Chapter 4

• DENZEL
• Wide eyed, my mate stared at me. I clenched my fists, frustrated. If she knew the truth, would she stay with me? She already seemed uncomfortable around me. I should have known that Wren would try to pitch my mate against me at the slightest chance she got.
• "Denzel? You don't have to say anything. It must've been painful for you. I apologize for my friend's insensitivity" Kiara said, giving me a smile.
• I stared at her, surprised. It was the least I'd expected her to do. Naturally, she was curious, I could tell.
• Nevertheless, she was more concerned about my feelings. A while ago, she'd refused to look me in the eye. This was good progress.
• "I'll take my leave now. A maid will be here to serve your meals" I said and she nodded.
• Her gaze followed me until I was out of the door. Terah, my wolf, growled in my head. He desired to spend more time with her. I did too. But, I knew I had to take things slow.
• Down the hallway, Wren was waiting for me, her head bowed. She went down on her knees when I got to her.
• "I'm sorry, your majesty. I shouldn't have done that. I felt envious-"
• "Save it. I don't want to hear it. Stay away from my mate if you want to keep your life" I said.
• She whimpered, keeping her head lowered.
• I didn't care. The only reason she was still alive was because of her brother.
• "She's pregnant!" She suddenly exclaimed, her eyes filled with angry tears.
• It wasn't new to me. I'd felt the life growing within my mate, the night we'd met.
• "She's carrying another man's child, your majesty. You don't even know who she is. She might just be your downfall-"
• "Guards!" I yelled, outraged.
• Three of them came rushing to me.
• "Your majesty" they bowed in greeting.
• "Lock her up right away" I ordered.
• Wren gasped.
• "But-"
• "I won't change my mind. Not even Keenan can get you out of this" I spat.
• Once they were out of sight, Kennan, Wren's brother stepped into my line of vision. He was my beta and best friend.
• "Your majesty" he bowed.
• "You're not here to talk me out of keeping her in the cell, are you?" I said.
• "Of course not. This time she deserves it. However, I think she has a point. You don't know your mate. I think you should do some digging to avoid unnecessary problems" he said.
• I knew exactly what he was driving at.
• Afterall, I'd met my first mate in a similar manner. She had ruined me.
• "Does she remind you of Deanna?" Keenan asked, his face blank.
• "No. She doesn't. She's different. I can feel it."
• "I met her friend along the hallway " Keenan said.
• "Oh, really? What do you think of her?" I asked.
• He sighed.
• "She's the kind of woman I like to avoid."
• "How so?"
• "She's a troublemaker. But, I think she cares about your mate. I guess it's okay to keep her around if you want to."
• ...
• While working on pack affairs in my study, I heard a knock on the door.
• "Come in" I said.
• The door creaked open and my mate walked in. She looked a lot better than before. With her waist length blonde hair in a ponytail, she was clad in a flowery pattern dress.
• "If you're busy, I can just -"
• I shook my head, leaning back on my seat.
• "Take your seat. If you want to talk, I'm all ears" I said.
• She nodded and settled down on the chair in front of my desk.
• "I want to thank you for your help. Thank you for saving my friend and I " she began, her azure eyes filled with sincerity.
• "I also want to apologize for-"
• She suddenly cried out in pain, clutching at the curve of her neck. I shot to my feet, alarmed.
• "What's wrong?" I asked, moving to her side.
• "I-It's nothing" she winced, her face contorted with pain.
• "You're obviously in pain. Let me see it" I said.
• She hesitated a little. Then, she took her hand away from her neck. I clenched my jaw when I saw the mark on her neck. It was obviously from a Lycan's fangs.
• "You're mated? You didn't tell me" I pointed out, trying to hide my displeasure.
• "That's not true! I rejected him. He must've marked me when I was unconscious" her face had turned red from embarassment.
• I stared at her, my displeasure quickly fading.
• 'How adorable,' I thought as I watched her ramble on about how she wasn't lying to me.
• "Are you done?" I asked and she blushed, lowering her head.
• "I'm sorry" she mumbled.
• "Don't be. If you rejected him and he proceeded to mark you, he must be a scum bag" I said.
• She hissed in pain again, flinching.
• "I can get rid of it for you. There are two options. I could use magic to nullify it. Or, I could mark you right now."
• Her eyes widened. She looked torn.
• "Fine. You still don't trust me yet. It's understandable. I'll use magic. I'll try to make it less painful" I said.
• She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut when I placed a hand over the mark.
• She didn't make a sound until I was done.
• "Thank you" she breathed, giving me a small smile.
• "You're welcome."
• "I should get going now " she mumbled, rising to her feet. She took a few steps towards the door and halted, her shoulders sagging.
• "There's something I have to tell you" she said.
• "What is it?" I asked, gazing at her.
• Slowly, she turned around to look at me, bringing a hand to her stomach.
• "The truth is... I'm pregnant. The baby's father is a Lycan. He got me pregnant because he wanted to keep me as his breeder" she said, her eyes fixed on the floor.
• Rage rushed through my veins at the thought of the bastard who'd taken advantage of her.
• "I'm aware that I'm your mate. But...we can't be together. I have nothing to offer you. I'm not fit to be the mate of someone as powerful as you are. If anything, I will only be your downfall."
• Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks, her voice cracking with emotions.
• For the life of me, I couldn't help but think of one thing. I wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her tears away.
• Covering the distance between us, I cupped her face.
• "Kiara, look at me" I whispered.
• She slowly looked up at me, her dazzling azure orbs glistening with tears.
• By the goddess, she was beautiful.
• "I want you to do something for me" I whispered.
• Her eyes widened.
• "What's that?"
• "Stay with me. Stay by my side."
• "But, I don't-"
• "Give me a chance, Kiara. Let me choose you" I said to her.
• A few more tears slipped down her cheeks.
• "I-"
• I pulled her into my arms, marvelling at the way she fit so perfectly.
• "Please," I whispered in her ear.
• Right then, Keenan's voice filled my head through the mind link.
• "Your majesty, you need to see this."
• "What's wrong?"
• "There are Lycans at the entrance of our territory."
• I had a feeling they'd come for Kiara. Regardless of this, Keenan's next statement startled me.
• "They claim that they are here to take their King's mate home."