Chapter Thirty-five: Lashing Out

"There is no need to offer me a chair to sit in, Your Majesty. I am fine just sitting here." I made a turn and sat on the railings. "Why did you summon me, old man?"

"Are you trying to jump again at this height?"

I snapped my head to Claude. This man was getting on my nerves already. What he was doing right now was making my blood boil.

"Why are you so quick to judge, Your Majesty?" I narrowed my eyes on him.

Punish me for making eye contact with His Majesty. I just couldn't take this kind of treatment he was giving me. He had liked this ever since the banquet happened before. Although I told him that he would act hostile against me, he needed to act professionally sometimes. But how could I even suggest that? I would get beheaded if I dare to speak what's inside of my mind.

"You two look so good for each other."

"Huh?" I glared at the Grand Alpha King. "Are you hearing yourself, old man?" I wanted to act like I'm having goosebumps right now but I couldn't do it because his son was here.

He chuckled, smiling.

"I heard that my son tried to get you off from the railings yesterday, Rachelle. And you two ended up falling from the second floor." I stiffened and even caught my breath. I looked at the Alpha King who was silently drinking his cup of tea.

He raised his glance to look at me. "I didn't know your favorite soldier is a stubborn person and hard to control, Father." There was bitterness laced in his tone. "General Rachelle looked like she is trying to commit suicide."

"What?" I looked at him in disbelief. "You are interfering with my affairs. I wasn't trying to commit suicide, Your Majesty," I said defensively to the Grand Alpha King. "You know how adventurous I am even if it costs me a suspension." I pleaded with him so he could join my side. "Unlike your son who didn't even know me at all. He judged so easily." I shot the Alpha King a glare.

Claude snorted. "I knew you for being stubborn and doesn't listen to someone's orders. She keeps on defying my orders even though I am her Alpha King." He also shot me a glare.

We fought glances. No one of us dared to back down. His beautiful hazel eyes darted on me and sent tingles down my spine. I knew that I have looked into his eyes before but it never failed to amaze how amazing and sparkly they were. Why do I have this urge to touch him on his face? Why is my heart pounding so wildly?

We both snapped back when we both heard the hearty laugh of the Grand Alpha King.

"If I had known it better, I would have mistaken you two that you are mates having lovers quarrel," he said, laughing.

That felt awkward. Alpha King Claudian and I looked at each other when his father said those things. Then we looked away because we both knew our real situation and neither of us was daring to talk about how our bond had become withered to awaken again.

I rejected him.

But looks like the moon goddess tied our bond again despite the things I did of rejecting him. He hurt me so why do we have to be mates again?

I tried to laugh it out but it came out to be an awkward laugh. "Y-You're not match-making me to your son, old man. I'm sure His Majesty's mate would be jealous of that..."

"She rejected my son," he replied. "For some reason." Then he shrugged, looking at his son. But that made Claude and I stiffen who remained silent. "Claude didn't want to tell me why he was rejected by his mate. For what reason? I don't think it is because of being an Alpha King as a result of a misunderstanding, right, son?"

I slowly gulped, waiting for Claude's answer. I silently watched him with a hint of nervousness.

In the end, he averted his eyes to me when he looked away from looking at the Grand Alpha. "Father, I don't want to talk about it. It was all in the past. I don't want to discuss it." My stomach somersaults because of his intense glare.

Grand Alpha sighed. "It's a shame. She will be my daughter-in-law and the future Luna Queen." I held my breath then darted my eyes to Claude who was gnashing his jaw at me. That... Future Luna Queen? Was he serious? "Anyway, have you found your mate yet, Rachelle?"

That gentle tone of Grand Alpha made me feel guilty. How am I supposed to answer it? Should I answer? Was it necessary?

"Old man, you know that—"

"Yes, yes. Until now, you still hate the topic of mate thing," he said through chuckling.

I gulped, feeling the intense glare from Claude. I focused my attention on the Grand Alpha.

Suddenly, he snickered. "I could surmise Rachelle as the type of a person that if she finds her mate, she will reject him if she hates the topic of mate thing."

That bitterness in his tone made me snap my head to him. I clenched my hands from that accusation.

I smiled bitterly. "You see, Your Majesty, I don't easily accept a mate in my life. I still have struggled with my own business. I am still a missing piece." I watched as his eyes slit, looking at me. "I will only reject him if I catch him kissing another woman or sleeping with a woman. Why would I even choose to accept him if he can dare to cheat behind my back? That is so low of me to accept him so easily."

I couldn't help being annoyed at his words after the memory of him and Duchess Amelia kissing in that room. He even dared to call me so I could catch them doing the deed!

"Rachelle has a point, son. I understand her sentiments." The Grand Alpha nodded his head.

I smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty." I stood and curtsied before him. "I'm glad you understand my point," I said by looking at Alpha King Claudian with a triumphant smile.

"Have some tea?" He offered me but I politely declined. "If ever that you still haven't found your mate and you can never find him, would you like to be my son's betrothal, Rachelle?"

My eyes widened.

"What?!" Claude and I looked at each other.

"F-Father, why are you having a proposal to this woman? And why are you deciding on my marriage?" Claude asked angrily.

I looked at the Grand Alpha in disbelief. "What are you even saying, old man?" I asked nervously. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. "Alpha King Claudian can have Duchess Amelia for his betrothal," I said out of the blue.

"Huh?" Claude snapped his head to me. "And why are you mentioning Amelia here?" There was a distaste in his tone.

I raised my eyebrow. "Weren't you always with her when you were still my supervisor?" I huffed, remembering that memory.

He hissed. "I was just her guard before, Rachelle."

"As if." I rolled my eyes.

He shot me a glare. "How about you though? What's with you and General Cairo?"

"What?" This man... "You annoying asshole..."

We approached each other and sent glares to one another. He was towering over me so I had to look up at him.

"Why did you include General Cairo here, huh? He has no business here, Claude?" I asked, annoyed at him.

"Exactly. If you are pissed that I mentioned General Cairo, then I am pissed as well that you mentioned Duchess Amelia when she had nothing to do here." His annoyance to me was visible as well.

I narrowed my eyes on him. This man... I wanted to punch him in his eyes if only he was not the Alpha King.

"Why do you two sound so jealous? Are you two of each other's mates?" asked the Grand Alpha.

Claude and I's eyes widened from that question. We immediately looked away.

"No!" we both said in unison. "We do not!"

The Grand Alpha chuckled. There was amusement in his expression. I just frowned at him.

I checked my pocket watch and gasped when I realized I had already spent so long here. I calmed and decided to bid goodbye. "Pardon me, Your Majesties but I have to go now." I need to go and I don't want to stay here any longer.

"Oh." The Grand Alpha has a hint of disappointment in his tone. "Where are you going?"

"To the capital." I leaned on the railings. "I'll spend my whole day there, strolling around," I answered the old man politely.

"Really? That's good then." He sighed then looked at his son who went back to his seat. "Why don't you take my son with you for a stroll?"

I frowned. What the hell? "What? Why?"

"What is it this time, Father?" Even Claude was also distressed by his father. "I have affairs to attend to today."

The Grand Alpha shrugged his shoulders. "He is always busy. The Alpha King forgets how to have fun ever since he became the Alpha King."

"No, Father. I'll have my day off next time." He shook his head.

I sighed. "I shall take my leave, Your Majesties." I stood in the railings, thinking of taking a shortcut by jumping from the third floor.

Someone's hand stopped me. That touch sent me tingles down my spine upon knowing who he was. I snapped my head at the Alpha King with a frown.

"What is it again?" I asked impatiently and jerked off his hand the moment I felt the burning sensation flowed to my skin.

"Do you really have to jump from here?" He grabbed my arm. "Don't do what you did yesterday."

I jerked him off one more time. "Mind your own business, will you?" I rolled my eyes.

Claude hissed. "Felix, stop her!" he ordered.

My eyes widened from what he said. I turned my head to see Sir Felix about to approach me but I just grinned. I jumped backward and let myself feel while seeing the shocking expression of Claude.

"Rachelle!" There was a horrified expression on his face.

I smiled and landed on the ground perfectly. Looking up, I saw how he had a relieved expression. I saw beside him was the Grand Alpha who was laughing.

I curtsied before them and decided to leave.

But as I was walking away, I heard the Grand Alpha's amusement.

"Follow her!"

When I turned around, my eyes widened when Claude jumped from the third floor and landed on the ground safe and sound. Then he ran towards me.

"I'm coming with you to the capital," he said, which made my jaw drop.