Chapter 32: Chapter 32

*The Next Morning*

Damon slightly opened his eyes after hearing the voices of people approaching where he laid. He looked into the cell Belinda was first and saw she was still sleeping peacefully.

Their hands were still connected the same way it was before they fell asleep. He smiled faintly and looked up to see some of the guards approaching them.

“Good morning, my prince.” They greeted him.

Sitting up, Damon made sure he didn’t let go of Belinda’s hand. “Good morning.” He responded.

“King Talos asked us to fetch Miss Belinda and bring her to the throne room.” The guard that led them said to him.

Damon nodded and turned to look at Belinda, who was already awake. “It is time, Belinda. Let’s get you out of here.”

The guards looked at them weirdly as they never let go of their hands while they opened the door. Belinda noticed this and whispered in Damon’s ear…

“Rumors will spread. We have to stop holding hands.”

Immediately she said this, Damon understood what she meant and instantly recalled that they were in a secret relationship.

He let go of her hand as she walked out of the cell.

The guards led the way, and they both followed behind them, stealing glances of each other.

“And Ayman? Is the King going to see him too?” Damon asked the guards.

“Yes, my Prince. He is already in front of the king.” One of them answered.

Getting to the throne room, Damon took a few paces away from Belinda and let her walk in with the guards. He then later walked in like they weren’t together before.

Belinda was made to stand in front of the king and queen before she was left alone. In the throne room, Megan and the two Betas of the MoonLove pack were also seated.

Next to Belinda, stood Ayman, whose head was bowed in regret for his actions.

“Speak Belinda. Who are you?” King Talos asked, and Belinda lifted her head to look at the throne, where he sat.

“I am Belinda Bartling, I was a slave of the Mystic Shadow Pack before I got rescued by Princess Megan and Prince Damon. I was almost killed…”

“Why?” Queen Marlena butted in.

“Because I went against the Alpha’s words. Alpha Cephas’ words. Alpha Cephas had his time with me and laid with me at every given opportunity. After he was done, he’d always give me a pill to take. I never knew this pill was to prevent me from getting pregnant until I decided not to take them anymore. I almost believed he was using that pill to suppress my wolf.”

Damon felt uncomfortable hearing her say these things because everytime she explained further, it provoked his anger.

“Why are they asking her all these? We have known these things before.” Damon angrily whispered in Megan’s ear.

“True. But she never came up to say it to our parents like this. For them to question her this way and not just discard her, I believe this would end with a positive judgment from our father.”

Megan’s response made sense to Damon, and this calmed him down.

“Continue, Belinda.” King Talos ordered.

“I am over the age of eighteen, and when the first full moon came, I felt nothing and didn’t transform. I wasn’t sure why it was so, the second also came and there was nothing. And then last night, I transformed into a red-furred wolf. I wasn’t and still am not sure what it means to be one but I saw terror in people's eyes when they looked at me. I was able to stand up against the Alpha that had always hurt me. I believe this wolf didn’t show up until now because of a reason.”

“And what do you believe is the reason?” King Talos further inquired.

“A wolf wanted to surface now because I am with the right people. If I had transformed when I was still with Alpha Cephas, I would have been killed. But now I’m here, I believe it’s the right time to be myself.”

An awkward silence followed her words. King Talos stared at her for minutes as if he was deciding her fate right there.

“She is so brave today. Do you notice?” Megan asked Damon in a whisper.

“Yes. I noticed changes in the way she talks since yesterday. Her wolf showing up is the best thing that has happened to her. It is changing her into a better woman.” He answered.

Before they could engage in more discussion about Belinda’s new bravery, King Talos stood up.

“Here is my judgment. Belinda…”

Belinda’s heart began to thump against her chest unsteadily. She had just one concern. That she wasn’t going to be separated from the prince. She couldn’t think of a life without him.

“You will remain in this kingdom until I find a tangible reason to banish you. And while you are here, you will learn more about your wolf breed and how to make better use of it. I have a friend who has an idea about who red-furred wolves are. Your training will continue, and you’ll join the army of the MoonLove Kingdom. Do you have any questions?” King Talos asked.

A smile lit up Belinda’s face as she responded. “No questions, my king.” She bowed.

“You are missing the most important part, Talos.” Marlena, the queen added and stood up.

She took a few steps forward, leaving Talos behind her.

“You are not to engage in any intimate relationship with any man until you are proven to be mature enough. The last thing we need is our aspiring army to get distracted by emotions. You cannot have an intimate relationship!” She asserted.

Belinda gulped hard and nodded. “Yes, my queen.” She answered.

“Any other addition?” King Talos asked, and there was silence.

“And you Ayman. You are forgiven. This is your last chance. Get back into your uniform.”

Ayman fell to his knees and worshiped the King. “Long live the king. Thank you very much for another opportunity, King Talos. I will never let you down.” He promised.

“I’ll remind you of these words in the future.” King Talos answered, before looking at his children.

“Take her to my librarian friend. She has so much to learn.” He said to them and turned to leave. Queen Marlena shot Belinda a deadly look before she also headed out of the throne room.

‘She doesn’t like me.’ Belinda thought as she hid her gaze from her.

Once they were out, Megan and Damon approached Belinda with happy faces.

“I’m so glad you are not going anywhere!” Megan uttered excitedly and pulled her in a hug.

“I’m so happy too, Princess Megan.” She answered, letting her eyes fall on Damon, who was beaming widely.

“You were so confident when you spoke. I’m so proud of you.” Damon complimented her, and she let out a smile of appreciation.

“Thank you so much, Prince Damon.” She replied.

“I’m happy for you, my dear red-furred wolf. You are about to shake kingdoms!” Reggie, one of the Betas, interfered in their discussion.

“Thank you, Reggie.”

He gave her shoulder tiny taps and bowed to the royalties before walking out of the throne room.

Yolanda slowly approached them, with her eyes fixed on Megan. When Megan saw her, her countenance changed, and she looked away from her.

“Congratulations, Belinda. I’m happy for you.” Yolanda uttered with a feeble smile.

“Thank you, Yolanda.” Belinda answered with a large smile. After Yolanda turned to leave, Megan sadly stared at her until she was out of the throne room.

“Are you alright, Princess Megan?” Belinda noticed the change in her facial expression.

“Yes… I’m alright. Let’s get you to Father’s librarian friend. I can’t wait to learn more! I have always loved history, and here is one, right in front of me!” She uttered happily, and they all chuckled.

Leaving the throne room, Damon heard a woman call his name. They all looked back and saw Maisie approaching.

Immediately Maisie’s eyes fell on Belinda, she took an abrupt halt out of terror. ‘Why is she here? She is supposed to be dead! What did my sister do?!’

After Maisie left Belinda with Alpha Cephas and her sister, she believed she was never going to see Belinda, ever again. So, she didn’t bother to go back there. Instead, she headed down for the palace in excitement.

“You should go to her. Remember our discussion last night. I’ll go with Princess Megan to the librarian.” Belinda whispered to him and turned to leave, alongside Megan.

Damon heaved a sigh and looked at Maisie. He noticed she could barely move from a spot. ‘So this is how people react when they see a ghost? Wow.’ Damon thought.

“Are you going to come to me, or what?” Damon asked, and she finally found the strength to move her legs.

“Prince Damon. Good morning.” She obviously forced on a smile. Damon answered with a smile too.

“Good morning. Why did you look so shocked? Is this the first time you’re seeing me in an all-black robe?” He teased her.

“Yea! You look so handsome. I couldn’t resist you for a moment back there. I had to pull myself back in order.” She responded.

Damon kept grinning as he stared at her. He couldn’t help but imagine how fake a woman can be. She acted so real, that if he didn’t know she was evil, he would fall for her lies.

“Should we take a walk?” Damon asked, giving her his hand.

She was hesitant and said, “Ermmm… I’m sorry, but I have to leave now. I just remembered I have somewhere to be.”

“Are you sure? Let’s go there together then? I haven’t spent so much time with my fiancée.” He answered sarcastically, but Maisie was too troubled to notice this.

Damon was acting too nice to her and this raised her suspicions even more.

She believed Belinda must have said something to them, and even the king and his wife, and they could be after her life. She had to run away until she came up with a new plan.

“I’m sorry, my Prince. I have to leave now.” She took a few steps backward, and when she turned to leave, she began to walk very fast, and didn’t look back until she was out of the gates to the kingdom.

Immediately she was out, she took to her heels, heading to her sister’s pack territory. ‘I can’t go back there, ever again!’

Damon scoffed and shook his head after watching her run off. ‘Let’s not meet again or it will be your death.’ He said to himself with a smirk.