9

My eyes widened at what he was suggesting.

"You're scaring the girl, Nate," someone said. I looked behind me to see George push off a pillar where he was leaning on and watching us.

Nate chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest and he took a step back. "Relax, I'm just joking." He replied.

George came to stand with us. "She's gone pale." He said. "And I've been looking all over for her."

I exhaled quietly. "I'll… go," I said and turned, walking away quickly.

I hated this man. Hated everything about him. But why did I act like some scared animal with him there?

"I'll see you later, little wolf," Nate said to me as I turned out of his sight.

Little wolf. The nickname rang in my head. I didn't even have a wolf yet. Was he mocking me?

"Gemma, wait up," George said as he walked over to me. "You just disappeared."

"I'm sorry, I got lost." I apologized.

He glanced behind my shoulder at where we had just come from. "Don't be bothered by Nate."

"I'm not," I replied, stubbornly. I let George walk a little in front of me to lead the way.

"He tends to say things out of the blue. I shouldn't talk, he's your mate so I don't know what works between you two." George said.

"There's nothing between us," I muttered angrily.

George acted like he hadn't heard that and I was grateful. I didn't want to have to explain myself back to anyone.

George walked me to my room. I thanked him and went back in, closing the door behind me.

I made up my mind as I leaned my back against the door. I would make them trust me. I would make them think I was on their side.

And then I would have my revenge. I would kill the Alpha King.

***

There was a knock on my door. I looked up from my book. Standing to my feet, I walked towards the door and opened it.

"Good day, my lady," a maid bowed. "It's time for dinner and your presence is requested at the hall."

I cocked my brow. "Can't I just eat in my room?" I asked.

She seemed surprised. "I'm sorry, my lady. But you can't. You'll have to decline personally if you must." She explained.

"Okay, let's go," I said.

Her eyes grew even bigger. "Like that?" She asked.

I looked down at the shirt and trousers I wore. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked.

She quickly bowed. "Nothing, my lady. It's just that the Luna Queen and Alpha King have a few guests and I don't think you want to appear before them like that."

I shrugged. "If they can't take me like this, then they should deal with it." She said.

"She's right, Gemma." George appeared in front of my door. The maid bowed and stepped aside for him.

"What?" I asked.

"You can go," he told the maid. She bowed and left.

"You have to wear a dress and ready yourself. There are a few important guests in the hall. The Queen requires your presence." George said.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Does this have anything to do with 'securing his authority'?" I asked.

"It does. I can't explain it to you right now because you have to go get ready." George prodded me back into the room. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," I replied as he walked in. "But you have to tell me why I have to go out there and most likely embarrass myself."

"After you get ready." George walked over to my wardrobe like he owned the place.

I was about to stop him when he fished out a bright yellow dress from the wardrobe and threw it on my bed.

"Nate specifically asked that you wear that." He instructed.

I cocked my brows. "How does he know all the clothes I own?" I asked. When I had moved into this room, it had taken two more hours for the maids to bring me clothes.

"He handpicked them," George said. He went over to another wardrobe and pulled out a pair of shoes. They were stilettos.

He looked at me and then the shoes. "I don't think you'll survive in these."

This was weird. Why was the Beta of the Royal pack picking clothes out for me? It was blurring the line between being a man of authority and being my friend.

Was he my friend?

"These would do." He placed a pair of brown flats on the floor and walked back to the door.

"I'll tell you why it's important after you get ready," George told me and left, closing the door behind him.

***

I chose to wear a black dress instead. It was equally beautiful, hugging my curves and bringing out a beauty I didn't know I had.

The last time I remembered wearing something like this, I was eleven and it was my father's birthday.

My hair was simple. I combed it out and let it cascade down my back in its natural curls.

I walked down the staircase, being led by George.

"Lady Gemma D'Laurence, the Alpha King's mate." Someone announced as I walked in.

There was a silence and when I looked at some faces I could see the displeasure. Mostly the women.

I could tell that they wanted to be Nate's mate. Well, they can swap with me if that is what they want.

But the men… There was something about seeing me that made some of them look defeated. There weren't a lot of them but I noticed them.

I made a mental note to ask George what my presence meant to some people.

Nate came to me and took my arm. "You didn't like the yellow dress?" He asked.

"Because you chose it," I whispered back.

He chuckled. "This is even more stunning." He told me.

"I'm not going to be paraded like some prize of yours," I told him.

George had explained it to me. The Alpha King's position was at stake. He was going to lose his position if he didn't bring a Luna.

That was why I was so important to him. Not only was I his mate but I had also solved his problem of finding a Luna.

I wasn't going to make it easy for him.

Nate gripped my arm and made me stand next to him in front of everyone. "You're my Luna." He said, so only I could hear. "I took you from Madam Margaret. This was what we agreed."

I gritted my teeth. "I think I'll choose to be a prisoner in your cell over this," I replied.

"Have it your way, little wolf. You're still mine either way." Nate said, his chin lifted.