Chapter 35

Celia

“Etiquette? Seriously?” I look at Ethan and roll my eyes once he notices my gaze. A small smile spread across his face as he sits down across from me at the immaculately set table.

After picking me up from the former Luna’s villa, Ethan drove me back to his home. He kept quiet about his plans during the car ride and evaded answering my questions about what he was planning on doing.

“Yes, Celia, etiquette! You do not know how these events go, so I am going to teach you!” Ethan exclaims with a chuckle. He gestures to the seat in front of him. I let out an exasperated sigh and sit down in the chair.

For the next hour, Ethan walks me through the Royal procedure that is typically held at events like this, especially since it is a royal engagement banquet. He explains to me the the cutlery as well as the different plates that are stacked on the table. When we get to procedure, though, and get to the part where we have to enter the grand dining room in a specific order, he loses me.

“I do not know how this is hard to comprehend,” Ethan says with a half frustrated laugh.

“Why do we have to be one of the last groups to walking? Does it not make more sense for everyone just to walk in all at once?” I ask, my question genuine and pure in nature.

It is baffling that for an event like this, there are such rigid and strict procedures that are put in place. Sure, I suppose it makes sense, but we do not like in a medieval age anymore.

I also didn’t expect Soren to be so attached to the formalities of royal life. During our time together, it always felt like he was never there for the fame or accolades that came with the role as Alpha King.

Soren always kept to himself, holding his cards close to his chest. Perhaps him moving through Royal procedure is not for him, but rather for the Lycans, who will be visiting for the Royal engagement banquet.

“Can you go through it one more time?” I ask with a pained and apologetic smile on my face.

Ethan, not his head, a soft size escaping his lips. I feel bad. For a man so gentle and kind towards me, his patience, knows no bounds, especially with my endless amounts of questions and wanting to get everything right.

I know that I rejected him when he confessed his feelings for me. I can't help but feel guilty towards him, that our friendship will forever be changed after that day. So for him, I have to get this right. I cannot fail, nor will I be the one who embarrasses him in front of Werewolf and Lycan royalty.

I will ensure and make for sure that this banquet goes well for him. After this… I'll be gone and out of his life, never to be a nuisance again.

Soren

My interaction with Celia has left me, grasping for answers wherever I can get them. I sit beside my unconscious mother and hold her hand, her touch bringing me some source of comfort as a new headache forms behind my eyes. The lights in the room have become too bright so we sit in darkness, the only light coming from candles that are lit around the room.

What did Celia do to me? How can I get that relief to come back to me?

My irritation and confusion towards Celia only grows by the second. Our contracted relationship, the clause that labeled her as a substitute for Bianca while she was away, was just a temporarily fulfillment of my needs and desires. She should mean nothing more to me India here she is being the only person who has been able to take away my pain.

It is so frustrating to have to go through. She's materialistic and yet she took the time out of her day to help me, just so she can help my mother. Her motives have left me feeling uneasy, unprepared for what her next move may be.

I reach for my phone inside of my pocket. Turning the screen on, I scroll through my contacts and press my Beta’s number. I bring the phone to my ear and listen to the quiet rings, turning my attention back to my sleeping mother.

I wonder what she thinks of the situation at hand. She's unconscious, yes, but it doesn't mean that she is not listening. People who have left coma say that they were able to hear other people while they were asleep. If you hearing me now, mom, I could really use your help.

“Yes, sir?” my Beta says from over the phone.

“I would like to see healer Anderson in the villa tonight,” I say in a stern tone, demanding that this be fulfilled, “have him come alone. I don't want any other killer coming with him. This is a personal matter.”

“Of course. Is there anything else I may do for you tonight?” My Beta’s voice remains calm and steady. I can hear the scribbling of notes in the background. I shake my head no.

“That will be all,” I hang up the call, set my phone on the table beside my mother's bed. I sigh and stand, moving the blanket farther up her body.

Not even an hour later, Healer Anderson enters the Lakeside Villa. I stand from my chair and turn to him, resting my hands on my hips. Healer Anderson bows his head at me and then approaches me.

“Your Majesty, you summoned me?” Healer Anderson.

“I did, yes I have a few questions to ask you. Please, sit,” I adjust her to the pair of chairs that Celia and I were once.

I sit down in the chair across from the healer and placed my hands in my lap. We sit in a comfortable silence before I begin speaking.

“Today, my headache completely went away,” I watch as Healer Anderson’s expression changes from worry to surprise. “but I also felt a weird sensation… It felt as if I were hole, that the missing piece that I didn't know I lost had been returned to me.”

“Your Majesty, may I ask who helped you?” He leans forward in a seat, hands folded on his lap. I shake my head no. “can you explain more about the sensation you felt?”

“My inner wolf felt at peace. For once, he was calm enough to make my mind go quiet. However, there was a sound in the distance. It was very faint, I could barely make out what it was. It felt like home, though. Comfortable…reliable,” as I speak, Healer Anderson nods his head, suddenly finding himself deep in thought. He looks up and gestures to my body.

“May I?” He asks. I nod and stand.

Healer Anderson circles around me. I can feel his eyes move up and down my body, he occasionally lifts my arm and inspects my skin, leaning in close and looking into my eyes. after a few moments, he sits back down on his seat and I follow suit.

“My Alpha King… There can only be one explanation for what has happened to you today,” Healer Anderson breathes out, each word heavy and hanging in the air.

“Yes? What is it? Is it an herbal remedy that you administered to my mother that I somehow ingested?” I lean forward, eager to hear his response.

But Healer Anderson shakes his head no. He remains quiet for a brief moment, the wheels inside his head turning by the second. When he opens his mouth, I am left speechless.

“This can only mean that you have found your fated mate.”