Need no man

Zoey's POV

"My hand in marriage?" I asked, and King Adrian nodded. "Beta Austin has two daughters from his late mate, but he desperately needs a son. He wants to marry you and make you his mate because he believes you can give him enough male children," King Adrian spoke firmly, while I scoffed and held the gaze of the Beta.

“You wish to marry me?” I asked, and he nodded. I scoffed and shook my head. "What do you know about me?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"A lot," he responded and I gestured for him to go on. "I know that you are a single mother of a four-year-old son, and I also know that you have an incredible gift of healing. I've also heard that you are skilled in combat," he spoke proudly, causing me to scoff and shake my head. "Is that all you know about me?" I asked, but he shook his head. "I also know that you have rejected suitors, but..."

"That is what I wanted to hear," I said while getting to my feet. "That's the word right there, Beta Austin . That's the word I wanted to hear from you. If you know me too well, then you will know that I have rejected so many suitors. So, what makes you think that your case will be different?" I asked, and he didn't give a response.

"With all due respect, Beta Austin, I have to reject your proposal," I announced, and murmurs rose among them, but I didn't care. "I love my single life, and I would rather not be tied to any man because you men…" I paused and took a deep breath to control my emotions.

With a soft sigh, I turned to Lord Adrian, who had an expressionless look on his face. “Permission to leave,” I said and gestured for Jaya to come to me, which he did. "I'll take my leave now. Have a safe journey back home," I bid them goodbye and walked out of the throne room.

"Mother, why don't you agree to marry him?" Jaya asked, stopping my steps. "He could become my father if you marry him," Jaya grumbled, causing a frown to appear on my face. But I wiped it away and squatted before him. With a warm smile, I cupped his cheeks with my hands and stared into his eyes, those eyes that remind me of a certain someone.

"You have me, so why do you need a father?" I asked, and a frown appeared on his face, but I continued. "Besides, you have Uncle Adrian. Why do you need a father?” I asked.

"Because King Adrian is not his father," Queen Lali spoke from behind me.

With a soft sigh, I placed a kiss on Jaya's forehead before saying, "Go watch a movie. I'll be with you shortly," I told Jaya, and he nodded before leaving.

I stood to my feet and watched him go away before turning to hold Queen Lali's gaze. "Queen Lali, is there a problem?" I asked, even though I knew the answer.

Queen Lali has never liked me since I came to the palace. At first, she thought King Adrian, her husband, brought me here to be his lover. But I thought that by now, she would know that there's nothing going on between us.

“My problem is, when will you leave this palace?" she asked with hate in her voice. "Beta Austin is the fourth suitor who has come to ask for your hand in marriage, and you have refused them for no good reason. They even promised to marry your son and give him their names, and what did you do? You rejected them for reasons known only to you," she snapped angrily.

"I don't need a man," I snapped back.

"Oh, please, stop it. Every woman needs a man in her life. It defines our existence..."

"Your existence, not mine," I cut her off and took a step closer. "I know you don't like me and my boy for reasons known only to you, but I won't get married just because you want me to leave," I asserted firmly, watching her growl and reveal two fangs.

"I know what your plans are. You have eyes for the king, but it will never happen. I will..."

"Stop being ridiculous, Queen Lali," I snapped.

"King Adrian is like an older brother to me, and I believe he sees me that way. So stop building thoughts in your head," I said, not waiting for a response. I turned and left, fuming with anger.

"She is a bitch," Nora cursed, while a heavy sigh escaped my lips.

I reached my room and sat on the couch, with thoughts buzzing in my head. "I think I will have to leave," I grumbled, and Nora agreed. "I agree with your suggestion, but you have to tell King Adrian after his birthday celebration," she suggested, and I nodded with a sigh, closing my eyes.

A knock on the door made me open my eyes, gesturing for the person to come in. The door opened, and Vera, my assistant, walked in with a file in her hand. "New supplies just arrived at the bakery, so your signature is needed," she said, handing me the file. I went through it before signing it.

"Thank you," I told her, and as she was about to leave, I noticed a red spot on her arm. "Vera?" I called, and she turned to meet my gaze.

"What happened to you?" I asked, staring at the red spot. I saw her gulp before she responded, "I was playing with the kids and fell," she lied, and it was so obvious.

"You're a terrible liar," I said, getting up from my seat.

I walked up to her, took hold of her arm, and placed my hand on it. "Is it still painful?" I asked, and she nodded, tears filling her eyes. "It's okay," I reassured her with a weak smile. I closed my eyes and used my abilities to take away the pain.

"By tomorrow, the mark will be gone," I told her, and she burst into tears. I watched her sob with sympathy, and when she calmed down, I spoke. "Why don't you leave his stupid ass?" I asked.

"Because I can't. He is my husband, and we have children," she cried, causing anger to rise within me.

"So you're going to die because you're married?" I asked, and she gulped. "If you don't leave one day, then one day you will die in that marriage," I warned, and she remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"I can't leave. He is my mate..."

"Damn the mate bond," I cut her off. "If he doesn't treat you well, then leave," I advised, but she shook her head with tear-filled eyes.

I stared at her and realized that regardless of what I said, she would never take my advice. "You can leave," I said, and she nodded and left.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and a memory played in my head.

"What are you thinking?" Lord Adrian's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"You're here," I said with a weak smile and watched him move away from the door and sit on the couch.

We both remained silent until he spoke up. "This is the fourth prominent suitor you're rejecting," he said, and I hummed.

"Why don't you want to get married?"

"Because I see no need for such commitment," I grumbled.

"Seriously?" He scoffed. "I know that you're an independent woman who has her own bakery, but don't you think at some point you will need a man for…" he trailed off, but I understood what he meant.

"I don't need that. If one day the need arises, I might just hook up in a club," I said, not believing I was the one saying such things.

"Really?" He scoffed and shook his head.

I watched him stand to his feet and march forward to me. He stopped and held my gaze for a moment before speaking. "You can't punish all men because of the sin of just one man."

His words made me frown and look away.

"My childhood friend is coming for my birthday party, and he will stay here for a few days. Could you please keep him company for me?” He asked, and I heaved a heavy sigh. “As long as he won't fall for me,” I grumbled, and Lord Adrian scoffed before shaking his head.

“Just like you, he doesn't like women, but I can't guarantee that he won't fall for your charms," he teased and placed a kiss on my cheek before leaving.