The Hidden Luna Queen (Maeve and Xaden) novel Chapter 109

It was out of Isabelle’s hands now.

MAEVE POV

The moment I learned that there was going to be another banquet held at the royal palace, where our attendance was unfortunately deemed mandatory, my stomach sank with dread.

One week was not enough time for me to mentally recuperate from the events of the last one, after all the dirty tricks that Isabelle had pulled. Not to mention, I was nowhere near ready to face Alpha King Arlan again. Any courage that I’d had in my body had been all but used up that night.

If given the choice, I would have elected to stay home. Without question.

Oh—how nice that sounded right about now. Locking myself in my bedroom and letting myself just relax in peace.

But I couldn’t be selfish right now.

After all, this banquet was not held in my honor this time.

According to Xaden, this was to celebrate the brave wolves who fought against enemy Bear-Shifter forces and defended what was rightful werewolf territory. I was not clear on many of the details, but it sounded to be a very close battle… as in, there had been a strong likelihood that we could have lost.

The thought was terrifying.

That was, if it hadn’t been for the alpha heading the charge. Apparently, it was because of his remarkable display of valiance on the field that spurred our soldiers to push on, even in the face of defeat.

The power of an alpha is amazing, I couldn’t help but think.

I still had yet to learn who that brave alpha was, but as I sat toward the back of the royal banquet hall—the room surprisingly filled with wolves of many different ranks—I had a feeling that I would find out before the afternoon was over. As I had gathered, most of those in attendance were either soldiers who had fought in last night’s battle or were loved ones of the soldiers.

With that in mind, I was happy to attend and show my support for the brave men and women who kept us safe while we slept.

It was the least I could do. And all I had to do was be there. I swelled with relief—I didn’t have to subject myself to merciless interrogations or anything.

I could enjoy myself in peace.