The Prince and The Rogue

25: Decisions

|Samantha|

I paced the length of my room seeing the King enter his old study, Theo in toe. So nervous I restored to my old habit of biting at my nails. Why was he here? What did he want? Did he want me? Was there an uprising with the prisoners? All these thoughts swarmed my brain. All these invasive thoughts were dangerous. I can control none of this, I am just a wolf-less werewolf. I was practically useless until she returned in full capacity.

I practically ran to Theo when he entered my bedroom. He looked annoyed and tired.

"I apologize for my Father's behavior and his surprise visit," Theo says.

"It is okay. What did he want," I ask.

"He came into check in on us-"

"Shocker."

"He also wanted to invite us to a banquette tonight."

I froze, tonight? Surely this was a set up. That was not enough time to prepare for such an event. I know the King was surely playing his pieces correctly. He purposely did this so we would back out due to how last minute it was. He did not want us to show up, so he could twist it. I know he loves his son, but me, I was not sure if he even cared if I was to die tonight. He surely believed his deserved better and I can not fight him on that, he does. He truly does deserve a better mate to run this shit hole of a kingdom with.

"Are you going?"

He shrugs and leans against the post of my bed. "It is up to you, Samantha. If you don't we will remain home, but if you want to go we will."

"I don't know what I want," I whisper.

I didn't want to go at all, but I know he missed his home, his family. Saying no would take that away and I didn't want to hurt him anymore than he was.

I swallow. "We should go," I breathe.

"Are you sure? We can stay here, there is no pressure."

I shake my head. "I can tell how much you miss your family, I will brave this for you."

He has made so many sacrifices for me, surely I could sit through one dinner party, right? This is what relationships are, making sacrifices for one another. Coming to compromises, even if you do not like that outcome.

"No, we don't have to if you don't want to."

"No, Theo, we are going. I will survive. Now, let us get ready."

Theo simply nods and leaves the room without saying another word. Thankfully Rosabella once lived here and left some of her clothes. Some evening gowns hung in the closet, expensive fabric running between my fingers as I searched through them. I picked the simplest one out of them, a champagne colored dress with a scooped neckline and off the shoulder sleeves. The slit in the dress was tame and not what I see females now a says wearing. It would have to do for a last minute event.

It hit me finally, this would be our first event together as a mated couple. What did the King and his council have planned. Nothing seemed right to me. I could go and tell him no, I could back out and look like the coward I truly am. No, I can't, not after seeing how excited he was. He tried to hide it, but I saw the glitter in his eyes. I didn't want to take that from him, not now when we were both dressed and ready to go.

He waited eagerly at the bottom of the stairs by the front door. He was in a simple black suit and a rust colored tie. He looked every inch of the King he would be. But tonight he was still the boyish prince I was mated to.

He smiles when he sees me and that quickly changes to shock and awe.

"You look beautiful, my Goddess," he confesses. "We still have time."

I elbow him in the ribs earning a yelp from him. He smirks and quickly grabs ahold of my waists. "Play nice, Princess," he murmurs in my ear sending shivers down my spine.

"I will try."

"Will I have to punish you tonight when we return for you not being on your best behavior?"

I shrug. "Maybe."

He grabs my hand and leads me out the door and to the car awaiting us at the foot of the stairs. In the car he went over the event and what would happen according to protocol and what I should expect. Since we were arriving early we would have time to finish getting ready and by that he meant the royal embellishments. Truly I didn't want to wear a tiara or any of their other jewels, but I was expected as his mate and next Queen. So, I'd go with it so I didn't draw anymore attention than I was going to.

I had a feeling this was why the party was sprung on us. While Theo could easily adapted to any surprise event like this, I could not. I was unaware of protocol for these events and what would be expected of me. I didn't know any of the Alpha's names or titles of the nobility. Without my wolf she could not contact Theo and retrieve their names. Not to mention other females would be there, more qualified females. 

We rounded the driveway and stopped at the stairs leading to the front doors of the palace, the Queen and Princess awaited us. As a rouge I trembled witnessing the palace and I still do. I truly did fear what lived between the walls. I did not belong here. 

The Queen basically toppled over her son in a hug. "Theo," she cries, squeezing him tighter. "You are early!"

"I know, mother. Putting on the finish touches," he chuckles. 

The Queen simply nods acknowledging me and proceeds to drag him inside. I trail behind the party, my nerves eating away at me.