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9

Alexia climbed the carriage, and goodness knows how many times she was going to groan. The journey was only about to start, and she is this way.

She didn't know what excuse she could give that would make her parents decide not to take them with her. They left their pack with his second in command, meaning, the trip was no joke.

Whatever they were going there to attend to wasn't any of her business so why does she have to go? Could it be the Moon goddess playing such game with her now?

It's the Cold Moon Pack. No way was she going to spend even a day there without Steele's knowledge. No one enters the pack without it been appended and sent as a file to the Alpha right at the border.

Same way no one goes out with it been sent. How did he react when he saw she was exiled on the book with her name appended permanent ink?

Oh goodness, she shouldn't be doing this.

The carriage jerked and shuddered, the wheels creaking.

"We must stop. There is something wrong with the carriage." The driver announced.

Alexia nodded, her eyes fixed on the window.

The carriage lurched to a stop, the door swinging open.

And then she was standing on the side of the road, the wind blowing through her hair, her eyes fixed on the kiosk in the distance.

She walked towards the kiosk, her feet crunching on the gravel. She noticed the air was cold, grateful she has a coat inside the carriage to go back for incase it gets unbearable.

As she approached the kiosk, she heard the sound of hammering and banging, the guard trying to fix the carriage. She looked at the board hanging on the kiosk, her eyes scanning the menu.

"A cup of coffee." She requested, her voice low and hesitant. This was her first time buying anything from anybody. She was always in the brothel back in those years whenever she has no client.

The man behind the counter nodded, his eyes fixed on Alexia's face as he fixed her order.

"You are very beautiful. Are you from around here?" As per her assumption, he wasn't that long when he spoke up and asked, his eyes staring so curiously at her.

Alexia blushed, her eyes fixed on the ground.

"No, I'm just passing through."

"Well, I'm glad you stopped by. Maybe I will see you again."

It felt good. This would be the first time of her receiving a compliment from a man.

"I guess I do. Could I have another cup?" She gave him a warm smile, a sky method to diverse to another topic.

The man grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I see you like my coffee. You know... maybe you should stay for a while. I could show you around, introduce you to my friends. They would love to meet a beautiful girl like you."

"I'm sorry." She began, hesitating. "I'm not here for that. I'm here for..."

She trailed off, her eyes fixed on the carriage, the guard waving to her in the distance.

"I have to go." She said, somehow relieved as she waved at him. "Thank you for the coffee, but I can't stay."

"That's okay." The man nodded, his smile warm and understanding.

Alexia fell asleep in the carriage, her body exhausted from the long journey. She woke to the gentle tapping of the guard, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of the palace gates.

"We're here, Princess Alexia. Your parents have already arrived." He informed and she blinked twice in disbelief.

Throughout that day, she managed to escape crossing paths with Alpha Steele. The next morning, Alexia rose early, her body groggy as she thought of the day's event, the D-Day.

She walked towards the bath water prepared for her, and saw the maids were already there, their heads respectfully bowed.

"Good morning, Princess. We have prepared the baths as requested." They chorused in synchrony.

Alexia nodded, her eyes fixed on the water, and then in a swift and with closed eyes, she stepped into it, her body sinking into the warm, fragrant water, as she doubt if she was ever going to make it through the party without been seen.

To not lie, she missed his face. Considering they really didn't have the time to connect before she was exiled.

Alexia stepped out of the bath, her body clean and refreshed, the maids were still awaiting her and she was no longer new to the treatment. She's treated even more royal at her parents' pack.

The maids dried her off when she gave a quiet hum of approval. She was thereafter dressed in a flowing gown of blue and silver, the fabric soft against her skin. And then when they were done fixing her up, she sat down to breakfast in the room, her eyes darting continuously to the window as she ate, her mind occupied with thoughts of the party that had already began.

Finally, she rose to her feet, and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway due to her long heels, causing her to want to groan.

The party was already in full swing, the courtyard filled with laughter and music with the air heavy with perfume and smoke. How could they spoke in a general event?

Alexia moved through the crowd, her eyes fixed on the ground, grateful to have her hair as a veil of protection and proper camouflage.

She found her parents quicker than she expected. "Alexia. You look beautiful." Her mother complimented, earning her smile.

"Thank you. I'm glad I could be here." A big lie. She didn't want to be here, at all. But who would know? She walked to the bar side and ordered a soda, her hand trembling as she lifted the glass to her lips, her eyes hurriedly scanning the room for any sign of the Alpha, feeling relieved when she didn't see him.

As Alexia sipped her soda, she felt a light tap on her shoulder and jumped startled, but instead of the particular hoarseness, came a voice soft and amused one.

"Careful with those drinks. One too many and you'll be dancing on the tables." The lady said, lightly joking. Alexia laughed, her face lighting up with both relief- that it wasn't whom she thought- and humor, since it was funny and the lady was right at the same time.

"You're right, I'm not much of a drinker." She told her and the lady smiled.

"Don't worry. There are plenty of other ways to have fun." She responded, her eyes surveying the crowd, the music, the laughter.

"Look around you, Ms. The palace is alive tonight. You can dance, you can talk, you can even watch the moon rise over the horizon."

Alexia smiled, excited she could at least have a talk. She was starting to get bored. On the other hand, she knew the lady doesn't know of her.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I should let myself enjoy this."

As the bartender poured her another drink, she looked beside her to see the lady gone and off to the dance floor, dancing with a man. Well, she left so quick.

She soon heard the crowd fall into silence then looked over at the entrance to see him; Alpha Steele stepping into the party.

Her eyes widened.

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