Chapter 323: The Match was Happening
Meredith.
"Back in Draven’s room... you said my most powerful form won’t be unlocked until we return to Stormveil. How? What does that even mean?" I asked.
"If I tell you now," Valmora replied, calm and sure, "you will lose focus on the present important things and cling to it instead of growing into it. Some things can’t be handed to you, Meredith. They must be lived into. And I think I’ve explained this to you before."
Her answer only tightened the knot in my chest. But I pressed my lips together and nodded to myself because she wasn’t going to budge, no matter how many times I had tried to get the answer from her.
"Fine," I murmured. "Then tell me this. Besides the matebond itself... what are the benefits of Draven and I marking each other?"
I refused to accept that the matebond was the only thing I gained from last night.
For a moment, Valmora was silent. Then, her voice came steady in my head. "You can now hear other people’s thoughts. But not everyone’s. The exception will always be powerful wolves who have learned to block their minds."
That sounded like something beneficial, so I probed, "What about humans? Can I hear their thoughts, too?"
"Yes."
A thrill sparked in my chest. I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. The idea of knowing what humans thought in silence was a power I never imagined having.
But then another thought struck me. "Can Draven do that as well?"
"No. His’ is limited only to his pack members."
I froze for a second. "What do you mean, no? He is powerful and stronger than any wolf alive. How could he not—"
"It isn’t his gift," Valmora cut in, her tone firm but not unkind. "No matter how powerful he is, that ability to hear everyone’s thoughts isn’t his to wield. But he can command others, bend their will until they obey. Everyone, except you."
My lips parted. "What?"
Now, I had another reason to be shocked because what in the moon’s name am I learning this morning?
"You heard me. His Alpha command won’t touch you."
Shock rippled through me. I had no idea that this was possible. "But... how? Why?"
"Because you are immune, Meredith. It is one of the benefits of being the Wolf Queen."
The title thudded in my chest like a drum as I swallowed, my mind spinning and trying to grasp the edges of it.
Silence stretched between us for a moment, and then Valmora spoke again, softer this time.
"I didn’t want to tell you this yet, but some of your supernatural abilities have already begun to unlock. Don’t ask me which. They are for you to discover on your own."
My brows furrowed. How could she give me unfinished good news? What happened to the details?
"Valmora—" I tried asking, but she wasn’t having it.
"Enough." Her voice dropped in a stern and final tone. "I need a break. Don’t call for me unless it’s urgent. Urgent, Meredith. Not important. There is a huge difference, and I expect you to know it."
And just like that, her presence receded, leaving me alone in the quiet room with my racing and curious thoughts.
Not long after, my maidservants stepped in to help me get ready in time for breakfast.
I noticed the smiles on their faces, their gazes on me and the silent exchange amongst them, without them speaking out loud.
It was obvious they knew about the matebond without me saying anything to them.
As soon as they finished getting me ready and I stepped out of my bedroom, I saw Draven stepping out of his bedroom. And together, we left for the dining hall.
---
When Draven and I walked in, the usual rustle of chairs and respectful greetings followed, but this time their gazes followed and lingered on us.
I could feel it in the way the servants’ eyes darted away too quickly, the way Dennis’s grin stretched wider than necessary. Even my siblings were watching closer than usual.
Draven and I settled down after he pulled out the chair for me. Then, Dennis finally leaned back in his chair with a smug smile at the corner of his lips.
"Well," he drawled, "looks like you two have sealed the deal."
I felt my cheeks burn. ’Of course, that big mouth had to make a direct comment.’
Refusing to be swayed by his response and give anything away, I busied myself with cutting my food, pretending I hadn’t heard him.
Draven, of course, had a blank look, though under the table, his hand brushed mine in the barest graze that made my pulse jump.
The room was loud with chatter, but my attention snagged on Mabel. She was smiling and nodding politely at something Gary said, but her eyes were locked on me.
And then, something strange happened. It was like I could feel her sharp and ugly mood pressing against me.
Jealousy was what I picked up. That was absurd.
I scoffed inwardly, wondering if my sister was truly sane. And before I could stop myself, I reached further, probing. And suddenly, her cold and venomous thoughts slipped through.
"So, they are truly mates. This bitch doesn’t deserve this happiness."
My stomach turned at that discovery. ’Mabel thinks I’m a bitch who doesn’t deserve happiness?’
I tore my gaze away, trying to mask the shock and anger on my face. Beside me, Draven was calmly sipping his drink, but then his low and steady voice brushed through my head.
"You shouldn’t be paying attention to her."
I nearly dropped my fork. My head snapped toward him, but his expression was calm, almost detached, as if he hadn’t just spoken directly into my mind.
Only the faint curve at the corner of his mouth betrayed that he knew exactly what I had just done.
"What are you doing inside my head?" I inquired.
He released a soft chuckle inside my head. "Trying to see if you were thinking of me. But I guess I was bound to be disappointed."
"That serves you right," I replied, making sure he saw the smirk on my lips.
The rest of the meal dragged on for another ten minutes before Draven’s voice broke through the chatter.
"This afternoon," he said, setting down his glass, "there will be a match on the training grounds. Dennis will face three of my warriors at once."
The room went still almost immediately as my heart stopped for a moment, my head jerking towards him. But he didn’t seem like he was joking.
Dennis blinked, then gave a half-laugh. "Yeah, and you are all welcome to come watch me get beaten up badly."
Mabel and Gary shifted uneasily in their chairs, with curiosity evident on their faces.
But me? I just stared at Draven, completely stunned. I had thought yesterday’s words were just to placate me, just punishment in theory.
But now, he had said it out loud in front of everyone, which meant the match was really happening.