Chapter 9

The cocky look slips from Bianca’s face as she processes what I’ve said. She shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze as she replies, “That’s impossible. You must’ve seen wrong.”

I know there is no way Bianca’s Mark could be real. I am Prince Kaine’s true mate, so how did she fake her mark? Catching her without it provides me the perfect opportunity to learn more.

I keep calm as I regard my sister, catching her eye as I push, “Why so nervous? If it’s real, just let me see it again. That’ll clear things up.”

Irritation flashes in Bianca’s eyes as she lets her defensiveness get the better of her. “I suggest that you mind your own business, or I’ll tell Father, you bullied me in the palace. You know he’d throw you out in a heartbeat.”

Bianca is right, my father has always chosen her side over mine, but with my new position as Prince Kaine’s personal guard, I wouldn’t be out on the street. I narrow my eyes at Bianca, choosing to stand my ground, “I’m not interested in your business, but if you ask me for help, you should at least show some basic respect. You and I are equals.”

Bianca snorts, as she regards me. “Equals? I’m already Prince Kaine’s fiancée. You’re just a guard.”

My chest twists as I hear Bianca say Prince Kaine’s name. My Mark stings, and I can’t help the rush of fury I feel at her words. My mouth tastes bitter, as I spit out, “Does he know you’re not his mate?”

Bianca gasps, her face turning a deep red in reaction to my words, but I don’t care. I drop the box I’m holding and walk out of her room, leaving her to sort the rest of her things out alone. Once I have some distance, I sigh.

I need to be able to better control my reactions. It was one thing to question Bianca’s clearly fake mark, but another entirely to allow my emotions to control me like that. I was feeling jealous, and that jealousy is dangerous when revealing myself would mean a rejection I cannot afford.

I am meant to report directly to Prince Kaine’s office after helping Bianca get settled, but our argument and my subsequent departure mean that I am running early. I debate heading straight to Prince Kaine’s office. The rumors circulating about him have only gotten worse, and as a result he has upped his security.

Guards are to accompany him wherever he goes, and as his personal guard I am always supposed to be close by. I decide to take a quick run first to clear my head. Since I am still assumed to be with Bianca my absence won't be noticed.

Prince Kaine will be presenting Bianca to the inner court to announce engagement in a few hours and I am expected to be there. As I run, I try to calm my mind. If I can’t get a handle on my emotions, I will ruin everything for myself.

An hour later, I knock on the door to Prince Kaine’s office, tired from my run but calmer than I’ve felt in days. He calls for me to come in, and I am surprised to find Bianca already there, seated at one of the small chairs at his desk.

Prince Kaine finishes what he’s saying and then turns to me gesturing to Bianca, “Your sister has requested for you to be her personal escort today.” Bianca smiles at me like she’s thrilled I’m here with her, but I can see the malice in her eyes. She didn’t request this just to spend time with her sister, but I have no choice but to comply. “Yes, Alpha.”

The three of us, along with Prince Kaine’s Beta, Jake, and several other guards proceed to a large sitting room to wait for the royal family. Inside, the room is filled with elegantly designed couches, and chaise lounges for people to sit and talk, and silver serving trays of food atop elegant tables.

As Prince Kaine and Bianca make their way into the room, I take a step back, and take my place by the door. Bianca turns to me “Oh, no. I will be needing you closer than that.” I sigh and instead follow behind Bianca.

“Actually Ember, I just realized that I need a drink. Go fetch one for me,” she says, smiling at me smugly. I predicted that this would be an opportunity for Bianca to lord her newfound status over me, and she is meeting my expectations exactly.

I cross the room to get Bianca her drink as Prince Kaine begins talking seriously to Jake. When I look over, she is holding onto his arm as if it may fall off if she doesn’t. My Mark burns, and Nara whines in the back of my mind at the sight of our Mate so close to another woman.

I take a deep breath and approach the group to give Bianca her drink. “Oh, and something to eat,” Bianca says laughing like we have some in joke together. I fight not to roll my eyes as I leave to make her a plate, making sure to only select foods I know she likes so as not to get sent on another errand.

When I return, she is too busy hanging onto Prince Kaine to complain about my selections. She has one hand on his arm, and she places the other hand on his chest as she laughs at something he says. Nara’s whine intensifies, and my Mark goes from stinging to burning as I watch them together.

I withstand the sight for as long as I can, but my head starts to pound the more Bianca touches him. My wolf's whine turns into a howl and the pain in my Mark becomes almost as unbearable as the pain in my head. I need to leave.

I catch Prince Kaine’s attention and tell him that I need to do a quick scan of this section of the Palace before the rest of the royals arrive. Bianca opens her mouth to protest, but I turn my back and quickly make my way to the exit.

I try to breathe through the pain as I walk, making it to the end of the hallway before I need to pause and lean against the wall for support. The potion I bought may prevent Prince Kaine from sensing our bond, but it was never intended to be used in such close proximity to my Mate. My Mate that happens to have another woman hanging all over him.

My own bond, although dulled, is not gone and the pain of watching Prince Kaine, and Bianca together is too much to withstand. I take a deep breath as I stand, but my vision blurs and I find myself falling forward, unable to support my own weight. I crash, but instead of feeling the hard ground beneath me, I am instead being supported by the sturdy frame of Prince Kaine

He furrows his brow, as he makes his assessment, “I thought you looked off earlier. What’s going on?”

My head swims as he holds me, but I answer his question, managing not to give myself away in my delirious state. “I’m just tired from training. I need a break.”

Prince Kaine looks at me seriously but doesn’t say if he believes me or not. Instead, he shifts my weight so that he is holding me more securely and begins leading me toward an empty room to rest.

We make it to the doorway when a deep voice calls out from behind us. “Brother, your fiancée is still waiting inside. Who’s this?”