Fate

Esme POV

“What?” I turned around.

Leo stood in front of me, his face twisted with rage, his black shirt ruffled and opened at the top.

“No, no, no!” he marched up to me and gripped my shoulders.

“Get off me! What did you say?”

“Why you? Why now? I’ve known you my whole fucking life and never felt anything like this.”

“Leave me alone,” I shoved him.

He glared at me. This had to be a joke. I glared at the crescent moon and mentally cursed the moon goddess. What was she thinking paring me up with Leo? He’s an asshole.

“You can’t be my mate,” he mumbled.

“Yes, because I’m a slave, I know!”

“A wolfless slave!”

Tears stung my eyes. I didn’t get my wolf. I’d be ridiculed for not having one for the rest of my life. I dusted myself off. I’ve been dealing with the pain for years I was strong I could handle this heartbreak too.

“I’m leaving,” I said, I didn’t want him to see me in my weakest moment.

Leo grabbed my arm and dragged me back to him. He snaked his right arm around my waist and held me in place.

“You don’t feel how I feel, Esme. We have a bond now.”

I looked away. He dragged my chin back to face him.

“You don’t feel it now but you’re going to feel the heat from the mate bond.”

“How? I don’t have a wolf.”

He toyed with the fabric of my dress. His touch made my insides melt.

“It’s going to happen. It’s my job to take care of you.”

“What?”

He swept me off my feet in a second, wrapped my legs around his waist and claimed my mouth as his. He slammed me against a tree. The pain lasted a second because I was in shock at being kissed like this. Leo must have sensed my inexperience but he didn’t stop. He kept kissing me, each stroke grew with possession. This is what it felt like to be dominated by your mate. Maybe, just maybe this would work out. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I didn’t know if it was the mate bond or years of sexual neglect coming out but I wanted him too.

Leo ran a hand up my thigh and under my dress. He found my underwear and I broke the kiss.

“Wait,” I gasped.

“I’ll be gentle,” he growled. “I have to have you, Esme. You’re mine.”

He pushed me back against the tree and kissed my chest while his fingers travelled underneath my underwear. I stiffened but the second Leo found my sensitive bud my awkwardness melted away and I wanted more of his touch.

“You smell so good,” he said against my neck.

I dug my nails into his back as he traced his fingers into my wetness. Leo had his flaws but the moon goddess thought he was good for me. He was a fierce warrior maybe he would stand to defend me and love fiercely too.

“Oh— I think I’m going to—” I exhaled as my walls clenched and my clit throbbed. I can’t believe that happened.

Leo set me down gently. He brushed the hair out of my face before bringing his fingers up to his mouth and licking them clean.

“Get back to the house and get some rest.”

“What are we going to do about this?”

“We’ll figure it out. Now head back.”

“Fine,” I exhaled. A part of me was still reeling from the experience.

“Esme,” Leo called.

“Yes?”

“Happy Birthday.”

I smiled. “Happy Birthday Leo.”

***

I decided to give the mate bond a chance. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and the way he kissed me. There were a lot of obstacles between us like how could a slave girl confined to the basement of the Pack house live up to the standard of a crowned Prince? Fate had a funny sense of humour. This may be a reason to stay in the Highbridge Pack.

The Alpha King was hosting an Alpha’s Banquet tonight. Now one lower than Beta was allowed to attend. Today would be busier than yesterday.

“There you are, grab the flour and help me bake,” Rhoda said.

“Is this for the Alpha Prince’s birthday?”

“Yes, Luna Monica insisted on a five-layer cake for her son. It needs to be ready in time for the banquet.”

Crap, I thought.

I rolled up my sleeves and helped Rhoda bake and ice all the cakes while she worked on the meals. Just when I looked at the individual cakes and felt proud, loud feminine laughter fluttered into the kitchen.

“Everything looks wonderful.” Chanel smiled.

Chanel never compliments us nor does she visit the kitchen casually.

Rhoda paused. “Thank you, Princess.”

“Working on your birthday, Esme, that’s sad,” Giselle said, a sinister smile on her face.

“Something I can help you with?” I asked, through gritted teeth.

Chanel hung back and polished her nails on her jacket while Giselle traced the counter where my hard-baked cakes sat.

Please don’t, I thought.

“We missed you last night at the welcome ceremony. We’re going to miss you again at the Banquet. Though, that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to wish you a happy birthday!”

She picked up the chocolate cake from the counter and hurled it at my face. Giselle crumbled the cake and smeared it all over my shirt.

“Now listen, slave,” she stepped closer. “I smelt you all over him last night. I don’t care what happened but the Alpha belongs to me.”

My heart hammered against my chest.

“Stay away from Alpha Leo. He doesn’t need a slave running after him. He made love to me afterwards. Know your place.”

I bit my trembling bottom lip. She had to be lying. How could he sleep with her after what happened between us? Gosh, I’m so stupid! Giselle and Chanel shared a triumphant smirk. Mission accomplished.

“Esmeray,” Rhoda said once they were gone.

I couldn’t face her. I focused on cleaning the chocolate cake off the floor.

She handed me a clean rag. “What did you get up to, child?”

“It’s not what you think. I didn’t get my wolf but…”

“You got a man instead, typical of the moon goddess,” Rhoda puffed and rolled her eyes.

Rhoda was an omega wolf and a witch. She’s a hybrid.

“I don’t know what to do. I feel so stupid, Rhoda.”

“That’s not going to help you. Listen I can help you get a wolf.”

“That’s not possible,” I sniffled.

“You doubt me too much. There’s a way to get you your wolf then you won’t be stuck in this house forever like your Mother.”

My Mother never had a choice. She was a slave taken from another Pack. This is the only home she’s ever known.

“What do I do?” I asked determined.

Rhoda smiled. “I’ll tell you when everyone is at the banquet tonight. We don’t want eavesdroppers.”

***

The Banquet had begun so Rhoda told me to change out of my work clothes and into the black dresses the servers wore tonight so I could blend in.  Just like last night Rhoda and I were confined to the kitchen.

“What do you want me to do, Rhoda?” I asked.

“Hold your horses—”

“Esme!” A bark cut her off and made me jump.

I turned around to find Leo striding into the kitchen. Dressed in his full royal black and blue attire. He looked stunning. My heart melted and I temporarily forgot what I was planning.

“Your Highness,” Rhoda bowed.

“Leave us,” Leo growled.

Rhoda nodded and strolled out of the kitchen leaving us alone.

Why was he so mad? He was the one who allegedly slept with Giselle.

“I sent for you hours ago, why the hell didn’t you show up?” He shouted.

“I didn’t know. I’ve been so busy—”

“Enough. Why are you dressed like this? You’re not allowed at the banquet.”

I saw the hatred in his eyes. Why did I think things would be different? He would always see me as an outcast and a slave in his house. He grabbed my shoulders possessively.

“I can’t do this Esme. I can’t mate with a slave.”

“So that’s why you slept with Giselle?”

“What I do is none of your business. I’m still your Alpha.”

“Of course,” I spat sarcastically.

“Let’s make this quick. There will never be anything between us. I, Crown Alpha Prince Leonardo, reject you Esmeray as my mate.”

My voice caught in my throat. I knew this was coming why was I so naïve? Leo grabbed my throat and dragged me forward.

“Accept my rejection!”

“Get off me!” I swatted him off and hit my back on the counter.

“I’ll never love you. If you don’t accept my rejection, you’ll never be more than just my bedmate. It’s not a bad gig when you think about it,” he chuckled.

I glared at him. “I, Esmeray Erikson, accept your rejection.”

My vision blurred and I dropped to the ground when everything went black.