Chapter 240

I couldn't help but chuckle at the Queen's words. "Whispers about the White Wolf, huh? I hope they're at least entertaining."

The Queen grinned mischievously, looking just like her son. "Oh, very. Rumors have a way of taking on a life of their own around here. But I trust you're handling it well. Besides, a bit of mystery keeps things interesting."

"True," I agreed, glancing around the sunlit room. "I might regret asking this question, but what are the most entertaining rumors you've heard about me so far?"

The Queen leaned in conspiratorially. "Well, there's one about you having a secret rendezvous with a particular Prince in the royal garden."

I laughed, surprised by the creativity of palace gossip. "That's imaginative, to say the least. The royal garden seems to be the epicenter of all things scandalous."

Her laughter echoed through the room. "Indeed, it has that reputation."

"And no offense to your son, but I'm taken already."

"Oh Shana," the Queen waved me off as if I was being ridiculous. "Don't you worry. Alexander has a bit of a bad boy reputation and members in the palace walls need to find new means for entertainment. The truth is often more mundane than the rumors suggest."

I nodded, finding that to be true. The Ethereal Palace hadn't seen visitors for years. I imagine having me here was quite the topic for gossip.

"Now, tell me, how are you finding the palace so far?" she asked, leaning back into the couch comfortably.

"Well, aside from the occasional dramatic breakfast and garden rendezvous, it's been quite the adventure," I replied, a wry smile playing on my lips.

"Oh yes," she nodded in agreement. "I've heard all about my husbands fiasco this morning. I understand what you must be feeling, Shana. Betrayal is never a welcomed emotion."

"Yes," I said, deciding that I would use my words carefully. "It was pretty shocking."

"There are things that are done that you will never understand. Was it a bit over-the-top? Yes, but you must also put yourself in the King's shoes. Many people have claimed to be the White Wolf over the years in order to gain access into the palace. The King must protect his home."

I nodded, trying to picture myself in the King's shoes as the Queen advised. I imagined it couldn't be easy having to deal with people that only wanted to take advantage of you.

"Besides that little hiccup, how are you finding the palace?" the Queen asked, changing the subject.

"The palace is vast, and I'm still trying to navigate my way through its twists and turns. And then there's the matter of getting used to everyone treating me like some strange mythical figure."

The Queen chuckled. "Ah, the perks of being the White Wolf. I'm sure you'll grow accustomed to the attention in due time."

"I hope so," I said, glancing around the sunroom. "But I must admit, the royal garden does live up to its reputation. It feels so peaceful amidst all of the chaos surrounding it."

The Queen nodded thoughtfully. "It has that effect on many. Nature has a way of grounding us, no matter how regal or extravagant our surroundings may be."

"Have you gotten used to it?" I questioned. "The grandeur of it all?"

"It's funny." The Queen paused as she looked out the nearest window. "I've been here for most of my life now. At first, it was beyond comprehendible to me. I couldn't believe this would be my home, but now? I'm almost numb to it all."

"Is it alright for me to ask about your life before being the Queen? I don't know too much..."

The Queen smiled. "That's only fair, Shana. People have been asking you too many questions the past few days, I can answer some of yours."

"My life before coming the palace were pretty normal. I would say that the two of us have more in common than you might imagine," the Queen said.

She spoke about the choices she had made when she first arrived at the palace, leaving behind her small town for love. She shared her journey of adapting to the royal lifestyle and embracing her own power as a woman.

"How did you meet the King?" I asked, wanting to understand how their paths crossed.

The Queen settled back into her seat, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.

"I met the King when he visited my hometown. I was just an ordinary girl, and he was nothing like the imposing figure you see now. He was charming, curious about the world beyond the palace walls. Our conversations were genuine, and it wasn't long before we found ourselves drawn to each other."

She continued to unravel the story of their courtship, a tale that seemed to blur the lines between fantasy and reality. The Queen spoke of the challenges she faced when moving to the palace, leaving behind the simplicity of her small town for a life of grandeur.

"As a woman from a modest background, there were moments of doubt and uncertainty," she confessed. "But love has a way of empowering us. I embraced the opportunities that came with my new life, realizing that strength and resilience could be found in unexpected places."

Suddenly, it made sense why I felt more connected to the Queen than any of the other royals. Even the thick accent Prince Alexander and the Alpha King was absent from the Queen's mouth.

As I thought about the Queen's life, I found myself captivated by the parallels between her past and my current situation.

The journey from a normal existence to the whirlwind of palace life resonated deeply with me.

"You see, Shana," the Queen began, her eyes filled with a wisdom that resonated with me, "accepting the terms offered by the Alpha King could be a transformative experience for you. Embracing your abilities and training here might open doors you never knew existed."

"I know it sounds frightening, war and battles, all things you've probably never considered before — but we have the tools here to help you. This is where you can thrive and understand more of who you truly are. And of course, we'll provide you with anything you might need."

I felt a surge of inspiration. Here was a woman who had once stood at a crossroads, much like me, and had chosen a path that led to strength and empowerment.

"I, too, came from a humble background, and when I moved here, I faced challenges," the Queen continued. "I'm sure your own journey will come with it's own challenges, but every challenge was an opportunity for me to grow. The palace is a place of power, and as a woman, you have a unique strength that can shape the destiny of this realm."

Her words resonated deeply within me. I felt a connection, not just to the Queen, but to the idea that embracing my potential could lead to something greater.

"I moved here for love," the Queen added, a fond smile touching her lips. "And in doing so, I discovered my own strength. It's a lot of change being thrown at you, Shana, but I believe you have what it takes to be something spectacular."