Crown and Shackles: The Princes Mate (Story Updated)

The Cost of Defiance

I stepped out of my room and-there he was. Nathan. Standing like the world owed him something-and that something was everything. His face was flushed, but not from anger. No, it was the kind of flush that comes from pure, unshakable certainty that he's better than everyone around him. That same ridiculous shade of tomato, like the universe had the audacity to dare cross him today.

He wore that crusty brown button-up like a badge of superiority, paired with dark pants sporting a patch over the hip. Some "rogue attack," he'd told the story like it was a heroic battle wound. Please. If he wanted a medal, he'd have to settle for the "Most Dramatic" award.

His eyes found mine with that infuriating mix of disdain and amusement-like I was an annoying insect buzzing around his perfect world. If I were the devil, I'd skip the usual torment and just rearrange his entire ego.

"What now, Nathan?" I groaned, voice heavy with exhaustion and zero patience.

He leaned in, lips curling into a slow, smug smile, that look of someone who's always two steps ahead-even when he's not. "You didn't clean the Royal Room." His voice was a silky hiss, like he enjoyed pointing out my failures. "Mmm, I should punish you. Let me think..." Of course, he stroked his chin, the classic villain move, as if plotting my downfall was the highlight of his day.

I rolled my eyes, hard enough to see stars. Nathan, you're about as threatening as stale bread. And yet, every time I think you might surprise me, you don't. Never.

"You mean the room you explicitly told me not to touch?" I shot back, a venomous smile twisting my lips. "You remember? 'Ally, don't bother with the Royal Room tomorrow. I'll handle it and collect the credit I rightfully deserve.' Ring any bells, genius?"

He froze like I'd thrown cold water on his grand performance, then flushed redder than a midsummer sunset.

"St-stop... Stop lying! Get in there and clean it! The prince is almost here! If it's not done by then-so help me-!"

I sighed, already done with this ridiculous power play. I shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass, turned on my heel, and stalked upstairs like the star of my own tragic drama.

The Royal Room was a gilded trap, dripping in gold and velvet that felt more suffocating than regal. The walls shimmered with a sickly glitter that made you feel like a fly caught in a spider's web. The curtains were huge and heavy, like silent sentinels watching every move.

And that bed-the crown jewel-towered with sunset drapes worth more than I'd make in a decade. No one had slept there in ages, but the sheets? Expected to be perfect, as if royalty might appear out of thin air.

I slipped behind the hidden panel, swapping sheets with practiced efficiency, piling the dirty linen high enough to threaten collapse. Then-BAM-the door slammed open like a cannon blast.

Nathan, back for Round Two of "Let's Blame Ally."

"What are-"

"God, what are you still doing in here?" His voice sliced the silence, sharp but laced with that smug superiority he wore like a second skin. "How slow are you? Didn't they send anyone better? Someone who actually cares?"

Wow. That's rich. Real bold of you to assume I care about your royal pillowcases.

"Sorry, sir..." I mumbled, bowing awkwardly while trying not to collapse the sheet tower on us both.

He sighed, theatrical as ever.

"Just hurry up and leave. I don't have time to waste on a pathetic slave today. I've had a long day."

And I haven't? I wanted to snap back but kept my mouth shut. Who was this guy? His attitude screamed entitled royalty with ego so thick you could slice it.

I clenched my jaw and slipped out before my sass got me whipped-or worse.

The door slammed behind me like I was garbage tossed aside. I counted to ten. Then twenty. Then whispered a prayer for whoever was unlucky enough to mate with this royal hot mess.

Wait.

Wasn't that the prince?

Great. Just my luck.

---

Fast forward: there I was, outside, washing His Royal Highness's sheets like some tragic Cinderella reject. Nathan wasn't happy-he'd been glaring all afternoon because I talked back about the room and he accused me of wasting time, and truth be told, I did take longer than he liked. His temper flared quickly, especially when he felt challenged, and this time, his punishment was clear.

Nathan had stormed off again-red-faced, furious, his temper like a brewing storm. I kept my head down, scrubbing harder, pretending not to hear his muttering.

Big mistake.

Suddenly, a sharp sting exploded across my back before I could even blink. I gasped, hand flying to the spot-then hit again. A whip. Black, twisted, merciless.

I curled into myself, tears burning hot but silent, rage and fear twisting inside me. Then, just as suddenly as it started, Nathan stopped. He stepped back, chest heaving-not with regret, but cold satisfaction. His eyes held nothing but sharp fury and icy superiority as he turned away without a word, leaving me broken on the dirt.

I stayed frozen, trembling, every nerve raw, until the crunch of footsteps on gravel pulled me back.

"Ally! What happened?" Sam's voice was a lifeline.

I didn't have the strength to answer right away. He dropped to his knees beside me, eyes wide, scanning the bruises blooming on my skin.

"Troy's coming," he warned quietly, cursing under his breath. "We have to get you inside."

I nodded, too exhausted to speak but grateful beyond words. Sam lifted me carefully, like I might shatter. For the first time in forever, I let someone else carry my weight.

They moved carefully, but when Sam flipped me over, I hissed through the pain and tears. "Sorry!" he said, wide-eyed and guilty.

They carried me inside as shouting erupted upstairs.

"What do you mean I'm not your mate?!" Amy's voice-Alpha's daughter and drama queen deluxe-cut through the house like a thunderclap.

So the king and prince were here. I should have known better than to be on better behavior.

I sighed through clenched teeth. Stupid pig head coming, making everything harder. My thoughts slipped to my mysterious unknown mate in the woods, thanking the stars it wasn't that arrogant monster.

Honestly? I'd rather be mated to a porcupine.