The King's Return

18. RETAIL THERAPY

AMIRA'S POV

I can't remember the last time I was in a mall, doing the actual shopping. It's been too long that I can't even remember what it was like.

Once in a while, my mother would take me shopping back in Spain but after I left, I didn't have enough money to pay for rent, food and also do retail therapy.

I've definitely missed this, I didn't even know how much I needed it before but now, it is kind of helping me to relax.

Logan was happy to give me his card and I know it won't hurt him if I use it for everything, besides, he was the one who insisted that I take it even though I was reluctant.

Maya and I decided to have lunch before we start shopping. I can't even believe I'm actually here to buy decorating stuff for Alex's birthday.

It makes me feel like I'm already part of their family. Royal family. It feels like a dream, all of it. When I was a kid, I heard all those wonderful stories about meeting your fated mate.

I used to think they were just bullshitting us because we were just kids, we knew nothing about love and if they sold us all those stories, we would look for our mates every single day.

I remember our teacher in first grade, she told us all those wonderful stories and I was so convinced they were just fairy tales and nothing more.

Being here though today, with Logan as my mate, it makes me wonder if there are other things out there that are true that I didn't believe in them.

Logan is wonderful, every day with him is the best day of my life. I fall more in love with him each day and I don't want that to ever end.

"You know if you keep thinking about him even when you're supposed to be shopping, I'm going to leave you here."

"That's jealousy I'm detecting from your voice." I laughed at my best friend.

"How can I not be jealous? He's taking you from me. I thought you and I were inseparable, I guess I was wrong. As soon as you met him, you ignored me for two days. Two days? How is that fair?"

"No one is taking me away from you, I told you before and I'm saying it again, you and I are best friends for life. Now, let's continue with our shopping."

She smiled and we checked a few stores before we went back to the castle. I haven't seen Logan for hours now and I miss him so much.

I don't know how does it, I don't think I can get used to being away from him for this long. Just a few minutes are enough to make me understand that I will never be able to part from him.

I have never thought I would fall in love with someone, at least not this hard but it has happened nonetheless and I don't even regret it.

If you would've asked me before I met Logan, I would have laughed at you and told you it wasn't possible because I also never thought it was.

I used to despise the idea of falling in love with your mate, to me, the only thing a mate could do to you was breaking your heart as well as your trust.

Logan is none of that though. I know I've only met him for now but I can tell that he is the perfect gentleman and that he is loyal to the core, he would hurt himself first before even thinking about hurting me.

That makes me love him even more, I know that with him, I will never have to think that about watching my back because I know he will always be there to protect me from any harm.

As soon as we entered the castle, I made my way to his room. I know the servants will take care of our bags. Usually, I like to do things for myself but today is different.

I ran up the stairs until I reached the top floor. When I got to his room, he wasn't there though. Where could he be? It's already late so I don't think he has any meetings.

I heard the bathroom door open before I could leave the room to search for him.

There he was, looking like he stepped out from a movie, maybe not entirely because he was wearing nothing, just a towel wrapped around his waist.

His abs, well they looked so delicious and I wanted to run my little fingers all around them. I've seen him naked before but somehow, today he is very tempting.

He seemed to notice my presence because he stopped and looked at me. His eyes locked with mine and I could see the hunger in them and I'm not talking about hunger for food.

"Amor..." His voice... well let's just say it sent a new sensation straight to my core. I couldn't help but burn with need, something I've never felt before.

By the look on his eyes, I knew he wanted me too. I've never really thought about it, sure we almost made love the other night but I never really thought about it.

Am I even ready to lose my virginity yet? One thing I know for sure, when that happens, I want Logan to be the one to do the honours.

He's the only man for me and no matter what happens in the future, I know he will always be the one for me and no one else.

He approached me without breaking eye contact. His eyes still the normal grey which means he was still in control, no wolf there.

"I would really love to take you to that bed and make love to you till sunrise but I don't want you to think that you have to do anything you don't want or something you're not ready for.

"I told you that I wanted to get to know you better and I meant what I said. It wasn't entirely the whole truth though, I was scared and I didn't want to admit it.

"I don't think I'll be able to hold myself if we start and I want you to know that when I do make love to you, there will be no going back.

"We will be binding ourselves together for a lifetime. You know what that means and I don't want you to wake up one day and feel like you're compelled to live with me for the rest of your life.

"You will have to bear my mark because I'm not the kind of guy who likes shortcuts. If I make love to you, I'll have to mark you.

"If there's no marking then there's no mating and vice versa. You will have to become my bonded mate, my queen, the queen of the werewolf kingdom and I know it can be overwhelming.

"I don't want you to feel pressured. So, I want you to think long and deep before you make a decision. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow.

"Just decide whenever you're ready and I'll be waiting eagerly for you."

Well, this isn't how I saw this going. I'm a little disappointed but then again I know he is right. If I fully mate with him then all the responsibilities of a queen fall to me.

There won't be any way to escape from that and I know I'm not ready for all the responsibilities that come with that title.

I know no damn thing about leading people and I can't just wake up and know everything. I know he will be there with me every step of the way but I don't think I'm ready.

I can't even get over the fear that I would make a mistake and everyone will see how unfit I am. I mean, I'm just a simple girl from a very small village and a very small pack.

I know I will never be able to forgive myself if something happens to Logan because of my foolishness.

"Amor, I know what you're thinking right now and I don't like it. And before you even begin to think that I don't want you, just know that it is ridiculous.

"I want you so badly but I don't want shortcuts."

LOGAN'S POV

I know she likes to overthink things and if I don't clarify, she will definitely overthink and come to a conclusion that I don't want her which is not true.

I don't even know how I do it, you know being around her all the time but not taking things further. There's nothing stopping me from claiming every part of her really.

I know she won't stop me if I ever did show any interest in pursuing things further but I know she is not ready for the responsibilities that will come after.

If I was just a normal person, I would have done things differently and we would do what we both wanted but I'm not a normal person and there is nothing I can do to change that.

She looked at me and her eyes told me what I wanted to know. She is not ready and it is very evident from her eyes but there is also something there. Fear.

She doesn't have to fear anything, I'll be with her all the way.

"It's okay Amor, you don't have to fear anything. I'm here remember?"

"I know you'll be here with me but I can't help but think about the mistakes I'm sure I'll make once I become a queen. This is all new to me.

"I wasn't even raised to be a leader one day. I don't know if I'll be able to fulfil my duties as a queen or not. What if I disappoint you and everyone else?"

She doesn't have to worry about disappointing me at all.

"Amor, there's absolutely nothing you can do to disappoint me and I mean it. I know you'll do great and you will be the most wonderful queen to every werewolf in this world.

"You don't even have to worry about disappointing everyone else. I know you'll make mistakes somewhere in the future but as you said, you'll be making a mistake.

"A mistake is just a mistake and everyone knows that. If you make a mistake, I know you'll do your best to fix it because that's what great queens do.

"I also told you that I'll be with you every step of the way. I know it won't be easy but you'll get used to it. I'm also getting used to being a king.

"It doesn't matter how long it takes, I know it will happen eventually."

Who knows? Maybe we can even get used to ruling this kingdom together. Before I forget...

"Did someone steal the credit card that I gave you?" I tried to hide the smile on my face.

"What? No, I don't think so. What happened?"

"I've been receiving notifications that someone was using it and I recalled that I gave it to you. I first thought it was you, but then I remembered that you personally said that you weren't gonna use it."

She looked at me, wide-eyed.

"Well, I wanted to- Wait. Mr Morningstar, you gave me that card so that I can use it. I did as you asked, I don't see any problem with that." She smiled at me and I could see that she saw through me, which meant I couldn't pretend anymore.

"I was happy when I saw it. I almost screamed for everyone to hear that you used my card. The whole castle would've heard it."

"I don't understand men. I don't think I would've even attempted to give the card to anyone. It's my money so I should be the one spending it."

"Amor, seeing you spend my money makes me happy and that is because I want you to be comfortable and feel free to get yourself anything you want.

"I don't want you to lack anything and you having that card is also a way of me taking care of you"

And I will always take care of you.