Three Years Later

Alpha Azrik's POV

-Three years later-

I adjusted my tie in the mirror. After years of relentless pressure, I had finally given in to my parents' demands to get a mate and have an heir to the throne.

Tonight was the unofficial engagement dinner.

My mother had chosen her. Melina is the daughter of her closest friend Emma. A suitable match as they said.

I ran a hand through my hair one last time and left my room. As I descended the hallway, soft laughter and good chatters drifted from the leaving room.

My step slowed when I stepped inside.

My heart hammered against my chest when my eyes caught a familiar red hair.

I swallowed hard, a beautiful red-haired girl sat gracefully on the sofa with her back to me, speaking with my mother. The sound of her voice sent a jolt straight to my chest.

It couldn't be…

“Ah, Azrik has arrived,” Mom announced warmly.

I froze in my tracks. My eyes widened when the girl turned.

“Selene!” I whispered.

The same blue eyes stared back at me. The ones that haunted my dreams for three long years.

How is this even possible?

My rejected Mate. The stripper I had cast aside. The woman I tried to forget.

And now she was standing in my home…as the daughter of a noble family?

I forced my legs to move.

“Azrik, this is Melina.”

Selene rose gracefully from the sofa and bowed her head with perfect poise.

“Your royal highness.” She said, her voice soft and polite, a small practiced smile curved her lips.

“Good evening. Your majesty,” Emma and her husband Oliver said in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.

“Please, have a seat,” I managed to say.

**********************

The dinner passed in a haze. Selene acted flawlessly. Not a single crack in her composure. Her eyes never lingered on mine. She smiled at the right moment, laughed softly at my father's jokes, and carried herself with a refined grace of someone who had been raised in nobility her entire life.

All while I stayed calm the whole dinner when all I wanted was to slam my fists on the table and demand answers.

As the last course was cleared, I couldn't take it anymore.

“Mother, I would like a word with Melina. Privately.”

Emma's smile fluttered for a split second. A flicker of unease crossed her eyes, but she quickly recovered. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Selene hesitated, her fingers tightened around her wine glass before she sat down. With a polite nod, she rose from her seat

I guided her to the palace garden. The moment we were alone. I turned on her.

“What the hell are you doing here, Selene?” I hissed under clenched teeth.

She looked surprised and confused.

“What do you mean? Who's Selene,” she asked.

I let out a humorless laugh. I took a step closer. “Drop that act. What game are you playing? Pretending to be someone else? Melina?”

“I don't know what you're talking about. Your Royal Highness. I don't really even know who Selene is,” She said calmly.

I moved forward again, my hands reached for her arm, but she quickly stepped back, a genuine fear flashing across her face.

“I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness. I don't like being touched by men.” She said softly, her voice trembling.

Another harsh laugh tore my throat.“ That's not what you said three years ago when I was buried deep inside of you.” I growled.

I couldn't stop the flood of memories.

Our first night when I claimed her. Her body trembling beneath mine as I took her hard and deep, she had begged me to sink deeper in her. Her moans and pleas echoed through the wall of that hotel room.

She had surrendered completely that night, her body arching, legs wrapped tightly as I ruined her for anyone else.

And now she stood before me acting like she couldn't bear a man's touch.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“Your Royal Highness, with all due respect, that's a highly improper thing to say. And for the last time, I do not know who Selene is. You must be mistaken for someone else.”

She lifted her chin, meeting my gaze boldly.

“If you're saying this because you're unhappy with the engagement. Then I'm glad to tell you that the feeling is mutual. I only accept this arrangement for the sake of my parents. I was actually planning to ask you to inform them that I'm not suitable to be your mate and you're calling off the engagement.”

My blood boiled at her audacity.

“You'd better watch your tongue. You're talking to your king. Do not ever cross your line with me.” I warned her.

“I'm sorry if I offend you in some way, Your Royal Highness. I was simply being honest about how I feel. I have no desire to become your mate or your Luna. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to return inside.” She offered a small smile, slightly bowing her head.

She moved to walk past me.

I groaned, my fists clenching at my side, in any other circumstances, such blatant disrespect would be enough to have her hanged in the public square.

Don't touch my mate! Zayden snarled inside my mind.

I ignored him.

“Are you talking to me now? Besides, we rejected her. She is no longer our mate,” I shot back.

Zayden had barely spoken to me since that night three years ago. He only surfaced when he absolutely had to, usually to torment me.

It doesn't matter, he growled. You take her tonight as your chosen mate. The moon goddess has given us a second chance. Don't you dare slip away from this, Azrik. I'm warning you.

“It doesn't change anything, we can't accept her…”

She's no longer a stripper, Zayden cut me off sharply. She's the daughter of an Alpha. I don't know how that happened and I don't care. That secret stays buried. Claim her.