A Royal Pain

chapter three

What seemed like hours later, Kim had put me in a loose sundress and low heels. It was casual enough to look effortless, but relatively simple compared to what I would wear at the palace.

Kim wolf-whistled as I stood in front of a full-length mirror. "Damn, girl. He's gonna mark you the second he sees you."

I rolled my eyes. "I doubt it." Mason had barely spared me a second glance since I arrived. If anything, this would make him hate me even more.

. . .

Walking downstairs, I suddenly felt insecure. Was my dress too short? Were the heels too high? Did I seem desperate? Kim squeezed my elbow as if she sensed my thoughts.

Walking into the dining room, I was surprised to see that it was only Mason, Charles, Brian sitting at the table. I hadn't seen Brian since he rescued me from captivity but it was nice to see a familiar face. He must have been one of the Alpha's advisors.

"Wow," Charles chuckled. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." I didn't miss the low growl that came from Mason's throat. He looked at me briefly, but it was long enough to know how much I affected him. Just watching him trail his eyes up my legs made my wolf purr.

Kim glanced at me knowingly as I cleared my throat. "So," I said, "where is everyone?"

Brian spoke this time. "We can't let anyone know that you're in the pack. Everyone is eating in a separate dining room."

My mouth formed an O as I sat down and stared at the food in front of me. Dinner consisted of steak, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.

I must have been staring too intensely because Mason decided to speak up. "What's wrong? Is dinner not to the princess's liking?"

Still staring down at my plate, I clenched my jaw. Choose your battles, Aurora. Regardless of proper etiquette, my wolf was urging me to slap Mason across the face.

For once I chose to listen to her. "Why do always you have to be so goddamn condescending?"

Brian's jaw dropped. Clearly, the Alpha had never been put in his place. Mason's eyes bore into mine. They had turned jet black, a stark contrast from their usual grey. The veins in his forearms popped out as he gripped a fork.

"Remember who you're talking to, Aurora." The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine but I chose to ignore it.

"I'm not the one who needs to remember who they're talking to. I have and always will outrank you, pup, so I suggest you sit down and shut the hell up." My heels made a loud clicking noise as I ran out of the room but Mason's growl was even louder. 

I didn't even realize I was crying until I reached my room. Hot tears poured down my face as I collapsed onto the bed. Why couldn't my mate accept me? My mother was pregnant just days after meeting my father, while Mason couldn't even look at me.

My wolf whimpered in agreement. Why can't mate love us? Mate's wolf loves us.

I shook my head at her. I don't know. Maybe it's time to reject him.

My wolf was horrified at the thought. I could already feel her retreating, so I knew to except her absence for a little while. For the second night in a row, I cried myself to sleep.

. . .

I woke up to my wolf excitedly yipping. Mate, mate!

What?