Chapter 41

The King follows me up to the top floor, it's a wing that has never been used but I always thought necessary if in the event we have visitors of high esteem and finally my silly thought as my mate said has come to fruitarian, I will certainly remind her of her words later on haha.

" This is where you will stay my King, the entire floor is unused, you are the first, if needed there is a lift right here to get you up and down if you don't feel like taking the stairs "

" Ah yes thank you for mentioning that after we've made the hike "

I feel very sheepish, " apologies my King, I'm so used to taking the stairs that it slipped my mind " I'm only teasing you Alpha, thank you I will be down shortly, see you then "

I bow and take my leave, heading back down to check on the kitchen and dining room.

I push the kitchen door and they are really on the go running about and barking orders at each other but when they notice me they all stop to bow at me " don't mind me, carry on, how are things coming ? "

" We just need a few minutes more Alpha and we will have the dishes out and on the table " " it's fine, they've gone to freshen up so that gives you a few minutes " the head cook nods and gets back to work.

I turn and head into the dining area and I am pleasantly surprised to see the table is set and the entire room is beautifully decorated " you've really out done yourself Rosemary " " thank you Alpha but the thanks really has to go to my ladies, they are the ones who did the work and I simply directed " " well all of you have my thanks " they all nod.

My mate comes in a few minutes later, directing the Royal Guards into the room just as the kitchen staff file out of the kitchen one by one carrying dishes.

I do see one of the guards stop in his track and his eyes blacken as he looks at one of our chefs who in turn stares at him but with a pained expression, I can see she's fighting it, the mate bond and I know very well why, she has seen how her mother suffered at the hands of her father, her fated mated and has disliked the idea of having a fated mate but rather a chosen and she has someone in her heart already.

Havana finally looks away and carries on placing her dish on the table and swiftly retreats back into the kitchen, the guard sulkily walks over to the table and sits down in the seat furthest away, after a bit the King walks in being led by my daughter Ember and she's blushing furiously while he is as stoic as ever, I will need to have a word with her it seems.

Everyone rises to their feet and bows to acknowledge the King " please everyone, right now I am just an Alpha okay, just be yourself and be comfortable, sit let's enjoy this rather delicious smelling meal set out for us, you and your family will certainly join us right Alpha Teejan?" " sure my K-Alpha Tyler " I mindlink the boys and tell them to come for dinner and we all sit down and eat and make small talk around the table.

Although I did not miss the broken look of the guard, each time Havana came out of the kitchen and went back without even glancing at him, it can certainly be considered a rejection even though she hasn't said anything, not acknowledging it makes it even worse.

After dinner we were headed to my office for a talk when I stopped the King quietly " Alpha, I believe we may need to do some mediation, it would seem one of your guards is mated to one of my kitchen staff and it is not going very well for him " we both turn and see him lingering and staring at the kitchen door seemingly on the verge of tears.

" Oh boy, but why? " " it's a long story, shall we head to the kitchen and sort this out, or at least try to " he nods and follows after me towards the kitchen " men, you're free for the evening, Grey, come with me " the men file out of the room and the Guard follows after us.

" Can everyone with the exception of Havana leave the kitchen for a few minutes please, I will let you know when to return " " yes Alpha " they say in unison and exit.

Havana sighs and turns to look at me and only at me, " Alpha, you know why I can not do this, I will not accept him " he whimpers behind me " Havana, I know very well the reason why you're trying to resist the bond but it unfair to your mate to make him suffer for what your father did to your mother, they are two different persons " " but the bond works the same way Alpha, besides you know my heart already belongs to another " this time he growls possessively and steps around me and speaks in his wolf voice " you are my mate, mine! your heart and everything, your entire being is mine! just like my heart and entire being is now yours! why do you resist me? we are each others missing piece mate "