Odessa's Destiny

Chapter 2

ASHER'S POV

I watched Odessa hurry away to attend to the plump woman, presumably the chef, I felt a surge of desire coursing through my body.

Our conversation had been a test of my self control, and I was grateful for the interruption that allowed me to compose myself.

Yet, her absence left me feeling unfulfilled and restless.

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I pondered the unexpected turn of events.

My mate, it seemed, was a server girl from a different pack, and I couldn't help but wonder how my father would react to this news.

I was certain he would not be pleased, but that was the least of my concerns.

My new role as the prince and heir to the throne was what weighed heavily on my mind, and the pressure to conform to expectations was mounting.

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard my guard's voice behind me.

“Asher," he said, his tone firm but respectful. I turned to face him, my expression neutral. "What is it, Abel?" I asked, my voice low and even.

"Your father is looking for you," Abel replied, his expression unreadable. "It's time for you to make an appearance," he added, his words a gentle reminder of my duties and responsibilities.

I groaned inwardly, knowing I couldn't avoid my father's expectations forever. The weight of my new role was crushing, and the pressure to perform was suffocating.

But I knew I had to put on a brave face and play the part of the dutiful prince, no matter how difficult it might be.

I turned to Abel and asked, "Is this really necessary?" Abel chuckled and nodded in response. "You need to change into something more suitable.

You're not exactly dressed for a prince," he said, scrunching up his nose in distaste.

I playfully rolled my eyes and followed Abel to my room. As we walked, Abel asked, "Who was the girl you were talking to earlier?"

I hesitated for a moment before responding, "Her name is Odessa." I didn't see any reason to hide the truth, but a part of me wondered if I should share more.

Abel's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he noted, "You seem to like her." I paused, weighing my options before deciding to reveal the truth.

“She's my mate," I said, the words feeling both exhilarating and daunting.

Abel's expression changed from curiosity to surprise, his eyes widening in shock. "What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation. "I know, I was surprised too."

Abel's gaze lingered on mine, and I could sense the questions he wanted to ask. "Are you going to make her your Luna?" he inquired, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I scoffed at the idea. "A servant girl? Father would never allow it," I said, my tone dismissive.

But Abel's question had planted a seed in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I wasn't willing to give up on Odessa.

Abel's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "So, what if you're just going to give up your mate?" I smirked, feeling a sense of determination.

“Who said anything about that?" I replied, my voice low and even.

Abel's eyes locked onto mine, and I could sense his skepticism. "I don't know yet, but I'm not about to let go of my mate," I said, my voice firm. "I've given up too much for this family already."

Abel stared at me, his expression a mix of surprise and understanding. "So, what's the plan, then?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue.

I smiled, feeling a sense of resolve.

I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. But one thing was certain, I needed to find out more about Odessa.

“She seems to come from a poor home, another pack," I said, my mind racing with possibilities.

"I can make arrangements for us to be together, but I'll need your help. Find out everything there about her.”

Abel nodded, his expression serious.

As Abel helped me into my tuxedo, I couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort.

I was trapped in a role that didn't suit me, forced to pretend to be someone I wasn't. Just a year ago, I was living life on my own terms, enjoying parties, wealth, and freedom.

But everything changed when my father sent his men to break the news of my brother's death.

I was thrust into this new role, expected to take on responsibilities I wasn't ready for.

With a sense of resignation, I looked at my reflection and nodded.

"Let's go," I said, my voice firm. Abel and I walked out of my room, making our way downstairs to the great hall.

Every step I took felt like a step further into a life I didn't want. But I had no choice. I was the prince, and it was time to face my duties.

As we reached the door to the great hall, Abel signaled to my father, and his voice boomed through the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming my lovely son, the heir to the Ember Moon kingdom, Prince Asher." I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the role ahead.

As I stepped into the grand hall, the white double doors swung open, and all eyes turned to me.

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of fabrics and the creaking of wooden floorboards.

I scanned the crowd, expecting a warm welcome, but instead, I was met with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

People stared at me like they were scared to look directly at me, their faces frozen in a blend of fascination and fear.

I made my way to my father, who greeted me with a warm hug.

“Welcome, son," he said, his voice booming through the hall. The room erupted into applause, and I turned to smile, just as I had practiced.

But my smile faltered when I saw Odessa staring back at me with wide eyes, her face pale and shocked.

The tray in her hand slipped from her grasp, and shards of glass flew everywhere, scattering across the floor like a thousand tiny diamonds.

The crowd turned to look at her, and she apologized profusely, her voice trembling.

“Oh f**k! I'm so sorry," she said, her words directed at the entire room, before she turned and ran off.

I had to play the role of the dutiful prince, no matter how much it killed me.

"We have guests to introduce you to," he gritted out, his smile still plastered on his face.

I glanced back at Odessa and sighed, knowing I'd have to find her later when I got the chance to slip away from the party.

The king introduced me to a succession of men and women, each one more poised and polished than the last.

They were all from wealthy families, and their fathers were eager to secure alliances with our pack.

While some of the women were pleasant company, my mind kept wandering back to Odessa.

I couldn't help but wonder how she was faring after the shock of seeing me on stage as a prince.

Lady Amaya was the last woman my father introduced me to. She was a stunning blonde with bright blue eyes and a coy smile.

Her father was the Alpha of a powerful pack that my father was eager to ally with for trade and agricultural purposes.

“You're quite the good looking guyI've heard you to be" Amaya said, her eyes sparkling with interest.

I smiled politely, trying to play the part of the charming prince. "Likewise," I replied, though my mind was elsewhere, still fixated on Odessa.

Amaya raised an eyebrow, seemingly disappointed by my response. "I've been looking forward to meeting you," she said, her voice sweet and inviting.

“Can you brief me a little bit on your life?” She asked.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to share.

“They're not that interesting, trust me," I said, feeling a pang of annoyance at being saddled with a woman who seemed more interested in my title than in getting to know me.

Amaya's eyes narrowed slightly, and I could sense her disappointment.

She continued to talk, but I found myself tuning out, my gaze scanning the room for any sign of Odessa.

She was nowhere to be seen, and I felt a growing sense of unease. Suddenly, Amaya tapped me furiously on the arm, and I turned to her, apologetic.

“Is something wrong?" I asked, trying to focus on the conversation.

"It seemsI've been talking to a wall, have you been following whatI've been saying?" Amaya asked, her voice tinged with irritation.

I nodded quickly, remembering the importance of our alliance.

“You are not paying attention to me," she snapped, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Most men would be singing my praises. What's wrong with you?"

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a spark of irritation. "I'm AsherI'm not most men,," I said, my voice even.

“Please excuse me," I added, before turning to leave. I had had enough of the party, and I needed to find Odessa.

The thought of her was all that was keeping me sane in this sea of pretenders and sycophants.