A Servant for a Mate - Book #1 (Completed)

Chapter 1 - Mature

Chapter 1 – Claudia

The beating of my heart skyrockets as I watch him from the shadows. Hiding like a stalker is how low I've succumbed over the years.

The sight of my drool-worthy mate standing firm in a crowded room full of hungry female piranhas brings forth a rage I continuously have to battle with. The beautifully tailored clothes secure his strongly built frame, not leaving anything to my imagination. Dark forest green eyes pierce the soul of every single female vying for his attention.

If they are lucky to be one of his dance partners, the over-exaggerated swooning makes me grit my teeth and roll my eyes at the same time.

How dare they brush their fingers along his sharp chiseled jaw when I'm unable to do so?

Claws extend from my fingernails at the sight of a female trailing her hand down Caden's tone chest. The boiling rage surges inside my heart and soul. Anabelle snarls her hatred for our mate and the female.

If only he could scent us and know we disapprove of his actions. Not surprisingly, Anabelle is the one who craves to rip the throat out of the female touching what is supposed to be ours.

Shaking my head at the ridiculous thought of me confronting one of Caden's conquests, I retract my claws and bang my forehead against the stone pillar. There is no point when Caden doesn't know who I am.

One appalling mistake nearly eight agonizing years ago, not only turned my life upside down but the whole Kingdom as well.

The coldness of the stone pillar does nothing to ease the burning heat of jealousy as it slithers its ugly hands down my spine.

Why can't I be the one dancing with him? It should be me!

At the age of seventeen, my body and soul yearns for his touch. I've wondered how his calloused fingers tracing my arm, or lips trailing a line down my neck would feel after a night of love making. My dreams turn into nightmares. Instead of me being the one in his arms, it's Jessica Lawerence, his current lover.

A single tear escapes, sliding down my cheek before a hand swipes along my skin to wipe it away. "Go to him, Claudia. Tell Caden who you are and how unbelievably remorseful you feel for running off all those years ago," my brother Taylor whispers into my ear. He rests his head against mine as he's done so many times since we were children.

"I can't, Tay," it's a choked sob.

"He will forgive you in time, Claudia, you know this. We both know how dead his eyes look when he isn't in the public's eyes. He craves you just as much as you do him. Stop tormenting yourself with the past. It's done and over with. Go to him." Squeezing my shoulder, Taylor gives my temple a kiss before turning away, leaving me to my miserable thoughts.

The two years Taylor has on me definitely prove who is the older sibling. Not only does he protect me from my self-destruction, but he makes sure to keep bullies away.

Being born a servant isn't as harsh as it once used to be, but it does have its demands. A kingdom fails if its servants disobey and disrupt the daily routine.

The King has never brought his cruel hand down upon my family's heads, but I've seen it happen to others who've dared to betray King Luca and Queen Shantell.

On planet Zendar, we've been through plenty of wars. King's love to start them when their egos have been bruised. It's the reason why we aren't thriving as much as we should be right now. King Luca's great grandfather whipped out the last reigning werewolf King beside himself. For over two hundred years, our kingdom has been rebuilding, breeding, and enjoying life.