009

PAIGE’S POV

I lay in bed, the sweet chirping sounds of birds outside and the gentle warmth of the sunlight peeking through the curtains in our room. I was grateful Azriel returned before I went to bed, just as he had promised.

Seeing my father and stepmother brought different emotions within me.

I rolled over to the other side of the bed, watching Azriel's peaceful sleeping form, bare-chested and muscles fully on display. His left arm draped over his eyes, which is where his forearm scar was, catching my attention. I took my time examining it closely, wondering what had caused it. From its appearance, it didn't look like it was from a knife, maybe a claw or some other weapon.

Why haven't I noticed this scar on him before now?

Immediately, I recognised the royal family crest on his right arm. There were a few other scars on his body, but none were as large as the one on his forearm.

“Love.”

His raspy and husky voice startled me, so I got up quickly and began smoothing out a non-existent wrinkle on my t-shirt before turning to look at him. I caught him peeking at me and smirking from under his arm

“What were you doing just now?” He asked intently, and I smiled.

“Your scars. I have never taken note of them before on your body, especially the one on your forearm.” I said.

He sat up then, resting himself against the headboard. “Come sit let me explain it to you.” He said, patting his lap, and I crawled over to straddle him, leaning down to the scar on his rib side.

“How did you get this scar?” I asked, tracing my finger on the scar.

“I got that scar during a fight, not really a fight per se. My father and I were training with a knife, so he mistakenly cut me, but it was nothing serious because it healed that same day.” He explained.

“But why did it leave a scar?” I asked curiously.

“The knives we use to train are usually laced with silver, but not too much.” He replied.

Suddenly, his eyes lost focus, probably receiving a mind-link from someone before he returned to his normal self.

“I’m sorry, love. Something urgent just came up, so I have to go to work.” He said sadly.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, and his gaze softened as he glanced at me.

“Nothing serious, just some kingdom work.” He said.

I leaned in and kissed him softly on his lips. “Okay, just don't overwork yourself,” I warned him jokingly.

“Yes, My Queen.” He chuckled.

My stomach grumbled, and I pouted, “I'm hungry.”

“But you ate five plates of food last night.” He laughed softly, which caused me to glare at him.

“Last night you said, and for your information, young sir, I'm pregnant. Do you want me to starve our baby?”

“Never. Now, let's freshen up before we feed our baby.” Azriel said as he picked me up and headed to the bathroom with me in his arms.

After our shower, which took hours instead of minutes, all because of Azriel and his neediness, we finally came downstairs all dressed.

I saw an elderly woman in her fifties cooking in the kitchen with her back against us. She wasn't there when I first came here.

“Good morning, Stella.” Azriel greeted the woman as he walked into the kitchen. He seemed friendly with the woman.

“Ha,” she turned to look at him, “Good morning, boy.” She said as she pinched his cheeks like a baby.

“Stella, stop that,” He grumbled. “I'm no longer a little boy, I'm a man now.”

“You're still a boy to me,” Stella laughed. “Now, where's that beautiful mate of yours?”

“She's right behind you.” Azriel pointed out.

“Come on, dear,” she motioned to me. “How are you doing?”

“I'm fine.” I smiled as she hugged me, and I did the same to her.

“Well, I'm off to work now, love,” Azriel said as he pecked my temple. “Whatever you want, just ask Stella, okay?”

“I will,” I assured him before he left the house.

I turned back to face Stella to see her staring at me with a smile on her face.

“You're good for him.” She said,

“Why did you say so?” I asked curiously.

“He seems different now, like you're his world.” She smiled and served me my food.

I sat down on the counter as I ate my food. While Stella was busy cleaning the kitchen, she told me she had been Azriel's nanny since he was a young boy, but now that he is the king and a grown man, he made her his cook. Stella also shared with me about how she lost her mate and her son to a rogue attack, which was very devastating to her.

She takes care of Azriel like her own child and loves him very much from the way she has been speaking about him. And it was clear as day, Azriel loves her too.

“Well, dear, I'll be back later to prepare dinner, okay?” She said,

“No problem, Stella, and please take care of yourself,” I replied with a gentle smile on my face.

She left, leaving me alone in the big house. Since there was nothing for me to do, I decided to watch a movie to ease my boredom.

Suddenly, I heard the front door open, thinking it was Stella.

“Did you forget something, Stella?” I asked without turning back.

I didn't hear a reply, so I turned to look at who it was and was shocked at who I saw. My stepmother, Helena, was glaring at me in my house glaring at me, like she was here to murder me.

“What the hell are you doing in my house?” I yelled at her.

“You bitch!” She exclaimed. “Are you satisfied with what you have done?”

I looked at her, confused, “What are you talking about?”

“Don't play dumb with me. You know what you did, stupid girl.” She shouted. Her face and voice were filled with rage.

“You're just a foolish girl that the King took as his mate. I wonder what he sees in you, ugly and dirty, just like your stupid, dead mother.” She spat out.

‘How dare she talk to us like that?’ Nora growled in my head. Hearing her talk about my mother made me angry, but I didn't speak; rather, I let her continue spewing nonsense.

“How could you tell the King to strip your father of his Alpha position?” She said angrily.

What?!!

Azriel stripped my father of his position? Was that why he was asking about my father?

“Just because you're his mate doesn't make you the Queen. You look just like a slave and a slave you shall always be, no matter how wide you spread your dirty legs for the King.” She continued speaking.

“Are you done?” A familiar voice asked. I turned my head and saw Sophia glaring at my stepmother as she stood by the door.

“And who the hell are you?” Helena asked in disgust.

“Oh, you do not want to know, bitch.” Sophia smirked and walked towards her.

“Who gave you the right to insult our Queen like that, huh?” Sophia asked in an authoritative tone.

“Do you know who I am?” Helena spat back.

“You're a nobody, and I will advise you to watch your next word carefully, because I have everything you just said recorded.” She smirked and threw me a cute wink.

My stepmother’s face turned red instantly, and she turned to leave in shame.

“Not so fast,” Sophia stopped her halfway. “The next time you think of trying to abuse Paige, know that I'll be sending this video to the King and council, understood?” She demanded.

“Yes,” Helena said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“And for your information, I’m Sophia, the Princess and sister to the King, now run along, Bitch!!”

With that, Helena left in shame, without looking back. While I stood there with my mouth wide open in shock.

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