Freya's POV
Almost instantly, everyone's gaze in the banquet hall landed on me.
Grace's eyes widened in disbelief. As for Robert, his entire face darkened, and he tightly clenched the wine glass in his hand. I, on the other hand, fearlessly locked eyes with him and smiled calmly and lightly.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp gaze fixated on me. I frowned, swept my eyes around, and met the king's meaningful and intimidating gaze.
I pursed my lips, then bravely held his stare.
The king spoke, breaking the tense silence, "State your case, Luna Freya."
His words hushed the banquet hall.
"Freya?!"
"Did I hear correctly? She's Alpha Kingsley's mate Freya? But didn't Freya abandon the pack after Kingsley's death, neglecting her duties as Luna and leaving?"
"I mentioned this lady looks like Freya, and you still didn't believe me. Now you should, she is indeed Freya!"
"But why did she suddenly appear here?"
Ever since I successfully escaped to Snowland to search for Kingsley, Robert couldn't find me. He simply declared to the public that I had abandoned the pack and left alone. The news is still available online to this day!
I shook my glass of red wine without saying a word.
The banquet hall had long exploded into chaos, with countless people talking recklessly, their voices clearly reaching my ears. Robert's brow furrowed, and he was about to speak when I preemptively addressed the room.
"It seems that everyone knows me, so I don't need to introduce myself."
I walked step by step to the king, giving him a respectful salute.
Grace, full of incredulity, composed herself quickly and said coldly, "Freya, didn't you already abandon the pack and leave after Alpha Kingsley's death?"
My lips curled into a nonchalant smile. "I hadn't realized there were so many rumors about me, but the fact that I can stand here again is proof that I didn't choose to abandon my pack, isn't it?"
Everyone claimed I left my pack behind, but I returned. Therefore, the rumors couldn't be taken as true. However, convincing the crowd with my words was a challenge.
Robert asserted that, as the pack's Luna, I had abandoned them and left, with Kingsley's stepmother, Grace, as evidence. It wasn't something I could clarify with just a few words.
Soon, without Grace or Robert uttering a word, numerous people questioned me in their place. After all, loyalty was paramount for us werewolves.
"Freya, you're the Luna of the pack, so why did you suddenly disappear after Kingsley's death?"
"Freya, you were diagnosed as infertile at that time, and by all rights, you had lost your qualifications as Luna. Still, Alpha Kingsley forcefully chose you as the Luna, and you left the pack immediately after his death. Is this how you repay Kingsley?"
"I said that Freya wasn't qualified to be a pack Luna, and so it proved."
Their words grew increasingly spiteful. Yet, I expected this when I decided to attend the banquet
today.
Grace looked at me smugly and confidently declared, "Freya, whatever the reason for your sudden appearance today, you know Kingsley is dead. Today is the day the King designates Kingsley's cousin, Robert, as the new Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack. You might have a chance to return to your brother's pack, the Moonlight Pack."
I lifted my eyes and said casually, "Kingsley is not dead! And as the Luna of the Pack, I will never allow a scumbag like Robert to be the Alpha. He doesn't deserve it."
"You!" Grace's eyes flared with anger.
Robert also regarded me grimly. "Is that so? If I don't deserve to be the Alpha of the pack, then what about you? What qualifies you to remain the Luna, someone who can't procreate and left the pack when her own Alpha died?"
"Enough!" the king suddenly shouted angrily, and the surrounding area instantly quieted down. The king frowned at me. "Freya, what did you mean when you said Kingsley wasn't dead?"
I looked up at the king, not missing the hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Instead, my voice remained calm and firm as I said, "Your Majesty, Kingsley is not dead. I left to look for him. You know, we werewolves always share a special connection with our fated mates. At the time of Kingsley's accident, I had a dream about everything he had been through, including the deadly avalanche. When everyone thought Kingsley was dead, I didn't believe it because I sensed that he was still alive, and the bond between us wasn't broken!"
"Bullshit!" Robert could no longer hold his tongue. He looked at me with strong hatred and threat in his eyes. "If you say Kingsley is not dead, then where is he now?"
He then turned to the king, "Your Majesty, I think Freya is just making this up because she doesn't want to give up her position as the Luna of the pack."
The king looked at us, and after a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Freya, where is Kingsley? If he's alive, why didn't he follow you back?"
I paused, considering that Kingsley was still a wolf today, and for a moment, I didn't know how to answer.
After all, I couldn't expose the fact that Kingsley had now lost his power and was just an ordinary wolf in front of Robert and Grace. That would undoubtedly lead to unnecessary trouble.
Hesitantly, I said, "Your Majesty, Kingsley currently has some matters to take care of, and he is unable to come to see you for the time being."
Grace suddenly snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "I think you're just lying, Freya!"
Robert also took the opportunity to say to the king, "Your Majesty, Kingsley has already died in Snowland due to an avalanche, and Alpha Craig has also proven this matter. Freya's words don't have any credibility at all. In my opinion, she's just making this up to maintain her position as Luna of the pack."
The king regarded me calmly, and I met his scrutinizing gaze without flinching. On the other hand, Robert and Grace stood nervously, fearing that the king might believe my words.
A moment passed before the king finally spoke, "Freya, if you cannot provide evidence that Kingsley is still alive, I struggle to find any justification for reconsidering the decision to appoint Robert as the new Alpha of the pack."