Chapter 61:
Makenna’s POV:
After I returned to the training room, Kristina’s angry voice echoed faintly from outside. Glancing out the window, I saw Hayley hurriedly assisting Kristina, her face twisted with concern as she led her away. The chaotic scene finally drew to a close, leaving a strange stillness in its wake.
Alice soon slipped back into the room, having clearly enjoyed the spectacle. She gave me a discreet thumbs-up, her eyes gleaming with admiration. I smiled at her, though my heart remained heavy. Victory didn’t taste sweet; it was merely the bitter fruit of survival.
What I had done was a matter of self-preservation—an eye for an eye. Despite the satisfaction of standing up for myself, this wasn’t something I ever wanted to become routine. But in this place, where darkness and cruelty thrived, I had no choice but to match wits with the wicked. I sighed, knowing the battles were far from over.
Moments later, Hayley entered the room, her expression laced with thinly veiled contempt. She glanced at me, her eyes sharp with disapproval. “Well, someone’s certainly grown bold. Framing the future queen of Lycan—that takes nerve,” she sneered.
Feigning ignorance, I remained seated, meeting her gaze with calm indifference. From the day I set foot in this place, I had learned that meekness was a recipe for misery. Tolerance was a signpost to more torment. Kristina and I were bound as enemies from the start, and there was no action too extreme when defending oneself from a sworn foe.
My unyielding demeanor seemed to grate on Hayley, and she huffed in annoyance before shifting her focus to the day’s lesson. To my surprise, the training was centered around dancing.
“There will be a dance at the upcoming banquet,” Hayley announced, her voice firm. “If any of the princes take a liking to you, you’ll have the chance to dance with them. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime, so make sure you seize it. Understood?”
Her words caused a ripple of excitement among the other women, who buzzed with anticipation.
Lᴀtеst chαptєrs 𝑖n g𝓪lнovєls.со𝓂
For them, the prospect of dancing with a prince was a dream come true—a shimmering opportunity to step into the light. But for me, the thought was repulsive. I had no desire to waltz into their world; I only wished they would stay far from mine, bringing me as little trouble as possible.
Nevertheless, I had no choice but to endure Hayley’s training.
Once the session ended, I made my way to the door, eager to leave, when Alice hurriedly called out to me.
“Makenna, wait up!”
I stopped, surprised, and turned to face her.
Alice rushed over, her expression clouded with worry. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do next?”
I raised an eyebrow, confused. “What do you mean?”
She spoke quickly, her voice tinged with anxiety. “I’m talking about Kristina. You’ve really gotten under her skin. She won’t let this slide.”
Ah, so that was it.
I remained composed. “Don’t worry about it. Kristina and I have been at odds from the beginning.”
From the moment I arrived, it was clear we were destined to clash. If she had left me alone, we might have coexisted. But Kristina was relentless in her attempts to undermine me, and I had no choice but to defend myself.
Alice cautioned me, “But she’s the daughter of the Beta.”
I cut her off with a reassuring smile. “Please, don’t concern yourself. I can handle her.”
She blushed slightly, muttering, “I’m not worried about you or anything. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
With that, she awkwardly sidestepped me, clearly flustered, and made to leave.
But after taking a few steps, she hesitated, glanced back at me with an embarrassed expression, and added, “If you ever need help, you can come to me. I mean… since you’ve helped me out before, I might be willing to return the favor.”
Her words came out in a rush, her cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly turned and scurried off, as if fleeing from her own embarrassment.
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, warmth spreading through my chest.
I hadn’t expected Alice to become an ally.
It was a small, bright spot in these otherwise dark days.
With my spirits lifted, I made my way back to my house. But as I approached, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of a familiar figure standing by my door. A surge of joy welled up within me, catching me off guard.
I quickened my pace, my voice tinged with a shyness I didn’t quite understand. “Good evening, Your Highness.”
