I'm So Proud of You

••• Arabella’s POV ••• Sensing that I wasn't really in a good mood, Max strode over and embraced me. “Everything will be alright, Arra,” he comforted me softly, then we hugged each other tightly. *** The next day, after putting on my gown and applying delicate makeup, Max and I arrived at the grand venue. We stopped in front of the towering golden door, and we needed to separate for a while as he needed to go to his seat so he could witness me. He snaked an arm around my waist, then comforted me, “Don't be nervous, Arra. I’ll be right here for you.” “Thanks, Max,” I smiled at him. He then placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and left. I took a deep breath before stepping into the throne room gracefully. Walking past the rows of seats, my gaze was fixed on the magnificent throne ahead. There was a stage next to it where I would need to make my speech. I looked at my parents, who were also present as Queen and King about to abdicate and would need to announce that I’d be the new chairman of the campaign. I smiled at them, and Mom smiled back at me while Dad... Well... Dad was acting like the Alpha King with a stern face. “Ari, you look gorgeous,” I heard Mom’s praise through our mindlink. Then I heard Dad snorted, “She’s our child. Of course, she’s beautiful.” I had to suppress my giggle and tried my hardest to appear calm and elegant. No matter how strict he was, Dad would still spoil and be proud of me even if he didn’t show it. He always thought his little princess was beautiful, even if I wore a potato sack. “Thank you, Mom and Dad,” I mindlinked them. I swore to myself I wouldn’t be running for the title of Queen, as I had told Max yesterday during breakfast, and I would be fair. “I really don't know why you don't want to be Queen,” Iris grumbled in my head. “You know I always want to be Queen.” Yup, Iris was always unhappy whenever we talked about this subject. She had told me so many times how she wanted to be the wolf of Queen and had tried to change my mind so many times by pointing out the benefits, but I had made up my mind, and no one could sway me. “You know being Queen is not the ideal life I want to have, Iris,” I told her, then comforted, “We can still do other things to make our lives meaningful.” Iris finally sighed just as I took my place on the stage. Dad rose magnificently from his throne and Mom gracefully, and the hall quieted down. The event started with one of the Elders opening it and Mom and Dad telling those present about their decisions to abdicate and hand over the chairman position to me, as stated in the event’s list. Then Mom and Dad gave the stage to me. I thanked everyone for coming and that I would do my best to ensure the smoothness and success of the election for the next King. Suddenly, a voice of an Alpha rose from among the crowd. “How can we be sure that Princess Arabella will be fair? As the Luna of the Silentmane Canines Pack, she will surely let Alpha Maximillian Vestvertine win the election.” After he spoke and accused me, some Alphas began to maliciously imply that I might pulled strings so Max would win the King title. “Yes, yes!” “This will be unfair to us who have no connections to insiders.” Having already anticipated this reaction, I calmly and seriously reiterated, “I can guarantee that there won’t be any corruption and black box operation under my management.” “How are you going to guarantee it? Will you make it transparent for all to see?” an Alpha seemed to mock me like I wouldn't dare to do it. I looked at the Alpha and replied, still calmly, “I will set up an independent monitoring panel to monitor the validity of the votes cast.” The Alphas present knew by then that I was serious about the campaign and wouldn’t tamper with the results, and they shut their mouths, finally accepting my parents’ decision to make me the chairman. My gaze accidentally locked with Max’s after saying those words, and I smiled at him as I saw him watching me with pride shining in his eyes. My parents were also watching me with a smile. Seeing the three most important people in my life watching me proudly, suddenly, I felt a strength inside me. I thought I needed to do one more thing for the werewolf community. I opened my mouth and said in a clear and firm voice, “Recently, I have noticed a dark force of evil approaching the werewolves, and I hope that you will not take this lightly but will always be on the lookout for enemies and wars that may come at any time.” Just as I had finished those words, a heated discussion roused from the crowd. “Princess Arabella, don’t be an alarmist!” a voice accused me. “How could there be war when the werewolf community had remained peaceful for many years?” “The last restlessness happened during the Hunting Wood incident, and many years have passed without any war!” “And dark force? What dark force? You are just trying to make us afraid!” The Elders coughed softly, and one of them said to me, “Princess Arabella, your speech is over. You may step down from the stage now.” I sighed as I saw their reactions. This was the thing I was most worried about - their denial. Everyone was so used to our peaceful living that they would just ignore any warning of any crisis that could come at any time. I knew even the Elders who knew about Abigail and Lina’s matters still didn’t fully believe in the involvement of dark magic. Max came to me with outstretched hands when I stepped off the stage. I stretched out my hands for him to hold. “Arra, I’m proud of you,” he said with a smile. “I’m glad you have the courage to sound the alarm.” I was relieved that he really understood me and didn’t think it was terrible for me to warn them. I knew the Elders weren’t really on my side on this matter. That was why they didn’t want to help and speak up for fear of creating unnecessary panic in the werewolf community. “But they don't believe me,” I mindlinked him since I couldn't possibly say those words out loud with everyone still within hearing range. “They will believe you if what we fear does come true,” he replied with his voice, not caring that others might hear him. “No matter what happens in the future, I’ll be here with you, Arra. I will face any problems we may face with you,” he assured me. I looked at him, and as our gazes met, I couldn't help but smile at him. He was really good to me... Not that I wanted to compare him with Shawn, but if the person in front of me was Shawn, he might have hindered me from saying those words to save trouble. Or save his reputation, since his mate’s reputation will affect him, and he was a selfish ass who only thought of himself. That was why he got angry with Abigail after she caused trouble for me. It affected his reputation as the Alpha of the Battleclaw Banes Pack. “Ari, Alpha Maximillian,” Mom’s voice came from behind me, and I turned around to see Mom and Dad come to join us. “Alpha Queen, Alpha King,” Max greeted my parents with their titles since this was an official event. Dad nodded at him while Mom smiled warmly. “Ari, about your statement...” Mom let her words trail off, but we knew she wanted to ask why I said those words. I looked at Max before telling my parents of the involvement of dark magic in all the problems Max and I had faced. I deliberately hid the information about Abigail using the liquid to murder Aurora because I knew Mom might be devastated and, Dad would lose control, and it wouldn’t look good in front of all these Alphas. I would tell them in private after the werewolf council believed in Abigail murdering my sister. My parents fell silent after hearing my explanation. Then Mom said, “Ari, watch out not only for witches but also for rogues.” “Rogues?” I asked in confusion. “Yes, rogues,” Dad answered. “Alpha Queen, Alpha King, there are some people who would like to meet with you,” an Elder approached us and spoke to my parents respectfully. “We need to go now. Remember what we told you,” Mom and Dad hugged me, mindlinked me a reminder, then nodded at Max before going with the Elder. I watched my parents departing backs with puzzlement. Hadn’t the rogues been wiped up by the two of them decades ago, and the non-evil ones been taken by various packs? Just like Aunt Milla, who had been taken back by my parents after being banished by Dad for trying to harm Mom but had learned her lessons since then. So, were there any rogues now? “Lina seems like she doesn’t belong to any pack,” Max told me through our mindlink. “And the guy who worked with her to kidnap you...” Thinking of Lina and her allies, Max’s words seemed right. If Lina belonged to a pack, her Alpha wouldn’t let her create troubles like that. And that zombie-like guy... If our enemies were dark witches and rogues, this war would be bigger than I thought.