Chapter Four: The Rejection

This was the day, Standing at her chamber's large arched window Leo pressed her fingers lightly against the cool glass. While courtiers and servants hurried about their tasks in anticipation of the ceremony the palace gardens below her were a riot of color.

Her heart was thumping in her chest and the air was heavy with tension. Her mate. The one who was meant to be her fate. Charles, Leo however knew the truth.

This had nothing to do with fate, love or even the welfare of the kingdom. She was only an instrument in Charles well-planned scheme to seize control of everything including the throne, the oil wells and her family's legacy.

No, she refused to comply. She wouldn't serve as a pawn in his schemes. Leo inhaled deeply and turned his back on the window.

The full-length mirror reflected her back. It was oppressive to wear her mothers dress, a delicate gold gown that glistened with every step. She carried the burden of expectation like a heavy crown on her shoulders.

Leo didn't plan on wearing anything for Charles today despite her mothers' insistence that she do so. She was distracted from her thoughts by the knock on the door.

The voice of her handmaiden called through the door, Princess Leo, it is time."

There was a lot of excitement in the palace as the mating ceremony approached. Leo's hands clenched into fists as her pulse accelerated. This was beyond her capabilities. She refused to wed Charles. Not after learning all she had, not after recognizing his deceptive good intentions and cunning.

She declined to participate in the game." I'll be right out !"she called, her voice belying the internal turmoil.

Leo dragged herself to her feet and headed for the door, her thoughts racing with potential. She had been brought up to understand her role and duty, but this wasn't duty.

This was not the same. Besides, she refused to allow it to happen. Upon opening the door she saw her mother Queen Aurelia standing in front of her with an expectant look.

Upon observing her daughter's tense posture the queen's expression softened." Leo darling, Aurelia said, her tone firm but gentle. The moment has arrived. Charles awaits your arrival."

Leo's eyes grew stern." I will not wed him."

Queen Aurelias shocked eyes grew wide." What do you mean? We have talked about this countless times. This is what your father desired?"

"I don't care what my father wanted!" Leo yelled in a clear defiant voice. Mother, this isn't love, It's an attempt to gain power. Charles wants the throne not me, and I'm not going to give it to him."

For a brief moment neither of them spoke as the words lingered between them like a dense fog. Queen Aurelias eyes wavered perhaps out of regret but also a mixture of annoyance.

Even though she had awaited this day the weight of it all increased when she heard it from Leo's lips." Leo ? Aurelia muttered, you alone have the power to ensure the kingdom's future. We have no other allies, so what will happen if you reject Charles? What will we do without him?"

" I don't need him," Leo said firmly. I will find a solution."

With a sigh her mother moved closer." Leo you can't just turn him away. More is at risk than just your emotions. This isn't just about you she said after hesitating. It also affects your brothers future. Richard isn't old enough, and you know it

Leo's heart tightened. It was her duty to protect her younger brother who was not yet old enough to rule. She also refused to allow him to be forced into this perverse alliance.

Her eyes were full of resolve as she muttered under her breath, I won't let Charles take the throne."

Queen Aurelia's expression became stern." Leo you are making a mistake"

"I'm not making a mistake." Leo shot back, her voice determined. I'm making a choice. I am not destined to do this and neither is the kingdom. I will resist this man's attempts to force me into a power-hungry marriage."

With a moment of sadness in her eyes, Aurelia glanced at her daughter and then nodded." You will then have to deal with the fallout from that decision. Leo, keep in mind that Charles has allies, and they are not as understanding as I am."

Her mother turned at her heels, clicking sharply on the stone floor. Leo stayed standing there her heart pounding in her chest. Despite having made her choice she was unsure of what would come next. Leo found herself in the eerie silence of her chambers as the door slammed behind her, the world bearing down on her.

The ceremony was already starting down the hall in the grand ballroom. The air was filled with the excited murmurs of the royal courtiers, elders and dignitaries who were seated.

All the conditions were met for Princess Leo and Alpha Charles to get married.

Leo wasn't present though. With a hard-lined jaw and an expression that was a mix of impatience and frustration Charles stood at the altar.

He looked around the room with keen eyes waiting for Leo to show up. However, she was nowhere to be seen.

Smith, one of the elders and Charless trusted ally, came up to the Alpha.," Alpha, she hasn't arrived yet. Shall we hold off until she arrives?

Charless irritated gaze wavered. He muttered under his breath, She had better get here soon or well have a problem.

Smith bowed, Of course, Alpha.

Charles stood up straight, his eyes intense and dark. He had prepared for this in advance. Though he had anticipated Leo's opposition, he refused to back down. Not when he had access to everything.

The power, the wealth and the throne would all belong to him. Leo on the other hand was just the last component. However, Charles' patience grew strained as the minutes passed, and the princess still hasn't shown up.

He faced a palace guard. Go pick her up. Now.!"

With a nod the guard hurried out of the room. Leo walked back and forth in her rooms, her own footsteps reverberating in her head. She was not going to back down even though the weight of her choice felt like a heavy stone in her chest.

She was unable to. Before Leo could react the door swung open in response to a sudden knock. A palace guard entered his expression tense.

" Princess Leo, Alpha Charles insists that you follow me immediately "

Even though Leo's heart skipped a beat she remained fearless." I won't be there so let him know."

The guard's face didn't change." Your Highness? he insists.

Leo said again, "Tell Charles that I don't want to marry him!" in a stern and icy tone.

Leo could see the fear in the guards eyes as he hesitated. Your Highness, dire consequences could result if you do not come now."

Leo's thoughts whirled. What did he mean by that? What were the repercussions? But a second gentler more purposeful knock on the door came before she could answer.

The voice was the same," Princess Leo?

Leo was frozen.,Mom."

Despite her determination Leo's voice wavered as she stated," I have no intention of marrying Charles. No, I decline. "

Soft but insistent her mothers voice rang through the door." You've run out of options Leo. "

She was suddenly struck with the icy realization that this battle was just getting started. Uncertainty swirled inside Leo as she looked at the door, her heart thumping in her chest.

Despite having made her choice she was now dealing with a much larger issue than she had anticipated. She didn't know how much her mother was prepared to do to maintain their alliance or how far Charles would go to get what he thought was his.

Leo was not going to back down though. No longer, her eyes were steely with determination as she inhaled deeply.

"Let Charles know that I won't be having him. I also refuse to be his pawn. "

Her moms voice grew softer." Leo. . . You don't know what this means. What you're risking is unknown to you."

" I do, muttered Leo." I'm risking my freedom, my future and my life. However, I refuse to wed him. The throne is not for it, Not for anything."

Leo remained steadfast as her mother turned away, her footsteps fading. She had already decided on something. It was too late to turn back now.

As the minutes went by Charles stood in the ballroom, the tension growing. Even though his eyes were burning with annoyance he remained strong. Leo would arrive. She was forced to.

Abruptly the ballroom door opened, and the guard entered with a gloomy expression. The guard said," Alpha?.. and bowed deeply. Princess refuses to attend."

Charles expression darkened." Refuse?"

The guard gave a nod." She won't show up. She asserts. Furthermore, she declines to wed you.

As Charles's rage erupted, he charged for the door with his mind already racing with ideas he clenched his fist at his side.

He would not be turned away. Now he was too far gone to lose it all.