FOUR

DENZEL

Wide eyed, my mate stared at me. I clenched my fists, frustrated. If she knew the truth, would she stay with me? She already seemed uncomfortable around me. I should have known that Wren would try to pitch my mate against me at the slightest chance she got.

"Denzel? You don't have to say anything. It must've been painful for you. I apologize for my friend's insensitivity" Kiara said, giving me a smile.

I stared at her, surprised. It was the least I'd expected her to do. Naturally, she was curious, I could tell.

Nevertheless, she was more concerned about my feelings. A while ago, she'd refused to look me in the eye. This was good progress.

"I'll take my leave now. A maid will be here to serve your meals" I said and she nodded.

Her gaze followed me until I was out of the door. Terah, my wolf, growled in my head. He desired to spend more time with her. I did too. But, I knew I had to take things slow.

Down the hallway, Wren was waiting for me, her head bowed. She went down on her knees when I got to her.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. I shouldn't have done that. I felt envious-"

"Save it. I don't want to hear it. Stay away from my mate if you want to keep your life" I said.

She whimpered, keeping her head lowered.

I didn't care. The only reason she was still alive was because of her brother.

"She's pregnant!" She suddenly exclaimed, her eyes filled with angry tears.

It wasn't new to me. I'd felt the life growing within my mate, the night we'd met.

"She's carrying another man's child, your majesty. You don't even know who she is. She might just be your downfall-"

"Guards!" I yelled, outraged.

Three of them came rushing to me.

"Your majesty" they bowed in greeting.

"Lock her up right away" I ordered.

Wren gasped.

"But-"

"I won't change my mind. Not even Keenan can get you out of this" I spat.

Once they were out of sight, Kennan, Wren's brother stepped into my line of vision. He was my beta and best friend.

"Your majesty" he bowed.

"You're not here to talk me out of keeping her in the cell, are you?" I said.

"Of course not. This time she deserves it. However, I think she has a point. You don't know your mate. I think you should do some digging to avoid unnecessary problems" he said.

I knew exactly what he was driving at.

Afterall, I'd met my first mate in a similar manner. She had ruined me.

"Does she remind you of Deanna?" Keenan asked, his face blank.

"No. She doesn't. She's different. I can feel it."

"I met her friend along the hallway " Keenan said.

"Oh, really? What do you think of her?" I asked.

He sighed.

"She's the kind of woman I like to avoid."

"How so?"

"She's a troublemaker. But, I think she cares about your mate. I guess it's okay to keep her around if you want to."

...

While working on pack affairs in my study, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in" I said.

The door creaked open and my mate walked in. She looked a lot better than before. With her waist length blonde hair in a ponytail, she was clad in a flowery pattern dress.

"If you're busy, I can just -"

I shook my head, leaning back on my seat.

"Take your seat. If you want to talk, I'm all ears" I said.

She nodded and settled down on the chair in front of my desk.

"I want to thank you for your help. Thank you for saving my friend and I " she began, her azure eyes filled with sincerity.

"I also want to apologize for-"

She suddenly cried out in pain, clutching at the curve of her neck. I shot to my feet, alarmed.

"What's wrong?" I asked, moving to her side.

"I-It's nothing" she winced, her face contorted with pain.

"You're obviously in pain. Let me see it" I said.

She hesitated a little. Then, she took her hand away from her neck. I clenched my jaw when I saw the mark on her neck. It was obviously from a Lycan's fangs.

"You're mated? You didn't tell me" I pointed out, trying to hide my displeasure.

"That's not true! I rejected him. He must've marked me when I was unconscious" her face had turned red from embarassment.

I stared at her, my displeasure quickly fading.

'How adorable,' I thought as I watched her ramble on about how she wasn't lying to me.

"Are you done?" I asked and she blushed, lowering her head.

"I'm sorry" she mumbled.

"Don't be. If you rejected him and he proceeded to mark you, he must be a scum bag" I said.

She hissed in pain again, flinching.

"I can get rid of it for you. There are two options. I could use magic to nullify it. Or, I could mark you right now."

Her eyes widened. She looked torn.

"Fine. You still don't trust me yet. It's understandable. I'll use magic. I'll try to make it less painful" I said.

She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut when I placed a hand over the mark.

She didn't make a sound until I was done.

"Thank you" she breathed, giving me a small smile.

"You're welcome."

"I should get going now " she mumbled, rising to her feet. She took a few steps towards the door and halted, her shoulders sagging.

"There's something I have to tell you" she said.

"What is it?" I asked, gazing at her.

Slowly, she turned around to look at me, bringing a hand to her stomach.

"The truth is... I'm pregnant. The baby's father is a Lycan. He got me pregnant because he wanted to keep me as his breeder" she said, her eyes fixed on the floor.

Rage rushed through my veins at the thought of the bastard who'd taken advantage of her.

"I'm aware that I'm your mate. But...we can't be together. I have nothing to offer you. I'm not fit to be the mate of someone as powerful as you are. If anything, I will only be your downfall."

Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks, her voice cracking with emotions.

For the life of me, I couldn't help but think of one thing. I wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her tears away.

Covering the distance between us, I cupped her face.

"Kiara, look at me" I whispered.

She slowly looked up at me, her dazzling azure orbs glistening with tears.

By the goddess, she was beautiful.

"I want you to do something for me" I whispered.

Her eyes widened.

"What's that?"

"Stay with me. Stay by my side."

"But, I don't-"

"Give me a chance, Kiara. Let me choose you" I said to her.

A few more tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I-"

I pulled her into my arms, marvelling at the way she fit so perfectly.

"Please," I whispered in her ear.

Right then, Keenan's voice filled my head through the mind link.

"Your majesty, you need to see this."

"What's wrong?"

"There are Lycans at the entrance of our territory."

I had a feeling they'd come for Kiara. Regardless of this, Keenan's next statement startled me.

"They claim that they are here to take their King's mate home."