Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1158 - 69 : Where We Belong

Chapter 1158: Chapter 69 : Where We Belong

*Daphne*

The air was thick with tension as we stood before my mother and father. Guards surrounded us completely. My parents had initially ordered me to stand with them and away from Rion and Eva, but I refused, determined to stay by their side to show that they were not a threat.

Eva kept her head down and her hands completely visible at all times as we stood in the royal throne room. Guards were stationed by the exit and several others were standing nearby, looking tense and ready to defend the royal family if needed.

My parents were sitting on their lavish thrones, but they too looked as if they could leap up from their seats at any moment. My mother kept glancing at me worriedly, her hand twitching as if she wanted to grab me and pull me close to her.

Once we’d entered the palace grounds, I had to scream at the guards to back off before they could even attempt to capture Eva and Rion. I demanded that we all be allowed to explain ourselves to my parents, and the guards cautiously escorted us to them.

“Daphne,” my father said. “Step away from them.”

I put my hands up in a placating gesture. “Father, I am well aware of how this might look, but please allow us to explain. Rion and Eva saved me from our so-called ally, Alpha Gareth, who made it clear to me that not all of our so-called allies in the Light Realm can be trusted. They have both aided me in uncovering traitors within our kingdom. Please, hear us out!”

I turned and nodded meaningfully to Eva, who stepped forward with her head still lowered, Hestia’s Grimoire clutched in her hands.

My mother’s eyes locked on the book expectantly. She waved to a guard, who took the book from Eva and handed it to my mother.

“Your Majesties,” Eva began in a clear voice. She glanced briefly at Rion, who also nodded meaningfully to her. She faced my parents once again. “I am aware that I have committed many heinous crimes against your kingdom and for that, I apologize deeply.”

I looked up at my parents, imploring them with my eyes to keep an open mind. Their expressions were unreadable, but it was clear that they were wary of Eva. I couldn’t say I blamed them.

“Why should we believe your change of heart?” Father asked seriously.

Eva raised her head so she could look up at my parents. Her gray eyes were huge with remorse. “I learned from Hestia’s grimoire that she is not my real mother. She took me and Rion from our real parents and... experimented on us to mold us into what she wanted. I–I no longer wish to be a part of her plans.”

I watched my parents carefully, gauging their reaction. They were appropriate ones. My mother’s hand flew to her mouth and Father’s eyes had widened slightly.

“I know that I will never be able to apologize enough,” Eva continued, bowing her head again. “All I want is the opportunity to make amends for all the pain and trouble I’ve caused you and the kingdom. I want to find out who I really am and where I truly belong.”

“You were able to open this book yourself?” my mother asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Eva answered. “It is charmed, but I was able to break through it.”

“We’ve had this Grimoire ever since we brought you here to the palace, and no one to my knowledge has ever been able to open it once it was closed.”

Eva bowed her head, and I wasn’t sure if her being able to open it was a good thing or a bad thing.

“If you are truly repentant, perhaps you would be willing to help us understand everything inside of this.”

“Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” Eva agreed.

There was a long pause of deafening silence. I held my breath, knowing my parents were deliberating on their next decision.

“Who was it that sent the box of dark potions and remedies to us?”

My father spoke next, but I didn’t understand the question.

Dark potions and remedies?

“It was me,” Rion said, stepping forward. I looked from him to my parents nervously.

“Thank you. We were able to integrate the prisoners you sent for more information on where they came from.”

“Did it work?” Rion asked.

My mother nodded slightly and gave him a slight smile. “It did.”

“What worked?” I asked, feeling very confused.

My mother raised a hand to her left, and I turned my head to see my little brother, Rhys, seated in a wheelchair and making his way toward me.

“He woke up three days ago,” my father explained, “with the help of a potion Rion confiscated from those pirates, Carissa and Kyle.”

Unable to contain myself, I ran over and fell onto him to give him a hug.

He hugged me back and laughed. “Wow! You look awful, Daphne.”

“Thanks,” I said as I laughed, pulling back to look at him and then back at Rion. He gave me a small smile, and I could tell he was just as happy that Rhys was awake as I was.

Rhys wheeled over to him and extended a hand. “Thank you,” he said as Rion took it and they shook hands.”

“You both still have a very long way to go to prove your intentions to this palace,” my mother said next, bringing the attention back to her. She fell quiet again, looking at my father.

I watched as my parents stared at one another for a long moment, obviously speaking in the mind-link. Finally, my father pinned Eva with a hard look. “You appear genuinely regretful for your actions against us, Eva Stormfall.”

“I am, Your Majesty,” Eva said at once, her eyes huge and nearly impossible to doubt.

My father nodded. “You both have rescued our daughter and brought our son back to us. This is a debt that is far beyond anything we could pay you for. Due to this as well as Princess Daphne’s obvious confidence in you, you will not be imprisoned in the dungeons for your crimes.”

We all glanced at one another briefly, the relief impossible to ignore, but we waited, hearing the foreboding condition that was likely to follow.

Father didn’t keep us waiting. “However, you must agree to remain under palace arrest and wear a special anklet that will significantly weaken your abilities, and be willing to do what it takes to prove yourself under our supervision for as long as we deem necessary. Do you agree, Eva Stormfall?”

Eva bowed low. “Yes, Your Majesty,” she said at once. “Thank you. I’ll do whatever it takes to gain your trust and make amends.”

My father nodded once. “For your sake, I hope you speak true.”

Eva took another step forward. “If I may, Your Majesty,” she said. “I have come to learn of more shifter packs that have turned against you. I have reason to believe that the Pomeni pack, in particular, has planted some of their members within your walls.”

My father nodded. “We figured as much after we questioned Rion and learned that Geoffrey helped him get into the palace. We have tightened security and are now more vigilant than ever against internal threats.”

“Father, I also have names provided by Alpha Gareth.” I called off the names I memorized. My parents looked disturbed. “Eva and Rion helped me to obtain the names of those spies sent here by Alpha Gareth.”

My father looked livid at the mention of the Alpha’s name. I could hardly blame him since the Alpha was yet another traitor against him.

Sadly, there seemed to be a long list of traitors.

When our audience with them was over, my father ordered the dampening anklet to be put on Eva. She remained calm as a guard approached and clamped it on her.

Then my parents had the guards escort Rion, Eva, and the crew out of the throne room so that they could speak to me and Rhys in private. My father ordered the guards not to let any of them out of their sight.

I understood the reason for his caution but couldn’t help but feel concerned as my friends were led out of the room as if they were prisoners.

As soon as we were alone, my parents closed the space between us, breaking their royal facades and holding me close. My parents took turns kissing my cheeks and caressing my face with their hands.

“You simply must stop disappearing, Daphne,” my mother said tearfully, shaking her head. “I don’t think I could live through even one more instance!”

I chuckled with relief, hugging my mother tightly. I had been so focused on convincing my parents that Eva wasn’t a threat that I hadn’t been given the chance to fully appreciate the fact that I was finally home and safe.

I smiled over at Rhys. With him awake, it seemed as if everything was falling into place. But I had a sinking feeling that I should enjoy it while it lasted.

Father brushed the pad of his thumb across my cheekbone, giving me an affectionate look before his expression hardened. “It appears that you have put a lot of your trust into that Stormfall boy.”

I nodded firmly. “Yes, Father. I can’t really explain the connection we have with each other. He didn’t hesitate to rescue me from Alpha Gareth’s mansion.”

I could tell that my father had mixed feelings about that. He was grateful that I made it home safely, but Rion still wasn’t his favorite person. He shared another long look with my mother and then nodded once. “And you are certain that Orion Stormfall is fit to be your lifelong partner and the father to your child?”

“Yes,” I said immediately, with more confidence than I had ever felt before. “There is no doubt in my mind that we are meant to be. Even though I haven’t felt the mate bond with him, I know that he and I will be happy together.”

It felt good to proclaim the words, especially to my parents, whose opinions and blessings mattered so much to me.

Mother and Father shared a look once again, but this time, it was mixed with concern and hesitation. I knew the look. They were debating whether or not to keep something from me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked at once, determined to hear what had them worried.

“It has been months since a new mate bond has been reported anywhere,” my mother said. “We fear that the Dark King’s influence is growing stronger across both realms. Perhaps it is time to make the official announcement that the White Queen’s powers are gone.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Is that really the best decision considering everything that’s going on right now? I imagine that that would cause our people to panic, if nothing else.”

My mother shook her head. “We will make it very clear that there is no need for panic,” she said firmly. “I’ve sent out a beacon to a group of powerful women who will aid us in protecting the realms.”

“Plus, she has us,” Rhys said.

“Of course,” I agreed.

My father stepped up so he could stand next to my mother. He gave me a compassionate look that was somehow still stern. “That being said, so long as you are absolutely sure about Rion, we will not stand in your way of being with him, but if he gives us any reason to doubt him, we will not hesitate to step in.”

“I understand,” I said resolutely.

My mother turned to look at Rhys. “How are you feeling?”

“I am fine,” he insisted, but I could tell that he was pale and looked fatigued.

“You should get back to bed,” Mother instructed.

“I think that I’ve slept enough,” he joked lightly.

“Very funny,” Father said, nudging him toward the door. “We’ll get you back in bed and let Daphne get settled in.”

“I will come see you once I’ve rested and cleaned up,” I assure Rhys.