Chapter 66:
Makenna’s POV:
After our measurements were taken, Hayley stood before us with a stern reminder. “Make sure you prepare for the banquet meticulously. It’s your chance to impress the princes. Do your best to win their favor and bear their children.”
The other women nodded eagerly, their excitement palpable. Hayley looked pleased, but when her gaze landed on me, her expression hardened. She sneered in my direction before strutting out of the training room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
I shrugged off her behavior, unbothered.
As soon as Hayley left, the room buzzed with anticipation. The women eagerly discussed the upcoming banquet.
“The banquet is going to be held in the palace! It must be grand. I’ve never been to anything like it.”
“I can’t wait to dress up and do my makeup. I’ll make sure the princes notice me.”
“Ha! We’ll see about that. I’m sure I’ll be the one dancing with the princes.”
Their dreams of standing out and capturing the princes’ attention didn’t interest me. After packing my belongings, I quietly left the training room.
As I descended the steps, I heard Alice calling after me.
“Wait for me, Makenna.”
I paused, turning back to see her hurrying toward me. “What’s up?” I asked.
Alice fell into step beside me, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Aren’t you excited about the banquet? I’ve never been to such a grand event before.”
I let out a sigh, continuing down the steps. “To be honest, I’d rather just stay at my place and rest.”
Besides, the thought of facing Bryan and Kristina, my sworn enemy, didn’t sit well with me. I doubted anything good would come of the evening, especially with Kristina likely planning some new scheme to set me up.
But then Clayton’s face flashed in my mind, and my worries eased.
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The thought of seeing him again brought a surge of joy. If he was going to be there, perhaps the banquet wouldn’t be so terrible.
“Why?” Alice asked, her curiosity piqued, her expression intrigued. “Out of all of us, you’re the only one who’s been with a prince. You have the best chance of having a royal child. Don’t you want the reward?”
I started to shrug it off, but before I could answer, a familiar voice interrupted me, cutting me off.
“You want to have a royal child? How laughable!”
The voice was laced with mockery, a tone I knew all too well. I scowled as I looked up to see her standing there.
“Jessica Dunn.”
Glaring at the woman blocking my path, I asked irritably, “What are you doing here again?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Jessica lifted her chin, a smug smile playing on her lips. “You probably haven’t heard. Frank has become the most prominent Gamma now. He’s in charge of the banquet’s security. As his mate, I can come here as often as I like.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over me with disdain. “I didn’t expect to overhear you boasting as I passed by. You think you’re worthy of bearing a prince’s child? How delusional.”
“Who do you think you are? Watch your mouth!” Alice snapped, stepping forward to defend me.
I held her back, my voice calm as I faced Jessica. “Finished barking? I’m leaving now. I’m not interested in arguing with an uneducated wild dog.”
I tugged on Alice’s arm, intending to walk past Jessica and leave her nonsense behind.
But my indifference only infuriated Jessica more. She reached out, blocking my path again. “Who said you could leave?”
Her relentless hostility was wearing thin on my patience.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” Jessica sneered, a twisted smile playing on her lips as she brought up our past. “Have you forgotten, Makenna? You should be the one standing beside Frank, sharing in his glory now.”
