CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY


    Talia’s POV


    I spent the morning in Solon’s office helping him organize letters from the other packs. His desk was buried under envelopes. I opened them one by one, read the contents, and sorted them into neat piles ording to arrival dates.


    “How many so far?” Solon asked.


    “Almost thirty,” I said. “Half of them will arrive the day of the Sacrifice Ceremony, and the rest will arrive the day before. Some of them sent gifts too. I don’t even know where we’re going to store all of this.”


    “That happens every year. The wealthier the Alpha, usually the more generous the gift,” Solon stated.


    “So, every year each pack tries to gain Father’s favor?” I asked.


    “Yes,” Solon replied. “Every pack wants the same thing: an alliance through marriage if their Alpha hasn’t found their Luna yet. Theye to the Sacrifice Ceremony to find mates or be provided with a chosen mate. It’s the fastest way to strengthen their position. The difference this time is that they’re trying to win the Alpha King’s daughter.”


    I didn’t like the idea of this. It made me feel like I was going to be sold to the highest bidder. “And I have to meet all of them?” I


    asked.


    “That’s part of it,” Solon answered. “But remember, there’s nothing for you to do but be yourself. They’ll be the ones trying to impress you.”


    “Jason used toin about these ceremonies,” I said, almost absentmindedly. “He said they were dull and full of people pretending to like one another.”


    Solon snorted and said, “That sounds like him. He never told the truth when it would paint him in a bad light.”


    I smiled faintly. “No, he didn’t. He always found ways to make things about himself.”


    I smiled at the memory, though it faded quickly. The only reason Jason never invited me was because he was ashamed of me. I didn’t realize how much he did until he betrayed me with Viki.


    “This will be your first time participating in the Sacrifice Ceremony,” Solon said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Don’t waste another thought on him. You should be thinking about how much fun it is going to be.


    “I’m just nervous,” I admitted. “There will be so many eyes watching. So many expectations.” I still had the lingering feeling that I wasn’t good enough. How couldn’t I feel that way? Jason didn’t want me and now, Nn.


    Solon’s tone softened as he said, “You have nothing to be nervous about, Talia. You are the Alpha King’s daughter. You have more authority than any of the Alphas that’ll be there.”


    “I’ll try,” I said. “Maybe I’ll feel more confident once De helps me pick something to wear.”


    “That sounds like something De would say,” Solon said with a smirk. “She’s not wrong though.”


    I smiled. “She’s been reminding me every hour. She said confidence starts with what you wear.”


    “Just don’t let her talk you into anything too outrageous. Herst dress caused a bit of chaos,” Solon said, and it made me think of the night when Nn and I caught Marco and De making out. There’s no telling what else happened before Nn and I


    found them.


    Iughed and said, “I promise I won’t.”


    Solon nodded. “Remember to wear your Rosecrest ne.”


    “I won’t forget it,” I said. I wore it to attend every important and official event. Having it on would feel like Mom was right there


    with me.


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY


    +25 Bonus


    Before I could ask him about what Mom would normally wear to ceremonies, there was a knock at his door.


    “Come in,” Solon called.


    De stepped inside, smiling brightly. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”


    “What made youe here to look for me?” I asked.


    “I assumed you’d be here since you weren’t in your usual spots,” she said cheerfully.


    “Is everything okay?” I asked.


    “Of course. I wasing to ask if you are ready to pick gowns,” De replied.


    Solon grinned. “Great minds think alike. We were just talking about that.”


    “Exactly,” De agreed with a wink. “Nowe on, Talia. I’ve been waiting all morning. The seamstress has new fabrics that just arrived from Windpaw, and you have to see them.”


    Solon’ rolled his eyes and groaned, “De, you’re going to make us go bankrupt.”


    “How dare you! For your information, the Alpha King requested new fabrics,” De said with mock offense. “It’s not every day the Princess will choose her mate.”


    “Don’t say it like that,” I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face. “You’re making this more serious than it should be.”


    “Don’t tell me you’re nervous,” De said, waving her hand. “Nothing to be nervous about. You’re going to have those Alphas drooling over you.”


    Solon grimaced and Deughed. “I don’t know why you’re not used to this kind of talk, Solon. I’m giving her confidence.”


    “Sure,” Solon muttered, but he smiled.


    “I suppose I can take a break,” I said.


    Solon pretended to sigh dramatically. “Of course. Leave me with all the boring work.”


    “You’ll survive,” I teased.


    De leaned toward his desk and said, “Before I forget, you’ll never guess who arrived just an hour ago.”


    Solon raised an eyebrow. “Who?”


    “Colin Ashford,” she said, her tone full of excitement. “The Alpha of Moonbrook. The guards saw him at the border, and apparently, he’s brought a whole truckload of gifts!”


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