Chapter Four: Conversions

Alina’s POV.

   I was still reeling in shock from the moment Alpha Rylan stepped into this room because his unexpected presence made me remember the demeaning words he said to me, and how he rudely rejected my proposal before going ahead to bed my maid.

Listening to him repeat the vile words he said to me a few days made my heart sink into a very dark hole, especially on realizing that he and this new mate of mine who is surprisingly hell bent on not rejecting me, had laughed at me behind my back.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart in the worst way possible and my hands become sweaty when I remembered what he just whispered to Prince Damien about me.

My face became a little too warm, reality crashing down on me that I might be rejected soon.

“I’m sure you’re going to reject her now.” Alpha Rylan said with amusement in his voice and I inhaled sharply, as my fists clenched and unclenched nervously.

“I’m not rejecting her.” The prince answered in an annoyed tone.

They were conversing like I wasn’t in the room with them.

“Why?” Alpha Rylan asked with raised brows. “She’s a freak, why will you accept a freak as your mate?” He asked as he stared at me for a second, disgust clear on his face before he shook his head and turned away.

Prince Damien stared at me, his gaze was filled with something cryptic, making me uneasy.

“She’s not a freak, she’s a female werewolf and she’s my mate.” He responded calmly.

“She doesn’t have a wolf, she doesn’t have a scent,” Alpha Rylan pointed out dismissively. “That makes her a freak.”

His words made me feel numb. My eyes began burning and suddenly I could barely breathe, my chest constricting with pain as I tried to control my breathing,my tears threatened to spill out from under my mask of calmness.

My fingers curled into the material of my cloth where they rested on my thigh while I listened to them argue.

“I don’t care, like I said I’m not rejecting her.” The prince stated firmly, ignoring his cousin.

“No, I can’t seem to wrap my head around this, she’s not even your type.” Alpha Rylan replied with frustration.

The prince didn't say anything, his shoulders were tense when his cousin spoke again.

“Oh, I get it now.” I heard Alpha Rylan mutter. “You’re deceiving her right?”

“No I’m not,” The prince frowned deeply at him. “I’m not rejecting her, she doesn’t deserve to be rejected because of her lack of a wolf.” He answered in a soft voice.

Alpha Rylan shook his head disapprovingly. “You’re definitely leaving something out, there’s no way you’ll just accept this freak without a reason,” he commented quietly, sounding disgusted. “What are you hiding, Damien?” He questioned.

There was a long silence, then the prince let out a deep breath as he stared at his cousin with a flat expression. “I respect the mate bond, and the mate the moon goddess has chosen for me and that’s why I won’t reject her.” Prince Damien replied after a few seconds, an unreadable expression across his face.

“I refuse to believe that.” Alpha Rylan scoffed, “I don’t know what it is, but I’ll find out soon enough.” He sneered at me as he whirled around and walked out of the room with heavy steps.

A sigh of relief escaped me when he left. The tightness and pain in my chest eased up a bit, but my legs still felt weak and shaky.

The prince turned to me, “I’m really sorry about that.” He apologized softly. His expression was sympathetic when he looked at me.

I shook my head, feeling my stomach tightening, “It’s ok, he said nothing wrong, it’s true anyway.”

“He’s not right, he’s definitely wrong. To me, you’re not a freak.” He responded, voice firmer this time and I swallowed emptily before averting my gaze.

I could feel his eyes boring into the side of my face, and my mouth suddenly felt dry. A small stretch of silence began to grow between us, but he ended up breaking it in the next moment.

“I’m happy you heard our argument, at least you’ll know I wasn’t lying when I said I won’t reject you.” He assured me softly, his face looked sincere and apologetic.

I nodded my head, but I was still skeptical, the weight from the news hitting me hard. I let out another deep breath as Malia crossed through my mind.

“I genuinely appreciate you defending me from your cousin… but I still need to leave though.” I muttered, a frown suddenly appeared on his face.

“Why do you want to leave?” He asked curiously.

I shrugged, trying to pretend I didn’t have an actual reason, “I have something I need to go back and do.” I replied.

Malia’s teary face and tied up hands flashed through my mind and my jaw clenched painfully.

The prince frowned, “Are you sure?” He asked.

“You know every other female werewolf will be bursting with excitement right now if they’re in your shoes right now. They’d be super excited by the fact that I’m not rejecting them and willing to accept them, knowing they’d get to be claimed by me.

He tilted his head, the cockiness obvious in his posture, “And no one’s ever been able to resist spending time with me.” He smiled teasingly.

I rolled my eyes, his cockiness irked me a little, but for someone of his caliber, that’s actually expected. But at least he wasn’t harsh, demeaning and horrible like his cousin, Alpha Ryder.

“As your cousin helpfully pointed out– I’m wolfless, but doesn't that make me different from other girls? So, that’s probably why I’m not dying to hang off your arm like other girls might.” I chuckled flatly while he frowned.

“But on a serious note, I really need to go back to my pack.” I added quickly, hoping he would change the topic and stop asking more questions, which seemed unlikely.

“I can’t let you go back… yet, and you’ve not told me why you want to go back there.” He pressed on, his voice serious.

I bit down on my lips to keep myself from replying to him sharply. I thought of what to say to him, how to tell him about Malia, but nothing came up at the moment.

“I have a friend I need to save there, I really need to go back.” I muttered hesitantly.

“Is there something you aren’t telling me?” He asked in a suspicious tone.

I shook my head, “I mean, I need to save my friend.” I left out details about my father being the one keeping my friend hostage, not willing to give him more information than necessary.

“I see.” He nodded his head slowly. “I’ll help you.” He offered casually.

I blinked, confused, “Really?” I asked, my eyebrows shot up, surprised by his offer.

“Yes, you’re my mate, so we'll go together.” He said nonchalantly.

I shook my head at his response, “I don’t…” I  trailed off, my breath hitched as I tried to come up with the words.

“I don’t think you can help, but thank you for the offer.” I forced a smile, my lips trembled as I looked up at him, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden changes since I’ve met him.

“I’m serious, I’ll help you.” He insisted seriously.

My throat felt so tight that I could hardly speak.

“I’m a prince, and I don’t go back on my

words,” he stated in a firm tone.

I swallowed, still skeptical about his promise, “I’m sorry but I’m still skeptical.” I told him honestly, feeling the anxiety growing inside of me again.

“Why?” He asked, confused.

I frowned, biting my lip and refused to answer him for a few seconds, “I’ve never had someone do something for me or offer to do something for me, I don’t mean to insult you, but I can’t believe you.”

“I’ll make you believe in me.” He declared confidently.

I sighed, refusing to argue with him, all I wanted right now, was to go back and save Malia.

“I know you still don’t believe me, but I’ll make you see how truthful and serious I am about this.” He said with determination shining in his eyes as he looked at me.

“I won’t reject you, so don’t even think about it either.” He added.

I stared at him, unable to say a word. A part of me wanted to believe him, but the majority of me didn’t know if that was possible.

“I’m introducing you to my father right now, to prove how serious I am.” He blurted out abruptly.

I blinked in shock. My mouth was hanging open slightly, I tried to say something but I wasn’t capable of doing it, still feeling stunned.