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.
I felt my cheeks burn. ’Of course, that big mouth had to make a direct comment.’
"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?’
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