63: 63 A White Wolf

63 A White Wolf

"What?" He narrowed his eyes, and a hint of caution flashed in his gaze. 1

I smiled and faced the crowd, unaffected by their stares. "Elder William, or perhaps I should still address you as my teacher. Do you remember teaching me about the meaning of loyalty to the royal family?"

"Of course," he replied.

"I can swear upon the Moon Goddess that I have devoted my love and loyalty to my mate, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Kral," I declared.

Rising from my seat, I disregarded the expressions of those around me and looked at the elders with a knowing smile. Catherine's previous actions had made it clear that someone had already known my secret.

But Kral's insistence and Bernice's death made it impossible for them to proceed with their plans, so they had to postpone our wedding through the queen's trial.

"Based on your understanding, any love acquired through betrayal or deception does not deserve loyalty. I agree with your viewpoint. If you believe my father is hard proof of my inability, then let us make it clear. Here, in the presence of the Moon Goddess, I shall shift into a wolf directly. If I fail, I willingly relinquish the position of queen. What do you think?"

After stating the terms of the bet, the temple fell into an eerie silence.

At my side, Kral exuded a strong aroma, reflecting his displeasure. I noticed his somber gaze passing over my face when I mentioned my willingness to give up.

I didn't see his eyes directly, but I believed he understood my intention.

"Delia, you..." a man looked at me, his voice faltering as if he didn't recognize me.

Heh, I lifted my gaze, a profound chill filled my heart, and I mockingly stared at the man standing in the center of the temple. My father. I touched the smooth pearl pendant around my neck and silently mocked myself.

Mom, you have a terrible choice of husband..

"You intend to shift right here?" Elder August, peering through his tinted glasses, scrutinized me and circled my father with eagle-like eyes. It was clear that the alpha of the Red Moon pack had assured them I couldn't shift, and now my words were causing them to waver.

"Is there a more suitable place than this, Elder August?" I retorted.

"August, I do believe this is the most suitable location," Elder William said. His eyes were shimmering with power and authority, breaking the silence after a brief pause. "I accept your proposition, Delia.After all, this is indeed a very big adventure for you."

"With respect to your courage, Delia, what do you want?" Elder William inquired.

As the moment finally arrived, I suppressed the burgeoning delight within me and stared expressionlessly at the narrowed pupils of the elder William.

Carefully enunciating each word, I stated, "I want Lancaster's life."

He remained silent, but the veins on the back of his hand tensed abruptly. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, like a hunter discovering the weakness of its prey.

Elder William, is Lancaster the very dagger that can strike at you?

Kral's POV

Delia finally revealed her fangs. My girl, my queen, my fated mate. I watched with interest as she performed in front of everyone, observing how she set a trap for the elders.

Yes, I understood her intentions, even though we hadn't exchanged a single word since we left the small cabin in Wolf Valley. My smell constantly surrounded her, enveloping her every moment.

Every twitch of her lips, every blink of her eyes, all within my line of sight.

When she made that wager, I knew her plan. Although I felt a slight displeasure towards the stakes she set, I was relieved to see my girl starting to fight back in her own way.

The fact that William found Delia's father was indeed powerful testimony, but he arrived too late.

This is not good. Delia is learning too quickly. My fingers unconsciously tapped on the armrest as I sighed inwardly. Such an intelligent and smart mate. I guess I can't take full control of my married life. She will not hesitate to express her displeasure towards me if I do something wrong in the future.

It's strange how someone like me could one day feel afraid of losing.

Raising my gaze, I observed the figure in the center of the temple. Under the scrutiny of everyone's gaze, I only had one thought in my mind. No matter what, I will never let her go.

Never.

Delia stood with the attention of everyone, her hands slightly open, resembling a white oak tree with branches stretching out, elegant and beautiful. Two golden lilies on her shoulders began to wither slowly, their deep golden petals shimmering faintly.

The moment the petals touched the ground, a slow white mist began to emanate from her body. Her skirt moved without wind, resembling a swaying white sail in the breeze.

Her translucent, glass-like eyes closed, and her rosy lips murmured the word "Pearl," the name she gave her white wolf.

The white mist completely enveloped her figure, and everyone held their breath, waiting until a howl echoed through the temple.

"woo~"

Emerging from the dissipating mist, the white giant wolf finally appeared. Its fur was pure and ethereal, and its amber eyes were flawless. Compared to the beastly forms most werewolves took after shifting, she was more beautiful and divine.

"That... What is that?!"

"May the moon goddess protect us! It's a white wolf!"

"It's the white wolf!!!" The elders exclaimed in disbelief, their expressions completely shaken.

Elder William's face had turned completely dark, and Delia's father appeared dazed, as if struck by a hammer.

"It's impossible! This can't be! She has never shifted into a wolf before!" He screamed in desperation, his hands gripping his head and shaking as if trying to erase the scene before him.

He suddenly lunged toward me, grasping my feet tightly. The scent of an alpha emanated from him, foul like rotting wood, causing me to wrinkle my brows in disgust. Then, he began to shout like a madman,

"This is impossible, Your Highness! She can't be the white wolf. Delia must have used some magic!"

Instantly, Vivian, who was behind Alen, received many scrutinizing gazes.

"Yeah, Your Highness, did this witch do something? Is she up to something?" a malicious voice came from the crowd, but I couldn't discern who it was.

"Exactly, he's making a valid point."

"Turning someone into a wolf isn't an easy task, is it?" The voices drowned out my ears, and the shadows in my heart continued to grow. Something fell off. It was as if a fire was burning inside me, with my blood rushing to my brain.

The throbbing pain caused my eyes to redden. I knew that these were the signs of my transformation.

Something is wrong! Delia was right beside me, yet I was on the verge of losing control. The surging impulse flowed through my veins, and my hands clenched into fists. The bulging knuckles suppressed the raging turmoil within me.

Damn it, everything in my vision became blurred, and everyone and everything turned into red and attackable objects, making me want to destroy and break things. William, ... Alen, Vivian, .... August, Banor, .... I scanned the people in the temple one by one, like a shepherd counting the livestock in his pen.

In front of me stood an alpha emitting a nauseating odor. His clothes were stained with a strange substance, and I caught a glimpse of his fingers touching my legs, leaving a peculiar white powder on my skin. It hurts, it hurts so much! My head is throbbing!

"Prince Kral, Delia can not become the queen. She's nothing more than a disabled werewolf!"

"Woooo~!"

I heard my wolf's restless howl echoing in my mind. Why was he still here? Why was he speaking ill of my girl? Why should I tolerate his arrogant words in front of me?!

"Shut up!"

A beastly roar erupted from my mouth, reverberating through the entire hall.

My eyes burned with fury, and I lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick to Banor's chest, sending him crashing into the pillar of the grand hall, leaving him unconscious.

“Bang!”

With a loud thud, his body hit the wall, and the sound brought a momentary silence to my ears.

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