MATED TO THE PRINCE

Chapter 1: Meeting my mate

CLARA

“I can't believe your mother said that to you!” Ella screams. “She's such a b***h!” She's physically enraged.

Ella is my best friend at school and also my confidant. She's the only one who knows what I've been going through back at home since I was ten and old enough to discern between love and hate. Clearly, I'm not my mother's favourite.

I really wonder why since I'm her only child.

My dad left when I was five and I can't even tell how he looks.

“Sadly, she did.” I say, shaking my head. “She said that at seventeen, I'm now old enough to fend for myself!”

“Janet is such a b***h! Every time I see her, I have an urge to squeeze the living daylights out of her! Why does she derive pleasure in mistreating you?”

“She said that my dad left me because he hated me. I am an evil child Ella! I am...”

I'm already weeping in anger and my wolf growls. She hates seeing me sad.

“Don't cry love, okay?” Ella soothes me. “We will find a way around it. Or maybe I can talk to my parents to take you in. I'm sure they won't say no to me.”She assures me and I smile.

“Thank you darling. What would I have done without you?” my wolf is excited since I can now see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“You're like a sister to me Clara. Anything for you!”

“Today evening after school, I'll take you to your house and we will both pack your stuff and leave to my parents house. Your mother can go to hell for all I care!”

I wipe my tears and my wolf smiles from inside me. When I'm happy, she's happy too.

“Let's go now. I have several classes before the day ends!” I say and we bid each other goodbye, parting ways to our different classes.

As I walk to class, I can't help but fantasize about the pair of blue eyes my wolf always sees whenever I close my eyes. I've already come of age and all I'm wishing for is a mate to love me, to mark me and make me his. I long for those kisses, caressing, cuddling and all..I'm not wishing for much but just a mate...just a normal mate. If luck is on my side and my mate happens to be an Alpha, well and good. If he happens to be a prince, the better! I'm not being choosy! Anyone to take me out of my mother's house will be a welcome relief!

I'm already in class and our English teacher is busy teaching us about the use of nouns and adjectives. However, I can't just seem to concentrate at all.

“You need to leave this house before the day ends!” my mother's voice echoes in my mind.

I'm just glad that I don't need to worry about where to go since Ella has promised to talk to her parents and since I know them very well, I'm sure Timothy and Tricia won't have any problem with me squatting with them for sometime!

***

It's already lunch time and I'm supposed to meet Ella over lunch since she promised to buy me lunch outside the school.

Ella is the only person in school whom I've ever allowed near me since she's kind and caring. Though other students fear me and they always bow or cringe whenever they see me, something I've never placed a finger on...

“Here we are Clara!” Ella says, making me snap from my reverie. She parks her car outside a small but fancy looking restaurant just a few minutes drive from school. Her parents are well up and they can afford some few luxuries for her to live comfortably.

“Thank you Ella.” I say as I climb out of her car. The smell of the food makes my stomach rumble, making me remember that I didn't have breakfast today morning. Well, I always cook for myself and mother hadn't provided the necessary provisions since she has already made up her mind...I am leaving her house tonight!

We're already seated and we've already placed our orders. I'm munching onto my food like there's no tomorrow while Ella watches me as she sips onto her cocktail juice.

“This chicken is so sweet!” I say as I take a bite from the drumstick but I immediately look up when Ella doesn't say anything. I follow her gaze and my wolf purrs when my eyes meet the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen! The same set of blue eyes my wolf always sees whenever I close my eyes!

Our eyes click and my wolf whispers, “my mate” and I see the owner of those eyes smile. Ella's eyes are now on me and she's wondering what's really happening right now.

I don't know how it happens but it's like something is pulling me towards the guy. Well, the restaurant is owned by humans but the pull between me and the guy isn't just normal...he is a werewolf like myself.

I place the drumstick back to the plate and without saying anything to Ella, I stand up and walk towards “my mate” as if pulled by a magnet!

“May I know your name please my lady?” he says as I take a seat right across him. Ella has stopped watching since she's a were herself and she understands how all these things work.

“My name is Clara.” I reply. “What about you my king?”

“Raymond...you can call me Ray my love!”

He takes my hand into his and brings it to his lips, kissing my palm passionately. “You're mine...you're my mate!” he says and my wolf purrs in excitement.

He's surely my mate and I can feel it!

***

“Where do you live?” he asks and I blush, my wolf jumping in excitement knowing that he cares about me.

“I used to live with my mother but not anymore. She wants me out of her house this evening!”

“Oh, I'm so sorry. I already felt something was wrong with you since my wolf wouldn't stop growling whenever I looked at you!”

Mmmh! This sounds nice. I'm convinced that he's my mate and our wolves has started connecting and communicating already.

“My friend over there will talk to her parents and see if they can accept me in their house.” I assure him.

“If they don't?” he's really concerned and his wolf is disturbed.

“I'll figure out something!” I reply absentmindedly.

He eyes me in pity and I can feel his wolf whimpering. His hands are still on mine. “I'll take you to my house!”

“But I barely know you my mate?”

“I am your mate and we're meant to live together. I'll pick you up after school and I'll take you to your house to pick your most important stuff then head to my house!”

“Who are you?”

“You will know everything about me tonight in my house!”

Wow!

I'm just nodding at everything he says. His blue eyes shine even more as he stands up to kiss and hug me goodbye. As our bodies come into contact, my wolf purrs in delight and contentment and I'm now more than ever convinced that Raymond is my mate!

His scent is unique and as he stands high above me, I can smell royalty from a far. If he's really from a royal family, what is he doing here in this simple restaurant?

***

“Really now?” Ella c***s her brows as she drives back to school for our afternoon classes. “You're no longer interested in staying at my place?”

“I have already found my mate and I will be staying with him from today onwards. I want to know him better.”

“Who is he anyway? Did he tell you where he's from? I've never seen him around here. He looks so sophisticated to be just a normal werewolf!”

“He has promised to tell me everything tonight.” I assure her. “Please don't be sad, okay? I'll be visiting your house whenever I'm free, besides, we're still going to the same school!”

She nods in understanding as she parks her car at the school's parking lot. We say our goodbyes and head to our different classes since we're taking different subjects.

As I sit in class, my wolf can't help but leap in joy, keeping it in mind that she has found her mate in the least unexpected place, especially when my mother doesn't want me in her house anymore!