CHAPTER 253: SAGE NIGHTSHADE

Juniper offered a respectful bow to the Queen before gracefully taking her seat in the chair provided.

"Dominick has expressed his wish to formally marry you," Queen Mabel began. "The Alpha King has already spoken with your father and reached an agreement. You’ll move into the palace starting tomorrow. As you and Dominick are already mated, it’s only right you begin living together. However, due to the current political tensions, the official wedding ceremony may be delayed."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Juniper replied, keeping a warm smile on her lips. "I am willing to come to the palace and live with Prince Dominick as his mate."

The Queen’s expression softened slightly. "That’s good to hear. I have high hopes for you, Juniper. My eldest son has once again chosen the woman who was destined for him... while my youngest—" her tone dipped into disappointment "—continues to disregard my wishes."

Juniper remained silent, though she couldn’t help but feel surprised that the Queen still harbored a cold attitude toward Amelie. The contrast between how she spoke of her sons was telling.

"The palace doesn’t impose many rules, only a few that I trust you’re already familiar with," Queen Mabel added, returning to her composed demeanor.

Juniper nodded respectfully, taking in every word with quiet attentiveness.

"It’s nearly evening. You should return now and prepare," the Queen said, offering a dismissive but polite gesture.

Juniper rose from her seat and offered another bow before exiting the chamber.

As she stepped outside, her eyes immediately found Dominick waiting for her just beyond the corridor. He stood tall, hands folded behind his back, but the moment he saw her, his posture relaxed, his gaze warming as their eyes met.

Juniper approached Dominick with quick, eager steps. "Shall we go?"

He nodded slightly, his eyes scanning her face. "Hmm. What did Mother say?"

"Just a few things. Nothing too heavy," she replied casually, slipping her arm through his. They began walking together through the palace corridor.

"I was thinking..." Dominick began, glancing sideways at her, "what if we didn’t live at the palace?"

Juniper turned to him, brows rising slightly. "Hmm? Why not?"

"I just think we’d have more peace elsewhere. Fewer interruptions, less formality. Mom tends to get... particular about things. And honestly, I’d prefer a place where it’s just you and me. Somewhere we can make our own space," he said with a soft smile.

Juniper smiled back, her expression thoughtful. "If that’s what you feel is right, then I’m with you."

They reached the grand staircase and began descending together.

"By the way," she added, "I noticed your mother still seems... distant with Amelie. I thought things had improved between them."

Dominick’s smile faded a little. "Honestly, I’m not sure. But Gabriel left the palace recently, and no one knew in advance. I’m almost certain it had to do with Mom. You know how strained things have always been between them."

Juniper sighed, her voice hushed. "Gabriel and Amelie deserve better. I just wish your mother could open her heart to them."

"We can only hope," Dominick murmured.

They reached the palace entrance, where the sleek black car waited with the driver already holding the back door open for them.

"I’ll drive," Dominick said, taking the keys. He walked around and opened the passenger door for her first, helping her in gently, then settled behind the wheel himself.

As the engine purred to life, he drove her home.

~~~~

Katelyn sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the photo her mother had shown her earlier that day. The smiling face of the Alpha stared back at her from the glossy print.

"I hate this," she muttered, tossing the photo aside. It landed face-down on the floor. "She’s really going to force me to mate with some Alpha of her choosing."

She pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face for a moment in frustration. Fingers tangled in her hair, she groaned softly. "What am I supposed to do? Where can I even run?"

Her eyes darted toward the window, as if freedom might be just beyond it.

"Brother Gabriel won’t help me. There’s no way he’d let me stay at his mansion, not even for a few days, let alone weeks. And Dad... he won’t say a word in front of Mom."

Her voice trembled slightly as she whispered the last part.

Just then, her phone buzzed, cutting through the silence. She blinked and reached for it, unlocking the screen. A new message from an unknown number had appeared.

A deep frown creased her forehead. Her thumbs hesitated before she quickly typed, "Who’s this?"

A moment passed. Then came the reply:

"Sage Nightshade."

Katelyn chuckled dryly, the sound filled with disbelief. So this was the man her mother wanted her to be mated with?

"Seriously?" she muttered, tossing the phone onto her bed. Her eyes narrowed as realization struck. "Did Mom seriously give him my number too? Ugh!"

Frustration bubbled inside her, and without a second thought, she picked up the phone again and pressed the block option.

"There. Problem solved," she muttered, dropping the phone back onto the bed.

Meanwhile, miles away, Sage Nightshade stepped out of the Alpha Council chamber, adjusting the cuff of his tailored blazer. The meeting had gone longer than expected, and politics always bored him.

He dialed Katelyn’s number.

Then a sharp tone echoed in his ear: "The number you are trying to reach is currently busy..." His jaw tightened slightly.

"Busy, huh?" he said to himself.

He dialed again, but it was busy.

Sage stared at the screen for a moment before letting out a soft, amused breath. A smirk curled on his lips as he slipped his phone back into his coat pocket.

"The princess is amusing," he murmured. "I guess this will be more fun than I thought."

"What happened, Alpha? Why are you smiling?" Sage’s beta asked.

"I have found a new plaything, that’s why," Sage pronounced before entering the car’s backseat.