Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 86

I instantly look down, not daring to maintain eye contact with him. I can feel his intense gaze on me, and it feels like he is not just looking at me, it almost feels like he is gazing into my soul, trying to uncover all my secrets.

Thankfully, Prince Virgil arrives from within the room. “Woah, you look even more beautiful all dressed up, kitten. That dress looks like it was specially made for your body. ” He said and I managed a small smile.

King Cassius sighed and it was the type that usually accompanied an eye roll. I still haven’t been able to figure out this man’s problem with me.

I’m suddenly pulled away from my thoughts when King Cassius lifts my chin up, forcing me to share a gaze with him and those enchanting eyes almost leave me frozen.

“You should know better than to bad mouth me right here in my presence.” He said tautly and I gulped. Of course, I mentally kicked myself when I remembered, I had forgotten about the mind reading again.

“But I didn’t say anything…..” I muttered, trying to pretend like I didn’t know what he was talking about.

“If there’s anything I hate more than insults, it’s deception and that’s exactly why I hate humans, your kind are only experts at deceit. If you make a mistake, I expect you to apologise instantly and learn from that mistake. Never ever again should you lie to me, I don’t tolerate lies and I don’t forgive. I’ll let you off with a warning this time but If you offend me one more time, I won’t be so lenient.” He threatened.

“I’m…… I’m sorry, I didn’t……” I instantly tried to apologize but he ignored me and just left. A small shiver runs down my spine. Why is he so intimidating?

“Do you really have a death wish? I may be able to forgive you out of the goodness of my heart but the King, he’s not so merciful. You can offend anyone else and get away with it, anyone but his Majesty. You should learn to keep your thoughts under a tight leash from now on.

I’ve told you this a lot of times already but since words aren’t getting through to you, action will. You’re lucky you’re already dressed up or I might have straightened you out right away. When we get back, I’m going to punish you.” He barked at me, he seemed to be genuinely angry.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…….master.” The word felt like lead on my tongue but I had no choice but to say it. “I didn’t know that I’d bump into him, I really didn’t mean to offend him. I was just so scared at the sight of him that I could barely control myself and my thoughts slipped. I’m really sorry, please don’t punish me.” I pleaded.

Prince Virgil’s expression softens and he caresses the side of head shortly before recovering his strict expression once more.

“Enough of this, we must leave now.” He said and grabbed a hold of my hand, pulling me with him.

We were soon outside the castle gates and in front of a carriage. I had honestly never thought that I’d ever get the chance to ride in a carriage.

A little while later, we finally arrive at the market and Prince Virgil helps me alight from the carriage.

We move around the market and he mostly bullies the merchants who are unfortunately humans and forces them to submit their earnings for the day. The ones that refuse are left in a bad shape, it’s not a pretty sight but at least it’s not brutal.

I instantly recall the vampire by the name of Jared, that very brutal one. I’m sure that the market would have been filled with b***d if he were the one that had been asked to handle this task. Prince Virgil isn’t a saint but he isn’t evil either.

I keep an eye around but I sadly don’t spot Kayden anywhere and all the standing and moving around is making me feel exhausted. I somewhat regret asking to tag along.

“Master…… May I please return to the carriage? I’m tired and my feet are killing me.” I politely request and he smiles. “This is exactly why I didn’t want you to come, you’d only get tired and bored. You can stay in the carriage for the time being, I won’t take long.” He says and ruffles my hair a bit and I scrunch my face up in disapproval but he pinches my cheek.

“Smile kitten, it suits you better.” He says and I sigh. One of his guards quickly escorts me back to the carriage.

I sit in the carriage lazily, patiently waiting for him to finish his business quickly so that we can leave this noisy place. My mind can’t help but wander back to Kayden, if he’s really fine then he should have found a way to contact me by now, right?

But what if my assumptions had been wrong all along? What if he had been unable to escape the Vampires that day and they had killed him? What if I had really lost my Kayden? These thoughts scare me to the core and bring on a bitter feeling in my lower belly. I close my eyes and try to shake the thoughts away.

No, that couldn’t have been it because if that was the case, I would have felt it through our bond. Kayden and I have a bond and although it’s not official yet and our wolves are absent, I believe I’ll be able to feel it if something happens to him.

I tried to convince myself of this but something within me certainly wasn’t buying it. I rest my head on my thighs and take quick deep breaths. I miss Tara, I miss her terribly. Life without her has been horrible.

During these kinds of situations, she would cheer me up and assure me that Kayden was alright and he was probably trying his best to contact me. She would have given me hope and strength to flounder through but without her, I feel hopeless and lost.

I don’t even know the next step to take. How am I supposed to carry out this task if I don’t even know what to do or what not to do? And my worry about Kayden’s safety isn’t helping at all. I’m just about to tear up when I hear someone whisper to me, trying to catch my attention.

I look up and finally see the man that I’d been longing to see. Kayden is standing just beside the carriage but his face is covered with a scarf and he’s pretending to be a peddler.

“Kayden?” I call softly, not sure if my eyes are deceiving me. “Sshhh.” He hushed me and made eye contact that made me turn around. Only then did I remember that one of the vampires was standing not too far away from the carriage. If I speak, he might hear me or he could get suspicious and I can’t let that happen so I quickly come up with a plan.

I knock on the carriage door to get the Vampire’s attention. He finally turns around and as expected, glares at me.

“What do you want?” He questioned gruffly. I flash him a sickeningly sweet smile and quickly go into cute mode.

“I’m sorry for disturbing you sir but I’m very thirsty, my throat is parched. Could you please get some water or at least something to drink?” I pleaded politely.

“I’m not your servant, you’re only here because you are the Prince’s pet but that doesn’t stop me from disciplining you. You’d better behave. Be a good girl and wait till we return to the castle, the prince won’t be long.” He said rudely and I glared.

Rude! That’s it, I tried my best. Since nice isn’t getting to him, I guess being bitchy will.

“Alright then, I’ll wait but if I happen to pass out from the searing heat, you’ll have to explain to the prince why it was so difficult for you to move your lazy a*s and get me some water.” I said tautly with folded hands.

The Vampire glared at me once more and I could see him bunch his hands into fists but I wasn’t afraid because I knew he could do nothing. I’m under Prince Virgil’s protection so he can’t cause me any harm.

“Bitch.” He slurred and turned away. “You’d better stay here while I’m gone or the prince himself will punish you brutally.” He warned and didn’t even give me the chance to reply before going off into the crowd, probably to get me the water I had requested for.

As soon as I saw that he was out of sight, I quickly came down from the carriage and hugged Kayden.

“Thanks be to Selene, you’re safe.” I said joyfully and grabbed him in a hug but he winced softly, apparently trying to hide it from me but I caught on quickly.

“Are you hurt?” I quickly asked, worried as I broke from the hug.

“No, I’m not hurt. I’m fine, it’s just a small scratch. But we really can’t talk here, it’s too dangerous. We have to leave now.” He said and pulled me with him.

We turned in the other direction and disappeared into the crowd. We sprinted until we got to an alley. Immediately we were finally alone, I grabbed Kayden in a k**s, I had missed him so much and seeing him right now, in front of me, is springing up so many emotions. I just want to stay in his warmth and never have to leave.

He kissed me back, passionate but more aggressive. Our lips move in sync for a few minutes before we break apart, nearly breathless. We exchange a small laugh as we try to gather our breaths before speaking.

“What happened after we got separated?” He asked first. “Well you won’t be able to believe it but I somehow got along with the vampires and I’m now the Prince’s pet.” I said with a small laugh due to how ironic it all felt.

“Well, I’m not surprised. When it comes to you, nothing is impossible. Besides, you really look the part.” He said and I took a look at my dress once more.

“Though you look more like them in this dress, I’ll have to admit, you look so beautiful and very sexy as well.” He said and I looked away, completely flustered. How could I forget? He’s the only one that could easily coerce this kind of reaction from me.

I clear my throat, trying to ignore my budding arousal. “Well, things will be a lot easier now that I’m in the palace. I was worried sick about you so I couldn’t think properly and thus, I’ve been unable to make a move but now that I know that you’re safe, it’s time to make a plan and take action.

The prince seems to like me a lot, which is a good thing for us. He’s the only reason why I’m probably still alive and in one piece and most importantly, still in the palace. I have to somehow gain his trust because he’s the only way I can get closer to the King which is our actual goal but our job isn’t nearly half done. Only Selene knows where Lucia is, I mean, where do we even begin to look for her?” I blabber on and on but he places a hand on my lips which instantly shuts me up.

I look up at him and into his eyes and the look in his eyes instantly reassures that everything will be OK.

“You’re not the only one with a story to tell. I also have good news. I found the one we were looking for, I found Lucia.” He said and I was instantly so overcome with happiness that I grabbed him in a hug.

He g*****d this time and I quickly pulled away and rubbed my arm awkwardly.

“I’m so sorry, I forgot.” I pleaded apologetically.

“It’s OK.” He said with a smile but I still felt guilty. “What happened to you ? How did you get hurt?” I questioned.

“It’s actually a long story and we don’t have the time to say it all. What I can tell you is that it was caused by a Vampire but it’s not very serious, it’s just a scratch.

It’s just as Voithós had said. Lucia is indeed a vampire hunter, she had saved me that night and even took me to her hideout. She absolutely despises King Cassius, he killed her parents right in front of her so I honestly don’t know if it’ll be possible to get those two together.” He said and I heaved an exasperated sigh.

“As if our job wasn’t already hard enough. Goddess Selene made it so we could meet the two future love birds so I know she’ll make a way for us to get them together. As long as there’s a will, there’s always a way, right?” I asked and he nodded and took both of my hands in his.

He kissed them before speaking. “You can’t imagine how much I’ve missed you, I was so afraid that something might have happened to you.” He said and my eyes welled up with tears of joy.

“Nothing could have possibly happened to me, I had your love with me the whole time. Your love kept me safe. Now that I’m under Prince Virgil’s protection, no one can hurt me easily.” I said and was nearly thrown off when I saw the hurt expression that flashed across his face. He quickly replaced it with a smile but I didn’t fail to notice it.

“What’s wrong?” I questioned, worried. “Nothing. It’s just that………. Did he………” Kayden trailed off and though he didn’t finish the sentence, I knew what he was trying to ask but I couldn’t get offended. He’s probably just being protective of me.

“No, no he didn’t. You should know that I’d never let anyone else touch me. I belong to you and no one else.” I tried to assure him.

“Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to doubt you or anything like that. I just don’t trust these vampires. All I’m trying to say is, be careful around them, they’re dangerous.” He said and I nodded appreciatively.

“I know. We’ve been gone for a bit, I’m sure that Prince Virgil must be looking for me by now so I must leave. I can’t afford to fall from grace with him or our mission might actually become impossible.” I said and he hugged me.

“I wish you didn’t have to go.” He said and I sighed. “Me too, but I have to. When this mission is over, we’ll finally be together for the rest of our lives.” I assured him and he kissed me on my forehead.

“I don’t know when we’ll get the chance to meet up again so let’s quickly make a plan……….” I say but we quickly hear the sound of people approaching.

“I think it’s the Vampires, they must be looking for you.” Kayden says and my doubts are instantly confirmed when I hear Prince Virgil’s voice.

“Kitten, where are you kitten? You went back on your promise, didn’t you, naughty kitten? When I get a hold of you, I’ll just have to punish you very well so you know not to take my trust in you for granted. You’d better come out now because if I get you myself, it likely won’t end well.” Prince Virgil threatens and a chill instantly runs down my spine.

We’re trapped, what do we do?