CHAPTER 11
AUDREY’S POV
Hearing him tell me that we would find a way out of this mess, was more than enough to make me feel better. He wasn’t angry that I had found my mate, who had turned out to be his step brother whom he hated so much. Instead, he was ready to find a way through the whole issue. I was so grateful. Latching my hand around his neck, I pulled him down to my lips and kissed him deeply.
“Thank you.” I whispered to him, after we broke off the short kiss.
“I want you too, Audrey. I would do whatever it takes to be with you. Worse still, I wouldn’t let that weak fool steal our chances of being together. I would definitely not lose to him.”
On a normal day, I would have been pissed about the fact that he didn’t want to lose to his brother. It seemed like a challenge of some sort to him. But right now, I was more concerned about the fact that his reaction to this entire thing, meant that there was a way out of this shithole I found myself.
“So what are we gonna do?” I asked in worry. Literally everyone now knows I am mated to that shame of a prince. What could we possibly do to repair the situation?
“First of all, we have to take you back to your room. A lot of eyes are in the hall, and we both need some time to talk to our parents. I need to speak with my mother.”
“But wouldn’t your mother only ask you to let go?” I asked, a fresh feeling of worry setting in.
“Trust me, she wouldn’t. As it stands, a lot of Alphas who have agreed to support us in the rebellion, only agreed to do so because your parents are also in support. If I give up on you, it’s as good as losing your parents support, and if I do, I wouldn’t have enough support to assist with the rebellion.” He explained, making me nod in understanding. That information made me hopeful. “I guess I should even be the scared one.” He sighed.
“Why?” I asked in confusion.
“What if your parents decide to back out, and support your union to my stepbrother. He is your true mate and the crown prince after all.”
“I don’t think that would happen. Your mom has promised them a lot of fortunes when you finally become king. And with all the support we currently have, we can successfully take the throne from Logan. We have nothing to lose by sticking with you, but something to lose by sticking with your brother. Even before we decided to get married and make a grab for the throne, a lot of wolves all over the kingdom were already protesting against making him king. They already do not like the fact that he is the son of a witch, and his wolflessness doesn’t help matters. Even though he is my mate, it doesn’t change the fact that he is wolfless! I don’t want to be part of the collateral damage when his attempted reign comes crashing. I would rather go with you.”
“Smart choice.” He smirked, before leaning down to kiss me once more. “We should just explain this to our parents.”
“Definitely.” I nodded.
“Good! So head back to your room, while I get busy thinking of a possible way out of this mess.” He took my hand and led me out of the garden. We walked together until we found ourselves at a familiar staircase. “You can manage your way to your room from here on, right?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Goodnight.” We shared another kiss, before I ran up the stairs and headed towards my room. The moment I got to my room, I opened the door and was suprised to see my parents inside.
“What are you both doing here? You left the ball?”
“Close that door behind you.” My father’s stern voice made shivers run down my spine. I did as he asked, before looking back at them. “Try being the parents of a girl who just found out her mate is the crown prince, after almost being introduced to literally the entire kingdom, as his younger brother’s mate. What the hell happened out there? I thought the boy is wolfless!”
“We all did, Dad.” I sighed. “We all did. If you’re upset, then trying being me. A powerful she-wolf, who is mated to a weak excuse of a prince.”
“So what’s going to happen now, Dean?” My mother threw that question to my Dad, who equally looked as confused as she.
“I don’t know. We would probably have to….”
“I know!” I cut him off.
“And what do you know?”
“I spoke with Sebastian just before coming here. In fact, he walked me in himself.”
“Are you for real?” Dad asked, and I nodded in agreement.
“We talked, and I think you should hear me out.”
*
*
I woke up with a slight headache, making me curse tiredly. I didn’t even drink last night, but I guess the turn of events was more than enough to cause me such a headache.
Mustering as much strength as I could, I hopped down the bed and made my way to the bathroom. I slipped out of my night clothes and grabbed my towel which was hung in the bathroom. After tying it around my body, I proceeded to brush my teeth.
I rushed up my hygiene and beauty routine, and in no time, I was done. Just as I put on a light palazzo trouser, a knock came on my door.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“Who?”
“My lady, it’s Alara.”
“And who is….?” I cut myself off, almost immediately.
“Your personal maid.” “Oh, the maid.” We both said at the same time.
“Yes, my lady.” She replied.
“Alright. Come right in.” I invited and the door creaked open the next second.
“What has you in my space, so early in the morning?”
“I brought your breakfast.” She bowed.
“Breakfast?” I was truly suprised. It was still so early. “Breakfast is eaten so early here in the palace?”
“Not really. Today would be a very busy day, as the royal family would be bidding farewell to several guests who have come all the way for yesterday’s event. So, it’s only natural breakfast comes earlier, because our guests would soon begin to leave.”
“Okayyyyy. I’m not a part of the royal family. Why are you serving me breakfast now?”
“It is an order from the head of the royal kitchen. She says you must have your breakfast very early today.” Alara supplied. Don’t tell me I was already being monitored because I am a potential member of the royal household?
Just then, another knock came on the door, and I fought the urge to groan.
“Alara, please get the door.” I sighed.
“Yes, my lady.” She bowed, before walking towards the door. She pulled opened the door and started conversing with whoever it was, in hushed tones. After a short while, she closed the door and walked back to me.
“It’s a message from his highness, the Alpha King.” On hearing her say that, my body stiffened. What was I expecting? That everything would go back to normal after the drama of yesterday? That everybody would suddenly forget that I was prince Logan’s mate? I was definitely a joker.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“You have been summoned to the King’s study immediately. You are to suspend every other thing and go there immediately.”
“Now?!” I asked, my heartbeat accelerating in worry.
“Yes, now.” She nodded.
Without further thoughts, I threw on a body hug long sleeve blouse, before making my way out of the room with Alara. She led me to the King’s study and with each step I took, I felt my heart sink into my stomach all the more. I was always so brave, what was happening now?!
We finally got to the entrance of the study and I took a deep breathe, after which I knocked lightly. I heard a feint ‘come in’, and took it as my cue. I just hadn’t expected to see the familiar face of prince Logan there. I hated how my breath hitched because of the weak thing. I looked up and saw the man I now realized was the king. Without hesitation, I gave a low bow, and waited for him to say something. His next words easily threw me off.
“It’s finally nice to meet the daring she-wolf, who pretended to be Sebastian’s fated mate, and almost lied to me and a lot of important people last night.” His face contorted in anger.
Oh, goddess! I was in deep trouble.