Chapter 111
Elara’s POV
The water was ice cold. I felt the shock of it hit my skin as soon as I dropped out of the boat. The chill spread quickly, making my muscles stiffen. My heart hammered in my chest.
1 sucked in a deep breath, trying not to choke, as I kicked my legs and tried to push myself up toward the surface.
But then, something–no, someone–grabbed my ankle from below. I froze, my body tensing in a heartbeat.
I looked down, eyes wide. It was Miela.
Her face was ghostly pale, eyes bulging with panic. Her cheeks puffed in and out, desperate for air. But she wasn’t swimming toward the surface. She was pulling me down with everything she had.
She was
was trying to kill me.
What the hell!!
My mind raced, furious disbelief flooding me, Miela, of all people, wasn’t the type to dive into water. I’d seen her back in the Blood Moon Pack when we went cliff diving. She’d been a wreck, panicking as if drowning was the only option. But here she was, in the freezing depths, dragging me down like a
wild animal. All because she hated me that much.
I shook with rage.
I forced my leg upward and kicked, aiming right at her forehead. The impact was hard enough to send her reeling, her mouth opening in a silent scream. Bubbles escaped instead of words, but her hands didn’t loosen their grip on my ankle.
Come on, come on!
I struggled, the pressure building in my chest. The deeper we sank, the tighter Miela’s hold seemed to get. My limbs felt heavy. I can’t breathe. I need to get out of here.
Frantically, I reached into my pocket, fingers brushing over something cold and hard.
It was the dagger
I’d been carrying it since we’d come to the Grace Ruin. Aber everything that had happened, I wasn’t about to let my guard down. I wrapped my hand around the hilt and pulled it free, twisting my body in a desperate attempt to reach Miela’s grip.
With one swing, I plunged the dagger into her arm.
Blood erupted from the wound, mixing with the water, turning it murky around us. Finally, Miela let go.
kicked my legs furiously, my chest screaming for air. I kicked again, harder this time, and fought to the surface.
When I broke through, I gasped, lungs burning. The fresh, crisp air tasted sweeter than I could have imagined.
Volces echoed in the distance, frantic, panicked. People were shouting.
“Help! We need help here! They fell into the water!”
“Guards! Over here!”
“Save the King’s mate fast!”
I raised my arm, trying to catch someone’s attention, but before I could even call out, a force from beneath yanked me back under.
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She came at me, fast. I saw her face twisted in fury as she wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me down once more
I kicked, I punched, but the water made everything harder. I pulled on her hair, trying to get her to release me, but it only made her snap harder, her teeth sinking into my arm.
You’re not going to win, I thought, the rage flooding me again. But as much as I fought, she wasn’t letting go.
Just then, I heard someone dive in, slicing through the water with purpose. A guard. Thank the gods.
They weren’t here for Miela. They swam straight for me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, pushing me forcefully upward. The grip was solid, unyielding.
“Hang on,” the guard grunted as we broke the surface with a splash. I gasped again, my body trembling with exhaustion.
The arm around me helped pull me onto the shore. I collapsed, coughing, shivering
“T–Thank you,” I managed, my voice hoarse.
But when I turned to see the person who saved me, my heart skipped. It was Jory.
“What are you doing here?” I gasped.
He grinned, brown eyes sparkling under the water’s reflection. “I was on patrol. Heard the cries for help. Glad I wasn’t too late”
Before I could respond, a few girls rushed over. One of them was the same girl who had threatened to chop my head off earlier.
“W–Where is Miss Miela?” she shrieked, eyes wide with panic. “I asked you to save Miss Miela first! She’s the King’s mate!”
Jory’s gaze turned icy “I didn’t see her down there. Maybe she drowned already.”
“Impossible! Get back in there! Now!”
Suddenly, a loud splash cut through the air.
ng for breath. Her eyes wild, she struggled to make her way to shore,
Miela emerged, gasping
“Miss Milat Are you alright?” the girl asked, rushing forward to help her.
But then her expression changed. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on Miela’s forehead
“Miss Miela, what is that on your face?” she asked, her voice trembling
followed her gaze, barely holding back a laugh. The concealer that Miela wore to
to cover her tattoo had washed off in the water.
The tattoo. SLAVE
“Why do you have “slave tattooed to your forehead?” the girl demanded, eyes wide with disbelief. “I thought you were a lady from Direstone Pack”
Miela froze, her face draining of color. Her hands shot up to cover her forehead, but it was too late. The damage was done
A murmur spread through the crowd.
“Are you a slave? Why did you lie?” someone whispered.
‘s mate is a slaye?” another voice called out
“I can’t believe it our King’s mate is a slay
Miela’s eyes flashed with desperation. She whirled around, her voice shrill as she screamed, “This is a misunderstanding! I’m a Lady! Not a slavel Guards!
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Chapter 111
Guards! Arrest Earl She tried to drown mel
The lie came so easily to her, twisting everything she had done.
“Arrest them! Now!” she yelled, pointing at ine,
A group of soldiers moved toward me, their expressions unreadable,
“What did I do?” I asked coldly, my voice shar.
“You tried to kill mel” Miela hissed. “You tried to drawn me, the King’s mate!”
It was all lies. But it didn’t matter.
Jory stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. His eyes locked with mine, and I knew what he was about to do.
Then, a familiar voice rang out.
“Drop your weapons!” Kimberly’s voice rang through the air, firm and commanding.
Everyone turned toward her, eyes wide with surprise.
Kimberly’s gaze met Jory’s, their connection palpable. And in that moment, we all held our breath.
Kimberly and Jory spoke in unison, their words a shock to everyone there.
“Matel”
And just like that, everything shifted.
E
