Princess...

Chapter 34

Accalia

There wasn't a single moment where I slept last night, and you could tell I hadn't as I brushed my teeth in the mirror of my en suite. I was dressed in the same purple sundress from yesterday, and my hair was down to hide the mark that would easily pinpoint who my mate was. I hurried into the kitchen to make breakfast, so Raula would be forced to serve the pack again. I knew it was selfish, but a deep part of me wanted to make the most of my last hours alive. Once I'd plated everything up, my mother figure entered the kitchen with a flustered look on her face, no doubt from her late-night antics with her mate. She gave me a soft smile and served the food, wordlessly accepting my decision. The other workers filed into the kitchen shortly afterwards and their food was ready, though I'd only eaten a hashbrown and a sausage; it was all my nerves could muster but my inner wolf appreciated the effort nonetheless.

"Alpha Lupus has requested your presence in the dining room after the Alpha King has finished eating." Raula told me and I nodded, trying to remain calm but inside my inner wolf was pacing back and forth, knowing that the other packs would be here within the hour. Everyone disappeared to their rooms to get ready but I remained in the kitchen, taking my time to clean the counters in one final act of pure defiance

"I thought Raula told you to meet me in the dining room, princess?" I flinched at the sudden appearance of Alpha Lupus, though I quickly recovered and steadied my breathing.

"I don't want to meet the other pack leaders, Alpha. I won't go." Throwing the cloth into a drawer and standing straight, the taller man had gained considerable distance on me and I jumped backwards, trying to keep my composure

"You have to come with me, Ace. I need answers and I won't get them alone." I noticed his tone was soft, but a quick glance up to those startling hazel eyes showed dark purple circles underneath his bottom lashes. When was the last time he slept? More importantly, why did I care? He would execute me without hesitation if he learns the truth, so why was I showing the Alpha any compassion?

"I'm not going. And you can't make me." I turned my back on the taller man in a blatant act of resistance but I didn't even make it a step before a large hand grabbed my wrist, spinning me around and into the arms of Alpha Lupus himself. I had to look up to see his face, and he looked down at me as my breathing hitched. Startling hazel eyes travelled over every inch of my pale complexion and I fought to release myself from his grip, which had both of my shoulders under his calloused fingertips

"Stop resisting princess..." That was all he said before lips met mine again in another forceful kiss. I stopped struggling and relaxed into the feeling, fluttering my eyes closed and focusing purely on the feeling of the Alpha's lips on mine. He pulled away a few seconds later and a low growl came from the back of his throat. "Let's go, Ace." I complied this time, still reeling from the sensation. We walked through the dining room and past the foyer, Alpha Lupus opened the large doors I had once been carried through when I first arrived and I squinted under the morning sunlight.

"When will they arrive?" I mumbled, keeping my head down with my hair acting as a safety barrier.

"Here they come now. Let's get some answers princess." I caught sight of a long line of people trailing through the iron gates and ducked behind Alpha Lupus, but luckily with a few members of the Salt Lake City pack also greeting their guests, I was pretty much out of sight. I listened intently to the Alpha who welcomed everyone into his territory, though I could feel his unease from where I hid. Beta Deryn and Delta Kurt joined the Alpha's side a few minutes later, keeping me well out of view and I relaxed, knowing that no one would see me just yet. Once the final members entered the house my brows furrowed, why weren't the New Orleans pack here? Startling hazel eyes met mine as he turned to face me and I could tell he was frustrated