7 My Mate

"My Mate."

 

After Prince Louis uttered those words, the entire banquet hall fell into a terrifying silence.

 

The tall figure of the man cast a shadow over the crystal chandeliers. I looked up, gazing at his distinct jawline, my expression blank with astonishment.

 

After a brief moment of silence, all the werewolves in the banquet hall stared at me in shock. The room erupted in a clamor from all directions. My stepmother looked at me in disbelief, her face contorted with anger.

 

Cathy, on the other hand, jumped up from her seat and shouted at me like a madwoman, "Impossible!"

 

Her cheeks flushed red with anger and disbelief. She pointed at me, ranting, "She's just a clown! A fraud! Prince Louis, you must be mistaken. She cannot be your mate!"

 

As I heard her arguing with Prince Louis, my reaction was not anger but amusement.

 

What a foolish woman—

 

"Cathy!"

 

Sure enough, before Prince Louis could speak, my father intervened. He turned around and slapped Cathy's cheek with force. The slap echoed throughout the hall.

 

"Who allowed you to speak to His Highness like that!" my father roared at her.

 

Cathy staggered back, her body swaying, and fell into Joe's arms. Joe glanced fearfully at my father but remained silent, and pushed Cathy forward again.

 

A shameful coward.

 

Witnessing their actions, although I despised Cathy, I clenched my lips in anger. Beside me, Prince Louis spoke teasingly, "Is that your ex-boyfriend? Girl, it seems your taste isn't that great."

 

"I was deceived by him," I said in a low voice.

 

Soon enough, my eyes widened in shock.

 

Heavens, was I just casually chatting with a prince as if we were friends?

 

But Prince Louis showed no anger. Instead, he seemed to enjoy my easy attitude. With the hand adorned with a silver ring, he lightly brushed my long hair, tidying and gathering it to one side. This gesture was too intimate for a stranger, and I felt somewhat uncomfortable.

 

Seeing my reaction, Prince Louis lowered his head again and took a deep breath at the side of my neck.

 

"What perfume are you wearing?" he asked, holding me in his embrace.

 

I forced myself to remain calm and replied with a trembling voice, "None. I'm not wearing perfume. It's just the scent of a lemon shower gel from the supermarket."

 

"I really like it," the man said.

 

He even made a humorous remark, "Very fresh. You smell like a fresh lemon."

 

His amusing words made me want to burst into laughter. However, I suppressed the urge as I remembered the occasion I was currently on and the identity of the person I was conversing with.

 

Not receiving the reaction he anticipated, Prince Louis lifted his head, somewhat bored, and looked towards the few individuals standing across from us.

 

My father had been left hanging there for quite a while. Yet, he dared not show any trace of resentment on his face. Instead, he bowed even more respectfully, his voice trembling with humility as he spoke, "I apologize profusely, Your Highness. My daughter has just offended you... but she is still young. I beg you not to hold it against her."

 

He certainly played the role of a caring father now, I thought sarcastically.

 

However, a profound sense of sadness welled up within me at the same time. I couldn't help but imagine if I were in Cathy's shoes, would he plead with Prince Louis in such a subservient manner for my sake?

 

Clearly, he wouldn't.

 

"You say she is young?" Prince Louis asked with curiosity.

 

"Yes... yes, she is."

 

"But as a young girl, she showed no mercy towards her own sister," Prince Louis commented.

 

As he spoke, I noticed Cathy and Joe huddled together, trembling like quails.

 

Initially, I didn't understand why their expressions were filled with fear, until I noticed the chandelier above us trembling. The candles on the silver candlesticks were being extinguished one after another in the wind. All the werewolves in the banquet hall instinctively took several steps back and bowed their heads deeply in our direction.

 

The formidable aura of the Lycan could influence the surrounding environment, a unique display of hierarchical suppression inherited by the royal bloodline.

 

However, being held in the arms of a man, I didn't feel much discomfort. I coldly observed Cathy's trembling fear. I must admit, it brought me a sense of satisfaction.

 

Cathy quivered her lips. After enduring for a dozen seconds, she could no longer bear such torment. With a pale face, she said, "Please forgive my offense, Prince Louis, and... sister."

 

"I am not your sister," I replied with a cold tone. "Enough, Cathy. You and I both know that uttering that word only disgusts us."

 

Cathy's lips twitched. She twisted her face, wanting to curse at me. But with Prince Louis beside me, she held her tongue.

 

"I don't want to stay here any longer," I felt overwhelming exhaustion. My wolf was hiding in the darkest corner, licking its wounds. After being betrayed by my beloved mate, she was covered in scars and no longer willing to come out.

 

I turned to Prince Louis and pleaded, "Your Highness, may I leave?"

 

"Where do you want to go?" he asked.

 

"I don't know," I hesitated for a moment, then confessed, "I no longer have a home."

 

I didn't look at my father's expression because I was no longer a member of the Gambino family. I had made up my mind to break free from my father's control, from the suffocating environment he had created.

 

Prince Louis pondered for a moment, then raised his lips and said to me, "I have a suggestion."

 

"What is it?"

 

The man didn't answer my question. He glanced at the shoe I had lost on the floor, then bent down, his handsome face getting closer to mine. I stared at him with wide eyes. His captivating deep blue eyes, as enchanting and profound as the sky, made me almost forget to breathe.

 

To my surprise, he suddenly hugged me, carrying me with his arms. I let out a low cry and wrapped my hand around his neck. This gesture seemed to please him. He let out a low, deep chuckle.

 

His Adam's apple moved up and down, and his seductive voice made my eardrums hum.

 

He caressed my cheek with his hand, pressing my head against his chest. The man's hot body temperature made my heart beat wildly. I could clearly feel his firm chest muscles and robust physique beneath the fabric of his shirt.

 

"Since you have nowhere to go, come with me," he said casually, but his gaze was as fiery as flames, "I will take care of everything."

 

Then, like a gust of wind, he carried me in his arms and strode out of the banquet hall.