THE PRINCE'S PROPOSAL

(Kael's POV)

The sun, a molten coin in the sky, heralded the dawn of the Prince's birthday. A day of feasting,

of forced smiles, and, if the whispers were to be believed, a day of reckoning for Prince Alaric. I

woke with a knot of anticipation twisting in my stomach, a ridiculous flutter of hope clinging to

the edges of reason. He wouldn't find a mate today. He shouldn't…how selfish and ridiculous, to

hope the Prince wouldn't find a mate so I can keep my stupid crush for him going.

The thought was foolish, I knew. An Alpha Prince needed a mate, needed to secure the line,

needed… well, needed someone other than me, a lowly servant masquerading as a Beta. But

my heart, curse it, rarely listened to reason.

The kitchens were a whirlwind of controlled chaos, simmering pots, and the sharp scent of

spices. I moved through the throng, a shadow amongst the bustling bodies, peeling vegetables,

fetching ingredients, and trying to ignore the snippets of conversation that floated my way.

"He's thirty-one today, you know. Getting on a bit for an unmated Alpha," a plump cook

gossiped, her voice thick with disapproval.

"Perhaps he's waiting for a specific Omega," another servant giggled, earning herself a playful

shove.

"Or perhaps," a gruff voice cut in, "he's simply too picky. They say he turns his nose up at every

Omega presented."

I winced, my hands tightening around the paring knife. Each word felt like a tiny pinprick,

deflating the fragile balloon of my hopes.

The feast began at noon, a spectacular display of royal pomp and circumstance. The King, stern

and imposing, took his place at the head table. Beside him, Prince Alaric, every inch the regal

Alpha, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning the assembled guests. He has blue eyes, I hadn't

noticed…or I haven't gotten to look at him enough to notice his eye colour. Then came the Luna,

regal and dignified, and Prince Casian, already mated and radiating an easy confidence that his

brother seemed to lack.

My duties kept me darting through the hall, refilling goblets, clearing plates, a silent observer to

the spectacle. Each time I caught a glimpse of Alaric, my heart skipped a beat. He looked

magnificent in his formal attire, the silver embroidery catching the light, highlighting the sharp

angles of his face. But he also looked… unhappy. Burdened.

As the hours wore on, the atmosphere grew increasingly raucous. Wine flowed freely, laughter

echoed through the hall, and the whispers grew bolder. I overheard Councilman Marius, the

King's right hand, leaning in to speak to Alaric, his words too low for me to catch, but his

expression grim. Something was certain, Prince Alaric didn't find a mate. That shouldn't make

me as happy as it's actually making me.

Finally, as dusk began to paint the sky in hues of orange and purple, the feast began to wind

down. Exhaustion pulled at me, a heavy weight on my shoulders. All I wanted was to collapse in

my small room. But first, the clearing up.

By the time I was finished, the grand hall was almost deserted. Just a few stragglers remained,

slumped in their chairs, nursing the last drops of wine. I gathered the discarded plates, the

remnants of a feast I hadn't truly enjoyed, my mind still replaying the image of Alaric's troubled

face.

As I made my way towards the kitchens, a figure blocked my path. It was Theron, Alaric's

personal assistant, a hulking Alpha with a cruel smirk permanently etched on his face. He's

been bullying me for as long as I can remember.

"Well, well, look what we have here," he sneered, his eyes raking over me. "The little Beta runt.

Still slaving away, are we?"

I tried to step around him, but he blocked my way, his presence suffocating. "Just trying to do

my job," I mumbled, keeping my head down.

"Your job? Pathetic. You wouldn't even be fit to clean the kennels." He reached out, grabbing my

arm, his grip like a vise. "You know, I've been meaning to have a little… chat with you. You've

been getting too close to the Prince lately, haven't you? You brought him tea last night, without

an official order for it from him or me."

Fear coiled in my gut. "I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered, trying to pull away.

He tightened his grip, his smile turning menacing. "Don't play dumb with me, little Beta. Learn

your place and stay there, don't try to deem yourself all important. Stop stalking the Prince,

stalking him wouldn't get you in some high, good paying position.” My breath hitched. He knew.

How could he know? What else does he know? Does he know I followed the into the woods?

“I'm only telling you this because I fancy your female looking face. How do you even look this

pretty as a male Beta? Makes me wanna eat you whole.” He rambled on.

"Let go of me," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Or what? You gonna cry to your mommy?" He laughed, a harsh, grating sound.

Something snapped inside me. Years of pent-up frustration, of fear and humiliation, exploded in

a surge of anger. I wrenched my arm free, shoving him back with surprising force. He stumbled,

his eyes widening in surprise.

"Leave me alone," I hissed, my voice trembling.

He recovered quickly, his face contorted with rage. "You little shit! You think you can get away

with that?" He lunged at me, his fist clenched.

I ducked, dodging his blow, and lashed out with my foot, catching him on the shin. He roared in

pain, grabbing his leg. I saw my chance and ran, desperate to escape.

But he was faster than I thought. He tackled me from behind, sending us both crashing to the

ground. He pinned me down, his weight crushing the air from my lungs.

"I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget," he snarled, raising his fist.

Suddenly, a voice shattered the air. "Theron! What is the meaning of this?"

My heart leaped. Alaric.

Theron froze, his eyes widening in panic. He scrambled off me, scrambling to his feet. I lay on

the ground, gasping for breath, my body aching.

Alaric strode towards us, his face dark with fury. "Explain yourself, Theron," he demanded, his

voice dangerously low.

Theron stammered, "Your Highness, he… he attacked me! He was being insolent."

I struggled to sit up, my vision blurring. "That's not true," I managed to say, my voice hoarse.

"He was harassing me."

Alaric's gaze flickered to me, his eyes narrowed. He took in my disheveled appearance, the dirt

smudged on my face, the fear etched in my expression.

He turned back to Theron, his expression hardening. "I find that hard to believe. I've witnessed

your… behavior before, Theron. I will not tolerate bullying among my staff."

Theron paled. "But Your Highness…"

"You are dismissed, Theron," Alaric said, his voice final. "Effective immediately."

Theron stared at him in disbelief, his face crumpling. "But… but what about my position?"

"Consider it forfeit," Alaric said coldly. "Leave now."

Theron, defeated and humiliated, slunk away, casting a venomous glare in my direction.

Alaric turned to me, his expression unreadable. He extended a hand. "Are you alright?"

I hesitated, then took his hand. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, a spark that ignited

a fire deep within. He pulled me to my feet, his grip surprisingly strong.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I whispered, avoiding his gaze.

He studied me for a moment, his eyes searching. "Kael?"

"Kael," I said, my voice barely audible as if he was asking, he knows my name but it sounded

like a question so I had to answer.

He nodded slowly. "Kael. Tell me, Kael, would you be interested in a new position?"

I stared at him, my mind reeling. "A new position? What kind of position?"

He hesitated, then said, "I need a new personal assistant. Someone I can trust. Someone who

isn't afraid to speak their mind." He paused, his gaze intense. "Someone like you… Keal. You

will be my new personal assistant.”

My breath caught in my throat. Personal assistant? To Prince Alaric? It was impossible.

Unthinkable.

"Your Highness, I… I don't know what to say," I stammered.

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Say yes, Kael."

I looked into his eyes, into the depths of his soul, and saw something I never expected to find

there: a flicker of hope, a hint of loneliness, a spark of… something else.

And in that moment, I knew I couldn't refuse. Even if it meant risking everything.

"Yes," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Yes, Your Highness. I accept."

His lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "Good," he said, his voice softer now. "Then starting

tomorrow, you will be my personal assistant, Kael."

My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through my veins. My

life had just took a new turn right in front of my eyes and I let his eyes hypnotize my attention

away from the fact that my life just took a new clearly dangerous turn? And I had no idea what I

was walking into.