Chapter 5

Kaiden's POV

I stood in the garden, the scent of Jasmine and Cherries lingering in the air long after the red-dress lady had left. I felt strangely empty as I watched her leave– run off, it felt as if she ran off with a part of me.

All I wanted to do as she ran off was go after her, grab her by the waist, and hold her close for all eternity. Her scent lingered in my mind, stirring up emotions I never knew I had within me.

"Your majesty," the voice of my Beta, Bradford, snapped me out of my reverie.

I wrinkled my nose, trying to hold on to the lady's scent, as Bradford's collided with her's.

"What is it, Bradford?' I asked irritatedly.

"I'm sorry your majesty," he apologized. "But it's time for you to attend to the werewolves Alpha's."

"Do you know who that lady is?" I asked, surprising myself at my question.

"What lady?" He asked, a hint of surprise in his voice, even though he kept a straight face.

“The one in the red dress, who you nearly scared to death," I pointed out, laying emphasis on the last part.

"No I don't," he answered. "Did she do something that displeases you?"

"She–

"Don't worry your majesty, I'll handle it," Bradford cut me off. "I knew it was a bad idea to invite these werewolves Alpha's over to the palace, they're foxes and can't be trusted" he continued. "It's obvious they sent that woman with an intention, but don't you worry a thing you're majesty, I'll handle the situation perfectly," he said firmly and turned around to leave.

"She's my mate," I muttered, making Bradford stop in his tracks abruptly.

He turned around sharply and stared at me in disbelief.

"Did I just hear correctly, Your Majesty?" Bradford asked with wide eyes. "Did you just say she was your mate?"

I nodded in affirmation.

"Are you certain?" He inquired, with creased brows.

"Have I ever said anything I wasn't sure of, Bradford," I asked irritatedly, as I felt like I was undergoing some investigation with the way he threw questions at me.

"I- I'm sorry your majesty," Bradford apologized, bowing slightly. "This is quite serious. I know you won't make such a serious assumption, but I'm finding it hard to believe."

I stared at Bradford blankly, with furrowed brows.

He chuckled nervously. "Don't you worry Your Majesty, I'll find out everything I can on the red dress lady," he assured. "As long as she set foot in Mysticrock, I'd find her."

I furrowed my brows as I stared at Bradford m, I didn't like the way he was sounding, and neither did my wolf. He was sounding like he was going to look into a criminal or something.

"I wouldn't do anything to harm the Queen of Queens," Bradford quickly said, as if he could read my thoughts. "I wouldn't dare."

Hearing him refer to the red-dress lady as the Queen of Queens made my heart flutter, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Let's go," I gestured, and we both made our way out of the garden in silence, but my mind was still filled with thoughts of the dress lady who captured my heart with just a fleeting glance.

As Bradford and I walked towards the hall where the werewolf Alphas awaited, I could already hear the nonsense they were sprouting about me being heartless and pompous, and every other derogatory word they could think of. I smirked, because I knew it was all just talk behind my back, none of them would dare say such to my face, simply because they were all cowards.

As we got to the door, Bradford gave me a brief nod, seeking my approval before opening the door. I nodded in response, giving him the go-ahead.

"His Majesty, the Lycan King has arrived!" The guard at the door announced as the door swung open.

The hall fell into a hushed silence as I entered, followed by Bradford behind.

As I took the next step forward, every nerve in my body came alive, as that familiar scent of Jasmine and Cherries wafted into my nose.

She was here!

I fought the urge to go looking for her, reminding myself that she was right here, and that was enough for now. I had business to attend to with the Alphas, although I had every intention of making it short.

"Greetings, your Majesty," the guests greeted in unison.

I nodded in response, briefly scanning their faces for the red dress lady but I couldn't see her. Maybe it was because I was nervous, but not to worry, I'll find her.

With each step I took towards my throne-like chair, the scent grew stronger. I could feel my wolf, Axel, stirring up impatiently inside of me, eager to unite with his mate.

"Rayne, get up," a displeased voice cut my attention. "The Lycan King is here."

Tracing the direction the voice came from, I saw a sour-looking man, glaring and stylishly nudging a woman who was picking up something from the floor. I could practically hear the low growling rumbling in his chest. I narrowed my eyes in irritation, as there was nothing I hated most than a man who couldn't keep himself in check. I don't need to have Psychic abilities to know this man mistreats the lady.

I shifted my gaze to the woman, and her red blood dress immediately pulled me in. It flowed around her like flower petals. Color red was something I hated with passion, it reminded me of death and bloodshed, mostly, it reminded me of the day I lost my parents to a grisly rogue attack.

As if the lady could hear my thoughts, immediately she stood up straight, our eyes locked, making my body stiffen, it was her! The red dress lady!

The world seemed to stop as our eyes remained locked on each other.

She quickly averted her gaze and mind linked the man standing beside her, then she hurriedly walked out the back door. Instinctively, I made to go after her, I couldn't let her slip away again, I might never see her.

"I'll go after her, Your Majesty," Bradford stylishly stopped me from going on with my plans. "Just get on with the business for the day."