Rejection to the Alpha King's Daughter [amazon edition]

Chapter 24 - Royal Pack

Chapter 24 – Royal Pack

"So this is the Royal Pack lands." Alice asks, her eyes scanning the border as we approach a patrol. Albot had called ahead an hour ago, letting the liaison of the pack know our estimated arrival. Now, we just wait for the guards to do their inspections before gaining the okay to enter their lands
"We still have two hours to go before we reach the palace." I inform her, doing my best to stay quiet and inconspicuous.
"Do you think the charm Cassandra gave you will work?" Albot sighs with worry, his eyes never leaving the Royal Guards as they search through the many vehicles we brought, their watchful eyes making sure there is no threat to Alexander. I stay silent, a guard coming towards my Hummer with a worried look on their face. Albot rolls down the window, his features a mask of calm as he greets the wolf in front of him politely.
"Alpha Albot, it looks like someone had silver on them, could you explain yourself?" The guard asks. Silently cursing, I open the link.
[Who is the idiot that brought silver?] I demand, putting an Alpha command into my words.
[My mate packed it for me for self defence. It's a dagger with the edge coated in silver. I am so sorry; I had no clue.] I sigh as a Hunter named Daniel answers, realizing he left a pregnant mate back at Astraea with the promise to return safe and alive. No wonder there was a weapon in his suitcase. Albot relays the message to the guard, explaining it was a gift from that wolf's pregnant mate and meant no harm. I smile with how smoothly he can lie, making it seem like an innocent accident.
"So his mate packed it for him?" The guard asks.
"Yes. I mean, my own mate is in the back with our pup so I know how he feels. The last mission I went on, she gave me a vial of wolfsbane to throw at an enemy if need be." The men chuckles at Albot's words and I roll my eyes. Thankfully, the guards believe us and within moments we cross the border. I shiver as the familiar magic rushes over me, goosebumps forming on my skin. Hopefully, Alexander isn't alerted to a wolf with Royal Blood entering the territory. Knowing him, he is probably too preoccupied by a pack whore to even care. Soon, he will be dead.
I settle into my seat, relieved to know the first part of our plan has succeeded—entering the Royal Pack unnoticed. Tonight is the masquerade ball. As such, we will not be meeting with Alexander until it is time to forge an Alliance. Little does he know the moment he steps onto the stage I will be there waiting to rip his throat out. I will kill him and then kill my brother. Reminding my pack to be on their best behaviour until it's time, I close the link and choose to take a nap. Alice and Blake will be fine as long as we stay in the car, and it turns out the charm I am wearing will keep my scent hidden from the Royal Pack. My only concern is what will happen if I run into my mate. Will the charm work, or will he instantly recognize me?

...

Growling as I try to tie the bodice of my ballgown, I let out a frustrated sigh. I already miss the days where I didn't have to worry about ballgowns and sequins, heels and accessories. Thankfully, I have my silver dagger ready to be strapped to my thigh the moment I can get this infuriating blue ballgown on.
"Crystalline?" I knock on my door and Albot's voice gives me some hope as I see him walk inside the room, an amused smile on his face as he takes in my dishevelled look.
"Need a hand?" He chuckles, taking quick strides and gently turns me to face the mirror as his nimble fingers make quick work of the corset straps. I smile, watching the reflection in the mirror and thank who ever was watching over us the day I rescued Albot.
"There, all done." His arms snake around my waist, pulling me into his body where his deep brown eyes stare into mine in the mirror, his black hair styled on top of his head contrasting my curly white hair.
"Crystalline, I—"
"Albot, when the mate bond breaks between me and Narin, I want to be mated to you." I blurt out, leaning my head against his shoulder and smiling at his surprised look.
"When will it break, Crystalline?" He asks, a whimper in his voice as his lips kiss the nape of my neck. I shiver, mulling over his question before turning to face him, cupping his cheeks in my hands and smiling gently at the man before me.
"Tonight. Either it breaks willingly or I break it by killing him. It all depends on how loyal Narin is to Alexander." I see the look of shock he has to my statement. No wolf has ever willingly killed their mate, but I don't care. Narin is the wolf I rejected, the wolf I did not want in my life. If the Deity above did not break our bond the moment I kill Alexander, then I will do it for them. I want Albot, I want the love and respect he has for me, the partnership we have grown since the first night I saved him. I do not want any other wolf but him and the only thing standing in our way is the stupid mate bond.
"You sure about this?" Albot asks, worry in his eyes at the potential killing of my rejected mate.
"Positive. Not only did he reject me for being a runt, but he is Alexander's current Beta. I refuse to keep those loyal to him and Coro alive. They will only bring destruction to our kind." My answer seems to settle his worry, as Albot leans forward, his lips consuming mine in a gentle kiss. The world seems to fade away in this short brief moment before we need to leave, and I relish the feeling of love and adoration radiating off of Albot. But the kiss is cut short as the clock chimes the hour. We only have an hour left before the ball and everyone needs to be ready.
Three quick knocks followed by one long one tells me my pack mates are ready and I link them to come in and to be careful not to be seen. The she-wolves already have their makeup and hair done, a mask on their face. They frown when they see me, hair still a mess and face still clean.
"Alpha, on the chair, we need to prepare you." A she-wolf, Lilac, mock orders, three other she-wolves following her to where I stand as they usher me into the vanity chair. I look to Albot for help, but he just backs away, hands up in surrender as he joins the others, an amused look on everyone's face.
"I need to talk about the plan!" I protest, getting a pointed look from the brunet Heather before she grabs a brush and starts to deal with my hair.
[I have a feeling I won't be able to talk while these ladies do their work so let's get this meeting going.] I send out through the link, making sure that all thirty wolves that joined me on this mission are in. Only fifteen chosen wolves will be at the ball, the other fifteen already geared and waiting to fight with Blake and Alice hiding in Albot's room. I will not allow anyone to harm my pups.
[The alliance ceremony will not take place until midnight, which is three hours away. This means we have an hour to finish preparing to fight.] I begin, motioning for Albot to continue when Lilac pulls on my chin and forces me to turn my face in her direction as she begins my makeup.
[We already have a list of who is truly devoted to Alexander thanks to Atticus and his spies. This means while we are mingling with the crowd at the ball, the rest of you in your rooms will be sneaking through the halls, finding those loyal to Alexander and Coro, and eliminating them.] Albot continues, his eyes never looking away as the women basically torture me.
[Understood, Beta. What do we do if we come across pups?] Someone asks and I sigh.
[Use the sleep powder Cassandra gave us. If they are with their parents, use it on all of them and tie the parents up. We can have Cassandra and her coven dream walk them to see where their loyalties lie. We do not kill the innocents.] I answer. This results in a "Yes, Alpha" through the link and I smile, only to be scolded by Heather for ruining my lipstick and having some of my makeup wiped away. I decide to sit still, allowing the girls to finish their work while Albot reminds everyone to be casual and friendly towards the others attending today, to not put their drinks down and if they do, immediately get a new drink in case someone tries to drug them. We cannot be too careful when it comes to our safety.
[Has anyone realized Crystalline is with us?] Harry asks, his blue eyes directed at me.
[Thankfully, no. My only concern is my ex-mate, Narin. The bond hasn't broken yet so not only are you mingling with guests, but your job is also to keep Narin away from me before we can enact our plan.] Is my response, Harry giving me a nod of understanding. With fifteen minutes to spare, my makeup and hair is complete and the ladies spin the chair to allow me a chance to see their work. I gasp in shock, the light makeup using peach and blue tones around my eyes making the prismatic colour pop. My hair is carefully curled, left to cascade down my back with a small white gold clip used to keep some from falling into my face. Finally, Albot walks towards me with a simple wooden box in hand, a sly smile on his face.
"Atticus told me this is for you." He says softly, opening the box to reveal a delicately crafted mask. The mask is shaped like a crescent moon, the lower portion will be covering my eyes while the upper portion will be slightly above my hair line. What surprises me the most is that it is made with silver threads with a small delicate chain holding a pearl-sized moonstone falling from the tip of the top peak. A mask only I can wear, a piece of silver that could be used as a weapon, and a moonstone that I have a feeling Cassandra enchanted with another charm to keep my identity a secret. With a smile, I gently place the delicate mask onto my face and fasten the straps at the back. Taking the offered hand Albot holds out to me, I stand and allow Lilac to carefully hand my dagger to me, slipping it through the hidden packet of my gown and securing it into the thigh holster for it. With a smile, I turn to look at my pack mates, the wolves I gave a second chance too and who whole heartedly support me.
"Lets not keep Alexander waiting, this will be a ball to die for."