༺ AFTER ALL, I'M THE QUEEN

The feeling that glued my feet to the ground was not shocking - no I cannot say that I was shocked per se.

It was something else.

Something that I cannot quite put a name on. And it was that something that made me wrap my hands around Ryder’s neck, pushing closer to him as I returned his kiss with the same heat he gave me.

It was glorious. More beautiful than everything I had ever seen.

When his tongue slipped inside my mouth, i moaned pushing my waist tighter on him…wanting him closer, fuck, closer, but yet not getting enough even when my body was practically glued to his.

I did not want it to end.

This feeling, this beautiful red fire coursing through my veins and gathering down my stomach, threatening to explode and turn into something dangerous.

As quickly as the kiss started, he ended it and I groaned in protest chasing his lips with mine but he only chuckled his hold on my waist, tightening.

“That should be enough for now, hun. Or else i will not be held responsible for ripping your clothes and fucking you until the two of us collapse.”

But would that be a bad thing?

I blinked, reality setting in and it felt like a splash of icy water over my burning body.

What was I doing?

This was not in any way the plan, not the agreement. I was not supposed to be throwing myself at them. This whole arrangement was meant to be just a thing of convenience, not feelings.

I am not meant to share feelings because I will not risk putting my heart on the line ever again.

‘I am sorry,” I whispered, dropping my arms and stepping back several paces, “That should not have happened.”

Ryder raised his brow, “You are our mate, Aurora. This is a normal occurrence between mates, and it really should happen more frequently.”

I bit my lower lip and Xander took in my silence and chuckled, “I take it you did not add the delicious part in your plans and arrangement.”

“I am sorry, i dont…. No. I did not think about that and I was not meaning to. I have lost a lot and I do not want to put my heart on the line again so quickly.”

They exchanged glances, and Zephyr stood up, “That is understandable Aurora, but we are not asking you for your heart. At least not yet… That is up to you. That is a step you can take at your own pace when you are ready and when you feel it is worth it,” He moved closer to me and I did not try to retrace my step, “but there are lots of things one can do without putting their heart in the line. Lots of fun we can have and it can end in that.”

I sighed. I do not want to be having this conversation right now, or anytime soon for that matter.

“Thank you.” I murmured looking away stupidly and he chuckled.

“I can see the hesitation in your eyes. We will not force you, Aurora but make no mistakes…we are going to have you, sooner or later and you will be the one begging for it.”

I resisted the strong urge to roll my eyes and scoff.

Yeah right.

I'd be eating hot coal first.

When they saw I had nothing left to say, they bade me goodbye and left the room, and I just stayed alone with my own thoughts.

The next time I spoke to Mindy later in the day she informed me that Zephyr and Ryder had gone back to their quarters.

I guess now I am left alone with Xanders.

I am supposed to be forming a relationship with him, but so far Xander has appeared to be the most impenetrable one out of the three.

Which was part of the reason I chose to stay with him first, because I might as well start with the hardest nut to crack.

How hard could it be to form a relationship with him?

Except I was not much of a social person, never have been. Since childhood Cage had been my only friend and I was perfectly okay with that.

But how hard could it be?

I just had to find out things he might like and don't like.

And we can start there.

Determined and not willing any more time, I left the room and headed to his private chambers.

Two times a day might just be too much time to spend with Xanders but hey - i was a woman with a goal in mind.

But I was barely halfway down when someone came out from the corner blocking me.

It was Xander’s mother.

“Hello, Aurora.” She greeted, with that disgusted look which I am starting to think is a designed look specially made for me, “where are you heading off to?”

Was that any of her business?

Looking at her well polished face and the way she was looking at me like I was some sort of dirt she could march on - annoyed the hell out of me.

Normally I would have ignored it but it was just the part of me that was so done with people treating me like an inferior.

“To Xander’s private chambers,” I responded as politely I could feel and she rolled her eyes.

“Starting to get comfortable are we? Xanders?”

“I was not aware that there was any need for such formality between my mate and I,” I said sarcastically with a smile and I could see her eyes widen slightly.

Obviously not believing that I could talk back to her.

“Listen here girl…you might have this whole charade thing going on, but I know and recognise your type all too well. But no matter what your plan is, you are nothing but some low life. Not in any way suitable to be with my son and I will make sure that you return to the nothing you came from.”

I clenched my fist in annoyance but still kept my smile, “I will be sure to keep that in mind. However whatever i am, i still am your son’s mate and that is not something you can change. You either get used to it or you don't but do not think that I will sit low and watch you try to walk all over me. That will not happen.”

She stepped back, a little bit taken aback by my words, or the cold tone with which I delivered them , I do not know.

But it really felt satisfying clapping back.

Cheers, to self confidence.

I should fight back more often.

I brushed past her when she failed to respond but then paused, “And by the way, I am not a low life. I am practically the queen to these three lands so I would watch how I talk to me if I were you. Next time, add some respect to the name.”

I smiled at her grin and left with my head held high, giving myself a mental high five.