Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

KING DARIUS

“I'm pregnant, Darius.” Melissa's words rang in my head.

It took me a minute to regain myself.

“You're pregnant?” I asked.

“Yes.” She said more firmly.

I noticed the maids eavesdropping on our conversation.

“Let's talk somewhere private.” I said to Melissa.

“You.” I pointed at the maid who was cleaning the fireplace.

“Yes, your majesty.” She rushed to me, her voice quivering with fear as she spoke.

“Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?” I asked, my voice dripping with venom.

“I wouldn't dare to, your majesty.” She said in an almost whisper, her head hung low.

I would have ordered she be beheaded or thrown in the dungeon, but I don't want my mate to think bad of me or fear me, so I decided to let it pass.

“Take this woman to the room close to mine and make sure she is settled in. If she complains about even an ounce of discomfort, you are dead meat, do you understand?” I questioned.

“Yes, your majesty.” She said and bowed slightly before turning to Hazel who was still hiding behind me.

Our gaze locked and I was mesmerized staring at her emerald green eyes. She was a beauty to the eye. I didn't realize how long I followed her with my gaze until she dissapeared behind the wall, I turned to face Melissa to see her glaring at me. She quickly smoothened her expression with a slight furrow of my brows.

“Follow me.” I said.

I walked off towards the study taking long and heavy strides. Melissa couldn't keep up and basically hastened her steps after me but I couldn't care less.

As soon as we reached the study, I turned to her.

“When did you find out you were pregnant?” I asked immediately, sitting behind the desk at the same time.

She stuttered before saying, “today. I was waiting for you to come back so I could tell you.”

She settled on the chair facing me.

“Did you have a doctor confirm it?” I asked.

“Will I be lying about being pregnant? It's not like we've not been intimate these past few months and weeks.” She said, her voice hinting a slight irritation.

She was right. She was my fiance and it's wrong that I'm questioning her like a criminal for something I've always wanted. I've only wanted two things in my life, a mate, and an heir. But now the woman that's pregnant for me is not my mate. And I've finally found my mate.

“So what do we do about it?” I asked.

“What do you mean ‘what do we do’. We were going to get married and I'm carrying your child, nothing has changed.” She protested.

“Things have changed, Melissa. I have found my mate now.” I pointed out.

“Then get rid of her. I'm pregnant for you, Darius. You can't get rid of me, but you aren't mated with her yet. You can still reject her.” she said in a nonchalant tone.

I stood up and banged on the desk angrily.

“Don't you ever say that again, Melissa. I am not letting her go, everything else be damned.” I barked at her.

She flinched and stared at me, her eyes holding a hint of fear.

“Okay, okay, cool down now, will you?” She said and cleared her throat in an attempt to recompose herself.

I took a deep breath to calm myself before taking my seat.

“You know how badly I've wanted a mate. And now that I've finally found her, I can't just get rid of her.” I said in a cooler tone.

“I understand you. But let's be realistic here, Darius. Our wedding has already been decided a long time ago, and now I'm pregnant with your child. If we don't get married before I birth your child, I'll never be able to get married again." She was almost tearing up now as she bat her lashes to withold the tears from falling down her cheeks, then she continued.

"Everyone will refer to me as the Alpha's used tool, and I'll just be unmarked for the rest of my life. I don't want that life, I can't handle that punishment. The suffering would be too much.” Melissa said, tearing up a bit.

I wasn't moved by Melissa's emotions, but what she said was the harsh truth. She will be at the receiving end of this even though she is innocent. While I'll be living a happy and fulfilled life with my mate, she would be all alone and ridiculed in the pack.

However, I didn't care what she will go through if I didn't marry her, I can't let her go through it for many reasons. The most important, being that my father chose her for me when he was alive. He said she would be a great Luna to the pack. I know if he was alive, he would change his decision the second he sets his eyes on Hazel.

“I will marry you.” I said. Her eyes immediately lit up as she heard the words.

“Will you get rid of your mate?” She asked, her eyes dilated as if she was truly unhappy about the prospect.

“I know how badly you've wanted one.” She added.

“No, I won't.” I said firmly.

Her mouth formed an ‘oh’.

“You will birth my child and be my wife. I'll mate with Hazel too.” I said.

“So who will be Luna?” She asked.

“Who said there can't be two Lunas?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You know that's not possible, it has never been heard of.” Melissa said.

“I'm the king, no one can question my decision. We will get married on the day of the blood moon festival as earlier planned.” I said.

The knock on the door interrupted whatever Melissa wanted to say.

“Come in.” I said.

The door opened and Xander, my other Beta, walked in.

“Your majesty.” He said and bowed slightly.

“Do you have anything for me?” I asked him.

“I'll come back when you're free.” Melissa mumbled before standing up and dragging her feet out of the door.

“I have scheduled the elders council meeting as you asked.” Xander said.

Immediately I discovered I found my mate, I had informed Xander through mindlink to schedule a council meeting. I wanted to inform the council I had found my mate. But after my conversation with Melissa and the promise I made to her, I can't inform the elders until after I have found a solution to my dilemma.

“About that, there would be no meeting. Cancel it.” I said.

“Yes, your majesty.” Xander said. That's why he is my favorite Beta. He doesn't ask unnecessary questions or do things behind my back, he just does as he is told.

“Sylvester has been stripped of his Beta roles as you asked and is now in the dungeon. What should we do to him?” He asked.

I sighed. My anger towards Sylvester was long since dissipated and now replaced with a bigger issue. I wanted to personally torture him for auctioning off my bride, but now I just can't find it in me to do that right now.

“Just do whatever you want with him, kill him if you must, I really don't care.” I said and rubbed my temples gently.

“Yes, your majesty.” Xander said and bowed slightly. He turned and walked out of the study, leaving me alone with my thoughts.