His Amber Eyes

Her heart stopped when she saw him. The world she had grown up admiring suddenly lost its appeal when her eyes fell on the man who was her mate. The first thing about him that arrested her attention was his amber eyes. They were not looking at her and even then she reckoned the intensity they held. There was no mistaking the ferocity they carried. She was already lost. 

Butterflies burst in her stomach as she took in his well-chiseled face. He was handsome with his Raven hair that was swept back into a bun. Thick dark eyebrows, adding to his sex appeal. Pointed nose, making him look even more attractive. And plumpy pink lips that must taste like cherry. The beard, hiding his edge-cutting jawline, gave a feral touch to his rugged look. 

He is handsome in every sense of the word. But that was not it. He also carried an air of danger around him. The amber burning in his eyes suggested just how threatening could her mate get if he wanted. The realization sent a delicious current down her spine. He looked lethal in an alluring way.  

Her heart fluttered when she zoomed out and observed how tall he was. He must be 6 ''5' or something. He owned the body of a Greek god. She gulped back the fire of lust when her eyes roved over his well-defined torso. Although covered with clothes, she could see how amazingly built this man was. 

Her curious eyes immediately darted up when the mysterious man started laughing over something his companion said. Her stomach did a backflip as she noticed how his orbs lit up with mirth. The rich sound of his laughter, caused heat to pool in her core.  

"Sabrina...Come let me introduce you to the group of royals," her father escorted her towards her mate. 

Sabrina nodded, still reeling from the shock of having a mate. 

What luck she got. She found him when she was going to be given away to the future alpha king. 

Wait. What if he was the future Alpha King? He did look like a royal. A king in making, nonetheless.   

Her hopes hiked up as the thought infiltrated her innocent mind. 

He was closer with every step she took. Her heart was thumping violently against her chest. She had been reduced into a bundle of nerves by just one look of her mate.

Her brows creased in confusion when a question hit her right after. Why hadn't he smelled her scent yet? How was his wolf so calm? Why wasn't he looking as restless as she was? 

He didn't even bat an eye when Sabrina joined their group along with her father.

"Elijah," her mate darted his gaze to her father who was wearing a warm smile. 

"meet my daughter and the descendent of the moon goddess, Sabrina," he gestured towards her. Her breath hitched when Elijah's orbs traveled to meet hers. 

Her wolf started howling when their eyes met for the first time. His amber orbs staring deep into her blue ones, blazing an unquenchable fire within her.

The air surrounding her charged up with excitement. She watched him with anticipation. With bated breath, she waited for him to claim her by pulling her into his strong arms and kissing her passionately.  

She had seen male werewolves doing that with their mates. 

"Please to see you, lady Sabrina. I am Elijah," Elijah said with a polite smile and gave her a curt nod, bringing her back from her daydreams. 

Sabrina's brow kneaded in confusion. Why was he behaving so formally? Didn't he recognize her? But how was that possible? 

Elijah was watching her expectantly, waiting for her to respond to his words but she couldn't.

"Cyrus couldn't come as he had some alpha duties to follow and that's why he has sent me to protect you till we reach the capital," he explained formally. 

The only thing that made sense to her was that he wasn't the Alpha King. And he wasn't bothered in the slightest that his mate was being tied to someone else.

The realization crashed down on her like a thunder. Her heart broke into million pieces. She got rejected. 

Is he acting? Because that's impossible for a werewolf to not recognize their mate. They can filter out their scent out of thousands of scents. 

Is her sight repulsing him? Or is it because he doesn't want to cross his king? Why was he pretending?

His ignorance was disturbing her to no end. Her wolf wanted her mate. She was dying to feel his warmth. She was on edge, attempting to claw her way out and claim her mate. His cold behavior was distressing her. 

Her tongue darts out to moisten her lower lip. Elijah's eyes keenly followed her innocent act that incited not so innocent urges inside him. Something akin to passion flickers in his eyes that gave her hope. 

"You don't.....recognize me?" she asks him. Anxiety clawed it's way up her throat as she waited for his response. 

The question took him by surprise.

"Yes... I do...You are Sabrina. To-be bride of Alpha King and the future alpha queen. And today is your birthday..Happy Birthday," he didn't stutter even for once. There was no hurt, no nervousness in his husky voice. 

His behavior was confusing her. How can it be a happy birthday? She found her mate just a few days before getting marked by the Alpha King and to make it worse, her mate doesn't recognize her.  

Has she mistaken? Is he really her mate?

"Sabrina, this is Gregory, the chief advisor of the crown......Harold, the third in command," father introduced her to everyone. She nodded absently. She was lost in her thought. Dejected. Hopeless. 

She felt something she had never felt before. Gloom.

He wasn't rejecting her but wasn't accepting her either. 

Unable to resist, her eyes found their way back to Elizah who was already watching her intently.

Her mate. 

He looked away as soon as he realized she had caught him.   

She had to talk to him but how could she ask to see him alone in front of everyone? That's very unbecoming of a woman. Things would have been different if he had claimed her as his but the reality was bitter. Tears threaten to spring to her eyes as she excused herself and ran out the door. Her gown trailed behind her.  

The searing pain unfurling in her heart was unbearable. She had a mate and she was promised to someone who was not her mate. What's more, her mate clearly didn't care about her. The last thought ripped her heart like a piece of paper. 

She brushed her tears away and decided to have a talk with Elizah. She couldn't let go of the other half of her soul without giving a fight. She didn't know if he was pretending or he didn't recognize her but she was going to reveal the truth to him. Sooner than later. 

"Sabrina...What happened?" her mom grabbed her shoulder from behind. 

"Nothing..I just got a little overwhelmed," Sabrina responded and turned around while managing a small smile.

Her mother nodded, "I know this must be very difficult for you. But always remember child, you are special. You are a blessing of mother goddess that will put an end to the war going on between dragons and werewolves for centuries. We have played our parts. Now it is your turn child. Don't disappoint us," Mom said. 

She was right Sabrina was just a means to end the war. Then why did Moon Goddess give her a mate?

What sorcery was this?

"Mother, I am not..."

"Ssshhhhh...Don't say a word. Prince Cyrus is the perfect mate for you. I know he will keep you happy. Don't bother yourself with the future. Concentrate on your today," Mother told her.

She nodded as she knows she will not listen to her.

They returned to the ball. Elizah and his troupe had already retired to their assigned rooms to get some rest as they had been traveling for days to come here.

His tantalizing scent was still floating in the air, causing her wolf to take a sigh of relief. The notion that he was somewhere around made her happy.  

Sabrina kept to herself the whole night. She politely declined every dance request. Her first birthday where she felt nothing but sorrow. The only thing going on in her head was that she had to have a word with Elizah before it's too late.

The night ticked away in a haze of dance, music, and food. Women and men alike were enjoying themselves to their heart's content. She recognized some of them as servants of the palace and some had come from the city.   

She left the ball early. Her mother didn't stop her as she assumed she was taking off to pack her belonging. 

His scent had grown feeble as the darkness piled on. She could smell him here and there as he must have crossed the alley to get to the guest quarter. A part of her egged her on into sneaking into the guest quarter and seeing him and if possible talk to him before calling it a night. But another part that was more rational prohibited her. What if someone will recognize her scent? She couldn't risk that.

So she decides to go straight to her room. 

The rest of the night was spent tossing and turning in the bed. Sleep eluded her as the events of tonight played in her head over and over again, giving her a headache. 

She just hoped he would recognize her in their next meeting. 

The next morning she was awoken by her mother who told her that everything was ready and she had to leave in half an hour. 

She took the shower and puts on her dress. Her heart melted when she saw her mother and father awaiting her at the table. Their last meal together. 

They were crying and so was she.

They let her go after making a promise of visiting the capital to attend her and Alpha King's mating ceremony. 

Now she was all prepared to leave with her destined mate to meet her chosen one.