Chapter 9 A Visit

[Crystal]

I was pleased with everyone's hospitality. The residents of Violet Storm Pack were warm, in contrast to their Alpha with his terrifyingly strong aura. They treated me with kindness and courtesy. I felt their affection and would soon feel at home here.

Their food was delicious. Some menus didn't exist in the palace. Although the food tasted unfamiliar, it was tasty. I took a small portion to taste all the dishes they didn't serve when Celyn and I visited.

However, all the warmth was gone. I felt empty when I was alone in the chamber. A single tear fell down my cheek, my chest began to feel tight, and my legs suddenly couldn't hold my weight. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, yet the tears flowed faster.

Grandma, I miss you," I whispered.

I hugged my legs and buried my face against my knees. I had to hold back my emotions for two weeks. I lost a kind and caring grandmother, but I had to be strong. I had to go through event after event until her funeral.

I wasn't alone during the days of her funeral. Even when I slept in my room, the maids looked after me. Guests came from all over the country and other kingdoms. So, I had to be ready to welcome them.

I didn't have time to mourn my twin sister's passing either. Two losses happening on the same day broke my heart. I couldn't believe I could go through all that without crying in public.

"Oh, Drake. Poor you," I sobbed.

I had to end my relationship with him. I felt guilty for choosing duty over my love. If only people's lives didn't depend on me, I wouldn't have let Drake go. I would have left the palace to marry him.

But knowing Alpha Boaz was my destined mate, I felt guilty because I was happy the Moon Goddess chose him for me. I was jealous of Celyn all along. Her mate was her fiancé. I'd traveled the world yet hadn't found my mate.

Drake and I promised to let each other go if we or one of us met our true mates before the wedding. We didn't want to go against the Moon Goddess's will. Looking at his face that night, I didn't dare to be blunt.

'It wasn't your fault,' Ice, my Lycan, comforted.

'It was my fault. Had I listened to you, I wouldn't have broken his heart. Drake and I would still be best friends,' I regretted. 'I now have no bodyguards and must rely on Alpha Boaz.'

'Regret and grief will only weaken us physically. You should stop crying. We're tired from the long journey and two full weeks of ceremonies for Grandma and Celyn,' Ice suggested. 'Drake will be fine. He'll be comforted when he meets his mate one day.'

I suddenly inhaled an unfamiliar scent. It wasn't a werewolf. I raised my head and saw something like a wall of water before me. A head appeared, followed by shoulders, until the whole body entered the room.

"Wh-who are you!?" I asked in surprise.

"Oh, who made you cry, Crown Princess?" She held out a hand as she looked at me with concern.

I dodged, then hurried to wipe my tears. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Who I am is not important," she replied. The woman looked at me from head to toe. "You look alike, indistinguishable if you wore formal attire. If you're wearing ordinary clothes, the one with the athletic build is Celyn."

'Are you listening to me? Please call the guards. There's an intruder in my room!' I spoke to the palace maid who came here with me.

The woman chuckled. "Are you trying to talk to your fiancé? It's useless. Your mind link won't work. So, listen to me carefully."

"Is someone the-" I called the person behind the door, but something silenced me.

I tried to get away, but I couldn't move my legs. I was surprised to realize I couldn't even move my fingers. That was impossible. How could the woman withstand Ice's immense power? My Lycan and I weren't that weak.

She pointed her hand at my face. "You're rude. I'm still talking, and you cut me off before I finished." She approached me. "You must want to know where your twin sister is. Don't sleep with your husband, or Celyn will die."

I rounded my eyes. Didn't I hear wrong? What was Celyn doing with her? Did she forget they were our enemies? Oh no. Could the witch have kidnapped her in the forest? No. I didn't believe it. She must be lying.

"What? You think I'm lying?" the witch taunted. She swung a hand near the water wall, and a scene appeared. Celyn was bound in a dark room.

Even though I knew she wouldn't hear, I shouted through the mind link. 'Celyn! Celyn, open your eyes! Where are you? Tell me. I'll bring an army to rescue you!'

"Foolish girl. I told you, your mind link won't work." She closed the scene, and I could no longer see my sister. "Remember. Don't sleep with that man if you want Celyn to stay alive. You know witches always keep their word."

The woman swung her hand. She threw my body onto the bed and tied my hands and feet with rope. She leaned closer and puffed powder over my face. Damn it! I knew what she was giving me.

She smiled broadly, then strolled towards the whirlpool. "Royal Lycan is just a myth. You're weak creatures who can't match us." She laughed mockingly.

I stared at her intently. The powder weakened all my muscles, but I wanted her to see me at my strongest before she left. The witch vanished, and the wall of water was gone. I could open my mouth again. I made the mistake of taking a deep breath.

When I tried to prevent it, the wolfsbane powder entered my lungs faster. My whole body went limp, and I lost consciousness.