Yes, Your Highness (18+)

25

Nothing could go wrong at this very moment. I focused on the sharp shards of glass scattered on the floor, sweeping the remnants as if to keep my mind occupied. Each stroke of the broom felt like a futile attempt to avoid the pull of his handsome face lingering in my thoughts. Just an hour ago, his lips had brushed against mine, igniting a flurry of emotions that were difficult to contain. I found myself lost in contemplation, wrestling with the questions that flooded my mind. What was it about myself that remained undiscovered? What lengths was I willing to go to uncover those hidden facets of my identity?

The confusion gnawed at me; I had endured so much, yet I never truly questioned why the family I once lived with had lied to me. They had treated me poorly, claiming their disdain was because I was their "only daughter." Who were they kidding? I was not theirs—not by blood or by heart. So, why had I suffered their cruelty? Each moment felt like a waste, a bitter reminder of the pain I endured for no apparent reason. My wolf, my silent companion, waited patiently for me to emerge from the turmoil of my thoughts. After a long moment, she spoke to me in a gentle whisper, as if to say she understood my frustration.

Years had gone by without questioning my origins, without wondering if all the hardships I faced were merely the twisted desires of Stacie seeking a daughter. I often thought of Sasha; she must have known the truth. I didn't harbor anger towards her—she had kept the secrets because someone had asked her to. I respected her for that. I just hoped she was safe. She had risked her own well-being to help me escape, and the thought of her fate weighed heavily on my heart. 

"If you keep thinking about it, it's not going to go away," Chase's voice broke through my reverie as he busied himself in the kitchen, the clatter of pots and pans providing an odd comfort. "I don't care if it doesn't. My focus is on how I can harness this situation instead of allowing it to consume me," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. To my surprise, he didn't flinch. He stood steadfast, listening intently as I poured my frustrations into the air, then patiently waiting for me to gather my thoughts once again. 

Yet I realized I had nothing more to say. I finished collecting the last of the glass, tossing it into the garbage pan with a sense of finality. I walked into the laundry room and returned the broom to its place, the mundane action grounding me. "Making waste of the situation would only make it messier. Rae," Chase noted with a tone of gentle reason. I rolled my eyes internally, feeling the frustration bubble within me. "For fuck's sake," I murmured under my breath, my worries swirling like a tempest. My heart ached for Sasha. I felt a gnawing concern for Amelia too. The looming thought of what my 'parents' would do if they discovered I had fled sent cold chills down my spine.

"It was just a figure of speech, alright?" I said, my tone softer, my defenses faltering. He reached out, caressing my chin, tilting my face to meet his gaze with unexpected tenderness. "My mate, you don't need to suffer through this alone. You don't have to bear this weight at all. You've endured more than enough," he whispered, and each word wrapped around me like a warm embrace. His voice stirred something deep within me, making my legs feel as though they were made of pudding; a delightful mess that only he seemed able to evoke. 

With Riley, it had always been about the momentary thrill of a compliment, a game played for my reaction. My grievances were more directed toward his father than him. Yet Riley deserved better than someone like me. Perhaps Samara could be a suitable match for him, despite being caught between two worlds—half-wolf, half-vampire. The thoughts flitted through my mind like shadows. Letting out a heavy sigh, I turned to find Chase standing dangerously close behind me, memories of him pinning me against the wall flooding back. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his touch igniting warmth that contrasted with my earlier frustrations. "It's okay to feel how you feel, Rae," he reassured, his voice a soothing balm against the chaos within.