Chapter 2

Two: Shame And Smirk

EIRA

Tears gather in my eyes but I don’t let them fall. The words hang in the air like a heavy mist. A shattered promise.

And it cuts deep.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“Why?” My voice cracks.

Cassian rises from the bed and dons on his kingly attire. He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t look at me.

“Cassian—”

His glare shuts me up.

“It’s “your majesty,” mate,” he spits.

That does it. The tears I hold at bay fall. Like the flood gates have opened. My fists grip the sheets.

“Please, c-can we talk about this?” I beg.

His jaw ticks. Still, no answer. He puts the last button in place then turns to walk away when I scramble up from the bed.

Tripping over my feet, I fall. My hands clutch his garment. “Don’t walk away from me. Not like this.”

My lungs squeeze in my chest. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I beg. I beg Cassian with my life. I beg him with everything in me.

The hesitation in his eyes is brief. He shrugs me off, and storms toward the door. His hand lingers on the doorknob for a breath too long.

“I have a banquet to get to. Leave my room, Eira. I don’t want to come back and find you here.” His voice is cold. Icy. It sends unpleasant shivers down my spine.

He pauses. “And you will say nothing about this ordeal. Do I make myself clear?”

My lungs squeeze and I manage a weak nod.

Cassian walks out. He doesn’t look back. Not once.

The door slams shut, and I flinch.

A sob rips from my chest. Guttural. Raw.

It’s hard to process. One moment we’re lost in the throes of passion, in the heat of our bond… and the next second I am tossed out like trash.

Disposable. Unwanted.

With a heavy heart, teary eyes and a confused mind, I wear my ripped clothes the best way I can, and brace myself for the walk of shame.

All my life I dreamt of the day I would meet my mate. It was always at the forefront of my mind. And when I was raised in the Ashbane Pack after my parents died, I craved my mate even more.

At night I would make a wish to the goodess that my mate was an Alpha because they complemented Omegas.

She granted my wish… but at what cost?

Maybe this is all a misunderstanding. Maybe tomorrow everything will be alright. Goddess, I hope there would be an explanation for Cassian’s behavior.

My knees buckle as I sneak out of Cassian’s room, and straight to the pack house. I don’t care if Macy gets pissed at me. I'd rather not face Cassian tonight again.

I don’t know what he’ll do if he sees me again. And I don’t want to find out.

***

“… I heard the king found his mate at the banquet.”

The words penetrate my sleep muddled brain, and my eyes snap open.

“Yes, everyone’s talking about it,” someone confirms. My heart skips and I scramble to my feet.

Do they know who it is? Do they know who I am? I hope not.

“No one knows who she is, but she’s a member of our pack.”

Relief slips into my bones, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. After I left the banquet last night, I bawled my eyes out.

My mind went over every tiny conversation we had, every whispered touch. I tried to trace what went wrong. But I found nothing.

I cried till there were no more tears left. And now, I’m feeling the effect. My eyes feel puffy, and dry. Like there are cotton balls in it.

My door suddenly slams open. Macy stands at the doorway, eyes glaring at me and with a hand on her hip.

I bow. “Good morning.”

Her eyes harden. “What did you do to the King last night? I saw him drag you away.”

My mouth goes dry. Sweat runs down my spine, and my heart races.

“N-nothing, Macy.”

She takes a large step forward. Her fingers curl sharply around my arm. They tighten, almost crushing my bones. Pain shoots up my arm, and I wince.

“You’re hurting me,” I whimper as tears sting my eyes. And here I thought there were no more tears left to cry.

“Why did he drag you away? Did you mess up the wine?” she hisses.

“N-no,” I stammer, my heart pounding in my chest. It threatens to burst through my ribcage.

Macy is a terror—for lack of a better word. She is feared amongst the Omegas. Born a beta, and mated to one. She comes from a strong line of warriors, and she makes sure we know.

Her grip tightens. “Don’t lie to me.”

A lump lodges in my throat. I shake my head frantically. “I didn’t. I promise.”

Her eyes narrow. Then she backs away. I rub my arm immediately she steps back. My lips tremble.

“Get dressed. There’s work to be done.” She marches out, leaving the door open. People peep in as they pass, judging me as I stand in the middle of my room, cradling my arm.

Cassian and I need to talk. But Omegas are not allowed in the palace except Macy ordered them there. The only option is to break into the palace.

A squeak passes my lips at the thought of sneaking into the palace. If I am caught…

“Eira!” Macy yells my name. Her voice interrupts my train of thoughts.

“I’m here!” I yell back and hurry out of my room. The breaking and entering will have to be revisited.

Macy’s jaw ticks when I enter the kitchen. “You’re on cleaning duty today. Clean the rooms in the pack house.” she says, dumping a broom at my feet.

“His Majesty has gone to meet with the elders,” someone announces.

I bite my lip, and squeeze my eyes shut. I guess my sneaking in will be on pause. I really wish we could have the talk earlier. But I’ll be patient.

I pick the broom and when I turn, the door barges open. Adah, the pack gossip rushes in. Everyone turns to her.

“You guys,” she calls. Even Macy is silent as we all wait for whatever news she has this time.

“I know who the king’s mate is!” She declares.

My heart drops, and my mouth falls open. All the blood drains from my face. I don’t have to look to know that I’m as white as my hair.

The silence grows louder. Nobody wants to miss the information.

Dread coils in my stomach.

No! No, no, no, no.

“The king’s mate is… Eira Quinn!”

Adah’s eyes find mine across the room, and she smirks.