Her Fears

Sebastian

I hate this feeling in my chest. My dragon is going crazy, wanting to get revenge for what they have done to her. Especially as we can feel her wolf fighting to get free, but it can't.

There's so much around her. She fears magic, which makes no sense as the magic is her! It's coming from her. How hasn't she realised she is not just a werewolf?

I never thought I would find my mate. I had given up and accepted that there was no one for me. Then she was there, in the place I least expected to find her. She has so much to tell about her life, and I want to know, but even I know she won't speak.

She doesn't trust us, and I can't blame her. If my suspicions are correct, she's had her wolf hidden for life. She's under some sort of spell that makes her unaware of the magic she holds.

She's clinging to me as Aurlena places the needle against her skin. She's shaking far too much. I want to tell her I'm her mate, but I won't, as I think that will only add to the complications right now. Helios is going wild, wanting to come to the front and meet her officially, but that can't happen.

I've no idea how she will react. My arm stays wrapped around her, my fingers stroking through her hair. I don't want to ever let go of her. She's settled, though. By the sound of her breathing, she's fallen asleep.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to while she's asleep?" Aurlena looks at me. I know what Aurlena is asking; Celine needs to get well right now, so magic will make her heal quicker.

"A small amount, there's a chance she will sense it entering her system. Give her fluids as well. She doesn't look healthy," I whisper, keeping her against me.

She doesn't move while it's happening, which I'm grateful for. At least I know she will be fully healed in a few hours. Everything goes silent for some time.

"The maids have asked where you would like an extra bed made up for her?" Aurlena looks at me.

"She's sleeping with me," I won't let her out of my sight and risk her getting hurt or taken.

"Your Majesty, that isn't appropriate. You're the king, and with her past, it's wrong of you to share a bed with her," Aurlena argues, looking disgusted by my suggestion.

"She's my mate. I won't have her anywhere else but near me," I roar, and her eyes widen.

"Oh, my apologies." She bows her head, and Joseph steps in.

"What's the plan? Are we going home or attacking?" He stands looking at me and waiting.

"We're attacking at first light. Ensure all the guards and soldiers are ready," I explain.

"But the weapons?" Joseph walks over and hands me the bullet. I pass it to Aurlena.

"It's laced with magic," she says before glancing at Celina. "Her magic," she places it down carefully.

"How can her magic lock dragons?" I ask.

"Only the highest in power can, Your Majesty. The children of the moon goddess and the moon goddess herself. Their magic, however, couldn't lock royal shifters." Her voice began louder and ended as a whisper.

"How long did you lose control of your dragon?" She looks towards Joseph.

"The entire time that it was in me. As soon as I got the bullet out within five or ten minutes, I could feel it again." Joseph explains, and I wonder what it means.

"I suspect they are siphoning her magic into the bullets. While she is within the grounds, the bullets produce magic and lock dragons," Aurlena explains.

"Then she stays behind when we attack." I can't have her there if they will use her magic to weaken us. "I'm going to go rest. Ensure everything is ready for first light," I move and carry her out of the tent.

She shifts slightly as I step into mine. Her eyes open, and my heart thunders in my chest. I can feel her wolf so much more now. How can I be mated to a werewolf?

"Sebastian?" She peers at me in confusion, and I nod. Her heart speeds up, and I smile, knowing she feels it. "Don't worry. I expect nothing from you as my mate," I whisper, kissing her temple lightly.

"You can't be my mate," she whispers, and I smile.

"I can, and I am Celine. Focus, and you can feel the bond," I say, keeping her in my arms as I sit on the bed.

"I already have a mate," she says, and my body goes cold.

"What?" She can't have a mate. That's not possible. "Who? And where is he?" I shout, and she goes stiff. "Sorry," I say quietly, realising I was losing it and likely scaring her, but how the hell does she have a mate?

"Before I was sold in the auction, I lived with my mother's partner. His sons were my mates," she whispers, and I stare at her. His sons? Does she have more than one mate? "Alex and Wes rejected me the day I was sold. Dolton said it wrong on purpose; he never rejected me."

Her words hit me hard. She has a mate. She had three mates! Three! Jealousy swirls within me. I don't see a mark from them claiming her, so maybe they didn't?

Still, one of them didn't reject her. "Tell me about them," I whispered, needing to know her relationship with them. It could have been nothing. I'm hoping it was nothing. She's mine. I've waited too long to get my mate, and now I do. I'm faced with the fact she's got another mate somewhere.

No, she doesn't, as he left her. He let her go so she isn't his mate.