Elena’s POV
“Princess Elenal”
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I was already at the pack’s gate and was about to enter my car when one of the Duchess‘ servants rushed toward me, calling while excessively waving her hand to get my attention.
Breathing heavily, she smiled at me and composed herself as she stood upright. “Princess Elena, the Duchess said that if you have time, she would like to invite you for another visit. Or if you prefer, she’ll visit your pack instead.”
It might be because I show a sign of shock on my face that she added with a wider smile, “The Duchess wishes to be your friend.”
To say I wasn’t surprised would be a lie. I couldn’t help but blink a couple of times in utter surprise and even … a feeling of warmth as her invitation touched me.
I know that she was being sincere because Roosevelt Pack was one of the top packs, and they had no reason to flatter anyone, especially not me or Deacon. She was, after all, another royalty.
And since I was feeling warmth with her again, I couldn’t help but smile warmly and nod my head. “I’d like that.”
With that, I bid my last farewell and turned around to go back to my pack.
As soon as I arrived back, I went straight to the spot where my mom was buried and sat on the grass, feeling the fresh air brush against my skin.
Closing my eyes, I lay back and let myself rest on the soft grass.
After a few minutes of silence, I opened my eyes and turned my head to the side, looking right at my mom’s tomb. Pulling the box from my pocket, I pushed it close to her and opened it, letting the afternoon sunlight shine on it, and its gems reflected it all around, making it look like rainbows were surrounding her.
“Look what I got, Mom,” I whispered on her tomb as I pulled it out from the box and put it on my wrist, raising it to the sky and letting it shimmer.
I stared at it until my vision blurred, and then… I let the tears I had been holding on to drip from my eyes and onto the grass.
The silent yet aching tears that flowed down my cheeks tasted like all the years I had been trying to keep strong despite everything.
My brother… My brothers… My pack… All of them. It still felt like yesterday when I could hear them, watch them goofing around, and stand beside me like they used to.
I was in the middle of reminiscing when our eldest pack member, whom I treated like a family since I was a child, came to my side with her basket filled with clothes she just grabbed from the clothesline and sat beside me.
“Your mother only gave that bracelet up because she didn’t want to trouble Duchess Hermoine,” she uttered softly, taking me aback.
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Sitting up, I asked, “You know about it?”
She gave me a sad smile and nodded her head. Shifting closer to me, she draped her arms around my shoulder and leaned her head closer to me, giving me comfort.
“She didn’t have it remade because well…” She shrugged her shoulders. “She said it wouldn’t be the same if it’s done a second time around with another of the same thing out there. And that the meaning had already been lost if that was what was to happen.”
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I touched the bracelet, feeling the engraving and gems on it. “And now it’s here, back at my wrist.”
“Or maybe…” she paused and pulled away from me before pulling me to face her.
She stared deeply into my eyes and held my hands. “Maybe it just needed time to return at the right moment.”
Leaning in closer, she gave me a wide smile and knowing look. “Just right before your marriage. A marriage that’s really for you. And it’s your mom’s way of blessing you even when she’s no longer around.”
A smile instantly formed on my lips as more tears of joy streamed down my face. Though I felt my heart getting heavier, the comfort in it was inevitable to feel.
This bracelet was my mom’s blessing to me. Something that showed that I’d always be protected by my family, no matter where they were.
Holding it, I couldn’t help but think… Maybe things would be okay now that I’m already on the right path. Even though we were only bound by a contract and Deacon couldn’t possibly love me the way fairy tales promised, maybe the life ahead of us would be a peaceful one.
The one we would cherish. A relationship that’s stronger than a friendship.
Something that my mom always wanted for me. A peaceful and safe home. A future I didn’t have to fight for at every turn.
Though it wasn’t sailing as smoothly right now, I knew Deacon was someone I could lean on, and he’d do everything to turn it into something I would never regret.
“Thank you, Aunt Maggie,” I told her as she stood up and kissed me on my forehead before leaving me alone again.
I raised my wrist and held the bracelet close to my heart while I leaned my back on my mom’s tomb.
Despite the peace that formed in my heart, a hint of guilt still pricked at me at the thought of my marriage
to Deacon.
My martial arts master, Master Nick… It had been years since I last visited him… Since I left and disappointed him with my choices.
I hadn’t even sent him a wedding invitation either.
My heart pounded.
Would he think that I had forgotten about him? Or worse… Would he think I no longer cared?
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I sighed and couldn’t help but wonder when I would be able to return to Custodes.
But no matter what, I know something for sure…
Sooner or later, I’d be back on track and get the life I deserve.
Chapter 153
I sighed and couldn’t help but wonder when I would be able to return to Custodes.
But no matter what, I know something for sure…
Sooner or later, I’d be back on track and get the life I deserve.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
