Chapter 44

Celia

Soren’s hand in mine feels right. It does not feel like the times we have been affectionate before, the times when we were a couple during the days of our contract. This is something different, like a new page in the book of our relationship has turned.

I’m still quite unsure on how to feel about it. I know that Soren and I are fated mates, yes, but how can I forget how he asked me to leave the pack? How he allowed Bianca to humiliate me in front of everyone that is of prominent standing in his pack and the Lycans.

She humiliated me in front of two packs that I belong to.

First with the Werewolves, a group of wolves and people who never accepted me because of my low rank and wolf-less identity. Second with the Lycans, with me as their missing princess even though I know nothing about their culture or ways outside of my mother’s journals and diaries.

“Your Grace,” the Duke’s voice snaps be back to reality, bringing me out of the haze of my thoughts and mind. “There is something we must discuss with the Alpha King.”

“Yes?” I release Soren’s hand and sit up. He jumps into action and helps me, adding a nearby pillow behind my back so that I am comfortable.

“On behalf of the Lycan pack and nobles, we are so honored to have finally found you after all of these years. It feels like just yesterday when we received news of your disappearance and the death of your parents. We extend to you our humble condolences and will be here to help you with whatever it is you may request of us,” the Duke speaks, his words granting me comfort and security.

I turn and look at Soren, who stares at the Duke with a respectful yet hardened gaze. He is in his Alpha King mode, something that I have seen plenty of times when our interactions together where interrupted by the pack needed to be ruled. I look back to the Duke and let out a quiet sigh, catching onto the fact that the conversation has moved away from me.

Admittedly, I’m grateful about it. I will allow the men to have their conversation while I sink into the plush mattress, not wanting to hide the pain that overtakes my body anymore.

As I submerge beneath the plethora of pillows and blankets, the warmth from the soft material seeping into my skin, threatening to pull me under the guise of sleep. I fight the urge to fall asleep, though, and stay awake, listening to the men’s voices as an anchor.

“Alpha King,” the Duke begins, “it is the wish of my family as well as other Lycan nobles to keep Celia safe. We have already taken care of Bianca and her family and they do not hold any power anymore but we cannot fully be sure if there are any other families who wish to see her…”

His voice falters, silence overtaking him. I peek over the pillows and see Soren and the Duke nod in a silent agreement of what he was insinuating.

My death.

I turn away, face growing hot as the realization that people, Lycan nobility, will actively seek out my death just like how they threatened my father when he married my human mother and had me. Even my new title as princess automatically brings people’s attention onto me.

It is attention that I don’t want or need.

“I would like to supply my own men to stand guard here alongside yours,” the Duke offers. “You know that you have an ally in me so there is no need to worry. I have the best soldiers that the Lycans have to offer and they will know all of the tricks that Bianca and her family may try to pull.”

“The extra security would be a good idea…” Soren hums. I look over the pillows and meet his gaze, immediately turning away as soon as our eyes connect. “We need to be smart about it, though. Perhaps they can wear werewolf uniforms as to not raise any suspicion of Celia’s location.”

Soren has a point. If Lycan and Werewolf soldiers are seen together, it will be a dead giveaway to my location and will point my enemies right in my direction. It is a smart move on Soren’s part, one that will be sure to save me in the future.

“I will talk to your Beta about getting my men new uniforms, then,” the Duke pauses before speaking up once again, “I trust you, Soren, to keep our princess safe. We just got her back and cannot risk losing her again.”

“Of course. I will protect her,” Soren immediately responds, a hint of defensiveness in his words.

I listen to their conversation, which has just ended, and listen as the Duke exits the lakeside villa, their murmurs fading into silence as Soren crosses the room back over to me. He settles into the chair beside me and lets out a tired sigh.

“I know you’re awake, Celia,” Soren says, his voice soft and gentle, “you don’t need to pretend with me.”

I sit up in bed and our eyes meet. My heart skips a beat and I clear my throat, diverting my gaze. I fix the pillows, the pain in my stomach close to unbearable, and I lay back down.

The silence between us is awkward. Soren closes his eyes and relaxes into the chair, his body dangerously close to the bed. If I wanted to, I could reach out and flick his head and he would have no time to react.

“Soren?” I ask. He hums in response. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”

I take a look around the grand lakeside villa. I have been inside it many times, having helped heal his mother and help her wake up from her coma. From the bed, though, it seems so much bigger.

It’s almost daunting. Well, it’s just a reminder of the life I could have had with the Lycans or if Soren never chose Bianca but me. A life of luxury where things could be so deceptively simple.

Maybe that’s life I never want to have.

“I do not wish to impose on you if it is too much,” I clear my throat and angle my body away from his. “I could have taken a room in the hospital instead. I hate that I may be a burden to you—”

“Celia, you are not a burden,” Soren interrupts me.

He sits up in his chair and turns towards me. He reaches out and takes my hands into his. His thumbs graze over my knuckles, his touch is light and delicate as if I could break under the smallest amounts of pressure.

I melt into his touch, my eyes never leaving his face as he stares at our connected hands. He lets out a small breath of air, tired and weary, before he turns his attention back to me.

“It’s the least I can do for you, Celia, after everything that has happened between us,” he pauses but it looks like there is something else he wishes to say. He waits for a moment before opening his mouth to say, “it’s the least I can do because you are my fated mate.”