The Alpha Prince's Rejcted Mate

CHAPTER TWELVE

KNOX

I wake up with a start, my nose catching the lingering scent of my mate. But she’s nowhere to be found. My eyes land on the empty spot beside me, and all I can think about is last night—how it took everything in me not to f**k her.

I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But I couldn’t. She wasn’t ready, not really. She might’ve seemed like she was, her body responding to me, her lips pleading for more—but I knew the truth. Her mind was desperate for an escape, searching for anything to drown out the pain of her memories.

As much as I’d love to take that pain away, I couldn’t let mating be the answer. Not like this. I wouldn’t claim her, only for her to wake up regretting it. She deserves better than that. That’s why I gave her bliss in another way—something to help her forget, if only for a little while.

“Wow, quite noble of you. I didn’t know we were such gentlemen,” Liam sneers in my head, and I roll my eyes at him as I climb out of bed.

“Shut up,” I mutter, but my mind is already drifting back to last night, her taste still lingering on my lips.

I grab the hem of her dress and pull it up and over her head in one smooth motion, tossing it to the floor without a second thought. She’s lying there, breathless from our kiss, looking at me like I’m the only thing that matters.

“Moon Goddess, you’re beautiful,” I’d murmur, my eyes drinking in every inch of her. Her skin glows in the firelight, and my lips find their way to her neck, pressing hard kisses that make her arch into me.

Her soft moans were music to my ears, and my c**k throbs painfully in my pants as I trail kisses down her shoulder, capturing her right breast with my mouth. f**k. She tastes better than I imagine.

“Knox,” she gasps, her voice breathy and desperate as I suck hard, pulling her n****e between my teeth. Her hands fisted in my hair, her body pressing closer, begging for more.

I smirk against her skin, giving her left breast the same attention, my hands roaming her curves. Her body responds to me in ways that make it almost impossible to hold back, but I have to.

When her hand reaches for my shirt, I catch it gently, stopping her. She looks at me, confused, but I can’t let her strip me bare.

Instead, I let my hand drift between her legs and find her already wet for me.

“Wet already, aren’t you?” I’d tease, slipping a finger inside her.

“Yes,” she gasps, her breath hitching as her head falls back.

I add another finger, my movements slow and deliberate, savoring every sound she makes.

“Faster, Knox!” she cries, her hips bucking against my hand.

“How badly do you want it, Aubrey?” I ask, my voice low, slowing my thrusts just to hear her beg.

“Bad,” she moans, trying to pull me in deeper, her legs instinctively squeezing, but I push them apart.

“Beg for it,” I growl, a dark glint flashing in my eyes.

“Never,” she says, and I wasn’t surprised.

I move my mouth to her ear and nibble, whispering, “Are you very sure, Aubery?” I ask, moving my finger inside of her at the pace I know she’s craving right now. Her eyes roll, and I smirk.

“Please, don’t stop,” she moans as my movements quicken, but it only lasts a short while before I take my fingers away.

“I knew you’d beg,” I smile.

“I hate you,” she moans, though there is no real malice behind the words.

“The feeling’s mutual,” I whisper, increasing the pace of my fingers, watching her eyes close in pleasure as her body quivers under me.

"Knox," she gasps, grabbing the arm that’s free, resting beside her as I pushed her to the edge.

“Do you like that?” I ask softly, my d**k craving to be inside of her instead of my fingers, but I don’t pull my pants off and do as it wishes.

“Yes, please, go faster!” she begs, her legs trembling, her body shuddering with every movement.

I quicken the pace, her body responding in waves, each movement making her closer to release. f**k! I'm just imagining if it was my d**k. How amazing that would feel.

“Oh my Goodness!” She cries out, throwing her head back, and I know I’ve hit the spot. Her nails dig harder into my arms.

“Are you close, little warrior?” I whisper, my voice rough with desire.

She nods, her body tensing as she comes undone. She cries out my name, her p***y clenching around my fingers.

“f**k, Aubrey!” I curse, removing my fingers and taking them into my mouth. I moan as the taste of her fills my mouth as she stares at me, shocked, with her eyes dazed.

I kiss her forehead as she relaxes, completely drained from the coming. “Sleep, little warrior,” I whisper, and she doesn’t resist, falling into a peaceful sleep.

A smile pulls at my lips as the memory fades, leaving a warmth that lingers. I pull open the door, expecting silence, but instead find Zara standing in the hallway, her hand just about to knock. She holds a cup of coffee, the steam rising from it in delicate swirls, and I can see the familiar glint of mischief in her eyes as they lock onto mine.

"Good morning, Your Highness," she says, her voice light, teasing. "I thought you might like a cup of coffee after missing breakfast." Her gaze sweeps over me, pausing when it lands on the faint nail marks on my arm, the telltale sign of last night. A sly smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

"Zara," I draw out her name, pulling her into my room before she can make any more of her assumptions. She’s probably caught Aubrey’s scent on me, and the last thing I want is for her to think more happened than what did.

"What’s got you acting so suspicious, Your Highness?" Her tone is playful, but the glint in her eyes suggests she knows exactly what she’s doing, enjoying this more than she should.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words. Yes, I touched Aubrey last night—more than I ever intended—but we didn’t do anything. That’s not something I want to explain to my royal advisor’s mate, especially not when Zara’s smile is already way too knowing.

"If you promise to keep what you saw to yourself," I say slowly, my voice low, "I promise I’ll do anything you ask this week." I can't believe I'm saying this, but I need to make sure this stays between us.

Her smile widens, and I swear I can hear the smugness in her voice as she replies, "Really, Your Highness? That desperate to keep it a secret?"

I nod, even though part of me is already regretting it. Noah and Zara are both relentless when it comes to using the mate bond to push things along, and I can already tell she’s planning to make Aubrey and me closer—whether I’m ready for it or not.

"You have a deal, Your Highness," Zara says, practically glowing with excitement. I can already feel the weight of my words hanging in the air, knowing I’ve just given her more power over me than I ever intended.

She hands me the coffee, her expression still gleaming with satisfaction, before leaving me alone. I sip the warm drink, the rich taste grounding me as I try to shake off the lingering feeling of Zara’s amusement.

Zara’s become the big sister I never asked for, and Noah, well, he’s the family I didn’t know I needed. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming, but they’re here, and I can’t imagine life without them now.

After finishing my coffee, I head out of my room, the cool hallway stretching out before me. I’m on my way to check on Aubrey to make sure she’s doing okay after last night. But before I get too far, a voice cuts through the quiet.

"Morning, stranger," Aston says, stepping into my path. His massive frame blocks the hallway, his arms crossed over his chest, and I can’t help but smile at the sight of him. Aston is a giant, both in size and personality. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder how my sister can still walk without stumbling, considering how they f**k. But I’d never ask.

"It’s nice to see you too," I reply with a grin, though I know he’ll just roll his eyes at me. And sure enough, he does.

“How was training?” he asks, falling into step beside me. I give him the same answer I gave Noah yesterday.

“That’s nice to hear. Are you excited to be back home?” Aston adds his voice light but teasing.

I nod. “Yeah.”

Aston smirks, the glint in his eyes showing he’s about to poke fun. “And might that have something to do with someone in particular?”

I furrow my brows. “Who?”

He points toward the training grounds, where Aubrey is.