Chapter Three

Kaiden

After so many years, I stepped foot into my pack again. My mind link being set in place again. My men and I have been gone for so long, it felt good and warm to be at the pack again.

Years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I would come to miss my kingdom, but after my brother and sister-in-law died, I had to take over, wear the heavy crown, and take care of my niece, who only had me. But due to the border rebellion from the nasty rogues, I had to leave her, too.

And the minute I mind linked her that I was back to the pack, I could feel her excitement through the link.

But something else caught my attention. As our pack tradition, when the king returned, the guards and maids lined up to welcome him.

But that wasn’t what stole my attention. A maid, fallen on the ground, unmoving.

The sight of her struck me like a bolt of lightning. Her soft features, the delicate curve of her neck, everything about her tugged at my instincts. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, a primal energy clawing to the surface. But I clenched my fists, keeping my composure.

And the scent coming from her, freezing me in my place.

“Kaiden!” Anya screamed happily as she walked out of the palace, but I ignored her outstretched hands as I stormed to my mate.

“Who did this to her?” I thundered at the guards and maids as I crouched to her level. Her face was bloodied and her face streamed with tears.

“Kaiden, leave her-“ Anya began to say but I silenced her with a growl, causing tension to fill the whole place. The guards swallowed harshly as my angry eyes swept over them, but I focused on the shaky maid.

My mate. What were the odds of finding her in the same pack I lived in?

I carried her in my arms, and my wolf immediately rejoiced at the contact. Her small body molded into my arms, but she ignored my gaze, her face buried in my chest.

I took her up the stairs, into the palace, and I could feel her shiver in my hold. What could have happened to her? Why was she being punished?

Her soft scent wafted into my nose as I walked into my room that I haven’t been in years, and I softly placed her on the chair, and watched her intently.

I could hear the faint beating of her heart as she curled away from my gaze, and I softly sighed. Something was odd about her. I thought as I got a first aid box, and knelt in front of her.

“Remove your hands from your face,” I commanded.

Reluctantly, she pulled her hand away from her face, revealing the most beautiful face I had ever seen, blood and tear-streaked. I used wet clothes to wipe her face, and cotton wool to wipe her wounds.

She winced as I did, but I didn’t stop until I finished.

“Thank you.” She mumbled, her eyes darting everywhere except my eyes.

I gripped her chin, and almost gasped at the sparks that flew when my fingertips met her chin. Her eyes widened in surprise and I knew she felt it too.

“What’s your name, little mate?”

She swallowed softly as she shyly avoided my eyes. “Celine, your Highness.”

Celine. My wolf purred at her name.

But I pushed the sentiments aside, my gaze boring into hers. “Who pushed you, Celine, and why were you beaten up?”

I saw her visibly tremble as I asked my question, and I knew there was something I had to know.

“No one,” she finally murmured.

I frowned. My wolf growled softly, sensing her hesitation, but he didn’t press further.

Before I could ask anything else, my mind was interrupted by the familiar tug of a mental link.

Anya.

“Uncle Kaiden,” Anya’s voice chimed sweetly. “I see you’ve brought Celine to your chambers. Is she your mate? I saw you being tender towards her and I want to be sure.”

I studied Celine as I spoke with Anya and saw as she cowered under my gaze. She was weak and small, not fit to lead. But I could see a fire in her eyes.

“Why do you want to know, Anya?” I replied my niece.

“Well then you should know that she's a thief, a liar and also wolf less. She’s a despicable human who isn’t fit to be a member of our kingdom.”

I stiffened at my niece’s words. My wolf snarled at the insult, but the accusation lingered on my mind like a thorn. I broke the link and turned to Celine, who was now staring at the floor. The accusation was one that would be stupid to be thrown around lightly, but Anya knew the risks of lying to me.

“Is it true?” I asked, my tone sharp. “Are you a thief?”

Celine’s head snapped up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Disappointment filled me as I gritted. “Answer me, Celine.”

“I…” Her voice broke, and she looked away. “Yes.”

The single word was a knife to my chest. My mate... a thief? My wolf growled in protest, but I silenced it. I took a step back, my expression hardening.

“You could’ve denied it,” I said coldly. “You could’ve explained yourself, but instead, you admit to being a criminal? My mate may be weak, but she will not be despicable.”

Celine flinched at my words, but it needed to be said.

Not baring to see her again, I turned my back to her, my hands clenched at my sides. “Get out of my room,” I said, my voice laced with fury.

I heard her silently leave and a burdened sigh left my lips.

A thief could never be my mate. No matter what my wolf may feel. I had the integrity of my crown to protect.