19

As I scoop out more mud and try to meet my mate’s expectations, I wonder what I’m doing. This is the same woman I swore to ignore and stash in a corner of the castle, isn’t she? Why am I out here digging a hole in my garden for her?

I have better things to do with my time.

However, no matter how much I try to convince myself, it doesn’t stick. A few minutes later, I find myself saying, “See? It’s done.” When she doesn’t move, I sigh. “You can come over now.”

She practically races toward me and begins to inspect my creation. Much to my surprise and utter indignation, she takes the ruler from me and measures the hole.

“If you don’t put that thing down, Leanna…” I begin, threateningly.

She quickly drops it. “It’s fine. Now, you just have to dig six more holes around the tree.”

When she gives me an expectant look, I scowl at her. “Six more holes? Does it look like I have the time for that? Get the gardeners to do it!”

“But you did it perfectly.” She looks anxious. “They’ll ruin it.”

It would take a bigger man than me to admit that her words have my wolf huffing in pride. However, I get to my feet. “No. I’m not here to waste time, and you’re coming inside with me.”

She studies me. “I can do it myself.”

The idea of her staying out here and digging holes has me grinding my teeth. “Fine. Just go sit somewhere.”

To my surprise, she actually listens. It takes me an hour to dig all the holes. Finally, I watch her plant the seeds and splash some water on them before covering them with the dirt.

“We can’t give them too much water. We’re just supposed to water them once and then see if they grow.”

“What’re you going to do with the plants if they do grow?” I ask, wiping my hands on my trousers.

She gives me a hesitant look. “I was thinking the farmers could grow them, and the vegetables could be sold to the Eastern Kingdom and within the Northern Kingdom. It would help utilize these lands that are wasting away. This is a very popular vegetable among the wolves in the human world. I’m sure the wolves on this side of the Veil would also enjoy them.”

“How do you know they’re popular on the other side of the Veil?”

“I visited the wolf kingdom in the human world once, in place of Princess Vivian. The king was very kind to me. He noticed my interest in all kinds of different subjects and gave me a large selection of books to read.”

My brows lift. “Are you talking about Erik?”

She nods.

“You seem to like him.”

She looks down at the botany book in her hands. “I like learning. The only books I was allowed to read in the castle all belonged to Princess Vivian. King Erik let me read about things that I actually found interesting.”

A sudden wave of jealousy makes me scowl at the book. “Are you in touch with him?”

She looks taken aback at my question. “Why would I be?”

Her innocent question makes me realize that she didn’t understand what Erik was trying to do when he presented her with those books. He saw what she liked and then gave her a gift of it. It was a declaration of his intention to court her, if I’m not mistaken. The poor bastard must have been baffled when she never reached out to him after her visit. I don’t know whether to feel pity for the poor fellow or annoyed that he managed to get her attention.

Dodging Leanna’s query, I ask her, “Did you like visiting the human world?” I don’t know why I’m so curious about her trip there. It’s bothering me.

She nods, and I see her smile slightly. “My last day there, King Erik took me to a beach.” Her face lights up at the memory, and I find myself staring at her, at the way the corners of her eyes crease. “We went at night, and the water glowed. I later found out that it was a special form of algae. I’ve never seen such a thing in the Eastern Kingdom’s waters.”

“We have something like that here, if not better,” I scoff. I don’t know why I feel the need to one-up Erik, but the idea of Leanna being impressed by that king doesn’t sit well with me. “I’ll take you in a few days. Now, go inside. It’s too cold for you.”

She hesitates. “You should take Bella.”

I blink. “Bella?” I stare at Leanna, bewildered. “Why the hell would I take Bella?”

My mate looks anxious. “She would appreciate it more.”

My eyes narrow into tiny slits. “Why would she appreciate it more than you would? And why the hell should I care what she appreciates?”

I see the flicker of doubt on her face. “Because she’s your lover?”

For a moment, I just gape at her, the idea so ludicrous that I don’t know what to make of it. “Bella, my lover? Are you drunk?” I demand. “Where the hell would you get such an idea?” When she doesn’t answer, I take a deep breath, and my voice becomes dangerously soft. “Was it from her?”

She simply presses her lips together.

My face goes slack.

I am going to kill that woman.

Chapter 7

Leanna Avery

I watch Harriet run a brush through my wet hair. I’ve told her plenty of times I can do it myself, but she always insists on doing it. Her company is warm and soothing, so I’ve stopped protesting.

“I heard you and His Majesty were doing something in the garden yesterday,” she says, smiling at me in the mirror.

“I was trying to plant the seeds, but he wouldn’t let me dig the holes,” I tell her.

It has become easier to confide in Harriet over time. She’s always in my corner. She was the first person who was kind to me when I arrived here, and it may be silly, but I like to lean on her. I’ve never had an older female figure in my life, and I appreciate her presence.

“I was starting to get hot, so I took off my jacket. He was angry about that.”

“Was that all?” She gives me a smile, and I wring my fingers.

“Harriet, why does he call me Leanna?”

“Because it’s your name?” She chuckles slightly.

“Well, yes, but he once told me that I should forget my name and that he didn’t care what it was, so why does he care now?”

She sighs. “We all have burdens in life, Miss Leanna. Even the king carries his own. He’s always been driven by duty. Protecting this kingdom is the only thing he knows. You are the first woman in his life who has held any significance, and he initially resisted it. But the fated mate bond is a unique one. It doesn’t matter how much you resist. You two are meant for each other. Whatever he said to you upon your first meeting was spoken out of anger and a lack of trust. But you are slowly starting to make this place your home, and he can see that.”

“You mean, because I’ve been doing my duties, he’s begun to accept me?” This doesn’t make me feel any better.

She starts tying my hair in a loose braid. “I believe he is warming up to you. When he first met you, he probably did not understand how strong the fated mate bond truly is. But over time, he has begun to see you—not your title or who you once were, but you. And you’ve also changed. In a very short time, you’re no longer afraid to stand up to him.”

That’s true. I’ve become more confident around him. He’s always yelling and growling, but he never hits me. He has never behaved in any manner that makes me think he’s going to hurt me. That matters to me. “I don’t feel unsafe around him.”