Stronger- #Wattys2019

Part 24

"Where's your friend?" Alexander looked down at Anna who hung onto her mate's arm.

Yuri took offense to his lack of manners. "Wow, Anna, don't you look absolutely ravishing tonight? Have you settled into the palace well? I certainly hope you know how lucky you are to have such a loyal and honorable wolf for a mate." He paused. "Why thank you, Your Majesty. Your welcome and respect for my mate and I, is truly heartwarming."

The young girl elbowed the sarcastic beta in the ribs, her face flushing under Alexander's intense stare. "Nadine doesn't like social events or crowds. She doesn't even own a dress."

A dark brow rose above his amber colored eyes. "She wore one to a packed nightclub."

If anything, Anna's face turned a darker shade of red, nearly matching the color of her elegant gown. "That was my dress. I had to blackmail her into going with me that night."

The beta laughed. "How on earth did you succeed in that? I might not know Nadine well, but defiant and stubborn are plastered on her forehead in black paint to match her all black wardrobe."

The she-wolf turned to her mate with a smirk. "I hid her laptop in my gym locker. It had all of her final papers and class notes on it."

"Remind me not to get on your bad side."

Alexander rolled his eyes at the two lovebirds. They were cute together, but it didn't help his inner battle at all. However, before he could turn to walk away, the guard posted by the royal entrance, along the dais, announced the Elder's Council.

He hated being announced when he entered such things. However, it was protocol. He would always enter first, then the council. The king established authority and made sure the room was safe for the elderly members of government to enter. A lesson learned centuries before when a challenge for the throne, resulted in the deaths of the entire Elder's Council instead.

One by one, the members entered with their mates or an escort of their choice. However, what stopped him dead in his tracks, was the vision connected to his mother's arm.

Nadine.

Wrapped in an exquisite gown of black lace placed over silver silk, she looked utterly radiant. Her back was straight and her head held high, she was the picture of poise and grace. A true queen in the making.

Not for the first time, his body tightened in need at the mere sight of her. Instincts roared to life and coursed through his body, demanding he claim and mate with the girl the Moon Goddess had paired him with. Yet, he fought against it.

If only he could force himself to say the words, to reject her and let them both move on. It was the best possible outcome for either of them. He knew it. Too bad his inner beast couldn't understand reason.

His mind scrambled and searched for a way to find fault with Nadine, an excuse to persuade his wolf to let her go. However, there was none. She was beautiful, strong, independent, defiant in a way that made his blood boil in more ways than one, and balanced with a sincere desire to not harm anyone. She was the epitome of a female alpha. And by the gods and goddesses, he couldn't imagine anyone more perfect to stand by his side.

No, the fault wasn't with her. It all rested on his own shoulders. And the guilt of it ate at him like a ravenous cancer. She deserved better.

"How? When? I, I- I don't understand..." Anna babbled as Nadine approached the small group, still on the arm of the Elder.

Grace Volkov smiled at the surprised girl. "This was my doing. I chose my escort for the evening and didn't give her a choice in the matter."

The blush on Nadine's cheeks was subtle, yet Alexander couldn't take his eyes off of her flushed skin. Damn it, he wanted to make her blush. Better yet, he wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh. He hadn't seen her do either. So quiet and fighting to control her inner fury. He rarely saw anything more than emotionless determination or rage. Or was it only him who brought out her anger?

Quickly, he turned to talk to others, forcing himself to keep the intoxicating sight behind himself. He couldn't allow others to see him oggle her so openly. More importantly, he couldn't allow his wolf to become more addicted than he already was. However, as much as he tried to leave entirely, he found he simply couldn't. He had to listen to the conversations surrounding his mate.

"Well the dress is gorgeous. And look it's not all black!" Yuri joked, trying not to smack his friend for ignoring his own mate. He couldn't understand why Alexander was so adamant about not accepting the girl. To anyone who truly knew him, it was obvious he was interested.

"Perhaps one day, she could wear other colors beside the black we typically see her in." Elder Volkov smiled at the group who remained engaged. "Blue would be an amazing color on you."

The flinch and subtle shaking of the younger girl's head didn't escape notice by the others. How could she explain her disinterest in color? The way Lukus had repeatedly made a point of bruising her to see the colors he loved so much. She would never wear blue or purple again. Ever. Similarly, yellow and light green reminded her of the faded bruises. Red brought flashbacks of blood. Flat grey of the cell walls under the light...

So many colors carried so many memories.

Black though, black was the most comforting. The darkness of the cell, isolation. It was only dark when Lukas wasn't there. She was cold, but he wasn't there to hurt her more. And bright pine green, reminded her of the forest... of freedom. It was the one thing she missed when she was trapped, other than her family. The chance to see the woods, smell the foliage, loose herself between the trees... it was something her wolf craved long before she physically surfaced. Once Markus had found her and helped her escape, the woods quickly became her home. Nadine rarely stayed inside walls. Lilith had even homeschooled her to help her catch up in her education, without the questions of other children. Hours were spent strolling through the forest or sitting on picnic blankets as they explored the lessons.

That was it. Black or bright to dark green. Those were her comforting colors. The former queen happened to find one other she could tolerate. At least the silver matched her hair. "Black, forest green or silver. Nothing else. Please." Her words were firm.

It surprised everyone.

"I won't ask why." Yuri ran a hand through his hair. He noticed the edge to it and assumed it was well thought out and came with reason. He suddenly felt guilt for making a joke of it. "But we will keep that in mind."

With a curt nod, Nadine turned, pulled away by her grandmother who wished to have a few words.

*****

"How are you holding up child?" Beatriz Zima asked Nadine.

The younger woman shrugged, unwilling to talk much. Fighting her fear of losing control and lashing out at an Elder in front of everyone. Her inner wolf might have held some respect and restrained her anger, however, the woman had a way of pushing buttons.

With a sigh, her grandmother gently grabbed her hand. "I understand why you don't want to talk to me. I can only hope that will change in time. I do want to make amends and get to know you. However, I think it is important to meet with Alpha Ahran. He should know of you."

Quickly, Nadine shook her head slightly. "There is no point. I don't want to challenge him."

"The Alpha Meeting starts tomorrow. I am certain you will become a topic of discussion. And it would be better for him to meet you and hear the truth from you first."

The Elders Council... the king himself planned to tell everyone the truth of her?

Sudden panic pounded as her heart rate skyrocketed. Without recognizing anyone, she pushed her way through the crowd until she found her way to an open terrace. Air, she needed air.

Her emotions raced through fear, anger and feeling betrayed.

"Nadine." Alexander's deep, smooth voice cut through her spinning mind like butter. However, she didn't want to look at him. He was supposed to be her mate, the person she could find safety with. Instead, her world had started to crumble around her and he was at the source of the damage.

"Why?" It was the only question that mattered.