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

Chapter 27 - Narin's Truth

Chapter 27 – Narin's Truth

Sitting on my throne, I watch as the maids of the palace run about, happily chatting as they do their work. A week has passed since I killed Alexander, a week spent settling in the Royal Pack, weeding out traitors, and fully accepting those who bend the knee to me into the pack. Everything seems like a blur, from throwing traitors into dungeons to interrogating those who attended the ball to hosting a Zoom meeting with Alphas around the world to explain why Alexander was killed and my true identity.
"Crystalline." Albot calls out, his smile and soft gaze just for me as he approaches the throne, scooping me into his arms. The maids giggle, used to our displays of affection for one another as he has done this many times in this stressful week, the worst part being when a maid walked in on us kissing on the balcony after me having a breakdown from the stress of dealing with traitors.
"It's time, darling. You need to face him for us to be together." Albot whispers into my ear as he tucks my head under his chin. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, understanding what he means. After the ball, Narin was thrown into a cell for being the Beta. Although he is being held prisoner I made sure that no one abuses him, that his food, although bland, would be made with quality ingredients until I can find the time to talk to my ex-mate. To find a way to break the bond still humming between us so that I can be with Albot.
"Does it have to be now?" I ask, feeling Albot carry me away from the throne and out of the room.
"We have time now, so yes." Albot answers with a chuckle, kissing the top of my head. I groan, burying my face into the crook of his neck and deciding to stay silent. He is right, now is a good time, with everything settled and the only worry we have now is tracking down my brother. Albot carries me down the winding hallways of the Palace, his footsteps echoing softly off of the hardwood floors and stone walls. As we grow closer to the dungeons, the mate bond hums inside me, and I shudder. I cannot wait to be rid of it soon. I am surprised when we reach the door to the spiralling staircase that will take us down to the cells and completely walk past it, instead ending up in front of a different door, one that leads into an unused office.
"I had the guards bring him here. I figured it would be easier to call for help if anything happens." Albot explains, setting me gently onto my feet and wrapping his arms around me. I take a deep breath, gently pulling away from Albot and turn to face the door. On the other side is Narin, the man I haven't seen in over three years. The man that bullied and belittled me most of my life. The man that rejected me. With another deep breath, I place my hands on the door knob and turn, pushing the door inwards and looking inside to see Narin sitting on the sofa just a few feet away, his head down and an air of defeat surrounding him. My heart clenches at the sight of Narin, a slight feeling of sadness welling in my heart. I know it is the mate bond and so I push the feeling down and focus on putting an emotionless mask on my face.
"Good afternoon, Narin. I hope you were treated well while we weeded out traitors loyal to Alexander and Coro." I call out, taking measured steps towards the man while Albot stays close behind me.
"Crysta—I mean, your Majesty, the guards you placed outside my... room treated me fairly." Narin bolts from his seat, taking a step towards me only to stop from the warning growl Albot sends his way. I motion for him to sit while I took the opposite loveseat with Albot joining me, his arm wrapped around my waist protectively.
"I see you met your true mate, then." Narin chuckles, running his fingers through his hair. Confused, I look to Albot who looks back at me equally confused.
"What do you mean by true mate?" Albot asks, motioning for Narin to talk.
"What I mean is, Goddess Morai set up the rejection." Narin deadpans, picking up the glass of water in front of him and taking a long drink.
"I always knew I would be her Beta and help Crystalline take care of the pack as she rules. Honestly, we all thought Matrix would be her mate in the end with how close those two were growing up." Narin continues once he settles the glass back on the table. I stay silent, wanting to hear what he has to say, what Goddess Morai set up with him all those years ago.
"I have a mate, but she is in a coma. I learned this the night Crystalline shifted into her wolf form. I watched as she and Trix talked by the river, watched as her body crumpled in pain until she laid there as a white runt. I was scared for her, scared for what Alexander would do if he found out about her wolf form. I ended up rushing to my home and was about to pack a bag to take her and run away, to keep her safe until she can become Queen," He takes a deep breath and looks up, his eyes meeting mine and captivating my gaze.
"Next thing I knew, I was no longer in my room but standing in this large library with a little blonde girl reading from a large old leather book. The little girl looked up when she realized I was there and smiled at me. She told me about my mate, Hanna, that she will be in a coma, and can transfer a faux bond between Crystalline and I. All I have to do is reject you on your eighteenth birthday." I take a deep breath at his words, feeling the mate bond dim like a fading light the more Narin talks.
"Why would she do this?" I ask, catching the wolf before me off guard.
"Because she knew that for you to be Queen, you needed to leave the pack. She told me this mission would be easier for both of us if I treated you like shit, so I did. I spent five years keeping Alexander away from you and Trix when the two of you trained while also calling you horrible names. Then on your birthday, I rejected you. I felt the bond the moment I saw you in that dress. It felt so strong, but I had to think of Hanna..." His voice cracks, tears falling from his face as Narin looks out the window to his right. Without thinking, I reach out and take his hand, trying to comfort him to the best of my abilities.
"I had to think of my mate in the coma back in her pack waiting for me. I rejected you as planned and you left. You grew and became stronger, learned things you would never learn stuck in this pack."
"Did you know who I am?" I ask, wanting to know if Narin knew I was the Lost Princess or not.
"I had a hunch. You see, Alexander can't have pups," He answers, confusing me even more.
"I remember Matrix saying something about him being sterile when you rejected me. My father also told me that Queen Clarice was barren as well." I muse, thinking back to my eighteenth birthday.
"Do you know why he can't have children?" I ask Narin.
"Because I placed a curse on Coro and his line when the truth of your disappearance came out." A voice calls out from the door, interrupting whatever Narin was going to say. Turning around in my seat, I see Cassandra walking into the room after thanking Lilac for leading her here.
"Congrats, Little One on becoming Queen." The witch beams, coming to join the three of us in the sitting area, taking the armchair situated between Narin and I.
"What do you mean you put a curse on my brother?" I ask, eyeing the witch suspiciously. It's weird to think someone who is a good witch could work with curses.
"Don't give me that look. I was mad and young back then. So, when the truth came out that Coro tried to have you killed and Morai intervened, I cursed Coro, saying his line would slowly die out and that by his one-hundredth descendant, no one will be able to have pups until you were found. Alexander turned out to be the one hundredth and you were found." The red-headed witch explains flippantly, leaning back into her seat as she chuckles.
"Hey wolf, how many whores did Alexander have?" She directs her attention to Narin, her question shocking all of us.
"Ten, I believe. I know their names and where they are." He answers, looking at me with shock.
"Better get them checked. It wouldn't surprise me if he managed to knock one up now that the curse is lifted." Speechless at her carefree words, I link the pack doctor to get the list of names of Alexander's consorts and order him to do a pregnancy test on them. If Alexander did manage to sire a pup, I will pay the she-wolf to give the pup to me and raise them to be a better wolf than their father.
"Look, you may not trust me, Crystalline, and I understand that, but believe me when I say I did what I had to do because Goddess Morai told me to." I see the sincerity in Narin's eyes, the sadness in their depth. With a sigh, I look to Albot who nods. What happens to Narin is my decision, and mine alone. I could banish this wolf from my pack, I could kill him, I could even strip him of his title of Beta and make him an Omega.
"I believe you, Narin. You only did what Morai asked, and when I meet this Goddess, I have a few choice words to tell her. But I won't punish you for what you did." I start, turning to face him. A look of hope radiates off of Narin, his tired eyes looking a little brighter as I continue.
"I need a Beta, a wolf who can help me and Albot with this pack. If you can prove your loyalty, then that spot will stay yours."
"I promise you, Crystalline, I did everything in your best interest. I can even help you track down more of Alexander's and Coro's allies if you want. Just please, let me find my Hanna." His words are filled with the same hope in his eyes, and the doubt I had about Narin vanishes. Then there is a snap. Like a tight string was cut into two. Shocked, I close my eyes and search for what broke inside me, looking through all the bonds I have only to find one missing—the mate bond.
"It broke! It finally broke!" Narin cheers, laughing happily. My eyes open at this realization, just in time to watch Narin relax into his seat, his eyes closed.
"I can finally find my Hanna, and you and your true mate can be together." Narin mumbles, his body relaxing until silence settles between all of us. Confused, I look to Cassandra who silently rises from her seat to check on Narin, a look of relief on her face after checking his pulse.
"He's alive. The stress he has been under these years must have taken a toll on him. A couple of days of rest and he should be good." The witch states, motioning for Albot and I to follow her out of the room. I chuckle, grabbing the throw blanket resting on the seat behind Albot and I and gently place it over Narin's body. It seems every word he spoke is true, and I have a new ally in my pack. After linking the pack doctor to come check on Narin in a few hours, I leave the room with Albot and Cassandra, the three of us walking down the hallways in silence.
"So, I guess you have a Beta." Albot chuckles out as we reach the doors leading to the garden.
"I guess so. But I wonder what he means by true mate." I ponder, Cassandra looking at me with a smirk.
"You'll know soon enough. I have a feeling your true mate is closer than you think."