CHAPTER 3

There is no way that man is the Lycan King, and my soon to be husband!” I screamed in my head.

Father had moved us to the formal dining room now, taking his place at the end with Lucretia and leaving me to sit beside the Lycan King. Everyone seemed joyous and their chatters continued till I spaced out, thinking about what was going to be of my life.

I did more of picking food pieces than actually eating, as my mind drifted to Dahlia and just how lucky she was to escape this fate I was being forced into.

“The food is not to your liking?” I looked up sharply, my gaze locking with that of the Lycan King. The whole table had gone quiet and I quickly turned to look at my Father, glancing over Lucretia who already wore a pinched look.

I turned back to the Lycan King. “Uh, No, My King. It’s just-–“ I looked back at my father and then again, to the Lycan King. “---I don’t like peas”, I finished.

Immediately I said it, a server rushed to my side and lifted my plate, murmuring an apology as he rushed off with my meal.

“This is so awkward”, I said to myself, thinking about the last time someone apologized for doing me wrong.

“Don’t be afraid to speak up when you’re not interested in something”, the Lycan King said while looking at me, I turned my face away from him, but he gently lifted my chin and tilted my head to face him.

“Did you hear me?” He asked, a stern look  masking his gorgeous face.

“Yes, my king”, I replied, not wanting to cause any more problems. The last thing I needed was to sabotage this engagement. Lucretia would have my head for it.

“You weren't so respectful when we met earlier”, he said this, placing his hands over my clenched fists as I shot him warning glares. Father looked mortified when he heard the Lycan king's report. Lucretia looked like she would faint.

“I didn’t know who you were then” I finally answered, after which his fingers gently unclasped mine, before laying heavily on my downturned hands, causing me to gulp. As expected, he found my reaction funny.

“You’re saying you’d have been nicer if you knew I was to be your mate?” he asked, the solid weight of his hand still pressed on mine.

I looked at him, this time failing to hide my ire. “I’m saying I wouldn’t have chastised you for roaming on grounds that aren’t yours.” I immediately regretted my choice of words as I could see the impact it had on everyone seated, the Lycan King most especially.

His hand withdrew from mine as he reclined to his seat, my skin suddenly missing the warmth of his. “I admire the fire in you.” He said slowly, gazing at me with an odd look in his eyes —“Call me Rafael, seeing as we’re about to be wed.”

He took a sip of his wine as he said this, unbothered by the fact that he had shocked the rest of us into silence. Everyone was just staring at me with something akin to wonder in their eyes and I had to look away, grateful when the server finally returned with my pea-less meal.

The dinner was finished soon and we all headed back to the throne room. The Lycan King, Rafael, was speaking to my father in hushed tones and my father occasionally threw worrisome glances at me the longer they spoke.

“Ophelia.” I walked to my father’s side, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Rafael.

“Yes, Father”, I replied.

“King Rafael wants to speak with you.” At my accepting nod, he added warily, “Alone, in my study.”

Alpha Rafael was shown to my father’s study as I silently trailed behind him. Lucretia pushed the door open and stepped aside for the both of us to step in. Immediately I walked in, I turned to stop her from closing the door, but she quickly shut the door in my face.

Alpha Rafael and I were cocooned in the dim lighting of my father’s large study…alone. Somehow, the large space now looked so small and it took several minutes before I turned back to face him.

“Come closer, Ophelia”, he ordered as he sat on one of my father’s leather couches, his thighs spread apart, with his hands resting on the arms of the couch.

The only bulb turned on in the room was the one beside him, a pitiful wall lamp that gave off a dull glow but still managed to bathe his skin in a magnificent glow. He looked ethereal like this, shrouded in darkness, with only a sliver of light gliding across his face and neck.

Propelled to listen to his order, I stepped closer and closer, till I was a hair’s breadth away from him. “Closer. Still.” There seemed to be an untapped fire licking beneath his veins because as I still remained rooted to my spot, he stretched a hand out,  seizing my wrist and yanking me down, onto his lap.

“What – ” I let out a yelp, and tried to stand almost immediately, but he didn’t let me as he pulled me firmly into his chest till I was frozen by the contact. I decided to sit still and say nothing as I silently waited for this nightmare to be over.

It seemed the rumors about him were true. “Mmh. Some of them are, Yes.” I turned at his gruff affirmation, because I’d somehow said that last part out loud.

“But they’re also wrong about your family. So, tell me –” he said, his hands carefully wrapping around my middle. “Are you the enigmatic and popular sister, or the defective one?” he asked.

My mouth hung open as I sought for an answer to give him. My wolf wasn’t bound at my own volition. On noticing my distraught expression, he let out a little laugh, the warmth of his breath brushing my temple. His hands moved from my waist and he finally let me slide off his lap.

I got on my feet the next second, glaring down at him. “You’re uncouth!” I said, my face burning with anger as I struggled to remember his title. Alpha. Lycan King. Husband. Mate.

“Your family is much worse than what you call me. I’d been promised the best from this pack and yet, I’m somehow being swindled into accepting the fallible one…Alpha Kieran’s mistake.”

He rose from his seat and stepped towards me, moving round my person before lifting a finger and trailing it down my cheek. My face was downturned, my father’s shame too heavy to overlook. Alpha Rafael tilted my head to face his, ensuring my eyes locked with his before he continued,

“What do you propose be done to your family for such deceit, Little Dove?”