POV: Claudia
It's been three days since I last spied on Caden. The rumors continue to spread throughout the castle grounds. Each time I hear one I crave to stab the woman it's pertaining to. Does she believe once I go into heat and Caden finds me that he will forsake me? I've heard of it happening a few times and that's because the females choose not to wait and became pregnant. The males had no choice than to reject their soul mates.
I've heard it's a heart wrenching experience, one I do not intend to encounter. Yes, I'm disappointed in Caden's behavior, yes I have forgiven him for the flogging. He was a young boy after all and figured other men did it to their mates.
I decided a few years back I wouldn't confront him unless he wrote me back or ending his sleeping around business. Neither have transpired.
Pushing my cart inside his room, I let the door thud shut. Gasping, I quickly try to run out of the room.
"Do not fret, I won't be long." His words wrap warmth around my heart. Why is he here? He never sleeps in his own bed!
Bowing my head I keep my eyes downcast. One look into my eyes and all would be over. Not that in four days it wouldn't be. For an unknown reason I crave the thought he might actually want me for me. If he realizes I'm his mate this instant, I will surely be sent to the dungeons. At least with Nik I will have the chance to escape and live a happy life with him, away from the castle.
"From now on you will spend extra time in this room. I want fresh flowers to grace several surfaces to add color and fragrance. Move my clothes to one side of my closet, keeping the opposite side clear of all items. Bring in...purple towels for my bathroom. My en suite needs a feminine touch. If you're not capable of performing this task inform me now as ill retrieve another to take your place."
Staying quite gives him my answer. I'll prepare his room for his future Queen. Apparently I've been kicked to the curb. The rumors are no longer rumors.
Holding back my tears, I force my body to stand up straight. In the past I loved the fact I didn't carry a scent, now I'm regretting it. Maybe if he smelt it he would change his mind. Would I want that though? For him to change his mind only because of the mate bond? He has decided he wants Jessica, not me.
Yes, deep down I want him to crave me as I crave him. To have eyes for me only. Will it happen? Apparently not.
"Good. I will be staying in this room permanently. My guest rooms will need to be touched up once a week to be kept in good condition in case they need to be used. Remember this room has to be kept in perfect condition for not only me, but my future Queen."
Nodding my head, I grab a piece of paper to write down all his requirements.
"Good. From now on you may come after eight o'clock. Once my princess joins the room, do not enter unless you know for sure we do not occupy the room. I will not have a mere servant frightening my mate." Storming out of the room, he slams the door shut making me squeak out in fright.
His angry words hurt me. As if a servant is below him in all regards. Annabelle howls inside of me for the first time in days.
"Do you believe me now, Annabelle? He loathes servants." I snap at my wolf. She has been against my hiding from the beginning. Demanding I show myself moments after I ran from him. It's a never ending circle with her.
"Is that what you got out of his words? That he hates servants? You're absurd Claudia." Ignoring her reprimand, I push my cleaning cart into the bathroom.
"He growled at me when he spoke of interrupting him and his new princess." Spitting the word out felt atrocious.
"Why do you think he would be angry Claudia?" She questions with curiosity.
"He doesn't want to be interrupted while he bangs his new bride, that's why!" I scream at her, tears rolling down my cheeks. Wiping them away does nothing. "He doesn't want me don't you see that! I mean nothing to him!" Breaking down I crawl into the furthest corner, sobbing as if my life will be terminated in the morning. My own mate has moved on.
"You stupid girl. Yes, girl. He is furious because you have ignored him for eight years. I doubt he is handing the crown to Jessica. If anything he is finally preparing himself for your arrival."
Lies, all lies. He has moved on. I know it. I can feel it. He has changed.
"Since his birthday ball he hasn't spent the night with a single female and you know this because her room hasn't been destroyed with clothing." Her words do nothing to fix the broken strings holding me up.
"I can't take it anymore. I want it to end. Either I'm the one for him or I run and never return. Seeing his devilish face smiling warmly at another is murder. No more Annabelle. My heart can't take it." The sobs continue to wrack my body. Harsh shivers course throughout my broken body.
"Write him one last letter Claudia. Explain to him that you won't come in second. If he chooses to be with Jessica, then so be it. He will lose you before he has you."
"I don't know if I can." Should I?
"I promise you he isn't changing the room for her. She despises purple. He wouldn't demand purple towels for the one he loves if she loathes the color." Sighing softly he tries to sooth me. She is right on that point. "No buck up and do your job. We do not want to be here when he returns."
Nodding my head, I stand up on wobbly legs. Doing my job while listening to music might take my mind off this matter, though I doubt it.
Finishing the bathroom and bedroom requires a few short hours of silently singling to myself and Annabelle. Instead of concentrating on Caden, I reminisce on my youth. All the fun times I've spent with my family and two best friends.
Nik is my best friend while I consider Theo a brother of sorts. He is actually my brother Taylors best friend since diaper days. As I do not have any female friends, Theo and Taylor tend to allow me into their games. Of course I receive the butt end of the jokes and pranks as the only female. Thought I can proudly say each one has teamed up with me to get revenge on the other.
To say if Caden found out about our activities he would probably tear Theo apart in a fit of rage.
Though Nik knows Caden is my mate, Theo does not. My family and I decided to leave him in the dark as he has no blood bond to me. We figured Nik would keep my secret because of the blood I shared with him.
Once a year he pledges his allegiance to me as his Future Queen. I then inform him he doesn't need to. My words go in one ear and out the other with that man.
Spinning around once more, I go to turn off the music when I see a figure standing a few feet away from me. Screaming my heart out I try not to pee myself.
"Good lord Claudia, cut that crap out. I'm not that disgusting to look at am I?" Nik laughs holding his stomach.
"Jerk! You scared me half to death." Punching in the arm, I once again jump as the door is thrown open. "Will you people stop scaring me?" Glaring at my mother, I realize her eyes are searching the room.
"Hide now." She whispers in alarm.
"What...why?" I question.
"Caden." Her eyes wide open, tells me he is on his way back. If he heard me scream, I have no doubt that his wolf knew it to be me, his mate.
"Shit." Running to the wall next to the bed, I pull the candle stick down to revel a hidden door. Sliding in, I quickly pull it closed with the wooden handle.
Standing up on the block next to me I open the little peep hole to few the room.
Holding in a gasp I watch as Nik pulls his top over his head, standing nearly naked in front of my mom. What the heck is he doing?
"Play along Christina. Please for both our sakes," Nik whispers before the door is once again thrown up.
"Where is she?" Caden demands with urgency. His eyes scanning the room searching for me. The hope blossoming in his eyes confuses me. I thought he was crowning Jessica as his new wife? "Nik, tell me, dammit! Where the hell is my mate?" Growling harshly he pins Nik to the walls once he realizes I'm not in the room.
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Authors Note: Hope you liked it. The next chapter is ready to read. :)
Question of the day: Will Nik and Christina be busted?