As I made my way down the hall to my room, I could tell that my eyes were bloodshot, so I tried to make sure no one saw the state I was in. When I got to my - Elijah's Wing, which is the North wing, I released a sigh when my hand was on the big brown door.

"Celeste," I heard Elijah's voice, and I turned around to look at him. He was putting on a gray suit with a white inner shirt, and his hair was combed sleek. His shoes were as black as night, reflecting his suit as he walked, and on his left hand was his golden crown and royal robe that dragged on the ground, and he seemed to not care one bit.

"I was looking for you," He continued, stopping in front of me with a smile, while I gave him one too. But his smile faltered when he saw my tear-stained cheek and bloodshot eyes.

"What happened?" He asked, and I shook my head, but he was not having it. I sighed and shifted on my feet before looking into his gray eyes.

"I got in a fight with my mom," I mumbled, with a frown on my lips.

"...About me?" He asked, and I debated whether I should tell him the truth or not.

"Yes... She wants me to come back to Crestfall with her," I murmured, and his eyes hardened for a second before returning to a worried look.

"But you won't leave me, right?" He asked, cupping my cheeks, while I shook my head.

"Never."

He released a sigh and nodded in approval before smiling at me. "Come now, we have a meeting to attend."

"Oh, right!" I mumbled, totally forgetting about the meeting.

As I tried to walk past Elijah, his free hand came around my waist, stopping me, while he gave me a puzzled look.

"Where are you going?" He asked, amused.

"The meeting..." I trailed off, not sure what he was talking about.

He breathed a chuckle, shaking his head amusedly, with a smirk on his lips.

"You have to change," he mumbled, his eyes raking my outfit.

I was wearing black jeans paired with white canvas shoes and a white long-sleeve shirt.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I asked, crossing my arms around my chest and pouting. Elijah gave me 'the look' and chuckled before rolling his eyes.

"Okay, okay, I get it, but I don't have anything presentable to wear," I mumbled with a frown.

Elijah looked genuinely confused, tilting his head to the right a little, probably thinking of something.

"I already ordered you new clothes when you started staying in the palace," he murmured, frowning a little.

I shrugged, then sighed, walking back towards Elijah's Chambers and pushing the door open. He silently walked in with me, sitting at the edge of the bed and watching me. I paid no mind to him as I entered the closet and pulled out a comfortable-looking gown. I took off my clothes, then I slipped into the scarlet red silk gown and matching red heels.

The gown was long and beautiful, nothing fancy.

I walked out of the closet, and Elijah's eyes snapped from the ring he was twirling on his finger to my face before roaming down my body, then back to my face.

He got up, his robe and crown still in hand as he stopped in front of me.

"Beautiful," He whispered, his hot breath fanning my forehead. His free hand came beside my head and pushed a hair behind my ear. My lips parted, and I almost choked on air, not knowing what to say when I saw his eyes shining with amazement and love.

He placed his golden crown on his head and put on his robe before stretching his hand towards me. "Now come, let's go. The alphas are already waiting," He murmured.

I smiled and nodded, hooking my left arm around his. Together, we walked out of our room and down the hall as the guards bowed in respect when they saw us walk.

As we got closer to the meeting room, I could hear the voices of males muffled, chattering from the other side of the door. The door was pushed open, and I raised my head high when all heads turned towards us.

They all got up and bowed when Elijah and I walked past them to our seats. When we sat, so did they, and I scanned the room, looking at the Alphas' faces.

Some were angry, and some were confused as to why I was in the room with them, but they dared not question. My eyes landed on my brother, who was also seated with the Alphas. He nodded in acknowledgment, while I frowned. What the heck is he doing here?

"Your Majesty," someone stated, and all heads turned towards the right. "I request you hand over the rogue king to me," He said, puffing out his chest.

"And why should I do that?" The king asked.

The man with blonde hair and green eyes continued, "I have one of the strongest warriors, and my cells are well-guarded," he boasted.

"And so do I!" Another male said, slamming his fist on the table.

Every Alpha in this room wants the rogue king because it would make their pack more recognized. I mean, who doesn't want to boast that they have the most wanted man chained in their pack cell?

I turned my head to look at Elijah, and I saw him watching the Alphas with amusement.

"Silence!" He finally said, and the room became silent. Everyone turned to look at him, waiting for him to choose.

His head turned towards me, and my eyes widened. No, please...

"What do you think, Lady Celeste?" He asked, and when I turned to look at the Alphas, they were all practically begging me with their eyes to choose them.

I took in a deep breath and placed my hand on the table, joining my fingers together in the form of a web.

"I believe it would be better if the rogue king stayed here in the palace cell," I started, and the room filled up with murmuring while some glared at me.

"And why, if I ask?" Eros Black asked from his side of the table, and everyone became silent again.

"Well, the palace is heavily guarded and has the best warriors," I said, glancing at the Alpha with blonde hair and green eyes for a second. "Also, we have witches on our side. They can help us build a separate cell just for him. One laced with magic that only one person can get in." I finished in one breath.

"What about the witch... Mlika that worked with him? She escaped, didn't she? What if she comes back to free him?" An older man with salt and pepper hair asked, and I nodded along with everyone.

Elijah had already filled me in on everything before we got to the meeting room, from Derrick's capture to the witch's disappearance.

"Yes, that is why I said we build a separate cell and chains just for him. Just like the one I was in when I was captured, no matter how hard I tried to break them, they would not break, but I-"

"Of course, they wouldn't break. You are just a female," Green-eyed Alpha said,

laughing, but everyone just stared blankly at him.

I balled my hands into a fist as my eyes started to glow a bright golden. I and my wolf do not like being laughed at or labeled as weak.

"Let's show him who's weak," my wolf said, and I agreed with her.

A warm hand was placed on my thigh, rubbing the clothed skin softly, and I calmed a little from the sensation.

"I suggest you close what you call a mouth, Gio, unless you want to lose your tongue," the king threatened, and Gio gulped before lowering his head in submission.

"Apologies, Your Majesty," He murmured, but the king shook his head. "Not to me," Elijah said.

Alpha Gio's head turned towards me. "Forgive me, Lady Celeste," he said, with a hint of venom in his voice, but I ignored him.

"As I was saying," I continued, "Only the rogue king was able to break the chains, and immediately he did, they turned to dust," I said, looking at each Alpha and Councilor as they listened to me.

"So we make something just like that?" A younger Alpha asked, and I nodded.

"Yes, exactly... But stronger."

"Wow, that's brilliant, Lady Celeste," someone commented. "And with the help of not one but multiple witches, it would be hard to penetrate."

Everyone nodded and complimented my ideas, now bringing in other topics to help their packs.

I sighed and zoned out of what they were saying, occasionally nodding and smiling so it could seem like I was listening.

When the meeting was over, we all got up, and the King held my hand while everyone waited for him to dismiss them.

"I would like to announce that Lady Celeste and I are engaged," the king said aloud, and I smiled and laughed as everyone congratulated us.