Page 138 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

“I’ll be right here with you.”

His words are reassuring, but the fact is that I’m about to come face to face with people who have tormented me endlessly and whose cruel eyes will land on my son. I’ve always vowed to myself that I will protect Finn no matter what, but right now, it feels like I’m throwing him into the hands of the enemy.

“The king and queen of the Northern Kingdom!”

Cedric and I step forward, and Finn moves in behind us as he was told to do. I see Vivian excitedly walking toward the center of the three-tier, winding staircase, where Erik is standing. She must have known that Cedric was here.

She hasn’t seen us yet as we come to stand in the spotlight at the top of the staircase to the right. But others have noticed. A hush falls over the ballroom, and the announcer says loudly, “King Cedric Raine and Queen Leanna Avery!”

Vivian, who has nearly reached Erik, freezes. My eyes are fixed on her as she lifts her head and looks directly at me. I see shock enter her eyes when she meets my gaze. The announcer is not done, however.

“And the crown prince to the Northern Kingdom, Prince Finn Raine!”

Hushed whispers break out among the attendees, but my eyes are on Vivian. The color drains from her face when she sees Finn, who is a carbon copy of Cedric. Her lips part, but she can’t seem to utter a word. I see movement behind her, and my eyes dart to a figure heading toward the staircase.

Bella.

A wave of rage and protectiveness moves through me. I don’t know which one of them is the biggest threat to my son, but my fight is with both of them.

Bella’s eyes meet mine, and I see both shock and fury in them.

Holding her gaze, I give her a smug smile.

I survived.

I gave birth to the heir of the Northern Kingdom.

My mate is standing beside me.

She did her best to get rid of me, but she failed.

I won.

We reach the bottom of the staircase and walk toward Erik. Vivian is standing at the edge of the crowd now, and Bella comes to stand beside her. She’s whispering to Vivian fiercely.

Erik meets my gaze and gives me a small smile.

Cedric nods at Erik. “The North greets the king of the Human Wolf Kingdom.”

Erik reaches out and shakes his hand. “The North has been a great ally to our kingdom. It has given me great pleasure to host your queen and the crown prince here for the past eight years.”

The whispers grow louder, and Vivian is unable to control herself.

“What are you talking about?!” Her voice is tinged with hysteria. “I am the queen of the North, not that woman!” She pushes Bella away and strides to the front where we are standing. “The queen of the Northern Wolf Kingdom is me, Vivian! Not her! That woman is a slave and an imposter! She deceived the Northern Kingdom, pretending to be me—”

“Leanna is my fated mate.” Cedric puts his arm around my waist, his voice calm. “You are not and have never been my queen.”

Bella chooses this moment to come and stand beside Vivian, her voice tense. “Your Majesty, you are well aware of that woman’s status. Everything Queen Vivian speaks is the truth. The noble families don’t recognize this woman as our queen. Why are you dragging our personal matters out in front of all three kingdoms?” She looks at me, and I see the anger and disgust in her eyes. “If you wish to take this woman as your mistress, we will overlook the matter, but you cannot claim this bastard child as your heir.”

Her words are carefully chosen, each barb aimed to draw blood.

I open my mouth, but Cedric doesn’t give me the chance to speak. “Princess Vivian was always meant to be nothing more than a political prisoner. My intended mate was always Leanna. You are well aware of this. And since when do the noble families interfere in the king’s personal matters? You are crossing the line, Bella Asher. Step back.”

Cedric’s voice is icy cold and filled with warning.

However, Bella refuses to back down. I begin to wonder if she has any self-preservation skills at all. Harriet once told me that Bella, when angry, will go to any length to get her way. That was a long time ago. I thought that over these past eight years, after losing Cedric’s favor, she would have changed a little bit, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. She is not heeding her king’s command.

An older man rushes forward, whispering urgently to her, “This is not the time, Bella. Don’t make a scene.”

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