I've always known my story was going to end with my death. I knew the time was nearing with my age, but I never thought it would be the Alpha King himself to do it, let alone that it would be my mate.
Like, please help me understand here. I had a mate who rejected me, so yeah, I expected a second-chance mate. That's just natural. But a third mate? Now there must be a mistake somewhere.
I slowly looked up at him since there was silence, then quickly looked away when I found him staring at me. My goodness, what was he thinking? Ah, silly me. He was probably thinking of ways to kill me.
'Oh god,' I cried to Rhea, the thought of dying scared me. I mean, I shouldn't be afraid of death, I knew that's what to come.
Okay, this is it. Since I am his mate, maybe I could try to negotiate the way of dying. Maybe I could ask him to get a witch to give me a less painful death.
I was about to ask when I heard him. "Huh?" I wasn't sure if I heard him right.
"I'm asking for permission to touch your hands," he said, and I bit my inner cheek to make sure I wasn't imagining it. "May I?" He sounded gentle, not truly gentle as I could tell he was trying hard, which confused me because he was the King and I was a nobody. He didn't need to pretend with me.
"Of course… my King," I said, giving him my left hand, the one that felt steadier at the moment. The instant our skin touched, electricity ran down my arm, making me flinch.
"Amazing," he growled as his rough hand explored my fingers. I felt it, and I slowly looked at him. Luckily, this time he was focused on my hands.
I was so confused, trying to block out Rhea, who was probably clouded by this already.
The King was looking at my hand like he was trying to memorize it, feeling his rough skin against mine, yet for some weird reason it felt comforting.
"Your hands are very soft," he murmured. I just nodded, then glanced at my roommate's side, wondering why she wasn't awake. "They are all out. I didn't want anyone to disturb," he said, giving me a small glance.
"I... I see her... my King." I was scared to speak, afraid that one wrong word might cost me my life.
"Oh," he chuckled. "I mean out as in deep sleep."
"Of course... my King." I didn't know why I was finding it so hard to address him like that.
"Listen, Thalia," he said, my name so casually, as if we knew each other. "My name is Gray. I would prefer that you call me by my name."
"W-why?" I had to ask.
"Well..." He let out a small laugh, though it didn't sound entirely genuine. "You're my mate, and I think we can agree that going by first names helps when two people want to get to know each other."
"I... get to know each other?" I sounded stupid, I know, but this was so confusing. He nodded, and I did the same, even though the words didn't fully make sense.
"I only came to see and make sure you are well, since you left without saying goodbye." He finally let my hand go. I looked back at my roommate once more, then turned to him and nodded.
"Let me tuck you in," he said. I got under the blanket, and he lifted it up and covered me.
Just when I thought this couldn't get more surprising, he took my hand and kissed it before heading for the door. Like the wind, without turning, he was gone.
I was in shock. No one had ever kissed my hands before. I mean, this was the King we were talking about. What in the world was going on?
'I told you. He is different,' Rhea said in my head. I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn't see me. Just as I was about to tell her to keep her hopes down, my roommate started coughing so loudly it worried me. I sat up.
"Are you okay?" I asked, but she didn't respond. I rushed to the switch, turned the lights on, then immediately off again as she shouted at me.
"Are you that weak you can't even see in the dark?" she questioned. I knew better than to respond. I got back on my bed.
Yes, she was almost like me, but she had been rejected once by an Omega, which made her useless considering she was already an Omega herself.
"Such a weird dream," I heard her say. I still said nothing, squeezing my eyes shut and focusing on falling asleep. It worked as when I opened my eyes, it was morning.
Just like any other day, I got up and made my bed, then walked to do my roommate's bed, as that was my job. Then I walked to the shower and cleaned up.
Just as I was coming out, with a towel wrapped around my body, the door barged open and two guards came straight for me.
"You are needed in the pack house," one of them said. I knew better than to ask questions, so I nodded, obediently.
I almost asked for privacy to change into proper clothes when someone else walked in, and before I could react, a hand landed on my left cheek, sending me almost dizzy.
Then I was on the floor, someone stepping on my hand that was on the ground. Looking up, I saw Luna Freya, looking furious, her eyes glowing with anger.
Well, this wasn't new. It was obvious she had come up with a lie for me. The Alpha, Darly's father, was waiting inside his office to order my punishment.
Lol, it doesn't scare me anymore.