Chapter 3

LILY's POV

As I stepped out of the royal house, my cheeks were still burning from the humiliation Astor had orchestrated, and a seething anger welled up within me. How dare he subject me to such public humiliation? My disdain for him grew with each passing moment, fueled by the knowledge that this was just another attempt to belittle me, and force me into submission.

I stormed through the palace corridors, my footsteps echoing with fury. The clinking of my heels on the marble floor served as a stark contrast to the delicate, dainty footsteps that were expected of a lady. But I had long abandoned the façade of gentility, the masquerade of a proper lady.

As I neared the gate entrance, the imposing figures of the royal guards came into view. They stood tall and imposing, their expressions stoic and unwavering. Astor's guards. The very same men had been part of the orchestrated humiliation that had just transpired.

My anger intensified as I glared at them, despising their loyalty to the man who had caused my torment. But I refused to let them see my distress. I squared my shoulders, chin held high, and walked past them with determined steps.

A snide chuckle followed me as I passed, the sound slicing through the air like a whip. I gritted my teeth, my nails digging into my palms. I wanted nothing more than to turn around, confront Astor, and demand an explanation for his childish behavior. But I knew it would only feed his arrogance and his belief that he held power over me. If he didn't want me, all he had to do was reject me rather than bring me all the way here, embarrass me, and still not set me free from the bond.

I continued my march towards the carriage waiting just outside the palace gates. 

"Take me home," I ordered the carriageman, and he complied, riding me away from the royal house back to my home.

I met Astor at the river yesterday. Stella forced me down the river to have a bath with the other girls, and then Astor stumbled upon us.

Rather than decently look away, he stared regardless while the other girls bowed their heads in submission. Well, I didn't. I confronted him, slapping him across the face before the mate bond activated, and I discovered he was my mate.

Not only was he my mate, he turned out to be one of the royal heirs. 

He'd promise to get back at me, but I never expected him to go this far and humiliate me this way.

I got home, and the carriage man helped carry my loads to the front of the house, leaving afterwards.

My parents sat inside, oblivious to the spectacle I had become. They greeted me with fake warmth and concern, their eyes widening as they took in my disheveled appearance.

"What happened, Lily? Are you alright?" my mother asked, her voice filled with worry.

I could no longer contain my anger; the frustration was bubbling within me like a volcano ready to erupt. "No, Mother, I am not alright. Astor, that insufferable fool, staged the entire ordeal. He wanted to embarrass me, to assert his dominance."

My father's face darkened, his fists clenching involuntarily. 

"What do you mean by that? Are you trying to say he rejected you?"

"I wish he did," I frowned.

"So he didn't," mom peered at me hopefully.

"His actions did it was clear he didn't want me, and he wanted to make that clear to everyone around. So it was only a matter of time before he rejected me."

"You need to return to the royal house now," mom deadpanned, and I frowned.

"I have no place there for me anymore. He only brought me there to embarrass me. He has a new bride and someone else already," I explained, trying to make her see the reason.

"Are you trying to say he pushed you away just like that, or you went there and embarrassed us?" Dad glared at me.

"I didn't embarrass you," I said in anger.

"You're not welcome here anymore; it's either, you're in the royal house or you're nothing to us."

They both pushed me away, refusing to take me in, and tears glistened in my eyes. I had useless parents. I wish they were a bit loving and accommodating,, but let's just say I'm an unlucky wolf.

I walked away, having nowhere in mind to go, so I just headed in the direction of the woods, the stupid dress making my walking restricted. I tore the front in anger, making it easier for me to walk.

The weather had drastically changed, and rain was beating down heavily on me.

"Lily!" Stella yelled, running after me in the rain, and I paused. I turned and saw her running after me as though I had forgotten something important.

"Oh my goodness! You walk so fast," she breathed heavily as she got to me, but I remained silent, not saying anything.

"I just came to give you some fresh clothes, I'm sure these ones are quite annoying." She handed me some fresh clothes, some trousers, a big top, and boots.

"Thank you so much," I took them from her and hugged her appreciatively.

"I've got to move, mom will kill me if she knows I went after you." I nodded.

"Sorry about our parents," she apologized and ran off.

I ventured a bit into the woods and changed my dress under a tree, dumping the stupid dress mom forced on me on the ground.

The rain was falling heavily, and I was shivering badly, I had nowhere to hide for a while, so I just pushed forward.

"Lily, you need to stop and rest for a while, you're shaking badly," Miky tried convincing me to stop for a while but I turned deaf ears to her, pushing forward still.

"Just a little more," I said slowly as I forced myself to take one more step but then my body gave up, and I fell to the ground, the rain beating down on me.

I saw the hoof of a horse approaching and it stopped in front of me. The rider was a man, I could tell from his boots. He crouched down, and the moment my eyes met with his, my wolf stirred within me happily.

"Mate," I whispered, finally succumbing to the darkness.