CHAPTER THREE- THE HANDSOME PRINCE

Valentina and Prince Alexander stood there for at least two more minutes just looking at each other. Queen Matilda cleared her throat, and Valentina finally got a proper chance to look at the Queen and King.

They both had dark hair and brown eyes just like Prince Alexander who was still holding her chin. She really didn't want him to let go, but he did.

He stepped away and stood next to his mother and then he spoke. "I have found my mate. The search is over," Prince Alexander said.

Everyone could hear what he said because all werewolves had super hearing and could hear if someone just spoke. 

Valentina was still in shock, and she didn't even want to see the expression on anyone's face. She just wanted to go home and brush this whole day off as if it never happened.

She was afraid that if she was to look at Prince Alexander again, she wouldn't be able to keep her eyes away. She could tell that everyone in the pack were really shocked at the turn of events. It was getting really awkward with the long bout of silence going on. 

"Okay, then. I will escort you to where you will be staying, your majesties," Alpha Austin said.

Prince Alexander stepped forward again and spoke. "Actually, I'm going with my mate. l'll have Sam take my bags to my room," Prince Alexander said in a deep voice. 

Oh my God, I am not ready to hold a conversation with my mate. I can't even fathom that he is my mate yet. It is still taking time to register in my mind, Valentina thought.

Alpha Austin turned to the pack members. "Everyone is dismissed and can go home." 

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone started to walk away. But Valentina stayed where she was because she had no idea where to go. Queen Matilda stepped in front of her, and Valentina noted that she smelled like flowers.

She wasn't smiling, and she looked Valentina up and down as if she was analyzing her. She finally smiled and it was a really beautiful smile that emphasized how gorgeous she was. 

Valentina could see why the Queen was adored by everyone. She could also see why she was so intimidating because she could feel so much power from her. 

She bowed her head in front of her, and the Queen looked really pleased. She turned towards the King since he had stayed silent since. He hadn't uttered a word at all, so Queen Matilda went back to his side and looked at him. 

As Valentina looked at them, she could tell that they were mind linking each other. The Queen and King both nodded their heads and followed Alpha Austin and Luna Margaret. 

Valentina turned to watch them walk away which meant she was currently turned away from Prince Alexander at the moment. His scent was still in the air and it was really heavy. Her throat was really dry, and she needed to drink water. 

She could feel Prince Alexander directly behind her. She could also feel his body heat against her skin so she shivered involuntarily. Valentina knew that they were alone, and that scared her so much. She could also feel his hot breath on her neck.

Suddenly, he grabbed her waist and stuffed his nose into her neck. Immediately, her body felt like it was on fire as she took in a deep breath. His hands that were on her waist slowly turned her around to face him. So she could now see his face up close. 

As she studied his features, paying attention to the details, she noticed his jaw was so sharp.

God, I've never seen someone so beautiful, Valentina thought.

"What is your name?" he asked and his voice was so deep that every time he talked, her spine shivered.

But she had to respond so she did that, but with a huge lump in her throat. "I am Valentina. Valentina Sharpe," she said confidently as she stepped away from his embrace. 

She could finally look at what Prince Alexander was wearing and she did just that. He was wearing an all black suit and expensive looking dress shoes. His face was clean shaven and the hair on his head was slicked back professionally. 

"In a week's time, you will come with me to the Royal Palace," he said. He was so serious that there was no trace of humor on his face.

I can't even deal with this right now. My life is about to change, and I don't like change. It will take me a while to get used to. I just can't handle all of this, Valentina thought, her mind swirling with different other thoughts that she chose not to express.

She wanted to protest because she was really not ready for all of this yet. She knew she was going to have to say goodbye to her mom, dad and brother but she didn't want that.

Valentina was also not ready to leave the pack and her students. But she had to leave because her mate was a fucking prince. Shay growled in her head, and Valentina could tell that she was obviously already attached to the Prince. She growled at that too.

Valentina knew that she had been quiet for too long. She also knew the Prince was waiting for her response so she gave him one.

"Okay, I'll be ready to leave by then. Excuse me. I have to leave now," she said and turned on her heel, walking away from him as fast as she could.

Valentina had never walked as fast as that in her entire life. She knew it was a bit rude but what else was she supposed to do? She was content with her life the way it was and now she had to leave it. She had every right to react like that.

She didn't really cry that much unless it meant change. However, now she was leaving all her family behind. When she woke up this morning, she thought today was going to be a regular day but how wrong she was. 

She finally reached her car and swung the door open. Then she put the key in, turned on the ignition and left. 

She had been driving for about five minutes before she suddenly pulled over. Then she started crying, which was pissing her off at the same time. She wished someone could punch her because she was ashamed of herself for crying.

***

Valentina hated goodbyes and she knew she was going to have to say it to her family.

She decided that she would stay back home at her parents house. That meant she would have to pack up the things in her house. Kendra said she would come over to help her pack earlier, and she was really grateful for that.

Valentina was still in shock but she knew it would never be over so she just decided to move to packing her clothes. 

Her wardrobe was interesting because she always tried to wear new stuff. However, every piece of clothing that she owned was either gray, white, or black. 

Valentina still hadn't gone out since yesterday because she was worried he would be there and she wasn't ready for him yet. She also knew she had to say goodbye to her students which was why she texted Jason and told him to tell the other trainees that they had to come in today.

Valentina was so annoyed that she had to say goodbye, so she decided to go for a run to dissolve the nerves and everything racing through her mind.

She quickly got a bag out of the closet and put her water bottle in it. She also put in a pair of black leggings and a sports bra with a black tank top too. She put her phone and keys in there too and stepped out of her house.

She was already wearing a pear of matching set of work out clothes but that would be destroyed when she shifted. She decided to let Shay out today because she needed to stretch. 

Then she started to shift as she felt all the bones in her body start to crack and rearrange themselves. When Valentina was done shifting, she was now in her wolf form so she could feel the earth beneath her paws. Shay picked up the bag with her teeth, stretched and started running into the woods.

Valentina's wolf was large with white fur and black paws. Shay had beautiful green eyes with a bit of black in them. Shay ran faster and faster but she didn't get tired that much because she was already used to running like this.

Valentina could feel the air all around her. It felt so good when she ran in her wolf form. Shay started to slow down and she could see a waterfall so she set the bag down, laid down and watched the waterfall. 

They loved this; Valentina and Shay. They loved nature and everything in it. Outside was so peaceful, and there were so many things you could do. 

Valentina wanted to start shifting back, but since she was completely naked in the forest, she couldn't. This is the part she hated; being naked. So she grabbed the bag with her teeth and went behind a tree. 

She put her clothes on and moved away from the tree, going back to the waterfall side where she sat back down. This was what she really needed to clear her mind and head. She needed the peace and quiet. 

Suddenly the air around her changed and she was now on edge. She knew that someone was coming, so she quickly stood up and started to look around. But all she saw were just trees and the waterfall.

All the same, Valentina knew something was near so ignoring it would be stupid. All she wanted was some peace and quiet but now she might have had to kill a rogue. This week was just getting worse for her.

It was not as if Valentina was saying that meeting her mate was a bad thing, but it was just the consequences. She really didn't feel like killing a rogue at this moment but she had to if it was necessary. 

She got into her fighting stance immediately, readying herself for whatever was coming. Valentina could take a wolf in either human form or wolf form, and if it had bad intentions, it was going to die.

She quickly turned her head around when she heard the loud sound of paws running on the ground. Soon she could see a huge black wolf. Valentina had seen a lot of wolves in her lifetime, but this one had to be the biggest by far. 

By the scent she already knew who it was. There was no escaping him, was there?

Soon the wolf caught sight of her and started to walk closer. Her mate was standing right in front of her now. She could see his pitch black fur and his black eyes. But Valentina's mate didn't look angry, he just looked curious. 

He slowly walked around her and then stopped right in front of her. His expression was a bit sad at that moment, so Valentina slowly walked closer and hugged the huge wolf. Her arms couldn't fit around him because he was too big. But his fur was really soft and warm.

Valentina could hear Shay purring inside her head as the wolf snuggled closer into her. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Maybe everything would be okay. 

Her mate stepped back from her after a while and started to shift back into his human form. Valentina turned around because she knew he would be naked when he shifted completely.

Moments later, she heard his voice. "It's okay. I'm now covered so you can turn around," he said in a soft tone. 

So she slowly turned around and gulped. He was wearing a white shirt with gray joggers. "I'm sorry for walking away like that yesterday, and I didn't mean to upset you. But it was just a lot to take in," she blurted out. 

A smile came over his face before he spoke. "It's okay. If I were you, l would have reacted the same way," he said in his deep voice. 

Then he slowly walked to her, took her hand and kissed it softly. She felt those shivers and sparks again, so she half smiled at him and then took her hand back.

"Come to dinner with me tonight," he said."I will pick you up." His gaze was straight forward as he spoke, looking into her eye. 

"Well…" she started but he asked her another question.

"Where do you live?" he asked.

"I live in a house alone, and it is not so far from here. However, I have decided to stay with my parents until we leave in some days," she said to him. 

"Very well, I'll pick you up from Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe's house at 8 PM tonight for dinner," he said in a promising tone.

"What should I wear for this dinner?" Valentina asked him.

"Wear something blue. It is my favorite color," he said.

That made Valentina laugh really loudly. He looked confused like he didn't know what was funny about his statement so Valentina stopped. "I'm sorry for laughing so loudly," she said.

"No, please keep doing it. I love the sound, and it makes me and my wolf, Gray happy," he said with a grin.

"Very well. As you wish, my prince." She bowed her head. 

Then he brought his finger tips to her chin and brought her face closer to his. It was then that she realized their height difference. He was really tall and muscular, and his shoulders were broad.

"Never bow to me, but I'll always bow to you, my Queen," he said and looked into her eyes.

"Valentina."

"Alexander."

"Can I kiss you?" he asked her and her breathing stopped in that moment. 

So he wanted to kiss her? And did she want to kiss him? Of course, she did.

"Yes." The word slipped out of her mouth before she could fully wrap her head around what he was about to do.