The Prince is my mate

Althea's POV:

My thoughts drifted to the way he touched me, kissed me, claimed me. I could still feel his lips on my skin, the fire in his eyes as he said that one word that changed everything.

Mate!

But as I sat there, clutching my dress to my chest, confusion began to creep in. 

Who was he? He never told me his name. I didn’t even know where he came from. The only thing I knew for certain was the bond between us—it was real and undeniable.

Still, he disappeared without a trace, leaving me with more questions than answers. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, obviously disappointed.

I sighed and forced myself to my feet. There was no use sitting out here, wallowing in sadness. My father’s house awaited me, along with the never-ending list of chores Riya has surely prepared to make my life miserable.

By the time I reached my father's house, the sky was a pale shade of blue, the sun had just begun to rise. 

I slipped in quietly, praying no one had noticed my absence. I couldn’t handle Riya’s prying questions or her condescending remarks, at least not today.

I headed straight for the small bathroom tucked away at the back of the house. Where I was forced to have my bath.

After a quick shower, I dressed in one of my plainest outfits—a faded skirt and a loose blouse—and got to work.

Sweeping. Dusting. Scrubbing. The same routine I’d endured for years. My hands moved quickly, but my mind was elsewhere, replaying every detail of last night. 

His face, his voice.

“Althea!”

Riya’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I groaned inwardly and set down the broom, heading toward the sitting room where she usually met up with her equally obnoxious friends.

“Yes, Riya?” I asked, keeping my tone as calm as possible.

“Don’t just stand there like an idiot. The floors in the hallway are filthy. Mop them now!” She snapped, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the edge of her chair.

“Yes, Riya.” I muttered, biting back the urge to say something I’d definitely regret later.

I grabbed the mop and bucket from the corner and moved toward the hallway. As I worked, Riya’s voice drifted through the open doorway, accompanied by the giggles of her friends.

“Have you seen him yet?” One of them asked, her tone filled with excitement.

“No, but I heard he’s gorgeous.” Another chimed in. “And so powerful! I mean, he’s an Alpha now. Can you imagine?”

“Of course, he’s gorgeous.” Riya said smugly. “He’s practically royalty. Did you hear about the ceremony? It’s going to be the event of the year.”

I paused, my grip tightening on the mop handle. Who were they talking about?

“I’m just glad he’s back.” Riya continued. “Now that his father is gone, the BloodHorn Pack finally has a real leader.”

My heart skipped a beat. The Alpha? So, he has returned. I suddenly remembered the news about the old Alpha’s passing and the rumors that his son was abroad for 3 years, handling Pack business.

As I wrung out the mop, my thoughts raced. Could it be? Could he be the same man from last night?

No. It wasn’t possible. The Alpha prince wouldn’t have been wandering alone in the woods. He wouldn’t have—

“Althea!” Riya’s voice cut through my thoughts again.

I clenched my jaw and finished mopping as quickly as possible. Once I was done, I carried the bucket back to the kitchen and began preparing lunch. 

Riya always demanded a full spread, complete with appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

By the time I finished cooking, my back was aching, and my hands were red and raw from chopping and stirring. I loaded the food onto a tray and carried it to the dining table.

As I set the dishes down, Riya stepped in, her friends trailing behind her like obedient puppies.

“Finally.” She said, glaring at me. “Took you long enough.”

I ignored her, focusing on arranging the plates.

“Don’t you dare ignore me, Althea.” She snapped. “It’s bad enough that you’re useless. The least you can do is show some respect.”

I scoffed under my breath and turned my head to the side, refusing to give her a response.

“What was that?” She hissed.

Before I could react, her hand lashed out, the slap landing directly on my cheek. My head snapped to the side, and my skin stung from the force.

“Riya!” One of her friends gasped, though there was no real concern in her tone.

I bit my lip, trying my best not to cry.

“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” Riya sneered, her face inches from mine. “Well, let me remind you of your place. You’re nothing, Althea. Nothing.”

I was about to snap back, consequences be damned, when something caught my eye—a magazine lying on the table. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the glossy cover.

It's him!

There he was, staring back at me with those same piercing gray eyes, his strong jawline and perfectly styled hair with the headline: "The Return of the Alpha Prince: Blood Horn’s New Leader."

My heart sank, and my knees threatened to give out beneath me.

It's him.

The man I had given myself to, the one who had called me his mate, was the Alpha prince. My mate wasn’t just anyone—he was Zane, the most powerful man in the Pack.

“Althea!” Riya barked, snapping me out of my daze. “Stop staring at that magazine and finish setting the table!”

What was I supposed to do now?

Claim him?