward


    to marry me even if I ended up choosing a man as my mate, not that I was nning to.


    I closed my eyes in frustration.


    Damn, I''m freaking cornered!