Luna of the Cursed Alpha King (Helga and Siegren)

"ARE YOU AWAKE?" A woman asked as soon as Helga opened her eyes. She sat up slowly, disoriented and blinking slowly as her surroundings came into focus. She was in her chambers but with a stranger standing in front of the table near her bed. The woman's hair was a short, flawless cascade of brunette curls, elegantly framing her face. Her nose and cheeks were dotted with delicate freckles, and her doe-like brown eyes sparkled with warmth.

"I'm Portia, Beta David's mate. You fainted in the Alpha King's study yesterday. Do you remember anything?" The Beta female asked, triggering Helga's memory of the previous day. She could recall the overwhelming sensation of struggling to breathe under the sudden display of Alpha power from the King; it felt like she was going to die.

"Yes, I remembered," she replied, rubbing her temple when she felt her head throbbing, "Sorry about that. Can you fill me in on what happened while I was unconscious?"

"The Alpha King summoned me, assigning me as your personal attendant while my husband was away from the palace," Portia replied, wringing out a damp towel above the bowl before approaching Helga's bedside. Her face was still drained of color, and she was running a slight fever from the intense surge of energy that had been released by the Alpha King in his silent fit of rage.

"Beta David was away from the palace?" Helga asked, watching Portia as she cautiously raised her arm to cool off her skin. Helga pursed her lips and halted Portia's hand, causing the Beta female to glance at her with a questioning expression. "I can do it,"

"It's fine, let me." Portia flashed a warm smile and resumed wiping her delicate skin. "As for why David was outside the palace, it was at the instruction of the Alpha King to investigate something. I don't know much about the details, but His Majesty did inform me that in Beta's absence, I am to attend to your needs."

"I see, thank you, and nice to meet you." Helga smiled sweetly, causing Portia to smile back while nodding.

If Beta David personally investigated things, Helga couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with the information she had shared with the Alpha King. Then, a sudden realization hit her-something she had learned about the royal family flashed through her mind. Her heart skipped a beat as she pieced together the puzzle of yesterday's reaction from the Alpha King. It all made sense to her now; her mention of magic was what had caused such a strong response from him.

"Can I have a meeting with the Alpha King today? There is something important that I need to discuss with him." Helga asked and Portia responded with a thoughtful hum.

"He's currently speaking with Aldous, Viola, and Ezra Madden in the throne room." Helga's eyes widened in surprise. It was unusual for them to still be at the palace; usually, they would have returned to Incarnadine's territory immediately.

"Do you know why they were still here?" she asked, confusion etched on her pale face.

"I heard they would be taking up temporary residence at the capital until your test has been completed," Portia replied, her eyes gleaming with knowledge, causing Helga to nod in understanding. They must have decided to remain here instead of returning to the pack house as the journey would take two long days to reach the Incarnadine's territory. It was a practical decision, one that made perfect sense, Helga mused to herself.

"Is Miranda staying here, too?"

"No, it appears that she went home to the north with his father after the banquet," Portia put the towel back in the bowl and dried her hands, then turned to face Helga who seemed to be lost in thought, "You can ask me anything that's bothering you,"

Gracefully, she approached Helga and sank onto the bed with a gentle smile gracing her lips. With a delicate touch, she took Helga's hand in hers and placed it delicately atop her own, creating an immediate sense of comfort and trust. Helga couldn't understand why she felt so at ease with someone she had just met, but there was something about Portia that drew her in and made her feel safe.

"I was at the banquet when you volunteered, and the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to be friends with you," Portia said, causing Helga's finger to twitch a little. Though she longed for companionship within the palace walls, the thought of them abandoning her once she no longer served a purpose terrified her. She never wanted to experience that kind of betrayal again.

"I understand this may make you uneasy, given your past with your pack members, but rest assured, I am nothing like them. I don't simply befriend someone out of convenience and ulterior motives; I genuinely like you." Portia added upon seeing the uncertainty in Helga's expression. Her mate filled her in about what he knew about Helga so far before he left the palace, and honestly, instead of pity, she felt angry on her behalf. She didn't know why but there was something in Helga that attracted her. In short, she couldn't help but want to be by her side and be the friend who would never betray her in any way.

"I know you are hesitant, and I don't blame you for doubting my words," she reassured, trying to ease any doubts or fears that Helga may have. "Let's take our time to get to know each other and work on building a friendship, does that sound good?" "Y-yes, but you're aware that there's no guarantee that I would make it out alive in Ardan Woods, right?" Helga chuckled, "I might die before we even have the chance to get to know each other properly..."

"Don't speak like that," Portia said firmly. "I have faith that you will make it out alive. I could sense your strength and intelligence when I watched you confidently converse and meet the Alpha King's intense stare. My instincts have never been wro—" Portia was cut off mid-sentence as she heard Alpha King's voice in their mind link, commanding her to bring the sole candidate to the throne room immediately.

"What's wrong?" Helga asked when she noticed the troubled expression on Portia's face.

"His Majesty wanted you the throne room, do you think you can make it? You still have a fever,"

"Oh, I'm fine. I can go." she nodded, eager to speak with the Alpha King. She was worried that he might accidentally reveal their conversation from yesterday to the leaders of Incarnadine, especially when she hadn't had a chance to ask him to keep it confidential yet. "All right, allow me to assist you in dressing." Portia said with a gentle nod as she retrieved a stunning navy blue puff-sleeve dress from the wardrobe. With skilled hands, she helped Helga into the garment and made sure every seam was perfectly aligned. Once they were finished, Portia led Helga towards the throne room where the imposing figure of the Alpha King sat upon his ornate throne. He was dressed elegantly in a tailored navy-blue suit, accentuated by a regal red cape that cascaded down one shoulder and was secured with a glimmering jeweled clasp at his neck.

Helga couldn't shake the suspicion that Portia had intentionally chosen a navy blue dress for her to match the Alpha King's attire, but she pushed the thought away as soon as she saw the stern faces of the Madden family turn towards her. She let out a sigh and mouthed a thank you to Portia who was still by her side, the Beta female then bowed respectfully to the Alpha King before exiting and closing the door behind her.

"Come here," Siegren commanded, his deep voice resonating through the room. Helga obeyed without hesitation; her long hair styled in a high ponytail swaying lightly behind her as she walked with confidence towards the throne. The Alpha King stayed still, his legs crossed and his sharp jaw resting on his knuckles, his piercing gaze fixed on her. As she passed by Ezra, she could feel his eyes following her every move until she finally reached her destination, standing before the most powerful Alpha in the land.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty." She greeted him with grace, bowing her head slightly in a show of respect. After straightening up, she met his gaze and patiently waited for his response.

"Turn around and face them," he ordered, which made her eyes widen in surprise, still, she followed his instructions and turned around, meeting the icy gazes of Alpha Aldous, Luna Viola, and Ezra. Their expressions were filled with disgust and fury as they looked at her. "Announce that you will sever all connections with Incarnadine."

Helga's fingers twitched with emotion as the words she had just heard rang in her ears. She could feel the weight of the Maddens' stares, particularly Ezra's who silently threatened her not to speak those words, but she knew they needed to be said. Taking a deep breath, she mustered all the courage she could and spoke with a steady voice, "Yes, Your Majesty."

However, memories of her first time entering Incarnadine Pack House came rushing back to her. She could still feel the warm welcome of the pack members, the happiness she shared with them, but most prominently, the pain and betrayal she experienced when they turned their backs on her. Her hands clenched into fists, aching with the weight of her suppressed tears. But she refused to let them see her vulnerability. As always, she managed to keep her composure, biting her lip before speaking again, her voice steady despite the sadness and hurt that festered inside her heart.

"I, Helga, the sole candidate of Luna Selection, will leave the Incarnadine Pack, and promise to sever ties with its members."