Royally Mated

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The rest of the week was just that. Syd made it obnoxious with her constant begging to let her through a party. I told her no every time. I just wanted it to slip by. The weekend came and on Saturday, my 17th birthday, I was awoken by Nate with a bear hug. I screamed from the fright but calmed when I smelled his familiar scent.

Dad rushed in, looking worried but relaxed when he saw Nate hugging and swinging me around.

“Happy birthday” he shouted. “You’re so old” he teased. 

I laughed at Nate. He was so stupid. “Nate you’re older than me.”

“Hey no more talk about age. I’m older than you both. Nate drop your sister.” He did just that. Thankfully there was a bed under me.

“I’ll see you downstairs Tala. There is a surprise waiting for you.” By surprise he meant a cupcake with a candle and pancakes.

Dad picked me up and hugged me. “Happy birthday little one.” I hugged him back.

“Thank you daddy.” I loved my father. He didn’t treat me like I was some weirdo or a science experiment. He put me down and said “Come, your surprise awaits.” He took my hand and led me downstairs.

In the kitchen I was surprised. It wasn’t just a cupcake and pancakes like had been for as long as I could remember. The kitchen was decorated and on the island in the middle of the kitchen there was a cake. There were seventeen little candles lit.

Mom came over and kissed my forehead. “Happy birthday Tala.” Dad led me over and said “Make a wish.”

What do I wish for? I wish I could meet someone that accepted me, all of me, and would take me away from here. I blew out the candles and Nate smiled at me. Dad cut me a piece and just as I was about to take a bite a howl echoed through the calm of the morning. We all looked up and knew instantly what it meant. The Royals were coming. Huh, I guess it had been about a year.

Mom snatched the plate from me and pushed me out. “Quickly Tala, you must shower and be ready for them.” Man, I didn’t even get a bite of the cake.

I showered as quickly as I could and outside mom was antsy and fidgety. She told me to get dressed in the light blue dress I had. I complained that it didn’t matter what I wore but mom was in no mood and she just yelled at me to do what I was told. I did and changed. I was brushing my hair when she came back in. She was bouncing with anxiety.

“Oh dear Tala. It isn’t just the king and his advisor this time. It is his wife and their son, as well as more of his advisors and guards.” So, it’s just more people to gawk at me.

I finished getting ready and mom basically pushed me out the door. Nate held my hand the whole way giving me support. All the Royals were standing in the center of the community. I was used to the King. I had seen him many times. But new was his wife. Her name was Victoria, and his was Daniel. Not that I was ever allowed to address them by their names. Off to the side I saw a boy. Well actually a man. He looked about Nate’s age. He was gorgeous. He had black hair that just reached his shoulders. His lips were full and his eyes were pure silver.

That had to be Colton, prince and heir to the throne. He was what all the stories said he was.

We bowed to them and Highest Alpha smiled at us. “It is a pleasure to see you again young Tala. Please step forward.” I did as was ordered and took a step forward. Highest Alpha walked over to me and put a hand under my cheek. He looked me over just as he did every year. “You have grown little Tala.” He took my hand which was new. “I wish you happiness on your birthday.” I gasped shocked. He smiled at me. “You did not think I would forget your birth did you?” He tilt his head. “No. You are very special young one.”

The prince snorted and looked away. Someone else didn’t think so. I lowered my head.

“Do not listen to Colton, he finds himself troubled lately. Marius, bring over Tala’s gift.” They got me a gift? A huge man walked over and handed me a box finely wrapped. I just looked at it, unsure what I was supposed to do. “Go ahead open it. I wish to see you face when you open it.” I undid the bow and dropped it to the ground. I lifted the top. I gasped and my mouth hung open. I looked up at Highest Alpha. A tear threatened to spill. In the box was a beautiful necklace. The pendant was of a wolf howling. Its eye was some sort of jewel.

I lifted it out of the box and in the sunlight the jewel changed color. “It changes color.” Highest Alpha grinned at me. “Just like my eyes do.”

“I am glad you like it. Actually Colton picked it out.” I looked over at the prince and he quickly looked over at me.

“Thank you, my Alpha.” He nodded and then looked away. Wow he was gorgeous. No he was beyond gorgeous. What is there? I don’t know but Colton is it.

“Colton come over and put it on her.”

“Why?” he asked in a hash voice. “She will just have to take it off to shift.”

“I suppose you have a point. We did come here on business. Please dear shift.” Highest Alpha backed up and his guards came around him.

I hated this part but I was getting used to it. I had the straps to my dress down and was about to lower it when I looked and Colton was looking at me. Oh no. I can’t just get naked in front of him. I froze where I was, petrified of this gorgeous man seeing me naked.

Highest Alpha noticed and looked to Colton. “Colton give her some privacy, and turn around.”

“What?” he shouted upset.

“Colton” he growled. Colton spun and turned his back to me. I felt so shaky for some reason. What was wrong with me?

I pulled off my dress and shifted as quickly as possible. The feeling didn’t go away and something was bothering me. It was like there was something on the back of my mind and I couldn’t figure out what it was.

I heard a gasp and I looked over at Colton. He looked at me with complete shock. I saw as his clothes tore and he shifted.

His steel silver eyes met mine and it was like everything else ceased to exist. There was nothing but him. His black fur moved in the slight breeze and my chest felt like it was filling. My heart beat slowed and then picked up again. He was beautiful. That wolf standing across the way was mine. And I was his.

Colton started out on a full run towards me and I stepped back. I had my tail between my legs, and my ears back showing I was no threat. When he reached me he lunged and bit my neck.

‘Mine’ he growled into my mind.

It hurt. It hurt so much. His sharp teeth were tearing at my neck and I just wanted him to stop.

‘Submit to me’ he growled.

I was so scared of him I couldn’t form the words. I whined and just tried to shrink against the ground.

He bit down harder and I yelped. ‘Submit and I will stop.’

‘I submit’ said back to him. ‘Just stop. Please stop.’ He released my neck and I fell to the ground. I whined as my neck bled. He licked my wound and his soft tongue felt so nice. Unlike the awful bite he just gave me.

Suddenly Colton was on top of me and I yelped. No, God no. I scratched the ground and tried to get away.

“Quickly” Highest Alpha shouted. “Stop him. He cannot mate with her now.” Two guards raced towards us and Colton growled at them. He dismounted me and snarled. The guards tackled him and they pinned him to the ground. I laid down weak. I hadn’t really stopped bleeding.

Before I knew it I shifted back and I was shaking. There was blood everywhere. And then Nate was there. “Tala. Tala are you alright?” I looked at him but I couldn’t make any part of me move. It hurt so much. Why did he bite me? My eyes were getting heavy, and soon I just fell asleep.