Possessed by the Rogue King

*Eva* I looked every bit the princess I had hoped for. My hair was done up in a messy bun with a few wisps at the front of my face. I stared at myself in the mirror and took in my makeup that had been kept natural because I knew that he liked it like that. He didn't like girls that were overly done up and today I wanted to be everything he had ever hoped for in a woman. I could hear the faint music coming from downstairs. The party was in full swing and everyone had come to celebrate the 18th birthday of the alpha's daughter, me. I was so ready. I had been waiting for this moment my whole life. Today I would find my mate and finally have my happily ever after. I already had a feeling I knew who it was. I had felt the initial pull a month ago when I had almost fallen to my near death. He had caught me in his arms and I had stared up at those gorgeous gray eyes that had captivated me from the moment I laid eyes on him. Prince Reagan. “Eva!" Lola, came rushing into my room dressed in her gown already. “He's here! He's here!" I stared at her through the mirror and smiled. “Prince Reagan?" She nodded excitedly. “And he looks good enough to eat, might I add. The man is like s*x on legs." “Lola," I laughed, “you can't say stuff like that. Even if it's true." The man was everything. He was tall, muscular and handsome. He also happened to be the future ruler of the country and a close family friend. I knew that the moon goddess had perfectly aligned all of this. She had to. All roads pointed to him being my mate. I stood from my vanity and turned to face my best friend. Her brown hair was in a similar style to mine but hers was a little bit more unruly. “How do I look? Be honest, L." I was dressed in a baby blue gown that flowed all the way down to the floor. The dress had a sweetheart neckline and a lace up corset at the back. The strings had been tied so tightly it gave my boobs that extra lift. It was the most elegant dress I had worn. But today I stepped out into adulthood and now was as good a time as any to upscale my style. “You look gorgeous, your highness." She gave me a little mock curtsy before winking at me. “After today you could be a princess." I didn't want to get my hopes up but how could I not. “Okay let's go." We left my room and headed downstairs toward the banquet hall where my party was being held. Nearly all the members of the pack were here. People milled around dressed in their dresses and suits. As I passed them they bowed their heads and offered their congratulations and happy birthday wishes. Lola followed closely behind me until we came to a grinding halt by the ballroom door. I waited for a moment, taking in a deep breath and counting to five. I needed to be calm. Prince Reagan didn't like women who were coarse or rough around the edges. He wanted someone poised and elegant—a true princess. “You got this, Eva." Lola gave me a reassuring pat on my shoulder. “Go and get your mate." I rolled the tension out of my back and opened the door. The music got louder as I stepped into the ballroom. Everyone milled around in their gowns and suits. The string quartet played in the background. My eyes immediately found him standing in the center of the room talking to my father. His hair was slicked back and he wore a tailored suit that showed off his physique. He had a gentle smile on his face that only amplified his handsomeness. All the female wolves stared at him in awe and wonder. Back off ladies. This one was mine and no one else could have him. I walked over to my father who still had his back turned to me. As I approached them Reagan's eyes found mine. His oceanic gaze lit up and his smile widened. “If it isn't the woman of the moment," he said, causing my father to look over his shoulder. My father's aged eyes gleamed with pride and joy. “Oh sweetheart, you look breathtaking." I blushed. “The party is beautiful, Dad. Thank you." I walked into my father's warm embrace. When I pulled away from him I turned to face my handsome prince. Slowly I lifted my gaze to meet his and I waited. I waited for my wolf stir. I waited for her to communicate to me that this was him. This was our mate and we had found him. But I felt and heard nothing. 'Come on, Susan. He is right here in front of us. Can you not see him?' I bowed my head and curtsied before the future king. When I lifted my gaze Reagan had a warm smile on his face and disappointment washed over me. I didn't feel it. That intense pull and animalistic need to be near him. That deep all consuming desire to have him claim me. None of those feelings were there. Moon Goddess… No... 'The rogues will kill them all!' I heard a voice—it was Reagan's voice. It was loud and it echoed in my mind. I stared at him but he was still smiling kindly to me. “Your highness," I greeted him. “Thank you for coming to my birthday." 'The rogues will kill them all!' There it was again but this time louder and clearer than it was before. “Miss Eva, are you alright?" Prince Reagan reached for my hand and kissed the back of it. “You are looking slightly pale. Hopefully you don't find my attire appalling." He let out a gentle laugh which soothed my inner doubt but did nothing for my breaking heart. This was not what I had envisioned. I was meant to be in his arms right now and he was meant to be declaring me his in front of my father and the entire pack. But here I stood yearning for a man that did not belong to me. I could feel the sting behind my eyes building but I did my best to conceal it. I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself. All eyes were on me today. “No, never Prince Reagan. You look ever the part of the dashing prince." He smiled at my reply. He dropped my hand and moved away from me. “I'm sorry to hear about the breach, Prince Reagan. If there is anything my pack can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask." My father went back to his conversation with the young prince. “Breach?" I looked between the two men. Reagan had a somber look on his face, his eyes taking on a darker tint. “Yes, rogues came and breached the northern wall of the palace. They didn't make it far but they are getting braver by the day. It's now getting out of hand." “That Blood Moon pack is terrible for the country as a whole. The alpha is rumored to be ruthless and filled with a darkness in him like no other. No one even knows who he is. All we know is that he wants to kill and annihilate any pack he comes across. No one knows why he hates us so much but we are working on a plan to stop him," my father said A cold shiver traveled down my spine. “He sounds like the devil." “Oh he is much worse, my daughter." My father then turned his attention back to the prince. “So what are the next steps in helping to fortify the walls?" I drowned their conversation out. This was the last thing that I wanted on my mind. It was my birthday. I didn't want to talk about possible threats on the horizon. My heart tightened when I snuck a glance at the young prince. I had heard his voice in my head. It had been clear as day. But the question was how? And why did it say that? I needed some air. “Excuse me," I said to the two men and walked away from them. They were too deep into their conversation to even acknowledge my departure. I searched for Lola in the ballroom but when I couldn't find her I just decided to head out alone. I walked out the back door that led to the gardens. The cool air hit my face and I let out a shaky breath. I walked out into the neatly pruned gardens and headed toward the water fountain at the very center. The sun was beginning to set, casting beautiful hues of reds and orange across the area and gave the garden a sense of calm and peace. In my mind I had been so convinced that it would be him. That he would be the one that I would mate with. It all made perfect sense. I was the daughter of an alpha and he was the prince. Our initial attraction to one another. The way he had been so kind and caring toward me. But I had been wrong and it pained me. Not only because it wasn't him but because I had not found my one true love. The person who was meant to complete me. I wanted what many had in this world. To feel that supernatural bond with someone. To have a union ordained by the goddess herself. I came to stand by the fountain that glistened against the sunlight. The sting that I had fought back in the ballroom returned but this time I didn't fight it. I allowed the tears to pool into my lids. I allowed the disappointment and pain to gather in my throat before I blinked and the tears released. I didn't wail. I didn't scream. I just allowed one singular tear to fall from my eyes. That was all I needed. I looked up to the sky and let out one long sigh. “Dear Moon Goddess. I want that love. That fated love that you have blessed so many with. I want to feel completed by my person and to be loved unconditionally. I wanted it to be him," I sniffed, “but it's not. I know there is someone out there for me. I just ask you to help me find him. Help me, please." I closed my eyes and sent my wish to the heavens above. She would hear me and she would answer my pleas. I knew she had a mate for me. And I had hoped I would meet him on the night of my birthday. I only needed to be patient. I blinked my eyes open and then I caught it. It was faint but as the wind blew past me I smelled this delectable scent that had Susan stirring. Could it be? 'Mate.' I heard my wolf's voice loud and clear. He was here. My mate was close.