A Test of Patience

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the towering windows of the Royal Palace, casting a warm glow on Amani's face as she slept soundly in her bed. She stirred from her slumber as Maggie entered her chambers, gracefully carrying a tray filled with a delicious breakfast.

"Good morning," Maggie greeted with a bright smile, crossing the room to place the tray on the table.

Usually, Amani would ignore Maggie's morning greetings, but today was different. A sense of warmth for the old woman was beginning to awaken within her. "Good morning," Amani responded, surprising Maggie who glanced over to confirm it was indeed her speaking.

"I brought your breakfast," Maggie said, her voice tinged with a hint of caution. "I would strongly advise you to eat it unless you want an angry Alpha barging in here."

With a gentle stretch, Amani sat up and slowly made her way to the table. She realized it was in her best interest to enjoy her meal and avoid the return of the formidable Prince.

"When you're finished, Kai will be escorting you to the Royal Hospital for a check-up," Maggie informed Amani.

"I don't need a check-up," Amani protested. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Kai is concerned about your wolf not emerging," Maggie explained. "We have the best physicians in the Pack Lands, and I believe it would be wise for you to go."

Amani hesitated. "Well, can't you accompany me?"

Maggie chuckled. "Kai won't allow you to leave these walls without him."

"I don't want to be anywhere near him," Amani declared.

"But he's your mate," Maggie reminded her.

"I don't care," Amani stubbornly replied. "I want nothing to do with him."

Maggie paused, searching for the right words. "I'm afraid you don't have a say in that matter. You should give him a chance. After all, he saved your life."

Amani finished her breakfast, and Maggie graciously helped her into one of the many beautiful dresses that Malakai had commissioned the Royal Kingdom's finest seamstresses to create exclusively for her. Despite being brought up as an esteemed lady, born to a very wealthy Alpha, Amani had never before adorned such exquisitely crafted garments.

Once Amani was dressed and her hair elegantly styled, Malakai arrived to escort her. She avoided meeting his gaze as she approached him at the door, and to spite him, chose not to return his greeting. Though it irked him to no end, he couldn't deny the breathtaking beauty she emanated. If she wasn’t behaving like such a brat, he might have even found words to compliment her stunning appearance.

They walked towards the palace gates, where a carriage awaited them. Like a gentleman, Malakai extended his hand, offering assistance to Amani as she boarded the carriage. However, she refused his gesture and stubbornly climbed up on her own. Malakai struggled to maintain his composure, as it was challenging for a person of his esteemed stature to endure such blatant disrespect.

Seeking to further stoke his simmering fury, Amani deliberately chose to occupy the center of the box seat, seemingly hoping it would compel Malakai to sit across from her. Refusing to be outplayed, Malakai decided to indulge her childish game. He settled in right beside her, their proximity so intimate that she might as well have been seated upon his lap.

With a frustrated huff, she yanked the part of her dress that he was sitting on, freeing it from beneath him. She then slid all the way to the opposite end of the seat, crossing her arms as she stared out of the window. Malakai took a deep breath, mustering every ounce of patience he had, just as he had promised Maggie he would.

When they arrived at the Royal Hospital, Malakai and Amani were greeted by the same woman physician who had treated Amani's wounds. Wolves were known to be possessive of their mates, ensuring that no other man even dared to look in her direction. However, Malakai was an Alpha, born of a very strong bloodline—a bloodline that had ruled for centuries—so he only allowed women physicians and staff to treat her that night.

"How have you been feeling?" The physician asked Amani as she carefully examined her. "Have you experienced any pain, changes in appetite, or trouble sleeping?"

"I don't have much of an appetite," Amani replied glumly. "And I have no trouble sleeping. I can sleep all day if I had the chance."

And sleep she would, for it was only in the realm of dreams that she could escape the nightmarish reality she found herself in. As for the pain, there was only the pain that resided deep within her heart. Yet, she knew it was a pain that wasn't worth mentioning, for there was no treatment capable of healing a broken heart.

"Do you mind if I take a look at your wounds?" The physician asked, her tone gentle and reassuring. "Just for a quick moment, would it be alright if we pull your dress down?"

Amani's gaze shifted to Malakai, a hint of hesitation lingering in her eyes. She felt a twinge of discomfort at the thought of undressing in front of him. Sensing her unease, he let out an exasperated sigh and turned around, concealing his frustration. Little did she know that he had already seen her completely naked the night he brought her there.

"Your wounds," the physician marveled, "they're completely healed. It hasn't even been a week, and only the scars remain, as if they've been with you since childhood."

The physician glanced at Malakai as she laced up Amani's dress. "She has strong alpha blood, the strongest I've witnessed since... your bloodline. Any other wolf, especially a she-wolf, would have never survived such a brutal attack in their natural form."

"Fascinating," Malakai remarked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Then, where the hell is her wolf?"

"Perhaps the trauma she endured suppressed her wolf," the physician suggested.

Malakai scoffed, "That's absurd. If anything, it should have awakened her wolf even more. There are countless tales of Lycans experiencing their first shift during moments of peril."

"You're absolutely right, Your Highness," the physician responded respectfully. "However, we must consider the fact that we’ve never encountered a female alpha before. It is possible that they undergo a shift later in life, or perhaps your mate's current mental state is impeding her ability to reach her full potential."

Malakai's gaze shifted to Amani, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. He noticed that the radiant glow she had exuded that night from the balcony had now dimmed. "What do you recommend I do?" He inquired with a genuine desire to find a solution.

“I suggest surrounding her with things that bring her peace, things that bring her some... joy,” the physician said, her gaze filled with empathy as she looked at Amani. “Your mate is otherwise in optimal health. I don’t believe it to be caused by any physical ailment.”

Malakai wasn’t entirely satisfied with the outcome, but he took her advice into consideration. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied. “I appreciate your time.”

“Of course, Your Highness. If there is anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to send for me,” she said, turning her attention to Amani. “Take care of yourself, My Lady.”

Amani stood up from her seat and followed Malakai out of the exam room, but then glanced back at the physician. "I want to apologize for my outburst that day," she said sincerely. "I believe I kicked you and was completely out of line. You didn't deserve that, and I understand that you were only trying to help me."

The physician smiled warmly. “All is forgiven.”

Malakai couldn't help but roll his eyes and wonder where the hell his apology was. They headed back to the carriage, where Malakai offered his hand to her once again, only to be smugly refused. He hesitated to ask her anything, assuming she would continue to ignore his existence. But despite his reservations, he decided to go ahead.

"Do you... have any activities that you enjoy?" He asked. "Any hobbies that help put your mind at ease?"

A heavy silence hung in the air, just as he had expected. Frustration coursed through him, making him question why he even bothered. Just as he was about to give up, he caught a faint whisper escaping her lips.

"What was that?" He said, leaning in to hear her better.

She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. "Paint," she said softly. "I like to paint."

A small smile graced Malakai's lips, a sense of triumph shining in his eyes. "Noted," he said, retaining her answer to memory.

As soon as they returned to the palace, Malakai wasted no time in sending his servants out to fetch the finest paint supplies that the Kingdom had to offer. They swiftly brought an array of paintbrushes, canvases, and an elegant easel to Amani's chambers.

Additionally, they presented her with a stunning selection of acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints in a beautiful variety of colors. The sight of it all was enough to lift her spirits, and for the first time in days, Amani couldn't help but smile.