The Prince's Substitute Bride

Kira's POV

As soon as my alarm clock rang out, I opened my eyes. It was 4pm in the evening and I had opted to take a nap before the big event.

Immediately, I dashed out of my bed, with a big smile on my face.

However, I almost stumbled due to the force at which I stood up.

"I can't wait!" I said, with a squeal and then walked into my bathroom.

I wanted to get ready for the day, as the big mating festival was happening that night.

Also, I had turned 18 a few days ago and I could not wait to get my mate.

In the next second, I stripped myself of my clothes and got into the shower.

However, I opted for a bubble bath. I wanted my body to be relaxed as I wanted to be in good shape for my mate.

As soon as I got into the tub, I moaned due to how comfortable it was.

Thirty minutes passed, and I stepped out of the tub, naked.

Immediately I put on a robe and dashed back into my bedroom.

However, in the next second, I halted my steps.

"Good morning, m-other." I greeted, stuttering, as my smile vanished.

My step-mother, Genevieve, was sitting elegantly on my bed, with an irritated look on her face.

"Desperate about finding your mate, aren't you?" She said to me, with a sneer on her face.

Her eyes shone with malice and I wondered why she was here.

Of course, I was desperate about finding my mate. And then I looked up at her, with questions in my eyes. She never walked into my bedroom except when the situation concerned Maya , my step-sister.

"Maya is sick." She said, going straight to the point.

I was not surprised though, I knew she was in the bedroom, for Maya .

"I hope she gets well soon." I said, in a sympathetic tone. I truly wished for Maya to get well soon. Also, I hoped she would be strong enough to attend the mating ceremony.

However, my stepmother's next words dashed my hopes.

"Attending the mating ceremony is canceled." She declared and I gasped.

"W-what?" I asked, stuttering. I could hear my heart break into pieces as my high hopes plunged into the depths of hell.

It was just a few hours to the mating ceremony and Maya had to be unwell.

"We have to take care of Maya . You do not expect us to put her life in danger." She said to me, snorting.

In the next second, she stood up to her feet. With an elegant smile on her face, she walked toward the door.

My hands clenched into tight fists around my robe.

I could not believe I would have to let go of the chance of finding my mate.

"Wait!" I suddenly called out and my stepmother halted immediately. Her head turned slowly to look at me and she glared at me.

My hands shook at the intensity of her look and my already opened mouth got shut, immediately.

"It's nothing." I said, shaking my head and I heard her hiss. In the next second, she walked out.

"Ahhh…" I sighed, as my back hit the wall. I wanted to tell her that I could attend the mating ceremony on my own. But then, my whole family would say I am heartless.

I could not help the tear that slipped out of my left eye. As I slipped to the ground, I could not contain the tears in my eyes and the pain in my heart.

In one second, I burst into hot tears.

__

"Maya ! Maya !! Where are you?" I heard a deep voice screaming out loud.

Immediately, I dashed out of my bedroom to see Eric in the hallway.

"Hi, Eric." I greeted, with a sour smile on my face. I still was not happy about the sudden cancellation but then I could not lock myself up all day.

"Hi, Kira." He said to me with a big frown on his face. I could see the worry in his eyes and I knew he was here for Maya .

"Maya is in her bedroom." I said, pointing at the closed door opposite my bedroom.

In the next second, Eric nodded at me and then dashed toward the bedroom.

He did not even wait to knock on the door as he was overly worried about Maya .

It was obvious that he had ditched the mating ceremony, all for Maya . For a moment, I wished I could get Eric to care about me this much.

It did not think it was a secret that Eric was my crush but I did not think he knew about it. However, I knew that if I got my mate, all feelings I had for Eric would vanish.

After all, he only cared about Maya .

A lot of time had passed and the mating hour would be in thirty minutes.

My heart was on edge as I thought of how I would miss meeting my mate that day.

I was already in my bedroom and I made sure to shut the words of Eric and Maya out of my ears.

My heart was in turmoil and I could feel that my wolf was on edge.

"Myra, what's wrong?" I asked my wolf with a worried look on my face. However, I only received a whine from her.

I did not know why she was so restless. We weren't close to our mate or present in the mating ceremony. There was no reason for her to be so restless.

My head snapped toward the wall clock and I could see twenty-nine minutes had passed.

The mating hour was here and after one minute, the bells started to ring.

I could feel my wolf clawing at our bond.

"Relax, Myra." I said and immediately, an intoxicating and sweet scent hit me.

"W-what…" I said, in a surprised tone. I did not think what was happening to me was happening. I could feel a gust of wind blow past me as goosebumps lined my skin.

My body suddenly felt hot and I could feel my heart palpitating.

In the next second, my head snapped toward the door. Without thinking, my feet moved and I walked out of the door.

I came face to face with Eric and in the next second, I blurted, "Mate!"

Eric was my mate!

"My mate." I heard him mutter as his nose crinkled. I knew he could smell me and immediately he moved closer to me, with a strange look in his eyes.

I became nervous, seeing how confused and bewildered he was.

"Am I not enough for him?" I asked myself, with a nervous smile on my face.

"Eric." I called out, hoping he would at least say something. From the corner of my eye, I could see Maya , standing at her door.

She had a big frown on her face but I did not care what she thought. My only concern was Eric.

"You're my mate." Eric said, as he continued to move closer. His words sounded like he was not expecting what he got.

However, in the next second, he placed his finger on my lips and I shivered.

His face was incredibly close to mine and I could feel his hot breath fanning my neck.

"Yes, Eric." I said, finally, in response to his words.

In the next second, he placed a soft kiss on my cheek and my heart fluttered.

A big smile bloomed on my face and I could my wolf growl in pleasure.

The nervousness and restlessness from earlier vanished as I held onto Eric's arm.

Sparks flew between us and I wished I could hug him tightly. However, I had to control myself as he pulled away from me.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Kira." He said to me, with a sweet smile on his face.

His smile ignited sparks inside of me but then I was dismayed that he was about to leave.

I wanted to ask why but then he interjected.

"At the mating feast, we will be declared as mates, for life." He added and as soon as his words sinked in my mind, I nodded.

My head shook frantically in excitement and in the next second, Eric turned away and walked out.

My eyes shone with glee but then I heard Maya 's door slam shut.

However, I did not care about what was wrong with her.

I had found my mate and he accepted me. We would be in love and we would spend the rest of our lives together.

__

"What!" I called out in shock as soon as my door slammed open. I straightened up immediately and I could feel my head shake.

"Get up!" Genevieveordered as I looked at her with hazy eyes.

I still did not get why she would barge into my bedroom and ask me to get up.

"Now!!" She screamed and immediately I stood up to my feet. I was barefooted and I did not dare to waste time.

I dashed out of the door while Genevievelooked at me. However, I did not know what she wanted me to do.

"You're wanted, in the living hall." She said, with a snort. Her eyes looked at me, with a degrading look.

Immediately, I rushed down the stairs. In the back of my mind, I hoped it was Eric. Today was the mating feast and I could not wait, I was ecstatic.

"Eric!" I squealed as soon as I got to the foot of the stairs.

My eyes zeroed in on my mate, standing beside Maya .

Immediately, I rushed down the stairs, my feet thudding loudly against the floor.

I dashed toward Eric but in the next moment, he took a step back and I stumbled.

"Ahhh…" I screamed, as I tried to steady myself. I expected Eric to give me a helping hand but he looked at me with a blank expression on his face.

Immediately I steadied myself, I could see my father and other members of the family gathered around.

However, I looked back at Eric with a smile on my face. I did not care if he did not give me a helping hand.

However, the expression on his face made me frown deeply.

In the next second, his voice boomed throughout the hall.

"Prime Minister Roman, Lady Genevieve." He said, to my father and step-mother, respectively.

At this point, he had a serious expression on his face.

On the other hand, my parents had an expectant look on their face. They were anticipating what Eric was about to say.

In the next second, he looked straight at me.

"I, Eric, reject Maya as my mate." His voice thundered and I gasped in shock.

My eyes widened and I staggered.

"W-hat did you say?" I asked but he only stared back at me with a determined look on his face.

I looked at Maya and she had a provocative look on her face. I could hear my stepmother snort behind me while my father let out a disappointed sigh.

I could feel pain shooting sporadically in my heart and I could feel my wolf whining in pain.

I could not stand the embarrassment and immediately I turned away.

I felt betrayed and rejected as I dashed into my bedroom.

I felt like ending everything as I could not see any way out.

"No!!!" I screamed as I banged against the floor.