Imperfectly Mated

#2 - Taken

"You are mothering me again, Mother." I barely kept myself from growling at the most important person in my life.

"I'm sorry." Hands that had shot out to caress me in front of the noble lords, maids and guards alike retreated a few inches from my cheeks. "But can you blame me for feeling so proud of you, Elstan?" The queen of Leif — the only title she proudly wished to be known by —pouted, making her appear more of a mother than anything else. The 'else' being that magical part of her that could bring the entire realm to its knees. The part I coveted shamelessly, even if I was her son. The part I hoped I would possess... once I met my wolf. The one disappointing thing about my shift, if you discounted the weak pathetic wolf the moon goddess thought I deserved. "It's not everyday that my son, the prince and heir to the realm, ventures outside of the castle walls, ready to begin the rest of his life."

I rolled my eyes."It's only an engagement, to a mate I'm not even sure I want." And that was putting it subtly. I knew for a fact that I didn't want a mate. Destined or chosen. I had known it the moment I beheld my scarred face in the mirror, that choice cementing itself when my long-awaited shift ended with me being stuck as a half-man, half-beast because my wolf was too weak to come forth.

Don't get me wrong, though. These short comings didn't mean anything to me. I never hated or pitied myself, nor did I let the pitiful looks from those present during that time keep me down. The little mate I was about to wed, however, wanted me... for everything I possessed. Unfortunately for her, taking was what I was good at and the family property she possessed was dear to my heart... or should I say to my plans. No one knew of this fact, of course. My mother, father and the entirety of Leif was just happy to have its prince wed and mated. "No need to be so fussy about it, Mother."

"Elstan..." Concern filled my mother's eyes, along with every word I knew she wished to say but couldn't.

That easy smile I reserved for her, to ease whatever burden I caused, made its way to my lips. "I may be half a man—"

"Don't say such things," my mother scolded. "You are perfect, just as you are," she smiled, her hand caressing the part of my cheek hidden under the mask covering a significant part of my face. I fought the urge to pull back. As loving and accepting as her touch was, it was also a reminder of the thing that made me feel anything but perfect.

My smile grew wider. "You are my mother; you are meant to love me and say such nice things." I leaned in and placed a kiss on both cheeks. "And I love you more than anything." That much was true.

"And now, you will love your chosen mate too," she beamed. Love...mate. Argh. I never understood why it always had to come to that. I mean, I saw it — the infiniteness of the love between mates — but I didn't understand it. I didn't wish for it, either. My own mother and father, my grand parents, were all perfect examples of the profoundness of the mate bond, with either willing to die for the other without a second thought. That was never for me. No. I was destined for a much bigger purpose, and soon it would be within my grasp.

"The heir to Elmwood may not be a princess," my mother's voice jolted me from my musings. "...but your father assures me the family is full of good people — or was full of good people." 'Was' was more accurate. I knew better, but I was not about to let my mother know any of that. It was much better for her if she didn't know what her dear son did once the sun set in the realm she was meant to protect.

"Of course," I sighed impatiently, but it was not enough to deter the queen of Leif from showering me with more unwelcome encouraging words, which she did for longer than I would have liked.

"You know, Aryn means well. She loves you very much." My mother's second shoved off the entrance to the carriage meant to carry me to the kingdom of Yerith. I glared at the man and the brightly decorated carriage behind him. What was this? Was I a bride that I was expected to ride in such an elaborate... thing? And what was the need for all those royal guards?

"Perhaps that is the problem." I shot past Alad and signalled for my beloved steed to be brought, all the warmth my mother had radiated disappearing with her presence. My mother's second merely sighed and probably shook his head at my unfortunate attitude. I wished he did more than that — like leave me the hell alone and stop reminding me of my inadequacies with his annoying, constant presence.

"I would, if only I could live with Aryn's death on my conscience," Alad pointed out as if he'd read my mind. "Because we both know that no amount of immortality would save her if anything happened to you. And knowing how much trouble you seem to attract to yourself, that wouldn't be very long."

"You are not my second, and even if you were, I don't need you," I bit out, mounting my steed with more force than necessary. The beast furiously neighed in agreement, tingling a strange part of me. I may not have had my wolf, but he, Thanir, got me. No words were needed between us, even in darkness. "Inform my little bride that I'm on my way when you get to Yerith." I said to no one in particular, the eyes of those in charge widening, while protests fell from their lips. They knew not to follow despite that, except for him.

"There is no way in hell I'm letting you go off alone," Alad was by my side in a heartbeat, his own horse matching Thanir's.

"Suit yourself," Thanir broke off into a gallop, as if he was determined to showcase his dominance when it came to strength. Alad cursed behind me, struggling to catch up. He would eventually, and curse everything living when he found out I was heading to Dovah — a land of lawlessness, thieves, murderers and every kind of filth spat out from the worst corners of the realm. It was no place for a prince. And as obligated as Alad was to inform my mother of my reckless travels, his mouth would remain shut. As long as I remained alive, word of my dealings — those capable of bringing her grief— would never reach my mother, at least not by Alad. Apparently, both our love for the queen of Leif was our weakness.

"The streets of Dovah — if one could call the chaos parting like the sea before Thanir 'streets' — stirred something in me, tugging at a hidden excitement. It always had. Where others dreaded even hearing the name of this wretched place, I felt called to it, drawn in by the allure of trouble and darkness. Today, that pull felt stronger than ever. Perhaps I wasn't as ready to be tied down as I thought. Not even for what I had set out to achieve.

"I swear one of these days, you'll be the death of me." Alad grumbled the moment he caught up, his sword drawn, eyes sharp, ready to defend me. I did not need defending, even when death in Dovah loomed closer than one's shadow, but that was not an argument I was not willing to indulge in.

"Took you long enough," I smirked at the redhead instead as I guided Thanir into the shadows of our destination.

"Where exactly are we?" Alad's jaw dropped, eyes glued to the sight before us. We had arrived. "I was not aware that Dovah had such... sophisticated inns," he rasped.

"The reason you shouldn't believe everything you hear, my lord." My associate and good friend, Remus, greeted us with drinks in hand. "Welcome to the Veil Of Serelis."

My mother's second eyed the drinks suspiciously, making Remus chuckle as he gestured us to follow him further into the establishment. "A death here just isn't worth it, my lord." He took a sip of Alad's drink to prove his point.

"Could have fooled me," Alad accepted the beverage and sniffed it. His guard was still up. Understandable — and most preferred — if one was in Dovah.

"What do you have for me?" I looked away from my unwelcome travel companion and to Remus. It was time for business.

"Only the best for you, my king." Remus gave an exaggerated bow, a smirk playing on his lips as he straightened. "Rumour has it my prince is about to break more than a few hearts around the realm by choosing just one...which, by the way, I think is a tragedy. But nevertheless, I am here to make your transition very, very memorable." He winked as he drew back a curtain, revealing the heart of Serelis — an exclusive hall, reserved for those close to Remus and most important to him. Whether it be for what one brought to the table or if he deemed you a friend, we were more than friends.

As always, the sight within the hall was sinfully inviting, maidens of all shapes and sizes, all right there for the taking. But I merely narrowed my eyes at Remus. "This is not what I'm here for."

He dropped the curtain and gestured in the opposite direction, grinning. "Have I ever told you that you are no fun?"

"Only like a million ti—." I froze, that pull I felt earlier slamming into me, knocking the breath from my lungs. I should have walked past the exclusive hall, stayed focused on my very important mission, but instead, I found myself drawing the curtain back and stepping inside. More than curious, I did not expect to find anything remotely to my taste, but another step in and there she was!

Flaming red hair, swirling like fire as she moved to the musician's beat. I wanted her. Despite my upcoming engagement, my disdain for mates and the mate bond, or anything even remotely resembling it, nothing mattered in that moment as the red-haired goddess drew me to her. The air vibrated with intense energy... magic? It had to be, because no maiden had ever captured my attention so completely, so intensely.

"Her," I rasped, my voice sounding alien to my ears. I was floating, taken.