04

*Dorian*

"What you did was unacceptable! Take your men and scour the forests for Kiara. She didn't deserve--"

"I found my mate," I cut in smoothly, silencing my father.

He falls quiet, lips drawn in a grim line as he observes me. "It doesn't change the fact that you walked out on a good woman, embarrassing her and insulting her family name--"

I place the box he had given me on the table. "You said to me that what was important was to give you an heir. You never said it mattered who the heir came from."

"You speak nonsense--"

"I will marry my mate. I have already made preparations."

I see the shimmering anger in my father's eyes. I see his rage, but I do not care. Why bind myself to a stranger when I have found my mate?

"You do not have my blessings, Dorian."

My lips tilt into an adder's smile. "I will wed her in an hour, with or without your blessings. You may attend, if it so pleases you."

I incline my head in a bow and leave his study, though I feel his gaze on me as I walk away.

Shaun awaits me by the door and I can tell his disapproval of my actions just by looking at him.

"I don't think it is wise to immediately have a wedding after rejecting and humiliating the daughter of one of the most influential Alphas whose pack adds a great number to our forces. You should at least try to bring her back. Or even find her--"

I turn sharply, pinning him with an intense stare. "With each day that passes, you become more of a thorn in my flesh than a Beta. If you wish to keep your place as Beta, I'd advice you know your place."

Shaun's eyes are raw and filled with hurt, but he doesn't say another word to me as he walks away.

********

The wedding was a simple affair. All of the royal court were in attendance. My father seemed angry for the most of it, but I know he'll come around. Soon enough.

My heart thuds faintly in my chest as I near the room I will now share with my mate.

My wolf stirs and purrs excitedly at the proximity between us.

I twist the door knob and step into my room. My eyes find her where she is seated on the edge of my bed, looking absolutely stunning in a white dress covered in crystals and diamonds.

"You never quite told me your name," I say, approaching her.

She turns slightly and her beautiful green eyes behold me with awe and admiration. "I am Ashly," she mutters absentmindedly as her eyes rove my body with keen interest. "You are very handsome, my prince."

I stand still as she walks towards me. Her fingers are warm as they trail my skin, caressing me.

With every touch, rather than feel my excitement grow, it dims. It feels wrong. Her touch feels wrong. Her scent is wrong as well.

I let her lean in to me and when her lips graze my neck, I breathe in her scent deeply.

I am suddenly assaulted by a splitting headache and intense nausea. I know that scent.

My heart sinks when I recognize it and I push her far away from me. "Whiteshades! You reek of whiteshades!"

Her eyes widen with fear and it dawns on me that I have been deceived. Whiteshades are ancient herbs used to confuse the senses of wolves, so much so they believe fiercely in what isn't.

"You are not my mate," I whisper, utterly devastated. "You lied to me. You deceived me!"

"Let me explain," the lying female says, but I do not wish to hear another word from her lying mouth.

I pin her against the wall, holding her up by her throat. "Why have you done this?"

She slaps at my hand, gasping for air. "You're mine. I did this for you. For us. She didn't deserve you."

My mind whirls in different directions and it occurs to me that she is referring to the woman to whom I was supposed to get married.

My heart lurches on realization of the mistake I have made. I have to find her.

I release the hold of my fingers around her neck and she falls to the floor, coughing.

"I will have you executed for your deceit. You deserve no less--"

"You have married me against the approval of your father and his council. What do you think will happen if you tell them of this? No one would believe you. Whiteshades are nearly extinct. They will think you incapable of making your own decisions and deem you unfit for the throne."

I growl hatefully and leave the room, slamming it hard enough to rip off its hinges.