Rejecting His Queen [Amazon Edition]

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Ali and I ride the elevator past the first floor with her getting off on the second floor. I smile, agreeing to find her table when it’s time to eat before the elevator doors close and I find myself alone. I sigh, the unease feeling that has been growing since arriving to this pack has not settled down, but it hasn’t grown either since the spar with the Beta Female; that at least is a good thing. The elevator dings, letting me know of my arrival to the royal floor where I promptly exit the metal box and make my way to my room. Once inside and in private, I remove my clothes and take a quick shower. My parents would expect me to be ready early to go down as a pack and make our way down the stairs together. I much prefer the seclusion of the elevator. Once clean with a fluffy towel wrapped around my body and my hair now smooth from twenty minutes of battling it with a blow drier and brush, I search through my luggage for something appropriate, landing on a cream blouse and black slacks as well as a pair of black heels, something mother would instantly approve of the moment she sees me.
“Bella, I am coming in.” Speaking of my mother, I finish pulling the slacks on just as she enter my room, her eyes scanning me from head to toe with surprise clearly on display.
“So you do know how to dress like a Queen.” She comments, smiling at me with satisfaction as I roll my eyes and slide my feet into the heels, my door opening once again for my father to walk in.
“Sorry Bells, your mom said you were dressed and I just wanned to give you a heads up about tonight’s dinner.” He apologizes right away gaining an eye roll from me.
“It’s okay, I know our interactions are limited with me incognito.” I answer, waiting for the explanation. My parents take a look at each other before sighing, this action telling me the plan is not ideal.
“Since you are pretending to be part of the maid group, you will be sitting with what this packs considers “Omegas” in this pack. You will unfortunately appear weak to your mate if he is here. It’s not ideal for you.” I see my father’s point and frown. If I look weak, I may be rejected. Hopefully that isn’t the case at all and that if my mate is in this pack he see’s past everything and allows our bond to grow and get to know me before I reveal my true title.
“Do you think you can handle this Isabella?” Mother asks and I nod, determined to see this dinner through.
“I have no choice. Being that I am here to find my mate since coming of age, I have to do this.” I answer honestly, seeing the worry in her eyes.
“Just promise me that no matter what happens no one will know my identity, even if I am rejected.” I state. I can tell they do not like this idea at all but I need their reassurance before leaving this room. Even if I am rejected, I cannot have my mate knowing my true identity in case he changes his mind in favour of power.
“Fine.” Father agrees finally, mother giving a nod as well. Happy with their reassurance, the three of us join the rest of the Royal Entourage, my father opening the group link and explaining once again that no one is to let slip my true identity. I am Bella the Maid, not Isabella the Princess. Everyone responds with various forms of agreement and I join the maids brought along on this trip, happy to see my outfit is similar to theirs with black slacks and various colours of blouses. With a quick look from my parents, our entourage descends the four flights of stairs and I instantly curse the idea of wearing heels. How my mother can wear these twenty-four-seven and not be crying in pain by the end of the day amazes me.
“Your Majesties!” A deep voice calls out as soon as my parents reach the first floor making my heart beat faster than ever. Being at the back of the entourage I cannot see the owner of the voice but the uneasy feeling increases.
“Alpha Damon, glad to see you are here for dinner.” My mother answers, her voice holding a slight hint of contempt, one I know all to well from being in trouble for various reasons growing up. But I learned the owner of the deep voice is Alpha Damon and some instinct urges me to see him as soon as possible.
[You okay Izzy?] Liam, a guard I usually train with back home asks, turning slightly to look at me.
[Yeah Li, just I have this feeling.] I state, giving him a lopsided smile. Liam nods at me, giving me a reassuring smile before turning back to face forward. He knows the plan, that if anything happens on this trip he is to reach my side and protect me without any other orders. I am priority as the next Queen.
“I am sorry for not welcoming you this morning Queen Lisandra. Unfortunately unexpected pack business came up.” Alpha Damon explains, his voice once again captivating my from my unfortunate spot at the back of the group. I am itching to push my way to the front and see who this man is, see why my heart jumps and skips a beat with his voice alone, but I must play the part and stay where I am, tortured by the heels and hoping to be able to sit soon.
“We understand Alpha, Rogues are no joke. Were you able to rescue the she-wolf?” My father replies, always the political man and slick at changing a subject.
“Yes we were thankfully, the she-wolf was able to steal a knife and fight her captors until my team and I arrived.” Pride swells inside me for some unknown reason while small talk is made. I stay as silent as the others, playing the part of a perfect well behaved maid.
“We may be a warrior pack but the ones in charge of the kitchen have created an amazing feast, come join us.” Alpha Damon finally says and it takes everything in me not to sigh with relief. With my parents taking the lead and Alpha Damon beside them, our group enters the dinning hall of the pack house, tables marked for our pack empty and waiting in areas designated by rank. Passing by the area where the Alpha and my parents stood, a lingering scent causes my steps to falter, the smell of dark chocolate and pine catching me off guard.
[Bells keep up.] Father mind links me as I catch him looking back for a moment. I nod in understanding quickly getting in line with the Maids and act as if nothing happened. My parents join the head table, Alpha Damon, Beta Malcome and Ali being the three to converse with them while the maids and I make our way to the back of the dinning hall passing by males and females that sneer at us, some commenting how weak we are. I do see the women from the training ground and I thank the Goddess, not wanting them to expose my strength at this dinner. Of course I want to yell at these wolves, to show my true strength and not be looked down as a true Alpha of all of them, but the plan to find my mate takes priority. Our table quickly fills and I frown, realizing there is no room for me to sit.
“Sorry Bella.” Martha says frowning, trying to figure out where to sit until a voice from the next table calls out.
“You can sit with us!” I turn to see a middle aged she wolf sending me a warm smile, one that reminds me of a grandmother showing her grand child some warmth of familial love. I give Martha a reassuring smile and turn on my heels, making my way to this friendly she wolf and sitting beside her.
“Thank you, I have no Idea what I would do if I couldn’t find a place to sit.” I say gratefully, sighing as I the weight of my body is lifted off of my feet, cursing the heels once more. Next time I plan to wear flats.
“It’s not a problem dear. I am Silva.” The she wolf introduces herself and I smile taking her outstretched hand.
“Bella, pleasure meeting you.” Silva smiles at me, her grey eyes reminding me of a calm sea before a storm both beautiful and dangerous. I instantly like her as a woman with depth to her is someone that I can get along with.
“Is this your first time traveling to our pack Bella?” Silva asks as I pour the two of us a glass of water.
“Yes. Normally I am back at Nightlock Thorns doing odd and ends for the Princess but was requested to join the entourage.” I answer as honest as possible, taking a sip of my water while I look at the spread on the table. Each table has the same amount of food in the center positioned in a way to have a mini buffet so that each table can converse and not have to leave to get the food. This causes me to frown as back home we have a buffet style setting across the back wall closest to the kitchen entrance. This way our pack members can mingle and converse with each other. It seems like this pack is very systematic in how things are down.
“Don’t mind me but I am curious, does your pack ever do a full buffet style for you all to mingle?” I ask as Silva and I begin to plate our food.
“Yes but that is during the pack bonfire at the end of the month. Usually we just grab a quick meal at our own home or something quick the cooks leave out. This formal setting is only for visiting Alphas and Royals.” I smile at Silva’s honesty, the two of us quickly getting into a quiet conversation about our packs. As I serve Silva and I from the food in the center of our table, getting introduced to the three elderly sitting with us, I feel a pair of eyes staring at me from across the room.
[Bells, Alpha Damon is observing you.] My father links me. I tuck my hair behind my left ear a silent signal that I understand while Mathew, Silva’s mate, tells a story on how the two met after explaining I hope to find my true mate one day. I enjoy the company of these wolves, hearing stories of the pack before the rule was set were only warriors are accepted as mates.
“So you are telling me that you were once an Omega and spent your days in the kitchen cooking?” I ask Mathew, looking over the six foot tall male with silver hair and a very muscular build.
“Yes. Silva was originally on an exchange program and we met by accident. It was love at first sight and when asked to come here with her, I agreed without hesitation.” Mathew turns to his mate after his answer, the love in his eyes so strong that I long for the same bond displayed in front of me. Throughout this exchange, the feeling of eyes on me never fades, causing me to become nervous.
“May I have everyone’s attention please.” That deep voice of Alpha Damon causes small shivers to run across my skin. At once the quiet chatter ceases and everyone turns to the main table where Alpha Damon and My parents stand. Finally I see the man everyone fears and respects. Alpha Damon and my father standing side by side, for once my father shorter than another. Standing at what I assume is six-foot-five with piercing green eyes and a stoic expression I can see how his looks is the bane to every she-wolves wet dream, but his looks doesn’t end there. Tanned skin from working outside alongside his pack and a muscular body that even his clothes can’t hide causes me to blush with his thick chocolate brown hair that my hands itch to feel.
“As you know King Jonathan and Queen Lisandra are here for official business to help with the problem we have been facing with the Demon Clan. So tonight I would like to welcome them and the rest of their envoys with open arms as we discus measure to protect not only our pack, but our nation!” The wolves of Frost Moon let out a loud cheer at his words, my own pack joining them in the clamor. I smile, taking a sip of my water waiting for the wolves in this room to settle down, I have a feeling my father has something to say and that feeling is right. My father holds up his hand, the crowd slowly quieting down until you can hear a pin drop on the floor.
“As Alpha Damon stated, we are on this tour to hear from every leader in our nation to see what we can do as a team to fight the impending war the Demons have been planning. We know they are using Witches and Rogues to attack our borders, individual pack’s territories and even the Royal Pack, so we must come together to fight them. As such there will be a conference in three months, one that will take place every year to maintain our nation’s safety.” I smile at my father’s words, surprised yet happy to know he took my proposal from last month to heart. With these announcement, Alpha Damon finishes with allowing our packs to mingle around the hall, Frost Moon members taking this as a sign to leave their seats as some begin to seek out their friends in their pack, while others walk to members of mine and begin a conversation. I take this time to stretch, making my way towards the head table now that the dinner has become a social event I wish to be anywhere but here.
“Oh Bella I was just about to come find you!” Ali states as soon as I push through the crowd, linking her arms through mine.
“I was just about to ask their Majesties if I can be excused for the night.” I reply to Ali with, giving my new friend a small smile. She just nods but gives me a smirk as we walk towards the head table.
“I actually wanted to introduce you to my Alpha as the she-wolf that broke the punching bag today. He was of course pissed off but is now curious of you.” She retorts with. I sigh, figuring that we might as well kill two birds with one stone. I can see if Alpha Damon is my mate while also being able to ask my parents to retire for the night. The walk is quick as I notice Malcom chatting away with my parents as Damon stands stoically beside his Beta. I wonder if this Alpha wolf has any other range of emotions.
“Sorry to interrupt but Alpha I brought the Maid that broke one of the new punching bags.” Ali cuts in just as Malcom finishes explaining the training pups go through in this pack.
“Ali you’re my cousin in law, just call me Day.” Damon states with a roll of his eyes in annoyance. His voice sends slight shivers down my spine and his scent wraps around me in the most delectable way. Confused, I stay quiet turning to look at my father who sends me a questioning look. I smile reassuringly before returning my attention to the Alpha before me.
“Damon Frost, pleasure meeting you miss?”
“Bella.” I answer taking his outstretched hand ready to shake it. But upon contact an electrical current shoots down my arm and through my body, the world fading away from me where only Damon Frost remains. MATE the word echoes through my mind as a bond quickly forms with each repetition of the word.
“Well Miss Bella, I would love to learn how you managed to break a new punching bag off the chain considering it none of my top warriors have managed to do so with full strength.” His voice cuts through the haze while he releases my hand as if nothing happened between us. My heart cracks as he does not acknowledge our bond but two can play this game.
“I train with the warriors at home as I am either always with the Queen or the Princess.” The lie flows flawlessly off my tongue and I catch Liam snicker just beside my father as my friend comes to attention most likely to report something.
“So you’re a Maid with Warrior training?” I feel like this is an interrogation from the Alpha, my own blood simmering and I take a deep breath to maintain the façade and calm myself down. How dare this idiot disrespect me, his Mate.
“Yes.” I answer as he stares at me with an emption I cannot cypher, but I can feel the disappointment through the small bond thats formed. I bristle at his words, wanting nothing more than to show this arrogant Alpha his place. Screw being mates, Damon needed a humbling lesson.
“Excuse me Your Majesty, but may I please be excused?” I ask my father. Lightning flashes just as I finish my words and my mother sends a glare my way.
[Control your anger Isabella.] She warns but I shut out the link between us and focus on my father.
“You may.” With his permission I bow to my parents and ignore the arrogant mate of mine before taking quick strides out of the dinning hall and up the stairs. The unease I have been feeling has grown since the encounter with my mate and I have a feeling that I will not like what is to come next.