78 Chapter 78 Shopping
Addison remembered the moment the smaller girl carefully crafted a flower crown from daisies and gently placed it on her playmate’s head. “Sister, you’re so beautiful…” she had whispered, eyes cast downward, fidgeting nervously with her fingers.
That shy little girl–her movements, her uncertainty, her soft admiration–mirrored Mila’s demeanor perfectly.
And now, standing here, Addison couldn’t help but compare the sincere look on Mila’s face to that of Claire’s–the woman who had mastered the art of false innocence. Claire, who would say one thing and mean another, who wore her innocence like a mask while cornering Addison with subtle malice, always smirking as if she’d won something invisible.
But Mila was different. The nervousness in her eyes wasn’t calculated. It was genuine. The memory confirmed it—at least, it seemed so.
mother, signaling that she understood her Thinking of all this, Addison nodded at her point. Seeing Addison so calm and understanding, the Queen smiled softly–but that smile faltered as her eyes turned red with emotion. Sadness welled up in her chest as she recalled what her mate had told her about Addison’s past experiences before she was rescued.
If she hadn’t threatened the Alpha King–her own mate–with dissolving their mate bond unless he told her the truth, he might have kept it hidden from her forever. It was only after Addison had spent nearly two years in the Sacred Land that she finally learned the full extent of what her daughter had been through.
And now, watching Addison remain gentle and considerate despite the memory loss and the trauma she had endured, the Queen’s heart ached. Addison had suffered so much… and yet, here she was, still choosing to be kind. That kind of strength–quiet, unyielding–only made the Queen feel more guilty for not being there when her daughter had needed her most.
More than anything, the Queen was seeing how much her daughter had grown and matured. Addison was no longer the carefree and willful girl she used to be. Her aura had only grown stronger, but it wasn’t just power–it was a reflection of everything she had endured. Still, the Queen didn’t want the mood to turn somber over the past.
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So, with a bright smile, she clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention.
“Sweetheart,” she said cheerfully, “you’ve been away from the Royal Palace for so long, and there’s still so much you don’t remember. Would you like to explore the palace first, or shall we go shopping for clothes, shoes, and a few pretty trinkets?”
Her voice was full of excitement, hoping to lighten the atmosphere and help Addison
ease into her return.
Before Addison’s arrival from the Sacred Land, the Alpha King had already stationed his most trusted guards around the palace to ensure her safety and prevent any information leaks, hearing his mate’s suggestion now, he gave a warm, approving nod and looked at Addison with nothing but love in his eyes.
Seeing her parents so enthusiastic, Addison hesitated. A part of her wanted to return to training–to strengthen her body and mind–but before she could say anything, her twins looked up at her with wide, pleading eyes.
“We want to see Mommy dress up beautifully,” they chimed in unison, their voices sweet and persuasive.
These little charmers–though only three years old–already had an impressive vocabulary and knew exactly how to tug at someone’s heartstrings. Faced with their innocent request, Addison had no choice but to surrender. She let out a soft sigh and nodded in agreement.
The moment she did, her parents and the twins lit up with joy.
“Yay!” the twins cheered, giving each other a high–five before running over to wrap their arms around Addison in a tight hug.
In all the excitement, however, Mila was unintentionally left out. She stood quietly in the corner, her presence nearly forgotten. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve as she bit her lower lip, a timid expression on her face.
The Queen, who had been chuckling happily at the heartwarming scene between Addison and her twins, suddenly fell silent. Her gaze shifted to Mila–standing quietly to the side, her figure small and lonely, eyes downcast and expression pitiful.
A pang of guilt struck the Queen’s heart.
Mila had been her pillar of support during the darkest times–especially when she was
78 Chapter 78 Shopping
struggling to cope with Addison’s kidnapping. Mila had stayed by her side, offering comfort and strength without asking for anything in return. Yet, now, with Addison back and the atmosphere so joyful, it looked as if Mila had been pushed aside and forgotten.
To the Queen, it felt like Mila’s quiet devotion was being repaid with indifference, making her feel ashamed and ungrateful–as if all of Mila’s sacrifices had amounted to nothing more than a thankless role in someone else’s story.
As the Queen–the mother figure of the entire werewolf kingdom–she knew she was expected to uphold grace, fairness, and compassion. It was her duty to lead by example, and that included acknowledging the people who had shown unwavering loyalty and kindness. Mila had been one of those people, and the Queen felt a deep responsibility to honor her devotion and ensure she didn’t feel neglected now that Addison had returned.
With that in mind, she quietly stepped closer to Mila and gently took her hand, guiding her to join the group. The gesture was subtle, but Addison noticed it.
For a brief moment, something flickered in her chest–an uneasy feeling, as if she might be reading too much into the Queen’s closeness with Mila. But she quickly shook the thought away, reminding herself not to let doubts creep in. She focused on her children instead, smiling softly as they held onto her hands.
She was a mother now too, and she understood love more deeply than ever. Whatever bond her mother had with Mila, Addison knew one thing for certain–she could never be replaced.
After that, the Queen led Addison to the guest lounge. At first, Addison was puzzled- they had said something about going shopping, so why were they heading here
instead? But her confusion didn’t last long.
One by one, attendants began arriving, each carrying armfuls of dresses, shoes, jewelry, and other luxurious items. It quickly became clear that instead of going to the shops, the shops were brought to her.
Unbeknownst to Addison, the Alpha King had sent a mindlink to trusted store owners ordering them to bring their finest selections directly to the palace. More than that, he had them swear a blood oath of secrecy. If any of them dared to reveal what they saw within the palace walls, they would face a gruesome death.
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It might have seemed excessive–after all, as the Alpha King, he could have simply used his authority to command their silence. Werewolves under an Alpha’s direct command wouldn’t be able to utter a word, even under torture. But that kind of suppression would make things too obvious. If others sensed that the Alpha was hiding something and compelling obedience, it would only stir suspicion.
However, by making the store owners take an oath instead, it appeared as though silence was their own choice. The consequence of breaking that oath was death, yes- but it was framed as their decision to keep their lives. In doing so, the Alpha King ensured that their discretion seemed voluntary, while cleverly reinforcing the importance of secrecy. Any werewolf with a working brain would know better than to risk their life by letting even a single word slip.
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