Chapter 10: FREDRICK’S POV

  Recognizing the dangerous edge in my voice,Grace immediately backed down, stepping aside to avoid my wrath. I stormed past her, muttering a string of dark curses under my breath. My irritation was reaching its absolute breaking point.

  

  I finally reached my mother’s private chambers, throwing the heavy oak doors open without knocking—and instantly froze. One of the royal warrior was lying ontop of my mom, his cock buried deep inside her.

  

  "What the hell, Mom?!" I shrieked, violently slamming my hands over my eyes.

  

  "Fredrick!" she panicked. I heard the frantic rustling of silk sheets as I stood there awkwardly, my face completely covered. "You could have mind-linked me first!"

  

  "Get out," she barked at the male royal warrior she had been with. A moment later, I heard the hurried padding of bare feet rushing past me out into the hall with his clothes in his hands. "You can open your eyes now, son."

  

  I dropped my hands, letting out a heavy, judgmental snort. "Seriously, mom? Aren’t you supposed to be resting And you're still locked in bed with my warriors? What if he injures you more while the both of you are at it?”

  

  A sharp smirk played on my lips, breaking through my dark mood for a brief second. My mother frowned playfully, tossing her long white hair over her shoulder. "Leave me be, child. A lady has got to do what a lady has got to do." Her expression quickly softened, her sharp eyes taking in my rigid posture. "You look completely tense, Fredrick. What troubles you son?"

  

  I walked over to sit on the edge of her bed, but instantly changed my mind given what had just occurred on it, choosing to lean against the stone wall instead. My mother let out a bright, booming laugh at my legalistic hesitation before smoothing out her gown. "Now, tell me what is wrong."

  

  "I met my mate tonight," I said heavily, a dark sigh ripping from my chest. "She's not a Lycan, she’s a wolf, an Omega wolf. A rogue. And Mom... she's a silver wolf."

  

  The laughter vanished from my mother's face. "A silver wolf?"

  

  "Yes," I answered, running a stressed hand down my face. "And I don't know what the hell to do."

  

  "What do you mean you don't know what to do?" she asked, her brows snapping together as she stood up. "You have found the one thing you have been searching all your life, and you suddenly don't know what to do?"

  

  "Silver wolves are dangerous omegas, Mom! The prophecies say they are an abomination meant to bring destruction! Omegas are weak as fuck, and rogues cannot be trusted—they are scum! She is all of those things wrapped into one. I am going to reject her."

  

  Deep inside my mind, Vane let out a feral roar of protest. “Don't even start!” I warned him internally.

  

  "You will do no such thing, son!" my mother thundered, her own royal authority flaring to life as her voice echoed off the walls. "I, your mother, absolutely forbid you from rejecting a poor, defenseless girl!"

  

  "You cannot tell me what to do, Mother," I countered, straightening my spine. "I am the Lycan King."

  

  "And I am your mother, fool!" she snapped back, matching my stance.

  

  "Mother..."

  

  "Shut up and listen to me!" she commanded, and out of ancient habit, I obeyed. "You have got to think this through and be incredibly careful with your decisions. She is your fated mate. The Moon Goddess paired you for a reason. You are meant to protect her, not shun her like the rest of the world does. So what if she’s an omega? So what if she’s a werewolf? At least she’s not an ordinary human. 

  

  "But Mom, you don't understand. What will the elders and the Lycans say?"

  

  “To hell with the elders and Lycans, I will handle them myself. So Tell me what she is like," she requested softly, stepping closer to me. "Tell me what she looks like, Fredrick."

  

  I closed my eyes, and instantly, Fiona’s face filled my vision. The memory of her scent hit me like a physical blow. "She's beautiful," I admitted, my voice dropping into a raw, vulnerable whisper. "She has these striking, innocent blue eyes, and pale blonde hair. But she looked... broken. Like she was shouldering the absolute burdens of the entire world on her back. And Mom? She smelled like rich honey and soft rose petals."

  

  "Hmm, She sounds lovely, yet deeply broken," my mother murmured, her eyes softening with profound sympathy as she reached up, placing her warm hands against my cheeks. "Where is she right now?"

  

  "Somewhere safe..." I mumbled, looking away. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I had ordered my fated mate to be locked behind iron bars in the dungeons.

  

  "Is she here in the pack grounds?"

  

  "No, Mom," I lied smoothly, holding her gaze.

  

  She stared at me for a long moment, sensing my conflict. "I cannot force you to go against your wishes, my child. But I strongly advise you to take things slow. Ponder on your thoughts before you make a final, permanent conclusion."

  

  "I will, Mother," I promised. A soft, relieved smile broke across her face.

  

  "I know you are entirely exhausted from patrolling all night. Go to your room and get some rest," she said gently, patting my shoulder. "I will have a nice breakfast sent up for you."

  

  "I love you, Mom." I leaned down, kissing her forehead before exiting her chambers and making a beeline for my royal quarters.

  

  After a long, scalding shower that failed to wash away the memory of the electric sparks on my skin, I walked into my bedroom to find a massive, wonderful breakfast tray already waiting for me. The aroma of fresh meat, rich spices, and baked bread filled the air. Resting beside the silver dome was a small, handwritten note.

  

  “Enjoy your breakfast, son, and please remember what we talked about. I love you. —Mom.”

  

  A genuine smile tugged at my lips. I sat down at the table, not even bothering to remove the white towel wrapped tightly around my waist, and began to eat. For a brief, blissful moment, I allowed myself to just focus on the food entirely forgetting that my stupid Lycan  was deeply furious with me, and that the girl destined to either save or destroy my kingdom was locked in the dark below.