4| The Prophesy.

MAXIMUS.

I lost complete control. My wolf surfaced, and all I knew was that I had to protect her at all costs.

It was certain that I was being punished for all my past sins, because how could an Omega be my mate?

Firstly, the soothsayer prophesied that she—Starlette—was the only one who could give me an heir. Secondly, she turned out to be my mate. Double punishments.

I would have sent her back if she wasn’t the only one capable of bearing pups for me.

After all, a king needs an heir.

Let’s just hope the damned Omega’s gene doesn’t dominate my Alpha genes.

“Mate?!” Lauren exclaimed, her eyes flickering with a combination of surprise, contempt, and jealousy.

Now I have a lot of explaining to do to my woman. Lauren and I had been lovers since we were teens. She was a beta and would make a perfect Luna. I could never leave her for an Omega.

“Let’s take this somewhere else.” I exhaled sharply. I didn't want to have that conversation in front of the pack members.

“No, I–” She began, but I cut her off.

“Lauren!” I cautioned firmly. She might be my girlfriend, but I was still her Alpha. I wouldn't have her disrespect me before my subjects.

Knowing better not to disobey me, she breathed out. “Fine.”

I began to trudge out of the dining room, leading the way, and she followed suit.

I took her to my room, and the moment we slipped in, she began to rant. "Maximus, what’s happening? First she was brought here to be a breeder; now she is your mate. Who knows if the next thing she’ll be is your Luna? And you’ll leave me all alone.”

Tears began to stream down her cheeks, crushing her pretty face.

“Lauren.” I called softly, wiping the tears from her face with the back of my hand. “I would never leave you. You are the love of my life. Once she gives me my pups, I will reject her.”

“Why couldn’t you just trust me to bear pups for you? Why did you have to bring in a breeder? And now she’s your mate.” She sobbed.

“You know how much we’ve tried for pups. I would have been honoured to have you carry my pups. But it’s just not working.” I reminded her of our struggles.

Lauren and I had been really trying for pups for the past few years, but to no avail. I even brought in the most beautiful women and slept with them for the same course, but nothing. Until the prophecy.

“We could have just tried harder.” She persisted, her voice filled with pain. “We should have.”

“Lauren. I promise you, I will do whatever you want me to do to prove to you that I will never leave you for her. Anything.” I assured.

I hated to see her hurt. It crushed my heart. She was my woman, and I was willing to do anything to please her. Anything at all.

“Is that so?” She raised a brow, looking at me through her teary eyes. “It didn't seem like that back there. You humiliated me in front of the pack members. Because of her."

“I would never humiliate you. I wasn't in control; my wolf took—"

“Exactly!” She cut me off. “That’s how it’ll start. And then the excuses would keep piling up, until she actually became your Luna.”

“You are my Luna!” I sharply declared.

“Then reject her.” She retorted firmly, her eyes staring intently into mine.

“I already said I would when she gives me my pups.” A disapproving scowl flashed on my face as I reminded her.

“A rejection won't block her womb. Would it?” She asked, folding her arms over her chest. “Reject her. Now.” She demanded.

I didn’t know why or how, but an uncontrollable rage started building up with me at her statement, and for a second, my wolf threatened to surface.

“No!” I growled, the words vibrating through my chest.

***

STARLETTE.

I was beyond shocked when the Alpha King stopped Lauren from striking my face. What was more shocking was that he declared me his mate in front of his pack members. So much for someone who threatened me not to tell anyone about it.

Could it be that he had had a change of mind?

“I told you, he might not be as bad as we thought him to be.” Iris howled happily in my head.

“We can’t make conclusions yet, Iris.” I told her.

I didn’t want to get my hopes high. It wasn't that easy for werewolves to suddenly change their minds. Especially not the Alpha King.

I wondered what he was talking about with Lauren, though. They had been gone for a few minutes now.

Looking around, I realised everyone’s gazes were on me. They seemed quiet, but I knew they were all mind-linking, gossiping, and probably loathing at how I, a weak Omega, could be mated to the Alpha King.

I felt so uncomfortable under their intense gazes, and I needed to leave there immediately. So, leaping to my feet, I trotted out of the dining room. Bella quickly followed me.

“You are a pack member, and I know they were mind-linking. What were they talking about?” I curiously asked, not sure if I wanted to know.

“I tried to join, but they shot me out. Perhaps they feared I would tell you all that they said if I had joined.” She told me as we walked through the hallway, making our way to my room. No, Alpha Maximus room. Our room. That sounded weird.

“So, would you have told me if they had let you in?” I asked curiously.

“Depends on what they said.” She replied honestly.

I nodded. “I understand.”

“Aren’t you the luckiest?!” She beamed, nudging me playfully. “You’re mated to the Alpha King.”

“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. If only she knew how much pain the said Alpha King had caused me within the last few hours. How he threatened to reject me. I was excited when I realised he was my mate at first. But now, I think of it as a curse rather than being lucky.

“I wish I would also be mated to an Alpha who would come to claim me.” She placed both hands on the left side of her chest as she closed her eyes, daydreaming.

“I hope he’ll love and cherish you.” I chuckled softly as I stared at her. She was adorable.

“Of–course.” She finally opened her eyes, blowing out a sharp breath.

“But—“ She turned to look at me with concern in her eyes. “Lauren is a bitch. And she’ll try to make life a living hell for you for taking her man.”

That was something that had already started playing out. Even before she realised that we were mates. And Alpha Maximus didn’t seem like he would leave her for me. He even threatened to reject me. But I wasn’t going to tell Bella about all that.

So, nodding, I replied. “I’ll try to be careful around her.”

I didn’t need her feeling pity for me.

We came to a stop in front of the Alpha King’s room. Our room.

“I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow, Starlette.” Bella said with a sweet smile.

Wait? What? I couldn't be left alone with Alpha Maximus.

"Can’t you, like, stay with me?” I quickly asked, and I realised how dumb my question sounded the second the words slipped off my mouth.

“Stay with you? In the same room as Alpha Maximus?” She pointed out, laughing. “No, I can't.”

“I know, it’s just that—" I trailed off, deciding not to spill out my feelings. “Thank you, Bella. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She smiled sweetly before turning around and walking away from me.

Now I was left to deal with the devil, a.k.a., the Alpha King.

Inhaling and exhaling sharply, bracing myself for what was to come next, I pulled the door open and slipped inside the room.

But the second I stepped in, I froze, a sharp pain piercing my heart as I looked at the devastating sight before me.

Alpha Maximus was on the bed with Lauren, making out as they dissolved in intense passion.

An excruciating pain erupted through my body, threatening to tear my entire being apart. My wolf howled in pain; she was seemingly even more hurt than I was.

Clutching my chest with both hands, I hastily turned around, desperate to leave that place.

“Where are you going, ugly bitch?" Lauren taunted, and I could tell that she was smirking, enjoying how pathetic I looked. “Stay and watch.”

Never!

Ignoring her, I pulled the door open, ready to dash out of the room, when Alpha Maximus growled, causing me to halt.

“You heard the lady. Stay and watch.”

Oh, no. No please.

I told you, Iris, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions yet.