Chapter 2

-Willow-

The moment I came into the giant palace with the gigantic staircase leading to the next floor, I saw someone coming toward me. A huge smile spread across my lips, and I sprinted forward. Carter caught me as I leaped into his arms. He kissed me hard as I wrapped my legs around him and my arms around his neck. My long blond hair covered us like a curtain, giving us the illusion of privacy, but then I heard someone clear their throat behind us, and I quickly pulled back to see Carter’s father, the king, looking at us with raised eyebrows. I pushed away from Carter, who allowed me to get back on my feet, and we chuckled nervously.

“Well, welcome, Willow,” the king teased me.

“Sorry, Your Majesty, I might have gotten a little excited," I nervously apologize.

"There is no need to apologize. At least I’m glad to know my son will always have love in his union as well,” the king told me, making me smile.

Carter wrapped an arm around my waist, bringing me to him, and he kissed my temple.

“Now, have you eaten yet? The dinner is just about to be served,” the king informed me.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Well, go get unpacked and come join us.”

I nodded, and Carter and I walked to what would now be my room. Once we were brought together in the Goddess’s light, then I would sleep in his room. He looked at the things I had brought and seemed surprised.

“Two bags? That’s it?” he asked.

“Well, I was told that I wouldn’t need much. My room had already been prepared.”

“Yes, but you might not like what has been prepared,” he chuckled.

“I’m sure I will like it.”

“Go check your closet then,” he teased me, and I walked to my closet.

I walked inside, checking the clothes that hung around, and seeing lots of them was truly not to my taste. I groaned, trying to put on a smile as I turned to Carter, who seemed on the verge of laughing, his blue eyes filled with joy.

“It’s… nice,” I forced out.

“My mom picked it all.”

I sighed, leaning my head back. Despite our families pushing for our union, Carter’s mother had behaved rather oddly toward me. Never rude, just simply… cold. In the beginning, it wasn’t noticeable, but over the years, it got worse. The king never seemed to have anything against me, and his Luna never said I shouldn’t marry Carter, but it was these subtle things that worried me. These things here that made me feel unwelcome.

“Why do you think she likes me less and less?” I asked.

“She likes you,” he insisted, and I walked over to him, Carter wrapping his arms around my waist.

“I don’t think she does.”

“We will get you something else. Don’t worry,” he assured me.

I sighed and nodded, and he kissed my forehead before reaching up and stroking my cheek. “Hey, let’s go down and eat a little, and we can focus on something else.”

“Yeah, that might be good.”

Carter grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers as we walked downstairs to join his parents in the dining room. It was rather quiet, with only a little music playing in the background as we sat down. I had eaten dinner with them before, but there were usually other people, and it was often a planned party. This was just us four, and it was rather awkward.

Carter sat in front of me, smiling at me, my heart going crazy and my wolf howling in my head. He was truly made to perfection. That charming smirk, those dark blue eyes, the sharp features, and the short dark blond hair. Even as he ran his hand through it, making it stand a little up, it still looked as if it was meant to be that way—messy. Shit, I was surprised at how my body reacted with a powerful surge of warmth. Now that I knew we were getting so close to our ceremony, with just two days left, my body was truly getting hungry for Carter.

I had always desired him, but the pressure of keeping myself away from temptation until our wedding weighted heavier on me. If there was something I had learned growing up in the society I had, it was that one slipup could cost you everything. I would rather not be known as the loose princess for not following tradition. Besides, it was only two days; I had to wait, and we would be free to do what we wanted.

“So, Carter, are you going out tonight with your friends?” his mother asked, breaking the tension.

“Out?” I questioned, confused, and focused on Carter.

He shrugged. “Just friends asking me to go out and enjoy a night with them before the union.”

“One last night of freedom,” his mother remarked, making her mate nudge her with his elbow. “What? It’s tradition. You went out on your night before our ceremony.”

The king looked almost tired, not wanting to be reminded, and I felt there might be some past tension between the two older wolves. But I focused on Carter, seeing him smile at me.

“It’s not important,” he assured me. “You just arrived. I think I should stay in tonight.”

I felt bad. While I didn’t have that many friends, considering how fake the upper-class world was, I knew Carter had a lot more sincere friendships, and he shouldn’t have to spend his entire night with me if he could see them.

“No, you should go,” I insisted.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“I will be tired anyway. I will just call it a night early. It’s fine. Go out and have some fun.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t mind staying home.”

“I’m sure. Go,” I told him, seeing the smile that spread on his lips. It was clear he wanted to go, but he was being considerate toward me, making sure I didn’t feel alone. However, he was glad when I assured him I was a big girl and could take care of myself.

“Okay, but call me if there is anything at all.”

“I will make sure to do that,” I chuckled before shaking my head and enjoying the rest of the dinner.