Royals

“C-Can I pick up these first?” Denise darted her eyes to the floor littered with the apples she had carefully cut and the shattered glass plate she placed them on. “A-And I need to call the doctor before he dies…” Her gaze then shifted to Luke and she felt a pang of guilt course through her. This…was her fault.

“Leave it. I’ll have the old fart take care of it.” Kain tightened his fingers around hers and pulled her to his side, her shoulders brushing his. She looked over at the side of his face as he walked her to the exit, her cheeks reddening. He looked handsome, even from that angle. His skin was flawless, his jawline was well sculpted and his features were fierce yet…she strangely felt so safe beside him. She was right to not doubt his words. He said he’d be back and he did return, at her time of desperation too. Even though his methods were harsh, he saved her. Her savior.

“Old fart? Do you mean our Alpha?” She dropped her gaze reluctantly. If she stared any longer, she’d bore a hole through his face. “T-That’s a bit…rude, Alpha Kain.”

“Yes, your Alpha. Or should I say previous Alpha?”

“Previous?!” Denise felt her chest swell. Did he come to take her with him today?

“Henceforth, you will live within my pack. I am your Alpha, you belong to me.”

‘Belong’

Her eyes snapped up, catching him already looking over at her with a dazzling grin. She never thought she’d ever feel so happy hearing such words come from anyone’s mouth. This meant she'd get to be with him, an Alpha.

But along with excitement came a few worries.

She was mated to an Alpha and since he accepted her, she’d have to be his Luna later on. That task was a bit bizarre for someone like her who had nothing to offer. Would his pack even want her?

“Oh! Denise!” A voice came from the right as they entered the hall. Denise turned her head, her gaze passing over the pack members who had been peeping inside the room then looking to Aiden who called out to her.

Everyone had heard the commotion with Luke, but none of them felt the need to help an unwanted she-wolf like her. And now that she had been saved by Kain, they were completely astounded. They whispered amongst themselves, even though they all knew she could hear every word.

‘What’s that Alpha doing with her?’

‘She’s the bitch who did a number on Luke and the others!’

‘Haven’t you heard? She broke off the marriage with Aiden too!”

‘No one wanted her here, but to shift from one man to another like this…she has no shame!”

‘She’s a slut.’

“H-Hi, Aiden.” She tuned out their whispers and smiled slightly, feeling uncomfortable under everyone’s gazes. Her palm was sweating, but despite that, she didn’t let go of Kain’s hand.

Aiden glanced over them both, eyes locking on their bloody entwined hands. He stared hard, cocking his head. “Well, if it isn’t the Alpha who stole my darling fiancé. You are quite capable, Alpha Kain. I’m a bit jealous.” He grinned, yet his aura wasn’t the least bit amiable, “This commotion, I suppose you did something?”

Kain looked at him, an uninterested look on his face, “Now that you’re here, clean up the mess in that room. Properly, if you know what I mean.”

“I see.” Aiden nodded.

“Alpha Kain!” Marcy popped up behind him, hands gripping his shoulders. She stepped out from behind Aiden and slipped her hair behind her shoulders, exposing her breasts that was barely being held in by her dress. She held out her hand to Kain, a flirtatious smile on her lips. “I’m Marcy. Nice to meet you, Alpha~ You wouldn’t be needing another pack member, would you? I’m good at everything, and I mean everything you can think of~” She bit her lip.

Denise blinked, gripping Kain’s hand tighter. Was she flirting with her mate in public?

When Kain didn’t move a muscle, Marcy embarrassedly retreated with her hand, an awkward chuckle rising up her throat, “I…I guess you’re as unfriendly as the rumors say. But...” Her eyes drifted to Denise, running down her figure in scorn, “I wonder why you’d chose to take this runt with you. She’s nothing but a no-good she-wolf. Is it because you think she’s pretty too?”

“Marcy, let’s not be too inquisitive.” Aiden gripped her waist, pulling her to his side. “This is our valuable guest.”

Her hands balled into fists and she glared, not hiding the envy within her blue orbs. She had been living within the pack for years after Aiden took her in. But she had never been more than a rogue. The pack didn’t treat her as bad as Denise but they had never accepted her as one of their own. They refused to let her marry anyone, not Aiden and not even one of the common pack members. They were all too good for a rogue.

Yet, Denise had gotten everything so fucking easily that it was annoying. She got Aiden as her fiancé and now, she was being taken in by a pack that was in another league compared to the others. And she even dared to grip his hand so tightly as if she’s rubbing it in their faces!

“Come on, I’ve seen prettier!” Marcy bellowed, “Even me…I’m not too bad looking, am I? Why does she always have to get chosen? What does she have that I don’t?! She’s the worst of us all, the lowest of the lowest! So why?! Why this bitch?!”

“T-That’s because…” Denise’s lips opened defensively, “…he’s my mate.”

Aiden’s eyes bulged, meanwhile whispers started up again, along with countless mocking laughter from the thickening crowd.

“Mate?” Marcy held her gut, trembling with laughter, “Am I the only one who heard what she just said? She's blatantly disrespecting the Alpha closest to the royals!”

“The r-royals?” Denise gasped. The royals were the strongest wolves alive and every pack had to submit to them. If Kain was close to them, that meant he was powerful…more powerful than she imagined.

“You dare utter such preposterous words? Someone like you can never be his mate. I heard you were on drugs but I never thought it was this bad. Alpha Kain, please allow me to use this chance to teach her some manners.” Smirking, Marcy stepped closer and pulled a hand back, claws elongating at the tip of her fingers as she readied to fire a blow.

Denise quickly pulled a hand up to shield her face, dreadfully expecting the pain she knew would befall her, but…before Marcy could swing her claws forward, two hands gripped hers.