Mated: An Enemy King

Forever Unworthy

Finally, they were letting me in. Right into the heart of the palace that would be filled with wolves from kingdoms far and wide. My mother and father had finally granted my princess self a chance to learn of how the ruling of kingdoms, the charming of men and the maintenance of peace was achieved across the realm. I was to go in and observe how it all got done. As the future heir of Xatis, a kingdom whose king, queen and vast wealth had naturally placed it in a favourable position regarding decision making in the realm, father had decided it was time I took my place at their sides. Something that had excited me to no end when it was told to me, but now, it’d left me in silence while I got ready for what would make for my first appearance at what could be termed the largest council meeting in the realm.

“Silent was not exactly what I would have imagined my princess to be tonight.” Rinarii, my maid, spoke of my unnaturally quiet self and in truth, neither did I. Not after having been extremely excited all the days leading up to tonight. But perhaps my parents’ change of heart was only beginning to get to me.

I was not oblivious to the only possible reason they'd suddenly decided so. The sadness in my heart was a constant reminder of it. I was wolfless. Forever unworthy of my own kind. Not even my royalty status had been enough to heal that wound.

In the wake of my eighteenth moon birthday, I had made that startling discovery. My shift had began as it naturally would for every wolf, but despite the pain that I’d endured as my bones cracked and sought to take on a new form, I never got a chance to slip into my beast’s form. That true form that I had been eager to meet more than my moon goddess given mate like any normal she wolf would. I was forever wounded and as much I’d chastized my soul since then to keep from being sad and to forget about something that could not be changed, tonight was rather difficult not to ponder on it. Not when I knew it’d been the thing to sway my parents’ exessive protectiveness towards me when for years they'd denied me a chance to even glance in the direction of the great hall when such gatherings took place.

“Perhaps I’m merely saving my breath for later tonight.” I lied, taking in the longest breath of the evening air. Despite my maid being one who’d endured some of my constant complaints, I was not about to pour out what was really clawing at my heart tonight. Besides, I was still genuinely happy too about the king’s decision. No matter how it had come about, I’d decided that it was my moment to shine. To prove that I was not just some delicate wolfless princess as many had come to see me already.

“I do not envy those who will fall victim of my princess’ wrath.”

“Wrath?” I frowned. “This gathering won’t exactly be a place to stir such strong emotions.”

“Probably not.” My maid shrugged. “But we both know how fierce and strongly my princess feels about certain…things.” She paused, giving me a knowing look. “And let’s just say that with the presence of many wolves who simply refuse to part from the ancient ways of doing things, my princess is bound to clash with some of them.”

I had no such intentions and I really hoped that would not be the case. After all, I was only meant to observe everyone else, but truth be told, I tended to forget my place when matters close to my heart were painted in a light not deserving of them.

“Perhaps you should accompany me and be my voice of reason then.” My maid merely chuckled at that, the sound getting swallowed up by the firm knock that sounded on my bed chamber’s doors.

“Great grandmother!” I sprang up to my feet at the sight of Liira, glad that the matriarch was the one to come to me in my final moments of preparation for the gathering tonight.

“Do I even wish to know?”

That. That was the reason I was glad she was the one to come instead of my own parents. Her raised brow at my frame said it all. Everyone had sought to comfort me each day after my shift, but only my great grandmother looked at me the same. With no pity at any given moment. If I was being honest, she was even more determined than I to not be bothered by my circumstances.

“J-Just to be sure.” I answered, hands falling on the gown I'd chosen for tonight, to which Liira merely rolled her eyes and walked further into the room. Her strides, quick and sure and every bit speaking of the queen she had always been even after having passed that honour to my grandmother many moons past.

“I honestly do not get your need to do this.” Liira eyed my preferred outfit with an appalled expression. My gown was by no means ugly, but perhaps for lack of a better term, one would describe it as not appropriate for a princess and heir of Xatis. Not in its colour, of which my royal status demanded for one, and most certainly not in its design. And seeing my great grandmother’s reaction, which I’d expected, I got ready to defend my choice, but my words died in my throat when she merely came and stood before me, hands tenderly cupping my cheeks and holding my gaze. “Our Aryn is perfect,” she said, “and fearless and will definitely make a great queen someday. You should not have to care what some insufferable wolves think or do not think–”

“That is not the case, great grandmother.” I sighed, as I was reminded yet again that I was alone in my little quest to prove to the world that I was so much more than just being a descendant of Xatis’ royal house and the third most powerful noble house in the land. So much more than a princess without her wolf. “This is all for me. I’m doing this for–”

“I know, for you.” Liira cut me off, with way little annoyance than usual, leaving me surprised.

“Will you not ask me to have a change of clothes then?”

“Why do you think I came in the first place?” Liira waved at whoever she’d left at the doors to enter. “But seeing that this is of utmost importance to you and that you do insist, I might as well have you do it properly. You are the future queen after all.”

“Great grandmother!” I gasped at the most exquisite gown that got handed to me. It was nowhere near close to my usual formal dressing that was expected of me as a princess or the gown I had desperately thought would paint me in a different light tonight.

“If you insist on creating your own identity, you might as well begin by making a bold statement, wouldn’t you agree?” I did agree. Absolutely. And this gown– well let’s just say it captured the very essence of what I wished to say once I entered that great hall.

“I thought you didn’t approve– how did you know?”

“You forget that I know best.” Liira winked at me, making the feelings of warmth to spread in my heart. I was not alone after all. “And do get a move on and dress up or else this statement you so wish to make will be lost if you do not arrive at the right moment.”

The right moment. I wondered if this was it as I stood alone, staring at the entrance to the great hall that was buzzing with conversation. Once safely here, I’d forgone any escort as I did not wish to be seen to be leaning on my maids or guards for anything.

“My princess, it is time.” Someone whispered by my side, drawing me to the present.

“Thank you.” I nodded at the guard before stepping towards the now open doors.

"Aryn, daughter!" At my appearance, father's domineering voice filled the great hall, speaking of his affection towards me and reminding me that in his presence I was nothing but a wee babe. His little beloved princess. Although looking at him tonight, I was glad that ‘his little beloved princess’ was not the look etched on his face. He seemed to be proud and taken by my unexpected outfit.

"Father." I curtsied. Was I trying too hard? Probably. I had not seemed to be able to find the perfect balance between delicate princess and not so delicate. I could only hope the latter spoke of my posture more.

"You are doing just fine." As if my mother could read my thoughts, she linked her compliment and I was grateful for that privacy and for being able to link them even without my wolf. My eighteenth moon birthday may have been a heavy disapointment with regards to meeting my wolf, but bless the gods for having granted me the gift to link those close to me from the moment I uttered my first word. A secret only shared with them only.

"Thank you, mother." With my confidence buttered, I stepped into the great hall, head held high, putting one foot in front of the other with ease. I had after all spent last night rehearsing my entry tonight. Once the maids had prepared the great hall meant to host all the dignitaries from near and far, I had snuck in and practiced until I felt I could make my walk up to my princess’ throne even if I was blindfolded.

"Such elegance…" Someone was clearly impressed and I repressed a smile, glad to know my efforts had not been wasted. Or perhaps it was great grandmother’s doing with this outfit.

"The gods have surely been merciful." Another beamed and as much as I hated to be complimented so openly, I couldn't deny the pride bubbling inside at such words. It also made the feel of every gaze on me bearable. I was by no means shy, but I needed tonight to turn out perfectly and tripping all over myself as a result of the heaviness of the gazes around the room would not just do.

“You look absolutely beautiful.” My father beamed as he extended his hand for me to take.

“More beautiful than mother?” Despite my need to be taken seriously, I couldn’t help make light of this moment and my father’s reaction amused not only me, but my mother too.

“This place suits you.” Ignoring us both, the queen of Xatis cupped my cheeks, drawing my smile.

“As it does you.” My mother only cringed at my statement, revealing what was perhaps the biggest difference between us. While I had always wished to be by father’s side while he carried out his kingly duties, my mother, despite being the chosen and queen of Xatis, hated this. All the politics and the wars that still lingered despite the balance of the realms having been restored by her and father many moons past.

Those unwanted wars were the whole reason the palace’s great hall was filled to overflowing tonight and the reason I did not need to waste precious time on greetings.

“Please, let me not keep the realm waiting.” I nodded at the many wolves who had stood to their feet while I made my short journey.

“You heard the princess.” King Elian, my father, spoke proudly as we all turned and took our seats. “As I was saying before my lovely daughter graced us with her presence…” I couldn’t help but marvel at how the king drew everyone’s attention while shifting the entire atmosphere to whatever it was they’d been speaking of before I entered. It was not with the power I knew he possessed by being my mother’s chosen or the king of the most powerful and prosperous kingdom, but with a heart that truly cared for the magical creatures entrusted to him. “...it is our duty to ensure that these wars and conflicts do not let a dark history repeat itself…” I was full of admiration once his speech was done and I was about to link him my thoughts when someone scoffed, drawing my attention.

It was odd that in the midst of countless smiles and heads nodding in approval, someone would have such a reaction. I wished to know who and as annoyance prickled, it led me to search the long table filled by Xatis’ guests. None of them, however, seemed to be guilty of the act, except a guard who was wearing a bitter expression on his face.

A king’s guard?! My eyes widened as recognition struck. Those steel gray eyes had merely flickered towards my father, but I knew it had to be him.

"Does Eugan have anything else to say, perhaps?" I suddenly spoke, catching everyone by surprise. I was merely here to observe, but my maid had been right about me feeling strongly about things. And right now I thought the king had spoken all the right things so I was curious to know why Eugan disagreed with him.

“Eugan?” My father wore a surprised look as did the said guard. Although, the guard’s look of surprise quickly morphed into something more at the sight of me. Something that left my heart hammering in my chest. With that one look in my direction, his eyes widened before they darkened, while his posture turned all possessive and for a moment, for one stupid fleeting moment I wished I had my wolf. Perhaps then I would know if–

My thoughts got interrupted when his gaze held mine. Drawing me in against my will and making me long for the one thing I had deemed overrated. A mate… I was drowning. As time stretched between us, I yearned, thirsted and got pulled under, until a familiar look of hate clouded his orbs and violently cut me loose, leaving an unfamiliar ache in my heart.

“Aryn dear, are you alright?”

“Y–Yes mother.” I dropped my hand that had been clutching my chest area tightly before focusing on the guard yet again. Pushing whatever moment we’d just shared aside, I narrowed my eyes at him. “It is Eugan, right?” With teeth now clenched, the soldier merely kept his gaze rooted on the floor behind his king. I did not mind his silence, however, as it gave me a moment to observe him without his intense gaze getting in the way.

He'd grown up from the boy I remembered. Now an imposing figure, covered with muscle that his guard’s armor did little to hide and a lot of facial hair that was cut with too much precision for a soldier, he was a man. One that stirred more than my temper.

“It is Eugan, my princess.” The king that sat in front of the guard spoke up instead. I noted that he had not aged a day since I last saw him. “And I assure you that my beloved guard knows his place enough not to make the mistake of uttering anything in such a gathering.” I highly doubted that, but I was not about to argue with this charming wolf.

“Forgive me, but I believe we were not properly introduced the last time we met so I do not quite know how to address you.” The man seemed taken aback that I would remember him at all before bowing.

“King Koberic, my princess.”

“Thank you, King Koberic, but I must insist that if your guard is going to scoff at what the great king had to say, I’m assuming he has better thoughts regarding the matter at hand?”

“Better thoughts than his highness?!” King Koberic sweated profusely as though he was afraid his beloved guard was about to lose his head. “I–”

“If you insist, princess…my princess.” Eugan finally spoke and I did not miss his hard set jaw as he fought to hiss my way while turning towards my father. "Forgive me, your majesty, but it was not my intention to let my disagreement slip.”

“So you do disagree with me then?” I was surprised at my father’s lack of anger and even more surprised by Eugan’s aura as he stood taller than most men would in front of the king of Xatis. Whether king or guard. I found that appealing about him and quite distracting, so much that I had to pinch myself to get concentrating again.

“It seems it’s easy for you to speak of peace when your own princess remains secure behind your armies and the confines of the palace, of Xatis too.”

Me? I blinked at Eugan, wondering why in hell he felt the need to drag me into his answer? Was he paying me back for calling him out. “I surely do not see why I’m revelant in your answer to my father.”

He only chuckled at that, the sound filled with sacarsm, and yet it still made me wish I could hear more. “Tell me, princess, have you ever gone a day without a meal or perhaps even a single night?”

Gazes shifted towards me at his question. Heavy with judgement before I could even utter a word, making the insufferable guard don a smug smile. He was out to embarrass me. To belittle me, to point out the flaws in my father’s words and painting him as a selfish king and me his spoilt spawn. That drew my claws out as I sought to meet him head on in this fight. I was no glutton after all and I was sure I had foregone a meal or two before, perhaps even three. I was about to proudly state that fact when he added.

“Not by choice, my lady." At that, my legs drew hastily together of their own accord. Whatever laced his voice when he uttered that statement while he held my gaze, made my lady self shamelessly twitch with desire and sent me blushing terribly. I hated him for that too.

“I did not think so.” Eugan snarled, seemingly having the last say, but he was gravely mistaken. Not when he’d created the perfect opportunity for me to make that statement.