Chapter 2

CANE

I watched as Ava ran towards a plump woman I assumed was the chef, my body taut with sexual tension.

Throughout our conversation, I was doing my best not to pull her close and ravage her.

Thank God for the interruption, I needed a break. Yet, her absence made me feel a little empty.

A sigh escaped my lips.

I couldn't believe my mate was a fucking server girl that wasn't even from this pack.

If my father found out about this, he was going to throw an absolute fit. But that wasn't what bothered me the most. My new role was what bothered me.

“Charles,” I heard my guard say from behind me and turned.

“What is it, Jake?”

“Your father is looking for you. It's time for you to show your face,”

I groaned internally. I was hoping since I had been absent from his sight all day, he'd forget about my existence but of course that wasn't the case.

“Do I have to do this?” I turned to the brown skinned man who was now by my side and he chuckled.

“You do and also you have to change into something else. You look like a pig… Sire,”

Jake scrunched up his nose.

“Fine,” I sighed and followed Jake towards my room.

“Who was that girl you were talking to earlier?”

Jake asked as he helped me put on my tuxedo.

“Her name is Ava.” I said. I had nothing to hide.

“You seem to like her,” Jake noted as he helped me with my cufflinks.

I was silent for a while, wondering if it was a good idea to inform him of the servant girl’s relation to me. I didn't even think she'd recognized it herself.

“She's my mate,” I decided to answer after all.

Jake paused suddenly and looked up at me.

“What?”

“I know. That was my reaction too.” I sighed.

“Are you going to make her your Luna?”

Jake asked.

“A Servant girl?” I scoffed. “Father would never allow that,”

“So, what if you're just going to give up your mate?”

I smirked. “Who said anything about that?”

“What does that mean?” Jake questioned, his eyes narrowed into slits.

“I don't know yet but I'm not about to let go of my mate. I can't marry her but I'm not letting her go. I've given up way too much for this family,”

Jake stared at me in disbelief before letting out a sigh. “So, what's the plan then?”

“She seems to come from a poor home, another pack. I can make an arrangement for us to be together but I'll need your help. Find out everything there is to know about her,”

Jake nodded.

I stared at my reflection and frowned. I was not interested in going into a crowded place but I didn't have much of a choice. It was my duty.

“Let's go,” I finally said, satisfied with my look. I walked out of my room and made my way downstairs with Jake by my side.

Every step I took reminded me of why I was here and how my life had completely changed.

A year ago, I was in a European pack having the time of my life. Parties, money, sex.

I was living the dream but everything changed when my father sent his men to break the horrible news that my brother and heir to the throne was dead.

He'd been killed by a rogue during battle.

I was now the new heir to the throne. My entire life changed in one night.

No one knows about my brother's death but me and the royal family. They'd lied to the entire pack that Charles was still alive and now here I was pretending to be who I was not.

Father had sent me off for a year to train and learn everything my brother knew.

My entire life was ripped out of my grasp in one night, and now I was stuck as the heir to a throne I didn't want.

We got to the door that led to the great hall and Jake made his way out to signal to my father that I was here.

Father. That word was still strange to me.

I never had a father growing up and now all of a sudden I had one.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” I heard my father's voice vibrate through the crowd.

“As you all know, The prince and heir to the kingdom has just returned from his two year long trip. I beg you to join me and welcome my lovely son; the heir to the Golden Claw kingdom; Prince Charles.’

The white doubled doors opened just then and I stepped into the great hall.

All eyes turned to look at me and the place was quiet.

Not the welcome I expected.

Everyone was staring like they were scared to look in my direction.

As I reached my father, he welcomed me with a hug.

“Welcome son,” he said and hugged me and the room erupted in a round applause.

I turned around and smiled just like I had practiced but stopped short when I saw Ava staring back at me with wide eyes.

The tray in her hand fell to the ground and shards if glasses flew everywhere around her

The crowd turned to look at her.

“I'm so sorry,” she said as if apologizing to the entire room before running off.

I started to move towards her but was stopped by my father.

“Where do you think you're going?” He asked.

“We have guests to introduce you to, “

He gritted out with a smile plastered on his face.

I glanced back at my mate and sighed.

I'd have to find her later when I got the chance to get out of the party.

*****

The king introduced me to a bunch of women, all from different wealthy families. Some of the women were decent with their conversations but all I could think about was my mate.

I was sure she was surprised to see me up there as some prince. If only she knew who I was.

Lady Leah was the last lady the king introduced me to. She was the woman I was meant to marry, that my brother was meant to marry before he met his end.

She was gorgeous and her father was the Alpha of a powerful pack the king was trying to ally with for agricultural and trade purposes.

“You're more handsome than my father said you'd be,” Leah said, her bright blue orbs staring up at me coyly.

“Likewise,” I said.

She raised an eyebrow at me as if disappointed in my comment. “I've been looking forward to meeting you. Would you tell me about your travels?”

“Uh, they are not that interesting, trust me,” I said, annoyed by the fact that I was saddled with a blonde bimbo instead of the gorgeous and kind Ava.

Fuck!

I was already acting like a sappy fool. Was this what having a mate felt like?

“Well, I haven't travelled by myself. My dad hates that I do but I enjoy it.”

“Is that so?” I said absentmindedly.

“Yes and…”

I tuned out at some point of her talking, too busy looking for Ava. She'd still not come back.

Suddenly, I felt someone tapping me furiously.

It was Leah. “Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Have you listened to a single word I have said?”

I turned to her and quickly nodded, remembering we needed her.

“You are not paying attention to me. Most men would be singing my praises. What's wrong with you?

I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Aren't you going to say something?” She asked, glaring at me.

“I'm not most men, Leah. Now, if you'll excuse me,” I said before walking out to find Ava.