Nifty Breakfast

The next morning greeted me with slightly swollen eyes and an achy neck.

I dragged myself into a sitting position and contemplated the incident from last night.

"So-called mate." I whispered.

I kicked my feet off the bed and stretched before I decided to get ready, no doubt carlsile was somewhere in these chambers waiting.

As I get in to the shower I begin to think about my mate and our current situation.

I had given him too much attention and spent the past week hung over his neglection.

Well yeah lets close that chapter.

If he wanted to pretend like I meant nothing to him, that was fine with me.

I knew how to adapt

I was used to it

It was even one of the first lessons lettie taught me while I trained.

That didn’t change the fact that this situation would be excrutiatingly pianful.

The bond would fester and lash out at us and try to force us to bond but I had no idea what came after that.

Would the mark suddenly wither up and die?

Somehow I doubted it…I guess that’s what I should find out to be prepared.

I throw on a black body suit, usually used for training.

I was in no mood for dresses, it was a cruel imitation of human's culture anyways.

A knock pulls me out of my reverie.

"It's Xavier and Axel your majesty."

I froze.

Fear and hesitation grip me, but I still go over and pull the door open.

Relief flooded me as I took in Xavier's wickedly charming smile...Axel on the other hand maintained his stoic expression as always.

A part of me wanted to do a small satisfied dance because despite everything, the king had listened to me and reinstated them

I reign that Part in and stuff it.

"I'm really sorry about everything that's happened, especially getting you fired."

"It's fine your majesty, as long as youre safe, but just so you know...we're never listening to you again." Xavier joked.

I laughed hard at that.

"Don't be so sure, I can be very persuasive at times." I smirk.

"I'm never leaving your side again, your majesty." Axel finally spoke up, bowing slightly.

Xavier snorted. "Even when she wants to take a bath?"

I was startled as Axel drew his sword immediately angling it at Xavier's throat.

"Your highness, permit me to slit the throat of this unworthy presence."

Xavier's eyes plead with mine as I feign a look of contemplation.'

"We may have use for him yet, stand down Axel."

He sheated his sword."As you wish, your grace."

Xavier stared at both Axel and me with a look of mock betrayal.

I loved this.

The playful banter and the easy flowing conversation.

I wouldn't have been able to tolerate any other guards.

Carlisle walked in briskly and stylishly barely denting the mood.

"Time for breakfast, your highness." He announced. smiling in his showy blue coat.

I laughed again and soon enough we were all on our way to the dining hall.

Upon entering the hall, I was so surprised by what I saw that I automatically turned back and tried to leave.

keyword there...tried

"Where are you going?" The king asked without looking up from his food.

I duck my initial shock and decide to go for a more docile tone.

"I...didn't want to disturb you, so I'll just take my...breakfast in my room?"

"Your presence here is inconsequential."

I compose myself after that and take a seat at the opposite side of the long table.

We eat in silence as our guards stay at our opposites sides of the room.

It wasn't as nerve wracking as I thought it would be.

Mainly because I couldn't really see him due to all the center pieces lined up.

I gulp about half of my oatmeal before I decided to leave.

I tried to wait for him to be done and then enjoy my tension free breakfast but he was a really slow eater.

I stood up and was almost half way out the door when he spoke:

"We're having dinner tonight with the members of the Northern court."

"I'm aware." I respond swiftly

Carlisle had already briefed me on the only thing of importance on my whole schedule.

"It's our first official dinner together and I wanted to inform you that my consort Heather would be in attendance and you should be cordial."

That stung.

My mark spammed as It was hit with a crush of pointless, unwelcome jealousy.

Whatever he had with Heather was none of my business.

I won't reduced to the crazy, jealous wife....even though it was within my right to have her life.

"Since you have her is there any need for me to be there?"

"You're queen. It's your duty."

"A duty you shoved off to me without ever asking my opinion."

"You are my mate, this has been your duty since you were born."

His voice was level but I detected an undertone of anger.

I have no idea why but that made me rebellious.

"I'm not going." I say firmly.

I walk out the door and enjoy a morsel of satisfaction when I hear the sound of bare fist hitting solid material.

"Selene." He growled.

My body shivered shamefully in anticipation at his tone.

It was skillful how the guards and our assistants just faded into the background and waited for the fallout.

"I don't want to fight with you on this."

"Then don't." I replied snidely looking back at him.

I regretted my tone immediately when I noticed his mood went from over the top anger to something simmering deep and angry.

"Selene, we can do this easily and you can walk at my side or we can make it hard and I drag you there at your expense."

The calmness in which he said that scared me more than any screaming, beating threat from my former Alpha.

I didn't even need to see him in combat, it was obvious...

...This man was a beast.