Her Royal Mate

Chapter Three

Saige



I couldn't wait for Lauren to arrive! Today was the most exciting day of my entire life. This is the moment that I've been waiting for, along with my family. Happily walking out my front door, I was greeted by Lauren, who didn't seem as excited as I was. Deciding that I wouldn't bug her into telling me, I jumped into a more casual conversation.

"How did last night go?"

"Huh? What?"

It was weird for her to be so out of it. I wonder what happened. Since we were best friends, I would like to think she would eventually tell me, but maybe she needed some persuasion first.

"Is everything okay?"

When Lauren looked at me, it was with that same hate she had in her eyes when we were first introduced. Oh no. That means that I'm about to get it good.

"No. Nothing is okay because of you. Everyone is always so interested in little Ms. Perfect that it drives me f*****g crazy! I'm a damn fairy, Saige, and a pretty good one. If anything, I should be the one everyone wants, but no. They all have eyes for you, and it's sickening."

Even through her harsh words, I grabbed her hand in mine as we entered the SUV that was here to pick us up and take us to the academy. I may not always agree with Elijah's ruling, but I could get used to this. "If I've done something to upset you, Lauren, please just tell me. The last thing I want is for us to split up, leaving me without you all alone in there."

Lauren sighed and offered me a smile. "I'm sorry. It isn't your fault. You know that I met Hunter Wade last night at Benny's? Can you believe he was interested in me enough to bring me up to one of the rooms?"

I couldn't help the look of disgust on my face. "Ew, Lauren. You deserve better than that egotistical asshole. All he cares about is his next hookup. A guy like Hunter doesn't settle down with anyone. He would rather enjoy his freedom, which is sickening."

"Aren't you going to seem the least bit interested in what I have to say? After all, the majority of the night seemed to focus around you."

"Me? Why me? I wasn't even there."

"Exactly! Hunter and his friend Max wouldn't stop going on and on about you. Even when I was naked in front of Hunter, he refused to f**k me. That was my one fantasy, and I bet you that he wouldn't even dream of looking at me twice. All he wanted was to ask questions about you the entire night. I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that it was mentioned you were a virgin."

My face instantly reddened. Oh no. I didn't want or need the attention of any males at the school, especially a male who wasn't interested in finding his soulmate. So, there are some things you should know. Werewolves have a mating bond, but it isn't like you see in the movies or on television. We don't know the instant we see the one. It is a lot more complicated than that. From the reading that I've done and from what my parents have told me, the mating bond is something that progresses over time. You have to form a genuine connection first, on more than a physical level. That's why I'm still a virgin. I'm saving myself for my soulmate, the one that will love me forever, which I doubt will happen in this academy and especially not with Hunter Wade.

We were almost to the school, and now I was even more nervous than before. I didn't want to run into Hunter, but I knew it was inevitable. Since we were from the same species, it was almost guaranteed that we would have some classes together. I only hoped that his uncle thought he would do better learning from higher levels of classes than what I would start out with.

The large metal gates opened, creaking the further they opened as the SUV pulled in behind a bunch of other vehicles. We waited in line until our driver pulled up to the front of the school to drop us off.

I stepped out of the SUV with my mouth hung wide open. The academy was massive, much more prominent in person. I've only seen the school from a distance but could never get close enough to examine it like I hoped to do. Now that I was here, it was surreal.

"Holy s**t. What are those things?" Lauren gasped, pointing to two stone statues that were as high as the school itself.

However, they weren't status. They moved slowly but loudly and seemed to inspect everyone walking inside. It took it a minute to register, but I figured it out.

"Those are golems! I've never seen one up close before. I wouldn't be surprised if these were the last two in the area. There aren't very many left."

"That's freaking awesome! They must be the protectors or something. If the rest of the school is anything like this, then we are in for a real treat," Lauren smirked as she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside with her.

I didn't get to inspect the outside of the building very much but being inside made it seem unnecessary. It was breathtakingly gorgeous. The ceilings were so high that I'm sure not even the golems outside could reach them. Everything inside was decorated beautifully with the same gold and silver colors that were on my invitation. Large gold curtains hung down over the long windows, giving little light, but it somehow made the space seem more inviting. As I looked up to the ceiling again, I noticed paintings all over. They also came down all over the walls, which were paintings of how Elijah came to rule. That was a given, but it was so brilliantly done that I couldn't help but stop to admire the pieces.

A large man came over, squinting his eyes as he looked down at me. "Everyone is supposed to report to the auditorium immediately upon entry. You will have plenty of time to look at the artwork at a different time."

Here I was again, blushing for the second time in less than an hour. I nodded and walked arm in arm with Lauren to the auditorium, where everyone was gathered, waiting to get an introduction and finally to get some information about what it is that we would be doing here.

None other than Elijah Wade took the stage with Hunter not far behind him. Uh! After hearing about how he treated Lauren last night, I could smack that grin right off his face.

"Welcome to the academy. Each one of you was hand-selected to attend this year's class. This academy has been kept quiet over the years, giving little away to what awaits you beyond these walls on purpose. We like to wait until you are here to give you the run down and what will be expected of you. You will be divided up into groups based on your species. There will be levels for werewolves, witches, fairies, vampires, some gorgons, and even mermaids. Some of these levels were specifically designed this year alone as we have new species gravitating to the territory each year. We expect you all to be welcoming and friendly to everyone attending. Remember, to be successful here, you all will have to work together. This school that I have designed is to help test you but also help you grow. If you aren't interested in doing either, this may not be the best place for you. Those who show promise will advance to next year's class. If you make it all the way to graduation, you will become an essential part of this community. Speaking of," he stopped to grab his nephew, pulling him forward, "everyone who has graduated by that time will be under the rule of my nephew, Hunter Wade."

Women all over the auditorium started busting into applause and screams. I wanted to throw up. I would be able to give Hunter a chance if I thought he would be a good ruler, but not once have I ever seen him attend any events with his uncle, showing his interest in becoming king at all. Hunter Wade would run this community into the ground. That's another huge reason for me wanting to join. Maybe I could be that one voice that made a difference and showed everyone that we don't need a king if we can all learn and grow together. I know it seems ludicrous, but that was my dream. It was a dream that I wouldn't give up on ever.

Elijah pushed his nephew up to the microphone, making sure that he put a stamp on today himself. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for choosing this lovely academy as your home for now." Hunter scanned the room but stopped when our eyes met. His lips curled in a way that made me blush again. Don't get me wrong, I didn't like the guy, but there was something in his eyes that wouldn't let me look away. "I'm hoping I get the time to know you all individually, some in more ways than one."

Elijah took the microphone from him before he could say anything else out of the way, but Hunter's eyes were glued to mine. Finally, gathering up the courage to defy the man that would soon become king, I peeled my eyes from his and refused to give him another stare for the duration of the introduction.

Soon, we were instructed for our specific groups to go off to the tables designed around the gym to get our class schedules, including obtaining information on our rooms. It wasn't looking promising that Lauren and I would get to room together, but I was at least hoping to get someone kind or someone quiet. I couldn't handle someone who liked to party all night. I'd rather be studying and putting all into this program.

My mind was forced to stop turning when I was greeted by a familiar voice. "I don't believe that we have had the chance to meet. I'm Hunter Wade, the future king."

I turned around, offering him the best fake smile I could muster. It wasn't wise to piss off the heir, but I wasn't about to pretend either. "Uh-huh. I know who you are. I should get going. There is so much to explore. Besides, you probably have so much to do yourself."

"No, not really. My focus right now is you, princess."

The fact that he gave me a nickname like that made me want to barf, but it riled something inside me, giving me enough courage to speak my next words. "That's cute. It must do wonders for you with other women, but I'm not a princess, especially your princess. Do yourself a favor and cut the bullshit small talk. You are only talking to me for one reason. I'm fresh meat around here, and you need some new bimbo to occupy your time. If that's it, you can look elsewhere. I'm not interested."

As I tried to walk away from him, he slammed his hands against the wall, locking me between his arms and too close to his face. I could smell his minty breath, which wasn't bad if it had been on any other man besides him. "You are a feisty little thing, aren't you? If you think that would deter me from getting what I want, you should know it turns me on even more. And I called you princess because I didn't know your name, but now I think I will stick with it. It suits you, princess. You should be nicer to the man that can get you kicked out of here with the snap of his fingers. No one would think to ask questions with a little wolf like you. You're unimportant. But I'll keep my mouth shut for now if you agree to do me a favor too."

He played with my hair for a minute until I got the courage to smack him across the face. I not only stunned him but myself. "Don't touch me!"

Hunter growled and pulled me away from sight before he pounced on top of me. Here I thought my first day was going to be easy, yet I've made an enemy of the one person I shouldn't have. At the same time, I'm not pretending to be anyone's plaything. If that means getting kicked out of here, so be it.

"Hit me like that again, and I'll punish you in the worst way possible, Saige." My eyes grew wide at the mention of my name. "Yeah, that's right. I know your name. You are the virgin wolf that everyone seems to be talking about this year, but I'll make it clear to them all that you belong to me. You may not want me now, Saige, but you will. I'll make it so tempting for you that it leaves you begging."

"Good luck with that!" I spit before this rage inside of me built up enough to force myself out of his grip, letting me get to my feet.

He raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Nice little trick, princess. I won't make the mistake of letting you do that again." Hunter began to walk away before he turned around one last time. "An important fact you should know, either you make me your enemy or your lover. There is no in-between. Decide wisely, princess."