Maria's POV

“What happened? What’s going on?!”

The sudden explosion of cheers woke me from my drowsiness. I looked around in panic, and only after confirming that there was no danger did I finally relax. I grabbed Mandy, who was leaning on a broom and watching TV with great interest.

“Mandy, what’s going on? Why is it suddenly so noisy outside?”

“That’s not noise, Maria,” Mandy said, revealing an ugly smile with a mouth full of crooked teeth. “Alpha Louis just announced his heir!”

Hearing the name that hadn’t appeared in my life for so long, it took me a few seconds to finally react. “Louis? Prince Louis?! He’s become...