Chapter Eight

Kaiden

Alpha Sinclair rambled on about his plans to stop the rogues’ insistent attacks on the packs and all i could think about was last night. Look at me, a king going crazy because of a wolfless maid. If the Alphas could see into my mind, it could be quite a scandal. But I couldn't help it. I'm far too deep to leave now.

If I closed my eyes, I could see her soft delicate porcelain skin. I could smell her delicious natural scent. Fuck i could even hear how softly she moaned my name while we were-

“Your highness. Permission to mind link.”

A groan left my lips, drawing the attention of the Alphas, but I ignored them, focusing on the guard. “I am in a meeting, I will address this later.” I mindlinked back, ready to stop my wolf from allowing mindlinks, but the guard's voice came back stern.

“Your highness, it's about your mate. Princess Anya dragged her out and-”

I didn’t wait for him to complete his sentence and I leaped to my feet and walked away, leaving the Alphas shocked and confused.

I heard my Beta apologize on my behalf but it was none of my concern as the only thing on my mind was the fact that Anya dragged my mate when I gave a strong instruction not to.

Anger surged through my veins as I stormed towards a guard, dragging him by his collar. “Where’s Anya?”

The guard stammered, his eyes darting around nervously. “I-I saw the princess at the east wing, with guests, Your Highness.”

Without another word, I released him and stormed down the hall, my wolf on the verge of breaking free. No one, absolutely no one, touched what was mine and got away with it.

Anya’s eyes brightened up as she saw me, her face lighting up with pure delight. "Uncle Kaiden!" she beamed, rushing toward me with open arms, completely unfazed by my rigid stance.

My jaw clenched, my anger faltering for a brief second. Anya was my niece. young, impulsive, and utterly devoted to me. She adored me in a way that made it impossible to stay mad at her for long. But right now, my patience was hanging by a thread.

"Anya," I said sharply, gripping her shoulders gently and firmly. "Where is she? Where is Celine?"

Anya blinked, confused at my tone. "Kaiden, you shouldn't let that thief deceive you. She's a good for nothing slut- "

"Anya," I cut her off, my voice low and firm. "Be careful what you say next or you wouldn't like what i would say to you.”

Her mouth dropped wide open in shock. “You treat me this way because of a slave? Does she mean more to you than I do now? Has she used voodoo on you?”

“Silence!” I growled, ignoring the shocked gasps from the guests. “The only reason you are still standing here instead of in the dungeons is because you are my niece. Now for the last time,” I tightened my grip a fraction more, causing her to gasp from the pain in my claws. “Where. Is. She?"

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her lips wobbled, a sight that always tugged at my heart but did nothing for me as I wondered why she had become so cruel.

“She’s fulfilling her maid duties in the grand hall.” She muttered avoiding my disappointed stare.

I gave her one last glare before turning around and storming into the banquet hall, ignoring everyone who greated me until i came face to face with a scene that made my anger boil over.

A mutt touching my mate.

I could see the disgust on her face, and a hand print on her cheek while he caressed her, and my wolf struggled to take control so he could tear him apart.he didnt need to, i was going to tear him apart myself.

The mutt’s eyes widened as he saw me approaching, but he couldn't react as I tore him off Celine and threw him against the floor.

Then her brother decided to spew nonsense.

I was on him before he could blink. I slammed him against the wall, my claws digging into his throat. His breath came in short gasps as he clawed at my hands, but I wasn’t nearly done with him.

"Say that again," I growled, my voice dangerously low. "Say one more word, and I’ll rip your tongue out."

His eyes flickered with fear, but I saw the bravery lingering in them. He truly thought he could speak about her this way and live.

"Kaiden, please!" Celine pleaded desperately, her small hands wrapping around my wrist. "Please just let them be," she sobbed.

The sound of her pain, the sight of her shaking, finally broke through the red haze clouding my mind. I turned to her. Really looked at her.

Tears streamed down her face, and her already fragile frame seemed even smaller in her ripped, revealing uniform. My fury spiked once again.

I pulled off my suit jacket and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. I didn’t want anyone seeing what I alone should see.

But then I caught it—his scent on her.

My wolf snarled.

"You smell like him." My voice was laced withl anger.

Her grip on my wrist tightened. "Please," she whispered.

I turned on the bastard still cowering on the floor, seizing him by the throat.

His mouth opened, but before he could beg, I sent a crushing punch straight to his jaw. The sickening crunch of bone filled the room as he crumpled to the ground, groaning in agony.

"I should disfigure your face for touching her," I spat, lifting my fist again.

"Kaiden!" Celine grabbed my arm with all her strength. "Please, no more."

Her voice was raw, broken.

My breathing was ragged, my entire body thrumming with rage, but her touch grounded me.

For now.

I released him, letting his pathetic body slump to the floor. "If I ever see you near her again," I murmured, my tone filled with a dark promise, "I will make sure you regret the day you were born."

I gestured to a guard, “I never want to see them here again. Deal with this.”

I turned to Celine, brushing a strand of hair from her damp cheek. "You're coming with me," I said firmly.

She hesitated for a moment, but when she looked into my eyes, she knew there was no room for argument.

I took her hand, pulling her against my side, shielding her from the prying eyes of the court as I led her out of the banquet hall. But before we got out, i paused.

I still had to be at the banquet hall.

I turned to her and softly touched her face. “Go clean up in my room. I'll see you soon.”

She nodded softly, and walked out of the hall.

She was mine.

And I would destroy anyone who dared to forget it.