Chapter 4

Hazel's POV

As I rode back to the palace, I just couldn't stop thinking about Mia. I know for a fact that I'm not in love with her, but I still can't get her off my mind.

She'll definitely be very useful to me but for now, I need to focus on my responsibilities as the soon to be announced alpha king of Silverpine Hollow.

My shoulders stood straight as I thought of myself on that throne as the leader of this entire pack.

"Sounds really good to be a leader after all.." I said to myself and rode even faster.

"Where have you been, my child?" My mother asked as I walked into the enormous ball room.

"I just took a little walk outside, nothing important.." I replied and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Well your father has been looking everywhere for you. The elders came in today, in search of you" she said and I rolled my eyes.

All these meetings were already beginning to tire me but I have no other choice. It's what I signed up for. 

"Where are they?" I asked as I walked up the staircase.

"They already left a while ago, I'm surprised you didn't meet them on your way. For your father, he's still in his study." She replied.

I rushed upstairs and walked through the hallway into his study room.

"I heard you were searching for me, father?" I asked as I walked in and gently shut the door behind me.

"Yes I was. You don't know how important this position is to our family I presume. Because if you really do, you would take matters that concern the throne seriously." He snarled and angrily tossed the book in his hand on the desk.

"Where on earth have you been?" He asked sternly.

"I just went out for a little fresh air father, I didn't think it would be a big deal. Besides, nobody told me there was going to be any meeting with the elders. I only heard it from my mother just as I returned." I tried defending myself but it was pointless because he had already made up his mind that it was an intentional act.

"I'll get back to this matter when I'm ready to teach you a lesson, Hazel. 

For now, there's something important you need to know.

When are you providing the council with a bride?" He asked and I dropped my shoulders, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Here we go again…" I whispered and looked away. This is the last thing I really want to talk about right now.

"Don't give me that attitude, young man! When are you presenting your mate to the council?

Before you brush the idea aside, make sure to have at the back of your mind that it is one of the requirements for you to be announced as the alpha…" he reprimanded and I immediately sat up.

Since when did my married life affect my position as the alpha king?

"But father, I don't even have anyone in mind to present as a wife.." I said.

"Then find someone. You don't even need to love her, just get married and present her as your mate. You both will be announced as the alpha couple, then if you want to get rid of her after the marriage, I can gladly help you with that.." he said and I leaned forward on the desk.

"Well in that case, I have someone that can fill in that space.." I said and a smile crept on the corner of my lip.

"Very well then, I'll be waiting to meet her" my father replied and I excused myself.

It's quite obvious that Mia or whatever her name is, has started having feelings for me just like every other female I know of. It would be really nice to have her to myself anyways. After all, she's altogether beautiful and amazingly endowed. 

I hurriedly rushed outside and asked the royal horse man to take me to her house in the royal chariot. The earlier I make her familiar with the palace and everyone in it, the easier it will be to ask for her hand in marriage.

"I'll be right back, mother, I have important things to attend to.." I said as I kissed the back of her hand and rushed off.

Mia's POV

"Hurry up with the food, Mia!" My mother yelled from the dining room and I hastened up to take the food out.

I still had thoughts of Hazel moving around in my head even after I tried to stop thinking about him.

I guess I might be in love after all..

"I'm going to starve before Mia arrives with the food" my sister whined and I immediately jerked back to the present and hurried out of the kitchen with the tray of food in my hand.

"What took you so long?" My father asked but I ignored him and continued serving the food into everybody's plates before settling down to eat.

A knock on the door distracted everyone and we all stared at the door for some time.

"Are you expecting anybody?" My mother asked my father and he swallowed the food in his mouth before answering.

"No, are you?" He asked.

"No I'm not. Mia, are you expecting anybody?" 

"No mother." I replied and continued eating.

"I'll go see who's at the door," my father said and left to go see who was knocking.

I strained my neck to see who it was after he opened the door but he didn't let whoever it was in so I couldn't see who was talking. At least not until I heard the voice clearly.

At first I thought my mind was playing games with me until the visitor walked in, and our eyes met. The spoon in my hand fell back on my plate and I choked on my food.

"What are you doing here?" I mouthed but he only smiled and pulled out the chair beside Penny.

"Alpha Hazel, you're welcome to our humble home…" my mother said calmly and bowed slightly.

She suddenly sounds nice, all of a sudden.

"It's really nice to meet your family for the first time, you have such a lovely daughter.." Hazel said and immediately stared at me.

"You mean Penny?" My father asked and I rolled my eyes.

"No, Mia…" 

I blushed hard and tightened my grip on my dress as my heart raced. I prayed silently that they wouldn't try to discourage him just like they always do.

"Oh, Mia..." my mother whispered and continued her food.

"Shall I serve you?" I asked and he nodded.

I rushed to the kitchen and served his food. My heart kept beating fast and I felt like running off to call Xavier and tell him.

"Here your highness.." I said as I served him and went back to my seat.

We all ate in silence but I couldn't concentrate on my food so I got up immediately. Everyone was done eating and I packed up the dishes, leaving my parents and Hazel, and of course Penny in the living room.

"Mia, can I have a word with you?" Hazel asked as I walked into the room wiping my wet hands on my dress.

"Here?" I asked, staring at my parents.

"Not really, in private." I was already starting to fear what they might have filled his head with. Who knows what exactly they must have told him in my absence.

I followed him out to the courtyard and sat on the bench with him.

"So, I was thinking, maybe you would love to come with me to the palace…" he said and my eyes widened.

"The palace?" I asked in shock. 

"Of course" he replied and I smiled broadly. 

"Gladly, your highness. I'd love to visit the palace" I replied immediately and he gently placed a soft kiss on my cold lips. My heart pounded like it was going to escape my chest at that point.

"See you there tomorrow…" he said and handed me the invitation card.

I sat frozen in time as I touched my lips and blushed even more. 

"Xavier has got to hear this.." I whispered and read through the invitation card.

I immediately rushed into the house to tell my parents and my mother immediately grabbed the card from my hand even before I had the opportunity to talk.

"So now you're getting invited to the palace… at least if you can't wolf out, you can get us close to the royal family.

For once you've proven to be my daughter" she explained happily and danced around for a while.

I smiled seeing that she was very comfortable with it, that means there's definitely nothing to worry about at all.

"I better go get ready, I'll be right back" I said and ran off to see Xavier immediately.

He needs to know that his best friend has been invited to the palace by Hazel himself..

I ran all the way to his house and didn't stop until I saw him staring into empty space with a jar of rum in his hand. Xavier never drinks unless something is bothering him.

"Xavy, what's going on?" I asked and pulled the jar away from his hand.

"Oh, nothing. I just started missing my parents all of a sudden." He replied and I smiled to cheer him up.

"That's okay Xavy, enough drinking for today. Anyways, I brought good news….

Guess what?" I asked and hid the card behind me.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Hazel invited me to the palace!" I cheered and he stared at me like he had just seen a ghost.

"Really?" 

"Of course, would I be lying when I have an invitation with the royal stamp on it?" I asked and handed him the card.

His eyes widened as he read through and he smiled.

"Mia… I'm really not sure about this" he muttered and I rolled my eyes.

"Here we go again Xavier!"