Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 120: What could she have possibly exchanged for her lost senses?

Chapter 120: What could she have possibly exchanged for her lost senses?

"Oh, he will come to your chambers," the Gamma Lord replied darkly, his smirk widening. "One way or another."

Just then, the red-haired man...Jaden....rose from his seat and strolled over to a wooden shelf. He opened a hidden compartment and pulled out a small, jade-colored bottle.

"Here, sister," he said, walking back and placing it into her hand. "This is a sex-drive stimulant. It only affects men, not women. You don’t need to mix it in food. Just burn it in incense form. He’ll breathe it in....he won’t even know."

Melissa’s expression soured. "Are you deaf, Jaden? I just said he doesn’t come to my chambers! How am I supposed to get him to inhale it?"

Jaden arched an eyebrow, that same wicked smirk curling his lips. "Oh, he’ll come. Just like Father said. And guess who will make sure he gets there?" He leaned closer, his tone mockingly sweet. "That little lowlife maid you’re so obsessed with. She may be more useful than we thought... before she meets her end."

Realization dawned in Melissa’s eyes. Her grip tightened around the jade bottle. Slowly, a wicked smile formed on her lips as she turned to face her brother and father.

"Elder Brother and Father always find a way to solve my problems whenever I bring them to you," Melissa said with a bright, triumphant smile on her face. "You two are truly a blessing to me."

"You should relax now, Your Highness," the Gamma Lord replied with a booming laugh, his voice echoing through the room. "You’ll get pregnant soon enough and give birth to the crown prince of this pack. My grandson will become the future Alpha Emperor....ruler of everything under the moon."

"Yes, Father," Melissa responded with a graceful nod. "Thank you for the love and care you’ve always shown me."

She slowly rose from the chair, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Anyway, I’d like to return to my chamber now. I have a task to accomplish tonight. I must prepare for the Alpha Emperor’s visit," she said smoothly, brushing down her dress. "And as for that little maid’s death....I’ll leave that in your capable hands."

"Goodbye, Empress Luna. We wish you the very best of luck," Jaden and the Gamma Lord said in unison, offering a respectful bow.

Melissa acknowledged them with a slight tilt of her chin, her expression poised and regal. Without another word, she turned on her heel and exited the room, her steps echoing with silent determination.

Though Melissa was family, she was still the Luna Empress. And while they were blood, respect was always due....if not in full, then at least in formality.

******

Meanwhile, the journey to Anaya’s aunt’s pack was grueling. The forest stretched endlessly around them, a sea of shadows and rustling leaves. The guards and servants had no choice but to stop yet again....what felt like the hundredth time...so their fragile princess could rest.

Anaya had vomited blood repeatedly during the trip. Her once radiant complexion had faded into a ghostly pallor.

"Are you feeling okay now, Princess?" Kisha wrote gently on Anaya’s back using her finger, drawing the words with care into the fabric of her robes.

Anaya gave a small, reluctant nod in response. Though pain still pressed at her chest, she forced herself not to cry....not in front of her servants. She couldn’t afford to be weak now. She could only endure.

Her mind drifted toward the person who haunted her thoughts the most: Rhys.

Is he doing okay? she wondered, her heart aching deeply. Has he already forgotten everything about me... and moved on to another woman?

The very thought sent a fresh wave of anguish crashing through her. Is that why my heart hurts so much....why it feels like I might be breathing my last breath?

She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood, swallowing the scream building in her throat.

Father and Mother believed the medicine from Aunt’s pack could cure me, she thought bitterly. But the truth is....it can’t. Keeping Rhys alive is like offering up my own life force in exchange. No matter how powerful the medicine may be, it can’t heal what’s already being drained from within.

Tears rolled silently down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away.

Still... Aunt is someone I hold dear. If this is the end for me, I may as well see her one last time.

Kisha gently tapped her shoulder.

"It’s time to go, Your Highness," Kisha wrote again. "We’ll reach the pack by nightfall."

Anaya gave a faint nod. Her body was trembling from exhaustion, but she allowed Kisha to help her stand. Together, they moved slowly toward the carriage. Anaya settled inside with care, leaning back against the cushions, eyes fixed blankly ahead as the journey resumed.

Time passed like a blur....climbing mountains, descending valleys, the road endless and winding.

And then, at last, as dusk fell and stars began to prick the sky, the silhouette of a familiar stronghold emerged in the distance.

The Crest Moon Pack....her aunt’s home had finally come into view.

The guards did not need to ask who it was. They immediately opened the heavy gates the moment Anaya’s carriage approached, allowing her maids and guards to stride in without delay.

The night was dark, silent, and still....no bustling activities, no werewolves moving about. It was curfew time. Anaya was granted entrance not only because she was royalty, but also because she was the niece of the Luna who governed the pack.

Upon arriving at the palace, Anaya was met by the Luna’s trusted guard, a formidable female warrior with a sword resting at her hip.

"The Luna Empress is currently occupied with her concubines," the woman announced, bowing deeply. Her voice was calm but firm. "She will see you in the morning, Princess."

Kisha traced the words gently on Anaya’s back. Anaya responded with a nod, concealing the exhaustion in her eyes with quiet grace.

"This way then," the female guard instructed, gesturing forward. Kisha relayed the words the same way, drawing them carefully across Anaya’s skin.

They were escorted through a long corridor until they reached an exquisitely decorated room. Only after they had entered did the guards take their leave, allowing Anaya and her maid to settle in.

"Everything will be better by tomorrow, Your Highness," Kisha wrote with delicate strokes on Anaya’s back. "Young Master Rhys may not be here, but I believe he’s living a good life now. You could have asked your locket to show you where he is... but you chose not to. I believe you didn’t ask on purpose....perhaps to spare yourself more pain. And that... I understand, Your Highness."

Anaya’s composure shattered. She broke down in tears, silently weeping as her shoulders trembled all while Kisha hugged her, pattimg her back gently.

***

The next morning arrived swiftly, though Anaya had not slept. She had sat by the window all night, her gaze lost to the shadows beyond. She couldn’t see the moon, but she could feel the wind brushing gently against her skin.

Kisha had already dressed her in a beautiful purple floral skirt and blouse, adorning her hair with golden hairpins shaped like crescent moons. Anaya looked ethereal, though the sadness in her expression could not be hidden by adornments.

"It’s time to meet the Luna," Kisha wrote softly on Anaya’s back.

Anaya nodded and allowed herself to be led to the royal court, where her aunt awaited her.

Upon arrival, Anaya immediately fell to her knees, bowing deeply despite her inability to hear or speak. When she rose, a soft smile was spread across her face...so persistent it made her cheeks ache.

"How have you been, Anaya?" the Luna Empress exclaimed with joy. "Let me guess....you missed this aunt of yours and decided to visit after such a long time! You’ve grown so tall and beautiful. But still, I remember you as that tiny little child, running wild through my palace with my maids chasing after you!"

She laughed loudly, the sound echoing across the chamber.

But there was only silence from Anaya.

No answering laughter. No words. Just the unwavering smile that she held, even as it faltered at the edges.

"Greetings, Luna Empress," Kisha said, stepping forward and dropping to her knees with a respectful bow. "Princess Anaya cannot hear your words, cannot see your face, nor reply to anything you say."

"What?!" Rina gasped in horror, the laughter immediately vanishing from her voice. She rose from her throne in a rush, approaching Anaya. The moment she touched her niece’s hands, the truth hit her.

She pulled Anaya into her arms and began weeping, holding her tightly, her fingers gently combing through the girl’s hair. The once proud and regal Luna wept like a grieving child.

"How... how did something like this happen?" Rina cried out, her voice full of anguish. "Who is responsible for doing this to her?!"

Her furious gaze turned to Kisha, whose shoulders shook as she fell to her knees, tears falling freely from her eyes.

"Please," Kisha pleaded. "Please help my princess in any way you can, Luna Empress. Her locket is responsible for this... but even your most treasured pill won’t heal her. I believe something else might. Something must."

"The locket?" Rina repeated, her brows furrowing with confusion. "What foolishness... What could she have possibly exchanged for her lost senses? What kind of reckless, heartbreaking act did she perform?"