#Chapter 4 A Mark Too Close

Does he know I’m his Mate? The potion is supposed to be very effective, and I did my best to hide my face, but does he still know it’s me? My pulse raises as I look up into the waiting eyes of Prince Kaine.

If he recognizes me I will lose everything. His rejection will mean the loss of the Moon Goddess’s blessing, and my Wolf. Everything I’ve worked for and everything I am. A part of my soul will be gone just like that.

There is a pause and I wait for the admission of recognition, but none comes as he assesses me. “What is your name?”

I pause unsure of his motives, but answer the question. “Ember,” I breathe out.

Prince Kaine continues, “Are you a guard? Why are you wearing a uniform?”

My uniform, he’s confused because I am a female member of the guard. Thank Goddess he didn’t see my face last night. I try not to let the relief show on my face as I answer his question. “Yes, Alpha, I am the first female admitted.”

Prince Kaine looks confused for a moment but doesn’t ask any further questions. There’s a motion to the right as the Captain of the Guard steps forward and frowns at me. “I’m sorry Alpha, I will have her removed.”

I’m surprised by the sudden hostility emanating from Prince Kaine as he stares down the Captain and growls, “Do not presume to know what I am thinking, Captain.”

I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips in surprise at Prince Kaine’s seeming tolerance of my role in the Guard. I hear my Nara, quiet since we left Kaine’s room this morning, speak. “Maybe there’s hope.”

I can feel her hope at the possibility of pursuing our dreams with a Mate by our side but it is not something I can risk. Tolerance is not the same as acceptance, and there is a difference between allowing a female to continue on in the guard and being mated to her. Even if that wasn’t a problem there is no guarantee he wouldn’t reject me for myself alone.

Nara begins to whine, but doesn’t press the issue and I breathe a sigh of relief as Prince Kaine steps back. His Beta takes a step forward and pauses as if choosing his words carefully as he addresses the line of women standing before him.

“I am asking the woman from last night to step forward willingly. No one will be allowed to leave until the woman is apprehended.” There is a murmur among the group and no one steps forward. Nara starts to whine again, pleading with me to change my mind.

I’m sorry. I can’t. It’s too risky.

The Beta sighs as he looks over the group again. “If no one comes forward the guards will have to check you for the Royal Mark.”

There is a collective gasp across the room and another murmur as the women wonder what the Royal Mark has to do with an assault on the prince. That murmur quickly goes from shocked to outraged as the women begin to process what checking for the Royal Mark will entail.

My stomach drops as I realize what this means for me. I will be discovered. The potion I took this morning suppresses the Mate Bond but it does nothing to cover the physical signs of mating and the mark left by Prince Kaine is one that can only be given by a member of the royal family.

The women’s discontent only grows as another minute passes and no one comes forward. For the majority of the women in the group this would be a humiliating ordeal, and having their bodies searched by a member of the guard would be a horrible violation. As the guards start forward a few women open their mouths to protest but quickly shut them as they eye the imposing presence of the men and the weapons they carry.

Guilt consumes me again and I watch the women, fully aware that they are in this situation because of me. I will not stand by and let this happen.

I take a step forward and a hush falls upon the room. The guards stop in their tracks as every eye in the room is drawn to me. I feel Prince Kaine’s stare and I take a deep breath, but I refuse to meet his gaze.

I turn to his Beta instead. “Please stop this. You cannot search innocent women in this way. I—”

My confession is on the tip of my tongue, drawn out by overwhelming guilt when Prince Kaine speaks up. “You’re right,” he remarks to my surprise. “This would be much more appropriate,” he finishes coldly, gesturing to me.

I finally turn to look at Prince Kaine, confused at his declaration.

“You are a member of the guard, are you not? You will conduct the searches.”

Relief floods my veins at his words. I will conduct the searches. This is the best possible outcome.

These women will be able to maintain some shred of dignity, and if I am the one conducting the searches, I will not be subjected to one myself. I thank the Goddess that the search was called while I was here for training and wearing my guard uniform.

I might still be able to get out of this. “Yes, Alpha,” I reply, trying not to sound too eager. I just have to finish the searches and then this will be over. The guards will continue the watch from the hallway to allow for privacy, and then I will be escorted to Prince Kaine’s office to reveal my findings.

I make my way to the end of the line of women and begin searching for the Royal Mark as discreetly as I can. A few women are still apprehensive, but this is the best I can do for them without giving myself away. I do my best to make it look like I’m searching in earnest without upsetting the women further.

When I’ve finished, I inform the guards, one of whom escorts me to Prince Kaine’s office. “I’m sorry, Alpha, none of the women here bear the Royal Mark.”

I can’t help but take a step back as I see the look on Prince Kaine’s face. Furious would be an understatement as his eyes darken, transforming his face from handsome to terrifying in an instant. I feel a shiver run down my spine, glad I had been interrupted before I could reveal myself as his Mate.

There is no way this man would have honored our Mate Bond, regardless of his feelings on females in the royal guard. I was right to stay away.

I turn to walk away, but a hand reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me close.

“Don’t move,” he barks. Despite the potion, my bond flares at his touch and I am powerless in his arms. I pray to the Goddess that I am the only one who felt that.

“There is still one woman who hasn’t been checked,” he growls. My pulse races as his hand reaches for my collar, threatening to take everything away.