Chapter 4

Hazel's POV

 The morning sun sipped through the open castle windows, the brightness filled the entire hallway; my heels clicked on the stone floor as I stomped ahead with no particular destination in mind. Remy, my bodyguard kept pace beside me. 

I paused and hurriedly ran my eyes around to check if anyone was coming this way.  I returned my gaze back at him, and he only had an unreadable expression on his face.

"You just stood like a statue while Damian insulted me, " I spat, my voice rising. “Do you even know what being a bodyguard means?”

Remy's eyebrows arched. “My job is to protect you from danger, not dictate your love life.”

I scoffed in disbelief. “Oh, so it's not danger when a man steals a kiss from me without consent?” 

Watching him closely, he didn't seem to be affected by my sudden outburst; rather, he just stood still with a tired expression on his face.  Almost like he was fed up with our conversation. Idiot!

His eyes not leaving mine, he said. “Clearly, you weren't dying. It was just a toxic lovers quarrel.”

I balled my hands into a fist, my feet pressed hard against the hard, cold floor. I glared at him. 

"Why do I have a feeling like you're enjoying this? To see me suffer.”

He remained calm, but a hint of amusement glistened in his eyes. “I'm just stating facts, you don't expect me to beat him up because he kissed you.”

I threw my hands up. “Do you even hear yourself?”

Deep down, I knew I wanted to ask him about what happened earlier between us, but I couldn't bring myself to. Remy's status would only bring shame to my family and myself, whatever happened in that room has to stay there. 

And why do I feel like I'm the only one that cares? I bit my nails and stared at it with built up rage boiling in my chest. I sighed and took in slow breaths due to the aching in my chest. 

Maybe Remy would kill me before whoever wants me dead does. 

Now stable, I patted my chest softly and dropped my hand to my side before fixing my eyes back on his, and the expression on his face was different now. 

He leaned closer, his sleepy eyes buried into mine as our lips were a few inches apart. The feeling of his warm breath grazing my lip made my stomach tighten. Beads of sweat were now on my forehead as he still didn't move. 

I stole a quick glance at his pink heart shaped lips, swallowed the lump on my throat, as I looked the other way. 

" What are you planning, Hazel?" He asked, his voice low and husky.

I bat my eyelashes rapidly, ready to give him a reply. “I don't know what you're talking about." Oh, I lied. 

He leaned closer with his lips brushing my ear. “I can hear your heart beating pretty fast. Don't lie to me."

I pressed my lips together, unable to get myself out of this situation that walking away would just resolve, but somehow, it was because my feet had a mind of their own. Like they would only move if he told them to. 

What is going on with me?

Without looking, I could tell he licked his lips. They were now moist and pinker. Oh! Hazel, don't tell me this is all because of the mate bond from earlier. 

After a few minutes of silence, he finally spoke up. Calculating every word. “Look here, princess, I do not desire to spend my enternity with you. Whatever happened between us means nothing to me."

I stared deeply into his eyes, and they were unwavering, serving as my cue that he wasn't joking around. I brushed my hair back with my hand and quickly took a step back to get some space. I coughed lightly and stared at him again. 

"Look, I only did that so Damian would just go away and stop pushing his luck, " I voiced, as calmly as I could. At least it's the truth. 

He nodded and licked his lips, seems he does that casually, and it makes him pretty hot. 

Oh! Great, when will you learn Hazel? This man doesn't deserve such good genes anyway. He is a psycho and should be treated with pure disdain.

I opened my mouth to speak, but a familiar voice beat me to it. “My princess, your father, and the others are waiting for you," my chambermaid Gwen announced, her head slightly bowed. 

Oh! Yeah, I totally forgot. Father had mentioned a brief meeting with few important members of the pack for a brief announcement. It must be about a new guard or perhaps a lead about the people who want me dead. 

I sighed and rubbed my palms together before gesturing for her to move aside so I could get prepared for it. As we walked on, I didn't turn back to stare, and neither did he utter a single word. As it should be, anyway. 

   Some few minutes later, I sat down beside a blonde-haired, well endowed young lady. Must be Alpha Charlie's daughter. I yawned and rested my back against the wooden chair. 

I ran my eyes around the room and spotted that Jerk! Damian. He had an annoying smile spread across his lips, Jeez! I honestly cannot believe I had a thing for him in the past. Creep. 

Mumuring could be heard from every corner of the spacious throne room, and the sunlight sipped in through the open windows. It illuminated the entire room. I beat my fingers slowly against the smooth rectangular wooden table surface as I stole glances at Remy's piercing cold emerald eyes from time to time. 

I yawned and slowly ran my eyes around for the tenth time since I got here. 

The front huge wide flew, and a cold chill swept through the room. It was our pack seer, Nana. The entire room was quiet as everyone stared intently at her. Nana has never left her chambers in months, and seeing her here had me tap my feet repeatedly. 

Nana is unlike any seer I had seen, her readings of destiny were always accurate, and the goddess only spoke to her. 

Now standing beside my father, he coughed and sat down properly. “I know you all must be wondering why I had summoned you all here. “ He paused and stole a quick glance at me before resuming his speech. “But worry not, our gathering is for a good cause.”

I bit my nails hard, unable to hold back my impatience. 

Nana's eyes met mine, and she traced them to Damian. Okay, what's going on?

"It is with great joy that I announce to you all that the goddess has chosen a mate for my little girl." He finally released the bombshell, causing me to stand up from my chair. 

" Father, what are you talking about?" I asked with arched brows. 

He flashed me a reassuring smile. “Someone strong and bold to always be by your side, a man worthy of you and willing to sacrifice his life for yours," he resumed, now on his feet. 

Wait! The only man who came to mind was Remy. I get his hate and all, but who would be worthy if not him?Don't get the wrong idea; of course I don't want it to be him. 

Maybe perhaps you do , Hazal. A voice said in my head. 

The room was as silent as a graveyard now, everyone patiently waiting for the mate of the princess to be announced so I could be judged and insulted for only having the good stuff. Fuck that, but its good, and I don't care. 

Everyone's eyes were now fixed on me, including that creep. Remy just stared put, like a dog that he was. Annoying. 

Nana stretched out her old wrinkled fingernail, and I traced it to him. No! No! It was that lunatic. My heart raced as I tried to process what just happened. Panic slowly creeping in as I tried to process what was happening. 

 As I pushed my chair away, my heart pounded in my chest, unable to take in whatever he had just said. The ground felt unsteady beneath me as I dragged my feet to where my father, the alpha, stood in all glory. 

A wave of nausea washed over me as I hurriedly pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling the food I had an hour ago rise.  How could this be happening? My mind raced like a windmail subdued by a strong wind. 

I pressed my hands into a fist. How could my father do this to me? How could the goddess choose a man like that for me?

Is Damian my karma?

As I stood in front of my father, my hands now trembled at my side, my fist clenched so tight that they dug deep into my nails.  I wanted to scream, to run away from here, it felt like my entire world had come crashing down in front of my very eyes. 

"Anyone but him," I yelled, my voice cracking due to the intensity of my emotions. Everyone gasped, shock evident in their faces. 

I thought I was his little princess.