Bounded

14

Chapter Fourteen

Crashing due to the storm.

-

Fate Pierce’s Point of View

To my surprise, everything seemed calm.

The Alpha King did not even try anything, maybe because I seemed terrified. He even made sure to give me a comfortable room, one that only a few doors away from Somi. I know that must have been quite a work, as a Princess shouldn’t be prancing so close to a commoner. A lot of thoughts gathered in my mind that I could not sleep. On all the horror I have heard about this place, why would someone like me be paired with a man who should not have a mate?

I looked into my cup and sighed. Eyes following through the clouded sky, I did my best to see if I could settle it down. I never knew if these work. Arctic fox such as myself should have the ability to manipulate any form of water—but I could hardly control my skills.

“I hope they’re fine with the storm brewing this strong,” I whispered, eyes shifting back to its natural hues. Even if

“Fate?”

My body jumped as I turned around, seeing no one but the Alpha King along with some knights walking by his side. Judging by how the knights were etching to bow in my direction, I could very much say that people in the palace were already aware of who I was. Not that I should be surprised by that. Not only did we manage to have guards to our play date in this place, but many people are now gathering to my needs.

It’s a werewolf’s need to please their Luna.

Only this time, it is much more stronger urge since I am set to be a Queen.

...which is still tentative.

To his hand seemed like the folders that all the Alpha has, one that would report the things happening around a pack. I am well aware that the royals of the realm still wear proper attire, but since a human is set to visit the land, he is wearing an article of formal clothing suited for humans.

I offered a small smile. “Hello, Mr. Hawthrone.”

“Mr. Hawthrone?” He let out a soft chuckle, slowly closing the folder before dismissing the knight that followed him. As soon as the knight gave us some privacy, he continued. “That’s my father. You can call me Clayton. I am not that old.”

“You really aren’t,” I replied, my eyes growing wide as I held my mouth.

Fuck!

I am not supposed to know anything about them!

To my surprise, he had only laughed and changed the subject. Maybe it was the internal panic from inside of me, but it did seemed like he was looking after me. The King was doing his best to have me comfortable, but I was not having any of it.

“Is something bothering you?” He asked, slowly showing a smile. I could see the contour of his dimple to his cheeks, his eyes sparkling with the presence of me. That seemed like a typical reaction that a werewolf has to their mates. Looking at the sight on my shoulder, he frowned upon seeing the view of the storm. “Are you worried about your family?”

My head bubbled a nod, clearly terrified that I could let my cover blown. “Yes, I am living with my grandparents, so I am a little bit worried. They do not do well during such a weather.”

“I am sure that they are fine.” He soothes my nerves, and my body feels like giving up from hearing only his voice. I know how easy for a mate to soothe the other, and being in this situation does not help me. There was some glimmer in his eyes as he looked at the clouds brewing the storm. “This might come off as weird coming from me, but this land holds power into making sure that people are always safe. No matter how harsh the weather is, people had always been safe in here.”

I know that.

The number of mages protecting the area of the kingdom is enormous. Not only were they very active in this place, but the fae folk had long been attached to his mother. Therefore, the strength and defenses of this kingdom had grown over time. Since many forces in nature are living in this place, I am sure that this would be the safest area in the whole realm. It was the reason why my parents felt comfortable having me in the area.

“I also have to apologize if I had frightened you earlier in the dining room.” He said a voice that I had never heard in his speeches before. Since he knew that I was his mate, he seemed to be doing his best not to startle me. My body knew that I needed to fight him back, but this little voice inside of me wanted to stay.

Fucking link.

“It seemed like I am making angrier now.” He noticed.

My eyes darted to him, shaking my head. “No. I’m fine.”

“Thank you for taking good care of my sister.” With every word he said, the constant need to see is aura feels intense, but I can’t change the color of my eyes before him. I want to see if he was being genuine, or if this is the link talking. Clayton continued on, still focused on the view before us. “She had always been off when it comes to school, but she’s been excited these days.”

“Somi is a good friend. I love spending time with her too.” A smile slipped on my lips.

My eyes followed the folder in his hands, and I almost froze when I saw that it came from the elders. Many stigmas are between the royal and the elders, but I am not that well aware of the story between that. The elders were known to be were powerful—a group of people who had looked over the realm for more than the King ever did. They were known as a group of people who looked after the palace. If they wanted to overthrow someone, they honestly could.

Even then, their reputation are slightly losing its power now that the Hawthrones had ruled over three generation. There is no elder who had stood longer than the King Father, nor Clayton.

“I have something to ask of you.” He said suddenly, making me look at him with a confused frown.

My heart hammered inside of me, unsure of what emotion I should feel. There are many things to everything, and I did not know what is more profound than the other. Of course, a small whispering voice inside of me wanted to see this play out… but am I going to put my kind in the line?

But he’s my mate.

“Are you free for Saturday?” He asked.

“Saturday?” I asked, feigning innocence that I don’t have with the ways I wanted to touch him in all the places and edges.

King Clayton nodded, making me see the beauty of his face. “I wanted to take you on a date if you’re up for it.”

A date.

The Alpha King is properly asking me for a date.

What the f**k.

I bet that any woman would have to fight for their lives to be in the position I am in, and even my fox wanted to claw in control to agree with his words. But there is posing a danger to what he wanted to achieve.

I do not think that I wanted that.

Especially since not only does my identity would be revealed, but so does my mom’s.

My eyes looked back at him and smiled. “I actually… have a…” my mouth stopped, already knowing what I plan but I fought the fox inside of me. “...boyfriend.”

To my peripheral vision, I could see his hand tighten on the railing as he slowly nodded. Knowing that I am a human, it would be weird for him to act negatively to my words. Despite my heart slowly breaking seeing him in this scenario, it’s one thing that I have to do.

I needed to protect my kind.

We’re extinct enough as it is... and I needed to protect my mother.

There is no way that I will be the first woman who will create the much-anticipated hybrid of a fox and a Lycan, for they will be a significant threat to humankind and the paranormal. With such power combining, not only does our kid will be powerful enough... but so does the Alpha King. If we mated, he would have the missing part in the link.

Not only that, but I know my kid’s life would be on the line if that ever occurred.

“I see.” He said with a soft moan, nodding his head in agreement. To my surprise, the man did show a great expression, not making me feel like I was entitled to have him. “Does he go to your school or?”

I fought the urge to take back my words as I replied quickly. “Back in my hometown.”

King Clayton seemed to smile as he nodded. “Oh.”

Shit.

I seemed to picked the wrong answer!

Damn it.