Chapter 155: Isolated

Alyssa stayed locked inside the room all day, refusing to step outside. She requested her meals be left at the door and turned away every visitor, refusing to see even Henna and Pandora.

The weight of everything was beginning to crush her: the surge of her hidden powers, the responsibility of ruling beside Dorian as Luna Queen, and now the lingering threat of Elvira.

She desperately wished she could wipe her mind clean; to forget the past twenty-four hours entirely. But it wasn’t that easy.

When night fell, the silence of the bedroom became unbearable. Alyssa finally unlocked the door and stepped out. She made her way down the stairs, offering polite nods to the few maids who bowed as she passed.

The living room was deserted, the television screen glowing softly on mute. Where is everyone?

On her way to the kitchen, she ran into Cara, her personal maid, who was carrying a stack of fresh linens. Cara halted immediately and bowed.

​"Cara, where is everyone?" Alyssa asked, scanning the empty hallway.

"The Alpha King was called away on urgent territory matters, Your Majesty," Cara reported. "He left with Beta Jake, Gamma Alec, Anthony, along with Miss Pandora, and Miss Henna."

Alyssa blinked, taken aback. "What’s happening in the outer territories?"

"The Alpha King is presiding over the swearing-in of new pack leaders for the Southern and Western packs," Cara explained softly. "Alpha Gaten of the West was suspended months ago for gross incompetence, and Alpha Grayson of the South was stripped of his title following financial corruption charges. Both were formally impeached today, and their successors are taking their oaths tonight."

Alyssa wasn’t surprised by Grayson’s downfall. Having witnessed firsthand how ruthlessly he exploited the Southern territory, she knew his removal was inevitable.

"That sounds like an important event," she murmured. "Important enough that everyone had to attend."

"It is an important event, Your Majesty," Cara agreed. "One that even requires your presence beside the Alpha King as well."

"No one informed me," Alyssa protested.

"Well..." Cara hesitated, shifting her weight nervously. "I knocked several times to let you know and help you prepare, Your Majesty, but you did not answer. Miss Pandora and Miss Henna tried as well, but you refused entry. In the end, the Alpha King ordered us not to disturb you further."

"Oh," Alyssa muttered, looking down and feeling a rush of embarrassment. Of course she had pushed everyone away in her bad mood. "Did Elvira accompany them?"

Cara lowered her eyes, her tone growing guarded. "Yes, Your Majesty. She did."

A fresh wave of jealousy flared in Alyssa’s chest. The outer pack leaders and visiting nobles would see Elvira, Dorian’s former Luna, standing at his side. Her presence at a formal swearing-in would ignite wild rumors across the realm, while the actual Luna Queen remained hidden away.

Forcing a faint smile, she looked back at Cara. "Thank you for letting me know. I assume they will be returning soon?"

"I believe so, Your Majesty," Cara nodded. "May I get you something to eat? The cooks have prepared dinner already."

"I will take it in my room," Alyssa said quietly. "And have a warm bath drawn afterward."

"Right away, Your Majesty."

Alyssa turned and headed back upstairs, fighting to suppress the image of Elvira standing beside her husband in front of the entire kingdom.

...

Dorian had still not returned by the time she finished her meal and soaked in the tub.

She changed into a soft nightgown and brushed her hair absentmindedly at the vanity. She hadn’t realized how desperately she missed him until she picked up one of his discarded shirts, pressing the fabric to her face just to inhale his rich, dark scent.

The distance between them was unbearable. She wanted him home. She wanted to apologize for her behavior earlier that day.

Taking her teddy bear and a blanket, she made her way back downstairs to the living room, intent on waiting up for him. She curled up on the couch, wrapped herself in the blanket that carried his scent, and turned on a quiet show. Within minutes, exhaustion won, and she drifted off to sleep.

Dorian returned two hours later, alone. Jake and the others had remained in the South to attend the gala following the swearing-in.

When Jake had pressed him to stay for the celebration, Dorian had shut him down instantly. He loathed political galas, and despite his argument with Alyssa earlier that morning, he missed her to the point of distraction. He needed to return to her.

Elvira had subtly suggested riding back to the mansion with him, but he had dismissed her flatly and pulled away, leaving her standing at the steps of the hall where the gala would hold. He couldn’t care less how she found her way back.

As he stepped through the door and walked past the living room towards the stairs, he froze.

There she was, curled into a tight ball on the couch, clutching that stuffed bear against her chest.

He approached the couch with silent, measured steps, careful not to disturb her. Reaching down, he pulled the teddy bear from her grip and held it up, glaring at the plush toy with disdain. The damn thing was constantly competing with him for his wife’s affection.

He tossed the bear onto the opposite sofa, then leaned down and gathered Alyssa effortlessly into his arms. Her sweet scent washed over him instantly, pulling a low, satisfied purr from his chest.

She stirred against his shoulder, her brow furrowing as she mumbled something unintelligible. Then, her lips parted into a faint whisper.

​"Dorian..."

Dorian paused, expecting her eyes to open, but she remained sound asleep, burying her face deeper into the crook of his neck. A soft smile touched his lips.

"Even in your dreams, I’m all you think about," he murmured.

Carrying her upstairs to the room, he laid her gently upon the bed. He remained leaning over her for a long moment, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her forehead and tracing her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

"I’m sorry for what I said this morning," he whispered into the quiet room. "I spoke out of anger, and I should never have hurt you."

Receiving only the steady rhythm of her breathing in response, Dorian stepped back.

He stripped out of his grey tux, took a quick shower, and slid into bed beside her, pulling her small frame tightly against his chest.

...

Far below, near the shadows around the estate’s perimeter, a private cab pulled away from the outer gates.

Elvira stepped off the gravel road, carrying her high heels in one hand. After Dorian had abandoned her at the gala, she had been forced to arrange her own transport rather than endure a long, tense ride back with Jake and the others.

She walked towards the mansion, ignoring the patrolling guards and making her way toward the side entrance that led directly to the guest room.

Just as her hand reached for the handle of the side door, a figure lunged out from the shadows and clamped a hand tightly over her mouth.

Before she could draw breath to scream, she was yanked backward into the darkness.