Yifa's POV
"You are to obey all my commands," he continued, his words laden with authority. "If anything goes awry, you shall face punishment." Punishment? Would he truly subject his own mate to such treatment? My father had never intentionally harmed my mother..
"Do you understand, rebel?" he inquired.
"Rebel, that's what he called me. He requested his partner to become his servant. What is this? Some sort of fetish?
"I-I don't understand. Wh--" I started to ask, but he abruptly interrupted me.
"I'm not asking; I'm commanding you to do it. You don't have the option to say yes or no."
"I give orders, and you obey them," he added, his voice devoid of warmth and emotion.
I couldn't resist any longer; his scent permeated my senses. He stood right in front of me, dangerously close.
I looked up, and immediately regretted it, for his gaze pierced into me with intensity.
Challenging me to defy him.
His eyes narrowed as I met his gaze, but fortunately, he didn't demand that I avert my eyes.
"I don't have unlimited patience. Do you understand what I've said?"
I nodded once again. Perhaps, when we're alone, he'll treat me with more civility.Indeed, that might be the essence of it. His intention could be to shield me from prying eyes, just as in the stories from my childhood that my mother used to tell me.
Those tales depicted kings facing numerous adversaries who would exploit the queen's vulnerability to weaken the king. They would seize the queen and employ her as leverage to coerce the king into complying with their demands.
Taking a deep breath, I attempted to rationalize his behavior. Perhaps that was the underlying reason behind his actions - ensuring my safety amidst the threat posed by his enemies. Nevertheless, deep down, I couldn't escape the thought that I was merely attempting to justify his conduct because I refused to believe that my partner was neglecting me.
"Very well. Black, I request that you accompany her to my chambers. I have made the necessary arrangements," Killian commanded, addressing Black. With one final glance in my direction, he departed from the scene.
Black acknowledged the order with a nod and then bowed before shifting his gaze towards me. I watched as he retreated, followed closely by two guards.
I found myself silently questioning, "Is this my bedroom? Or is it his room?" Lately, I had been asking myself that question quite frequently, reflecting the overwhelming confusion that enveloped me.
The butterflies in my stomach resurfaced, confirming my intuition that he was merely being cautious due to the prying eyes observing our every move. My inner omega echoed with anticipation, assuring me that we would reunite with our mate once more, this time in the privacy of his own bedroom.
"Follow me," Black beckoned, breaking the silence that hung in the air. I complied, trailing behind him in hushed footsteps, my mind still consumed by the whirlwind of recent events.
"Please forgive him for his rudeness," Black suddenly interjected, positioning himself in front of me. "It's not his true nature. He's just endured a great deal."
At first, I couldn't muster a response. I was at a loss for words, uncertain of how to react. While there might have been underlying reasons for his behavior, it didn't justify the way he had treated me. After all, I was his mate.
"Could you elaborate on that?" I inquired, curiosity seeping into my voice.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose that information. It is not within my authority to reveal anything," I expressed apologetically. I nodded once more, comprehending the notion that royal families harbor numerous undisclosed secrets concealed from the public eye.
As I shifted my gaze towards Black, a profound sadness emanated from his countenance. Despite being a Knight, he exuded an aura of gentleness and kindness.
"Are you acquainted with him?" I inquired, eager to delve deeper into my companion's connection.
Black nodded affirmatively, responding, "Yes, we are actually good friends. We have been friends since childhood."
My eyes widened in surprise, for childhood friends often possess contrasting personalities. Black embodied shyness coupled with kindness, while Killian exuded an air of aloofness and detachment.
"Isn't it surprising?" Black remarked with a chuckle, acknowledging the shared reaction people tend to have upon discovering their friendship.
"I hope you don't take offense, but you're absolutely right," I replied with complete honesty. As I observed him, I couldn't help but notice how good he looked when he smiled. However, that smile quickly vanished as Black expressed his thoughts, saying, "But he's changed. He's changed a lot."
Lost in his own thoughts, Black appeared deep in contemplation. I chose to remain silent, hoping that he would open up further and share more of what was on his mind. Eventually, he continued, "But you know what? Despite everything he's been through, he's putting in tremendous effort to appear strong." There was a sense of pride in his voice as he spoke those words to me.
Black's expression carried a tinge of sadness, yet he seemed to harbor a certain admiration for his friend. It made me wonder about the trials and tribulations that Killian had endured. This was definitely not what I had expected when I first encountered my mate. Then again, I never anticipated that my mate would also be a king.
Life was brimming with surprises, but unfortunately, not all surprises lead to a happy ending. I was about to learn that lesson the hard way.
Killian's POV The entrance to the hall swung open, and Black strode in, accompanied by a woman whose features remained obscured.. Although I couldn't make out her appearance clearly, I sensed a calming presence within me, as if my inner wolf was settling down and taking a seat in my mind. I found myself perplexed, and even my alpha seemed bewildered. My wolf tilted his head curiously as he sat down. "Your Highness, I have brought the rogue," Black announced, bowing before me. Despite my disdain for the title he used, I understood that he was merely showing respect in front of others. "Lower your head," Black commanded the rogue. To my surprise, the rogue refused to comply, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. In my opinion, she appeared rather foolish. Before I could utter a word, the rogue suddenly locked eyes with me, an expression of astonishment and wonder reflecting in her gaze. I experienced a surge of pride coursing through my body, fully aware of my good looks. I had
Yifa's POV We maneuvered through countless corners, ascending numerous flights of stairs. The grandeur of the palace's interior surpassed its modest exterior. Intricate walls adorned with antiquated depictions of peculiar locales and captivating people surrounded us. My attention was immediately captivated by a particular frame we passed by. It held a picture of Killian's parents, the former King and Queen. Killian himself bore an uncanny resemblance to King Fenrir, while Derek inherited a blend of his parents' features, particularly Queen Ruby's fair, blonde locks. The striking azure hue of their eyes mirrored their father's. Lost in contemplation, I inadvertently halted my steps. Black, ever gentle in his approach, inquired softly so as not to startle me, address his as “His Highness”. I shrugged, unable to articulate my thoughts immediately. "I was merely observing the resemblance between the King and... His Highness," I corrected myself mid-sentence. Although Black exuded a kind d
Killian's POV Leaving the room, a mix of accomplishment and nervousness washed over me. The rogue's discovery held the potential to break the curse that had plagued me for so long - something I should be elated about. And, truth be told, I was. But beneath the surface, a sense of unease gnawed at me.. Anxiety, confusion, and apprehension clouded my thoughts. I couldn't predict the outcome of this endeavor. What if it succeeded? What consequences would it bring? The uncertainty weighed heavily on me. Then there was Ginni. I couldn't bear the thought of replacing her or giving her the impression that I would discard her for someone like Amaya. She was and will always be the one I cherish. I vowed to never abandon her, even in death. But what about Amaya? Would she truly be content with a mate who didn't wholeheartedly love her? What if, after being bound together, she met her true soulmate? It was a distressing possibility I tried not to entertain. However, the question lingered: Wh
Killian's POV I had awakened from one of the most peaceful slumbers I had experienced in a long while. The night before had been filled with tender moments and passionate encounters, leaving me thoroughly content.. Throughout the night, we had whispered words of love into each other's ears, our bodies intertwined intimately, a dance against the sheets. Waves of pleasure and adoration propelled us, driving us to explore one another again and again.. In the pinnacle of our ecstasy, we had marked each other, as if to seal our destiny of eternal happiness. But little did I realize that not all paths lead to a blissful end. As I gazed at her peacefully slumbering form next to me, a smile crept across my face. However, there was an unsettling tranquility about her sleep. Planting gentle kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and finally her lips, I anticipated a playful response or a flicker of awakening. Yet, no reaction came forth. Considering it a playful prank, I decided to tickle her, hop
Yifa's POV He gestured for me to enter the closet, and cautiously, I moved towards him, hoping it was all just a playful tease. In this moment of seclusion, I yearned for him to reveal his genuine self, one with a compassionate heart. Yet, deep down, I knew better than to raise my expectations too high.. As I hesitated, my steps hesitant and slow, he impatiently closed the distance between us and forcefully gripped my arm, his touch more forceful than necessary. His words dripped with harshness, "You're unbelievably slow. Can't you pick up the pace?" His unkindness was palpable. With a shove, he pushed me into the room. As I glanced around, my suspicions were confirmed it was indeed a spacious walk-in closet. The closet seemed vast, divided into two sections, with a large vanity mirror occupying the center, adorned with an array of beauty products. Behind the mirror, there was a comfortable couch, spacious enough for two individuals. "It appears the couch will suffice for you. Afte
Killian's POVI awoke abruptly, startled by the sound of muffled sobs emanating from an unknown source. Groggily, I sighed and rubbed the remnants of sleep from my weary eyes, hoping it was merely a figment of my imagination. However, as the persistent noise persisted, I reluctantly acknowledged that this was indeed reality. I sat up in my bed, surveying my surroundings in an attempt to locate the origin of the distressing cries. My gaze settled upon the closed door of the walk-in closet. Ah, yes, I remember now.Summoning my resolve, I rose from the comfort of my bed and cautiously approached the closet. Opening its door, I was met with the sight of a trembling figure, knelt on the ground, desperately attempting to stifle her sobs. I averted my gaze, directing my attention towards the ceiling, and took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the challenges this unexpected encounter would bring. Today was certainly not unfolding as I had anticipated.Comforting others has never b
Yifa's POVI felt a chill creep over me as I heard the frigidity in his tone. Avoiding his gaze, I feared that my thoughts would spill out uncontrollably if I dared to confront him. Why? Why doesn't he acknowledge me as his mate? What explanation could there be for the presence of women's clothing in his closet? Why does he treat me with such harshness? Did I unwittingly do something wrong? Why can't he love me? Was it my own shortcomings that sparked the lack of interestin me? I am willing to change, to transform myself entirely for his sake.My mind raced with an avalanche of questions, words clamoring for release. Yet, I remained silent, imprisoned by the dread that he would definitively reject me as his mate. The mere thought of such a rejection threatened to shatter me completely. I would be left bereft, with nothing left to offer to persuade him to stay. My lack of wealth, beauty, or intellect would render me incapable of providing anything other than my own presence."I couldn'
Killian's POVAs I exited the bathroom, an eerie silence enveloped the surroundings. It felt unsettlingly quiet, raising my suspicions. My inner wolf growled vehemently, undoubtedly sharing my disdain for the rogue. I attempted to trace her scent, only to realize that it had completely vanished. This meant that the rogue had left the room without awaiting my orders."Didn't I explicitly instruct her to await my commands?" I muttered to no one in particular, the solitude of my room amplifying my frustration. A frustrated growl escaped my lips before I made my way towards the closet, anticipating a set of clothes prepared for me.Upon entering, I couldn't help but take a deep breath, filling my nostrils with the lingering fragrance of the rogue. Admittedly, it possessed an alluring quality. Surprisingly, even my wolf seemed to agree, as it settled down in my mind, ceasing its growling.Casting a glance toward the couch, I noticed my clothes neatly laid out, awaiting my attention.As I a