I ended up attending the dinner, by completely convincing myself it was my choice.
But I deliberately showed up late just to piss him off.
He was waiting by the entrance of the hall.
As I approached he turned around and I saw him clad in all his glory.
He was decorated in blue and white to match the deep colour of his eyes and it was glorious.
It was regal and cold.
And although his dressing screamed of royalty, his eyes were completely wild and savage.
Chills ran down my spine as I tried to maintain eye contact.
He broke it first, as his eyes focused on my clothes.
I wasn't wearing my crown yet because I hadn't officially been crowned, but I had green orchids marinating the length of my cinnamon coloured hair.
It was beyond girly
My clothes on the other hand told a different story.
I wore a cream coloured dress with a tight bodice and a bold V cut in the front that made my average assets more noticeable.
It was too huge though and hard to move in so I had the dress part altered into a body suit instead just so I could move around freely.
It was eye-catching and body flattering.
I have to admit, I've never been one for fashion sense as I had always wore what was handed down from the Alpha's daughters.
But dressing up had its perks and came with a huge confidence boost.
I approached the king tentatively and take pleasure in watching his eyes roam my body, especially my cleavage.
His eye lingered and I try to hide my blush.
He held out his hand and I took it.
I faintly heard someone announce us and the double doors opened.
There were almost twenty people at the dinner, some I recognized from my first day at the palace.
The king takes his place at the head of the table and as was customary I was seated at his right side.
As I settle down on and observed the faces of people at the table, my eyes were drawn to the person right infront of me.
What
The
Hell
I snapped to the king's impassive expression.
Son of a bitch!
He put his lover right infront of me. Directly to his left.
People are seated close to the king based on your rank.
He basically placed us on thesame level.
I seethe quietly in anger at the humiliation.
My mate though, moves along like he didn't do what he just did.
He addressed the court members and introduced me one more time.
I put on a poker smile and pretended like there was something other than murder on my mind right now.
As dinner began and people began making small talk I take my time and eat, stealing piercing gazes at Heather.
I couldn't read her at all.
it was unsettling, my gifts weren't working on her.
It was like she was completely pure.
Devoid of malicious thoughts.
The unfair part was her beauty.
She was stunning.
The confidence I felt earlier at my look vanished.
She looked like something out of a picture.
Her vanilla blonde hair and porcelain skin were complimented by a simple white dress.
She was elegant.
She looked like a real queen.
My anger is quelched by sudden dissapointment and sadness.
I turn my eyes away from her to try and salvage my mood and I look at my mate instead.
He was looking at her.
Despair washed over me and I felt the urge to cry.
I had literally told myself this morning that I wouldn't pay any attention to their affairs and would try to live with it.
But it seemed unbearable now that I witnessed It first hand in public.
I decided to try again and talk to the woman beside me.
She was an Alpha.
I could always tell easily.
She flipped her auburn red hair to the side and also observed the crowd.
She barely touched her food.
"The food isn't to your liking?" I asked in a low voice.
She seemed startled for a second but responded warmly.
"Not at all your grace, just pregnancy cravings...I had already eaten too much on the way here."
My heart swelled and cracked with bitterness.
Will I ever bear a child?
Wow...
The moon wasn't on my side tonight.
I mask my sadness and try to continue the conversation with her when the double doors suddenly open.
"Prince Darian Ernest Leonnard."
I looked.
How couldn't I?
Someone came in late for dinner and I had to.
Immediately his name was announced, I scoured the dinner setting for an empty seating and I didn't even have to look twice.
There was an empty seat beside Heather.
I should've noticed that.
I couldn't see him clearly when he got in but as he got closer to the table I recognized him.
My blue eyed stranger.
Darian
So that was his name.
I understood better now.
There were similarities between him and the King.
He must be the brother Carlisle was talking about?
But why did he come save me that day?
A low growl crept towards me like a nightmare.
Oh!
I had just realized that I'd been staring.
I turn my gaze towards the king and for the first time tonight I've captured his attention.
He's jealous
Ha!
Welcome to the club.
The green eyed monster strikes again.
I thought of capitalizing on it and maybe try to milk this and hold his attention, but at the moment I felt too petty and annoyed so I just ignore him.
I wouldve continued talking to Valeria, the female Alpha, but as soon as Darian came in she had to excuse herself, so I could either try to force a conversation with another member or stare at Darian.
I opted for number two.
I wanted a conversation with him
I wanted to know why he personal came to my rescue.
Did the king send him?
His eyes meet mine and I should've been embarrassed after being caught, but I wasn't. Instead I hold his gaze and it reached a point where the whole room became toxic.
"Selene." My mate called with a low growl with just a hint of a possessive tone.
Everyone held their breath.
I cocked my head to the side waiting for him to say what he wanted.
"Are you done with your food."
"No, not yet." I replied truthfully.
"Too bad, we're leaving."
In that moment, I catch a look in Heather's eyes that allowed me to read her completely.
She looked crazed.
like I had done something forbidden.
We said our goodbyes and didn't even make it half the way before he had me up against the wall.
"What're you doing." I snapped, letting my pent up anger take control as I try to shove him
He laughed darkly.
"No, tell me what you were doing." He snarled.
His voice held such jealous rage and he was forcing me to take in all of it.
Whatever anger I wanted to vent withered and died under his furious gaze.
It was an intense hot ball of fury and it made my mark throb.
He said nothing for a while staring at my mark and crept slowly to my eyes.
My anger had slowly morphed into desire and I had a feeling from the way his eyes raked all over me, his had too.
He doesn't drop me.
He holds me as I am and brings his face closer to mine.
His lips brush mine.
Once, twice...
I licked my lips.
"Kiss me." I whispered.
That was all the invitation he needed.