Chapter 74: A Love Tested by Secrets
**Thelma Zane’s Point of View**
As Benard and I sat in the oppressive silence, exchanging furtive glances, my mother’s voice broke through the tension. “Ahem,” she said, clearing her throat awkwardly. “We’re still here, you know.”
Her words startled us out of our private world. We quickly released each other’s hands as though they had suddenly caught fire, our faces flushing a deep shade of pink.
Caught in the moment, Benard and I exchanged a sheepish smile. Our embarrassment, rather than awkward, felt oddly comforting–a shared moment of levity in the midst of tension.
From his seat, my father rubbed his temples, an amused yet exasperated look crossing his face. “Alright, alright, young lovebirds,” he said, his tone a mix of resignation and bemusement.
“Does this mean you’re not angry anymore?” I asked cautiously, my voice tinged with hope.
My father gave a soft chuckle. “How could I be? When even the Moon Goddess herself has acknowledged your bond, who am I to stand in the way? Young love is often impulsive, but it also burns brightly with passion and sincerity. In the face of such a pure connection, what reason do I have to object?”
My mother, though less vocal, seemed to slowly come to terms with the situation. Her initial shock and disapproval gave way to reluctant acceptance. After a moment, she addressed Benard with a measured gaze. “You’ve surprised me, young man,” she admitted. “I didn’t expect such courage and resolve from you.”
Benard responded with a quiet conviction, “I draw my strength from Thelma. She is my constant source of inspiration and power.”
My mother’s composure faltered for a moment, and she let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes in a manner unbecoming of a queen. “Alright, Victor and I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore,” she said, her voice tinged with exasperation. “But please, for the love of all that’s holy, spare us from your public displays of affection. We’re not as young as we used to be, and this is far too much for our old hearts.”
I couldn’t contain my laughter as I threw myself into my parents‘ arms. “You’re not old!” I exclaimed with a grin. “Both of you are still the most beautiful and handsome people in the world!”
As we embraced, my gaze shifted to Benard. His eyes held a warmth that seemed to melt away any lingering tension. The moment felt light, almost surreal, as if the weight of our earlier
worries had been lifted.
Once we left the room, Benard and I strolled through the palace gardens, our hands entwined.
Cha Chappé 24 Above Tested by Secrets
The peaceful ambiance was a stark contrast to the emotional rollercoaster we had just endured. For a while, we walked in comfortable silence, savoring the tranquility of the
moment.
But eventually, the unspoken truths between us began to surface.
“So,” Benard said casually, though his tone carried an underlying seriousness, “I noticed you addressed both the King and Queen as ‘Father‘ and ‘Mother.“”
I felt
my
heart sink. The time had come to confront the secret I had been dreading to share.
“Yes,” I admitted, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. “I did. The truth is, I’m not just a relative of the Queen. I am her biological daughter.”
Benard’s eyes widened slightly in realization. “You mean… you’re the Princess Madeline who disappeared over a decade ago?”
I nodded. “That’s correct.”
I braced myself for an outburst, expecting anger or disbelief. But to my surprise, Benard’s response was far from what I anticipated.
“What happened during those ten years?” he asked softly, his concern evident. “Did suffer? Were you mistreated?”
you
His genuine worry touched me deeply. Overwhelmed by emotion, I leaned in and kissed him. Benard seemed momentarily surprised, but he quickly reciprocated, wrapping his arms around me and deepening the kiss.
When we finally pulled away, I rested my forehead against his, my voice trembling as I spoke. I had a good life,” I said, my words laced with both gratitude and sorrow. “My adoptive parents and brother showered me with love and gave me a happy childhood. For that, I will always be thankful.
“But it wasn’t always easy. Because of my Lycan bloodline, I smelled different from other humans. It set me apart, and most people kept their distance. Even those I considered friends would often tease me.”
I paused, my voice catching in my throat as I prepared to reveal the most painful part of my past. “And then, there was my mate.”
Benard’s grip on my waist tightened.
“He was one of the few people who treated me with kindness,” I continued. “For a long time, It mistook his care for love. I believed he cherished me as much as I cherished him. But when the time came, he coldly rejected me. He made it clear that he saw me as nothing more than a burden. His kindness had never stemmed from affection but from a sense of duty.”
The memories were as vivid as ever, and I felt a familiar pang of heartache. “When he rejected me, it was as if my entire world collapsed. I felt humiliated, worthless. I couldn’t understand
Alone Truted by Thords
why he had led me on, why he hadn’t pushed me away sooner. It was only when the Moon Goddess revealed our lack of a true bond that I realized how blind I had been. I had wasted years loving someone who saw me as nothing more than an obligation.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I confessed, “I was so devastated that I no longer wanted to live. In a moment of despair, I threw myself off a cliff
Benard’s eyes blazed with fury and disbelief. “What?” he exclaimed, his voice filled with anger. “That’s unforgivable! Who was this man? Tell me his name and the pack he belongs to. I’ll make sure he pays for what he did to you. He deserves to be cast out for treating you so cruelly.”
Fearing he might act on his words, I placed a calming hand on his chest. “Benard, please don’t
dwell on the past,” I said softly. “It’s over now. The Moon Goddess, in her mercy, guided me
back to my true family–and to you.”
I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “That man was merely a fleeting chapter in my life, a painful lesson I had to learn. But now, none of that matters. What matters is you, my dearest Benard. You are my shepherd, my companion, my love.”
Benard’s anger gradually subsided as my words sank in. He cupped my face gently, his eyes filled with unspoken promises. “And you, Thelma, are my everything. My love for you knows no bounds.”
In that moment, under the quiet gaze of the moon, we reaffirmed our commitment to each other, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
