CHAPTER 4

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CHAPTER FOUR

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XANDER.

Her scent was strong when she first arrived at the palace, and it took all the strength I had to keep my distance. The rumor of me hating women spread far beyond the kingdom when I explained to all my people that I had no intentions of finding my mate. I knew that once I saw her, I would have to end her life before she could destroy the kingdom once again. The Caputo men that would rule the kingdom were all cursed with the same mate. Caliana. Her mother was a powerful witch, and her father was the strongest vampire known. 

The curse was placed on my ancestor Lorenzo who fell in love with a peasant, and his father forbade their love and shipped Gemma off to the states. Gemma was devastated that Lorenzo didn't come for her; Gemma soon moved on and found Hugo. They had a daughter together named Caliana. Lorenzo found Gemma after some time, but what he did was unthinkable, and he killed Caliana at the age of one. She was asleep in her bed. But Lorenzo didn't know that Gemma was a solid and powerful being; Gemma cursed all of Lorenzo's descendants, the heirs to the throne. Cursing the Caputo men with Caliana as our mate. So when the heir to the throne kills Caliana, she comes back to the next person in line. 

My father killed her, and now the curse falls on me. I swore that I would do everything in my power to protect my kingdom, even if that meant I would have to end my mate's life. 

Even though I didn't want a mate, I couldn't bear the thought of her being branded. I told Kyle to stop it, but he informed me she was already there, so I took the liberty to get her myself. And man was I pissed as I saw her lying on the complex metal table; it took everything I had in me not to rip those men's throats out. So instead, I scooped my mate into my arms and walked her out of there. After only moments of being in my arms, she fell asleep. 

I wasn't about to take her to the enslaved person's quarters. So instead, I took her to my room. I placed her gently on the bed and covered her with the quilt, and she cuddled to it. I then went to my office; being near her was too much for me. I didn't want to fall for her knowing I'd have to KILL HER.

I ran my fingers through my long hair. There was this uneasy feeling in my gut when the knock on the door came. 

"Come in," I called out. Julia came through the door and walked over to me. She sits half on my desk before me, spreading her legs. Julia was wearing a silky green nightgown that hung to mid-thigh. I can smell that she's aroused. I would bend her over my desk any other time and fuck that pussy hard and rough until she couldn't come anymore. But seeing my mate touching her made me feel sick at the thought of touching Julia. "I'm busy. What is it you want?" Julia raised her thin eyebrow, "I want you. is that not obvious?" "I can't right now. I have work to do," 

Julia stood to her feet. "Well, that's too bad," She said, putting her left knee on my right leg. "I'm so wet for you, baby," Julia half moaned, placing her right knee on my left leg, straddling me completely. I stood to my feet, grabbing Julia by her ass so that she didn't fall. She wrapped her legs around my waist. I walk over to the door and open it. I grabbed Julia by her hips tightly, and she let out a shirking moan. I pried her from my body and placed her feet on the floor, she opened her mouth to say something, but I closed the door in her face.

I walked over to the couch that was off to the left of my office, and I lay down. My mind wouldn't stop thinking about my mate—her long brown hair, bright green eyes, pale skin, and small stature. The girl couldn't be any more than 5'2 in height, and I chuckled. 

'Mate is beautiful,' My wolf Bane said. I nodded in agreement. 'Don't get attached, Bane,' I remind him. He growls, 'How do you know our mate is even Caliana? You haven't spoken to her,' Bane murmurs. 'The curse skips no one. She is Caliana, and she must die. You and I both know she always Chooses her bad mate.' Bane shakes his head, 'We can change that,' 

'How?' I asked him. 'Show Caliana how much we love her,' He replied. I shook my head, 'We'll see. But don't get your hopes up, Bane,' He huffed, 'I never do when it comes to you, Xander,' I pushed Bane to the back of my mind to get some sleep. My mate's face flooded my mind as I closed my eyes.

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I woke up at 4:00 am for my morning run. I let Bane run and take control for about an hour; I ran in human form. To keep my body in shape. I opened the mind- link to Kyle.

'Kyle,' 'Yes, Alpha?' Kyle replied. 'I'll be there for breakfast in ten minutes. Have a tray set up with food for the new slave. But tell no one who it's for,' I told him and cut the link so I could finish my run. 

I ran into the palace and up to my room to shower. Once I was done, I went downstairs for breakfast. My mate was still asleep when I finished my shower. I didn't want to wake her. That's why Kyle is having her tray made so I can take it up to her when she wakes. "We have the phone conference with Mark Mortaga," Kyle Informed me. I groaned; that's all I needed. Mark has been badgering me to find my mate and have kids so we could set an arranged marriage. Mark Mortaga has been trying to merge with my kingdom for some time now. Even if I had a daughter, I would die before letting her marry a Mortaga. "Fine. But no merger, make that clear before I waste my time," Kyle nods, "Already done, Alpha, this is about another matter," I nod. "Very well," 

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I walked through my bedroom door with the food tray in my hand. My mate was sitting up, looking confused as to where she was. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" Her eyes met mine Goosebumps were evident on her arms. "My stomach and side hurts. But I'm fine," I sat the tray down on her lap, "Eat," I told her. She nodded, "Thank you," She mumbled. "Do you want some?" She offered. I glanced at her from over my shoulder; she was so beautiful. "I ate already. It would be best if you ate," I told her, and she dug into her food. I was sitting at the front edge of the bed when she spoke again. "What's your name?" I stood from the bed and met her gaze. Her bright green eyes pulled me in, and for a moment, I lost myself. 'Say something to her,' Bane urged me. "Why do you want to know?" She pursed her lips, "Curious, I guess." "Thomas." My middle name rolled off my tongue smoothly.

 "Thomas," She repeated. I nodded. The way her soft voice said my name made me quiver, "And your name?" I asked. Kyle doesn't find out the girl's name, and if he did hers, he never said anything to me about it. She shakes her head, "508," "You had a name before coming here. What was it?" Again she shook her head. "Why don't you ask the Alpha King? I cannot tell anyone my name, so ask him if you want to know it." I arched my brow, and I stared at her intensely. So I am the Alpha King. I wanted so badly to tell her. But gaze fell on her plumped pink lips, and I swallowed hard. My mate looked down at the half-empty plate of food, and she took another bite of Bacon. "Tell me 508. DO you feel strange around me?" She swallows the Bacon, looks into my eyes, and says, "Yes," "Why do you think that is?" She asks. My forehead creased. Does she not realize we are mates? 

 "You don't know?" She nods, "I know about mates. I don't know why I am feeling that towards you." I walked over to her, lifted the tray from her lap, and sat it on the bedside table. "You have a mate?" "I am a slave, am I not?" "I didn't ask you if you were a slave. I asked if you have a mate," I said, clenching my jaw. She shook her head, "I was rejected. So no, I don't have a mate," 

'How could anyone reject her? She's such a prize,' Bane said. 'I'm not sure, but whoever he is, he's crazy,' Bane nodded.

After some time, she finally spoke, "I have to go. I'm going into town with one of my slave friends." She said and stood from the bed, our bodies ever so close. "I'm your second chance," I informed her. She shook her head, "Half-breeds like me don't get second chances," She whispered. I brushed my lips lightly against hers and tingles spread throughout. "Do you feel that?" She nodded, "Yes, but...."  

"No buts," I cut her off, " I'll only let you leave this room if you promise to meet me." Her eyebrows furrowed, "How am I going to that?" I smirked, "Figure it out. I'll be waiting by the pound," I told her and walked to the door to escort her back to her room.