Yes, Your Highness (18+)

02

It was now later than when he came to get me. Strangely, I wasn't angry anymore. I was more focused on something else. Listening to Riley and Amelia talk about how the hunt could be going. It was now 10 pm. How the day went by fast was a thing I was unaware of. Since things are different for me while I have been living here for the time being. I was planning on leaving for my eighteenth birthday. Whenever that was. I knew it was somewhere later on. Next year. Things were starting to look up when I felt that surge of happiness course through my veins. I felt like I didn't belong here. I have always felt like I belonged elsewhere. In my head, I saw where I wanted to go. But, surely now I know I will never be ready for the real world until they finally give me a chance to prove I am worthy.

Whatever is worthy, for that matter.

Riley cleared his throat. Breaking me out of my thoughts. He had a smug grin on, and I wanted to punch him in the face for it. "What do you want?" I would ask this like it were an everyday thing. But for Riley Augustine. It was an everyday game for him. I wasn't someone who enjoyed games. Because I often lose them. Like my brother, who was older than me by two years, he was messing with me because it was something that he was into. Although his mate said otherwise and wanted him to be nice to me since I have gone through a lot over the years with his obnoxious bullshit that he calls 'being-a-sibling'.

I don't know how she can handle that much bullshit from Rajah. He and I used to be so close when we were younger. But ever since he turned eighteen, he became more and more of a pain in the ass. But that will never change for me. Thinking about him being a jerk was something I often thought about. Life was about enjoying it. Right? Well. I obviously hate mine. If I could swap my life for someone else's. Then I would. But for now, all I can do is wait until whatever my parents have planned for me and my so-called future.

I keep mentioning this to myself.

Riley wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rubbed it in circular motions. As if asking me a question without even asking it through verbal words. He was bullshitting no one with it, in my honest opinion. He was a ginger with pale skin, green hazel eyes. His forehead and cheeks had a few freckles. I'll never admit that he looked absolutely stunning with them. I was never one to admit my feelings on the spot. Because over the course of time, I was a victim of the worst thing imaginable. You can only guess. I was never raped or harmed in any way. At least not physically. I was often verbally abused and always put down. I always felt like my elder brother was always the favorite. Hint, he was. I was only the youngest at best. Nothing good would come of my being just a stupid, stupid girl. I was called names behind my back. I was called slut, whore, and a bunch of other things I don't want to mention.

I didn't want to admit I needed help. I was stubborn that way, and for some messed-up reason, I like learning the harder way. "You alright?" Riley asked. I was quiet for a while and didn't know how to spark up a conversation with him without lashing out in frustration. I gave a sudden nod and couldn't think of looking him in the eye. Because I already knew who my dad chose to be my arranged mate. I hated Riley, sure. But he couldn't be that bad. Right?

Oh boy, how I was wrong. After I spoke up, we got into a heated argument over why I couldn't hunt. Because it was a lie that I was actually good at it. Hint, I was very good at it. I wasn't bragging when I thought of it. " Your parents wouldn't let you go because you are young and inexperienced. My father wouldn't allow you to hunt even if you did say you were amazing at it."

"Fuck you, Riley. I don't care what you or your stupid father think of me. You can say all the meanings in the world and end up alone. Because you. You are a real piece of shit." After that, he went completely red in the face. Going to grip my arm. "You want me to be a piece of shit? Huh? Do you like being yelled at by me? DO you really like being treated as a brat?!" He snarled in my face, and I snarled back. But I suddenly began to think of what he asked. Do I really like being treated this way? I wouldn't exactly know myself, to be honest. Oddly, I felt like a druggie. Too much verbal abuse can do that to you if you are not careful what you wish for. But, another hint, I was never wishing to be treated like this.

It's always been this way. He finally gripped me onto his lap and kept me seated there until my parents and brother returned. My father didn't look so pleased to see this sight when they returned only an hour later. Riley kept me in his lap with his arms wrapped around my waist to keep me from moving any further. I was a pouting mess. I didn't want to get into trouble on a day I thought was going to be a good one. All because my father said the word 'no.' Maybe I am a brat.

When Noah, my father, walked over to me. He took my jaw in his claw and snarled the words, "You can't go a day without being a little whiny pain in the ass, can you?" he harshly says this in question. My mother couldn't do much. But she didn't just stand there and do nothing. "Enough, Noah. She is only a child." Stacie replied. Walking over and loosening his grip by pressing her fingers into his wrist. Once he let go. I knew there would be some form of bruise on my jaw somewhere. I was told never to hide my bruises. Only because when one hides, it makes them look weak. At least that is what I was told.

Rajah entered the house, doing a full-body stretch. " Now that. That was sick. That coyote didn't know what hit him." He only said this to irritate me even more. I wanted no part of it. So I huffed. I hide my pouting face in the crook of Riley's neck. "What's this? Hiding away?" He teased, and I muffled a response. "No."

"What was that?"

"No. I'm not." I whisper. And he hummed. "Uh-huh. You look cute when you hide." He comments playfully, and I respond with, "shut up." My father sighed and walked to the kitchen with my mother. I hated the fact that no one else had ever asked if I was ever okay. Everyone thinks I am just acting out because I am the child of the family. But I was only acting out because I wanted out. Of the cage I was settled in from the moment of my spawning. He pulls me from his neck and has me look at him. "Forgive if we argued before, Steph. I just wanted you to know that your safety means the world to me."

"Right.." I responded this way because this was something he always says.

"I called you inexperienced when I know you aren't. You are young but not stupid. You know your way."

"Riley, just shut up," I said and hid my face in his neck again. My wolf was pacing inside of me. I could feel her going back and forth. Wanting. Waiting for something to happen. I knew she wanted true freedom. When the time came, we would be free, and she could run around as much as she would like. I could hear the alpha's voice from the other room. "Stephanie is not to set foot outside of this village unless it is for her classes, am I understood?" He questioned my father, and I heard that familiar grunt of agreement from Noah's wolf in response. "Hedrick. She knows better than to disobey my rules. You are aware of this, yes?" Questioned Noah. Hedrick nodded and glanced out into the living room, where Riley had me in his lap. Sitting facing him. I saw the sinister grin of his father. And I already knew it was all too bad to be true. I was being arranged to marry his son. In which I hate.

If there were only a way to stop this outcome. I would use it.