The Queen's Guard

Maddison Spencer-Bennett

One drink…

Two drinks…

Too many drinks later...

I opened my eyes as the light was coming through the curtains. As I did so, I realized that my head was resting peacefully on a bare, toned chest.

I walked away slowly, trying not to panic, because reality was hitting me hard: I had slept with a complete stranger.

“Shit! I have to get out of here!” I whispered to myself, while looking for my lost clothes... today I was the one who had to do the walk of shame when leaving this room.

A walk I had seen many times with the countless women who slept with the triplets.

Every time I saw them leave the house embarrassed at dawn, I would give the talk to my brothers, as if I were the police of morality and good customs... and now, I was the one who committed the crime.

Once dressed, I looked one last time at the stranger, who was sleeping in the bed, completely unconcerned. Without a doubt, I would never forget this night and I could never forget him, since it was my first time.

I opened the door gently, and as I left, I slowly closed it. For a moment I thought, it’s a good thing he didn’t wake up! My thought lasted a split second, until the door abruptly opened and the pissed-off stranger exclaimed, “Where the fuck do you think you’re going, mate?”

____________

The night before.

“It’s decided, Maddie. You have nothing to say about this. You are going to meet your mate. I’ve seen it! And surely you too! You can’t go against fate! Don’t you remember the stories that your parents and I have told you?” Mom said, while she's trying to take my hand.

“All my life I have been told what to do, where to go… I could decide nothing myself. I refuse to let a complete stranger claim me as his, without me having been able to experience what a girl of my age should do! Why don’t you let me live my life, mom?”

She sighed as she frowned. “You have already turned twenty-one. Your wolf will come to you on the full moon and with her, you will recognize him. There’s no way out, Maddie. It is your destiny.”

“Fuck destiny, mom!”

And with no delay, I ran to my room, slamming the door.

I refused to continue like this. I couldn’t let everyone dictate what my life should be.

I wanted to know what it felt like, to be free to do whatever I wanted, because all my life, I had been told what to do, what to say, and how to behave.

Everyone around me had something to say, while I watched them accepting everything the others decided for me.

But not tonight.

Tonight, would be different, I told myself.

I had decided to escape from my home. Don’t misunderstand me. I have grown up in a loving environment and with a lot of support.

But that didn’t take away the feeling that they had taken my option to choose another future just by being born into this family.

My entire life and my future had been planned by my parents and I... All I had to do was accept their decision. That was what the rightful heir to the royal throne was expected to do. To the only throne, since the northern and southern kingdoms were united. Do what the people need.

With the last touch that marked 12, I escaped through my window. I have always been agile, since from a very young age I was trained by the best.

Why didn’t I use my magic? It was better not to use it. Mom created a rune that detected any hint of magic in the pack. So, every time we used magic without supervision, my brothers and I were punished. A disapproving look from Mom was more painful than a blow.

So, with no major inconvenience, I left the palace. As I walked to my car, proud of my stealthy escape, I heard someone clear his throat behind me.

I turned on my heels, and there was William leaning against his truck, with a carefree look, a mocking smile, and a raised eyebrow. “You’re too far from your room, little one. Your mother will lose her mind if she finds out you ran away.”

I bit my lower lip, as I said, “Will you tell her? Do you agree with what she said? What’s wrong with being a dumb teenager?”

He sighed as he said, “Honey, there’s nothing wrong with being a stupid teenager.”

“Thank you!” I told him, to which he cut me off, saying, “ah–ah–ah… I’m not finished.”

I frowned. “You have every right to question whatever you want, Maddie. It’s part of your age to do it. But I am the living example that every decision has its consequence.”

I rolled my eyes at him, to which he continued saying, “You have heard the stories many times about how we met your mother and you have some memories. You can’t escape meeting your mate. Have we given you such a poor example? It has been almost sixteen years being your mother’s mate.”

I sighed, as I said, “It’s not about that, William.”

“So, what is it about? I want to understand you, little one.”

“It’s just that I still remember how much mom suffered after Warren rejected her. I still hear her heartbroken crying at night in my head. When everyone thought I was sleeping, I could hear her pain... It was an entire year where mom suffered every night! I don’t want to love someone like that, William.”

“Oh, little one!”

He held out his arms to me and I ran to protect myself from the world through them, as I always have.

Each of Mom’s mates contributed something to her, but so did they to me. With each one, I have a unique relationship.

William was the one who consoled me whenever I had an argument with my parents. Parker was the one who made me laugh and Warren was the one who made me see situations from another perspective.

“I understand your fear, little one. But you also understand that loving another and giving yourself completely is part of who we are... it is our nature. We love intensely until the end of our days. I know that fate has prepared for your mates who will complement you and love you fiercely. Don’t be afraid, little one.”

I looked up and said, “Do you promise?”

“Well, I don’t have the gift of clairvoyance like you and your mother, but I have the gift of my fists. If anyone makes you suffer, I can always beat them up in your name.”

And there was the smile that I thought was lost. “Thank you, William.”

“Good. Now, get in the car and go enjoy. You need a night alone to be a silly teenager or just a single girl. You can always talk to your mother in the morning. Alright?”

I smiled, wiped away my tears, and nodded like a little girl. William opened the car door for me and said, “If your mom asks for tonight, I know nothing. Now go, before I change my mind.”

And without being told twice, I immediately left the palace, driving at full speed.

Unconsciously, I drove to the new bar they had opened a few weeks before. I read about it and was curious.

Getting in was pretty easy. They let me in, bypassing the waiting area because they knew who I was. Sometimes, being the princess has its benefits.

I headed inside.

It had several areas where it was full of people. Each of the people present laughed and enjoyed the night that was still young.

Sitting at the bar, I asked the bartender to refill my glass again and again. At twenty-one years old, having just turned, I was not happy with the news that my mother had dropped on me like a bomb about to explode: You will meet your fated mate. Therefore, alcohol seemed like a good option to forget my pathetic life.

Suddenly, everything became like a romantic Hallmark Channel movie.

With the typical structure of a young surfer, although I estimated he was in his thirties, blonde, tan skin, green eyes, full lips and muscles that I didn’t know existed, I saw him enter through the main door.

He was wearing a custom-made suit in navy blue. He was the definition of an adonis. 

Suddenly, my throat felt dry, and my heart beat wildly as I saw his eyes meet mine.

As if in slow motion, he walked towards me. As he got closer, a scent of peppermint attracted me. When he was by my side, I understood it was his essence. His scent was totally addictive and made my mouth water.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. He approached slowly and whispered in my ear, “What are you drinking?”

I swallowed hard and just said, “Cosmopolitan.”

“Um… I want to try…” he whispered again, as his mouth approached mine.

I was waiting to see what he would do when he turned aside and took my glass, smiling flirtatiously.

“Delicious… but I imagine that tasting it from your lips would be even more exquisite.”

He stared at me, waiting for my response, and I didn’t hesitate for a second. I took the glass, took a sip, set it down, and attacked his lips.

I don’t know if it was the alcohol, but here I was... Being kissed passionately, by a complete stranger.

He moved away from me a little, letting me breathe, while he whispered to me, “What is your name?”

“No names. Tonight, I want you to make me forget. Do you think you can do it?” I told him, feeling daring, since, at this point, I had nothing to lose, or so I thought at the time.

The mysterious man smiled and said, “Are you challenging me, little one?”

I smiled haughtily. I drank the last of what was left in my glass and, very close to his lips, I said, “Maybe so. What are you going to do about it?”

And with no further conversation, the man took my hand and led me out of the bar, heading towards the hotel across the street.