KING'S MATE

The Beast

My eyes were perfectly rounded and looked at the man in front of me in disbelief. "Vincent? Is that you?" the man standing before me nodded his head and spread his arms wide.

I separated from Nickolas's embrace and ran towards the man who was so meaningful in my life.

I immediately hugged him tightly and buried my face in his neck. Nostalgic welled up in my heart and felt my eyes start heating up. "You've grown up, Gweenie" he murmured softly. I moved away and hit the back of his head. "Ow! What's that for?"

"You commented like that to me? Where have you been all this time Vin? You know I miss you. Maggie too, how are uncle and auntie?" I asked quickly.

Vincent chuckled softly and ruffled my hair into a mess. He knows that I hate it the most when he does things like that. "Turns out you're still as fussy as I remember. How's Maggie? I miss hearing her sing with her out of tune voice."

"Hush! If Maggie knows you can get kicked by her"

"True," Vincent answered curtly.

"So how are your parents? Are they healthy?" I asked curiously. I could see Vincent's smile widened and nodded quickly. "Oh, thank God ..." I paused for a moment and then a second then remembered something, "So ... You ..."

Vincent averted his gaze from me toward the man standing behind me. Instantly his face turned hard and his eyes sharply drawn.

Vincent pushed my body behind his back. He hissed softly and was thundered by Nickolas. "give my mate back!"

"Vincent ..." I murmured softly.

"No! She's coming with me!" Vincent retorted with a hiss. Instantly the throne room was filled with alert warriors.

They brandished a weapon. Del and Joshua suddenly appeared, growling at Vincent.

"Vincent it's okay, they ---"

"They're dangerous, Gween!" Vincent cut quickly. I sighed and patted her shoulder several times. I let go of Vincent's hand and slowly walked towards Nickolas.

Everyone watched me nervously.

Nickolas immediately pulled me into his arms and buried his face in the recess of my neck. He growled softly and when he calmed down, Nickolaslooked at me sharply, "I told you to always be by my side Gween. Why did you disobey my command huh?"

"Nick, Vincent ---"

"He is Lumiere, Prince of the Vampire Kingdom" Nickolas sniffed my body and frowned, dislike, "now your scent is mixed with the scent of that bloodsucking creature"

"Nickolas! You didn't ---" I immediately realized what Nickolas was saying. My eyes stared at Nickolasfor a moment then turned my gaze to Vincent. "Vincent is ---"

"What have you done to Gween, Andonov? You kidnapped her and brought her here?" growled Vincent angrily. I chuckled annoyed because Vincent cut off the sentence I was saying.

"She's my soulmate, Darkan!" Vincent was suddenly stunned and looked at Nickolas with a strange look.

His eyes then glanced at me and asked for confirmation to me. "You also know all this, Gween?"

I nodded and smiled slightly at Vincent.

Vincent sighed and closed his eyes, when his eyes opened again he looked at Nickolas with resignation, "if that so Andonov, you know this world is very dangerous and cruel. Why did you pull her into this world" Nickolas only growled but remained silent. "okay fine! I know, but Gween is my childhood friend Andonov, you ---"

"No" interrupted Nickolas quickly. "whatever you say is useless, Darkan, I will never let her go again and if you do anything, don't blame me if your kingdom is destroyed"

Vincent didn't say anything and just kept quiet. While Nickolas turned around while pulling me away, but before that he gave an order to one of the servants to deliver Vincent to the guest room.

***

"Tell me why you know Lumiere Darkan, Gween," Nickolas growled angrily. His gaze waved at me so sharply that I felt sure if it could kill, maybe right now I was several meters buried under the ground.

"Nick, Vincent was my friend and when we were little. He was a neighbor in my house," I took his hand and held it tightly. Trying to calm the monster in his body.

He is possessive and protective of me. That's only natural because it's natural for him to behave like that.

"Do you know who he is, Gween?" I shook my head, "he ---"

"I know, you already said that and really I don't know who his real identity is. He looks the same as most kids my age. Nick, Vincent and his family are also so close to my family so you don't need to worry okay? If Vincent intends to hurt me, surely he have done it a long time ago "

Nickolas sighed and pulled me into his arms, "Gosh Gween, if something happens to you ... I ---" I immediately returned his hug tightly.

My hand stroked his back slowly trying to calm him. "I'm here Nickolas"

"I don't want to see you lying in the hospital again Gween. That sight can kill me and also the monsters in my body," he whispered hoarsely. I smiled and pulled my body away from him.

I release the hug and cupped Nickolas's face with my hands. I tiptoeed and bravely kissed his lips briefly.

"Didn't I already promise to give this relationship a chance? If that's the case, then you have to trust me that I'll be fine and won't leave you," hearing my words, Nickolas breathed in relief and put his head on my shoulder. He inhaled and exhaled slowly.

"Thank you" he said softly.

I muttered softly and stroked his dark brown hair that was so soft as silk. I imagined my child with Nickolas, he would definitely get Nickolas's hair and also the beautiful gray eyes that he had.

Nickolas moved and released his body from me. He looked at me closely, while I chose to look around. Then, Nickolas pulled me into the forest surrounding the castle. This forest looks so dense and beautiful.

I could hear birds singing in the distance or the squeak of a squirrel running in a tree. "Why did you take me to the forest, Nick?" my eyes squinted at him, "you don't intend to kill me here do you?" we stopped at a certain point. There was an old tree trunk there and I decided to sit on it.

Nickolas followed me and stood a few meters in front of me. He snorted softly and unbuttoned his shirt slowly, "You're my soulmate Gween and you know I wouldn't be able to do that to you" I gasped in surprise when he casually opened his shirt.

"Nickolas! Why did you open your shirt ?!"

"Why? Are you not curious about ---"

"stop it!" I cried in shame.

Nickolas chuckled softly and pulled my hand. He moved closer so that I could feel his unusual warmth flowing into my body.

My cheeks flushed and groaned in shame. "Open your eyes, Little Mate" Nickolas whispered. I slowly opened my eyes, then gasped when I saw that all of his eyes turned black. Radiation of lust was so obvious from the eyes and his breathing also sounded heavy.

"This body is yours Gween and you have the right to see and touch it. I am yours as well as you. You are mine and only I can touch and enjoy your body. Seeing you bellow your pleasure when shouting my name when I come in to your body repeatedly. I can't wait to see you under me, Gween"said Nickolas.

My cheeks flushed and immediately buried my face in his bare chest. Nickolas laughed softly and hugged my body tightly. "My little mate is shy, never hide your blush from me, understand?" Nickolas said, looking up my head.

I nodded and Nickolas kissed my forehead briefly. He returned the distance between us and resumed his activities in undressing. I cleared my throat softly and asked, "what do you want to do?"

"undressing, I don't want my clothes to break because of my transformation"

"Transformation?"

Nickolas nodded his head and said, "it's time you met my other side." I didn't say anything and let Nickolas do whatever he wanted.

It didn't take long for Nickolas to stand in front of me naked, fortunately he listened to my request to keep wearing his boxers, otherwise — I don't know if I could survive or not. After that a familiar, terrifying voice could be heard again.

Crack after crack continued for several minutes, I closed my eyes and waited in horror.

Slowly my eyes open when I feel the nose of a familiar animal's nose in the niche of my neck. He sniffed and licked the skin of my neck at a glance, but was able to make my neck filled with saliva and his hot breath blowing in the same place.

I opened my eyes slowly and the gray eyes that I knew were right in front of me. This time his form changed, a few minutes ago he stood on two legs and in human form, but now he is standing on four legs and in the shape of a wolf.

The creature was so big that he beat my height. His body was filled with jet-black hair, just like his hair. His body is so big and I've never seen a creature this big. Even Joshua isn't this big.

On his temple there is a sign that is so unusual. A crescent shaped sign was there. The color of the sign is golden and so matches with Nickolas. My hand raised and touched the mark. "Is this a birthmark?"

The creature --- uh wolf in front of me barked curtly and folded its hind legs. He sat in front of me calmly.

His tail swayed to the right and left signified his happy expression. He brought his face back and growled softly. "Uhh Nick?"

The wolf in front of me let out a whimper and head with my head. He wants me to pet him? Okay---

I raised my hand and stroked his head. I was surprised when I felt the fur so soft and thick. Just like the hair I just touched a few minutes ago.

Nickolas let out a happy snoring and pressed his head against my palm. "Wow, looks like I have a dog that is above normal size," I muttered, jokingly

Nickolas immediately opened his eyelids. His gray eyes turned to gold and growled dislike. He showed his sharp teeth, but I ignored him and kept patting his head, "good boy ... Good boy" Nickolas let out a snort and rose from his position.

He turned and made a barking noise. His tail moves and occasionally hits my feet.

I sighed and was very, very tempted to pull the tail, but since the one who was controlling this body was not Nickolas, but his wolf soul. His attitude will change to become more primitive and aggressive, I just shut up and watch him lower his body a little.

Nickolas gave me a gesture to climb his back.

With hesitation, I rose from my sitting position and moved up. When I found a comfortable position on his back, Nickolas sped through the forest so quickly.

***

"Your Majesty, it's almost dinner time " was the first things I heard from one of the castle's butlers when Nickolas and I walked into the castle through the back door.

Nickolas just nodded slowly and ignored the butler by continuing to walk without turning his head at all.

I stood in shock to see his attitude changed considerably when he returned to the castle, earlier when he took me around in the woods and went to the waterfall his attitude seemed normal, but when we returned his attitude turned cold and distant.

I sighed and gave an apologetic smile to the butler, "sorry about his attitude, it seems like his mood is bad" I said quietly. The butler smiled and shook his head in understanding.

"No problem, Your Honor, Alpha is always cold, but behind his attitude like that he is a good man," said the butler in a calm tone.

I nodded in agreement and looked at Nickolas's back, which had almost disappeared in the distance.

"Uhh --- can you order one of the warriors to take me to the uncle's mansion?" I asked slowly.

Butler nodded his head and answered, "of course My Queen"

"Don't call me like that, I'm not a queen yet. Call me Gween. May I know your name, uncle?" I said with a small laugh.

Butler beside me smiled, "Well Miss Gween and the people in the palace used to call me uncle Robin. I am King Nicko's personal butler"

"Nicko?"

"Yes King Nickolas Andonov. I have been caring for him since I was a child and only a certain people have allowed by him to call him Nicko." I smiled and nodded.

Nicko ...

***

"Gween! I've heard all the stories from my jerk boyfriend, Edmund," protested Maggie as we were making a video call. I laughed and ate the marshmallow that I found in the kitchen fridge.

It was late at night and all the residents of the mansion were sleeping. The atmosphere was so quiet and dark, only a few lights were turned on and I could hear crickets in the distance.

"About?"

"The supernatural world. I never thought I could date a mythical creature that turned out to be real" Maggie commented in frustration. "So what about Mr. Andonov? Are you happy that fate wants you to live together?" Maggie asked, raising her eyebrows.

She gave a teasing look and waited for me to answer. "He is not as bad as the people say, Magg. There are times when he acts cold and ignorant, but he is a kind and protective man. I just don't know if this is the right decision by giving this relationship a chance."

"So are you official?" Maggie asked happily.

"Not yet Magg, looks like we're just friends. Still trying to get to know each other, but I feel that I will easily love him"

Maggie smiled and said, "It's time for you to live happily. Gween, it never hurts for you to give your relationship a chance. Besides, you will feel lucky to be able to get a bachelor man who is the most sought after by women. His life is also well established"

"By the way, do you know who met me today?" I asked with enthusiasm. I saw Maggie shake her head and wait for me so curious about who was meeting me. "Vincent, Magg! Vincent!"

"WHAT ?! And you just said that now? !!" Maggie shouted loudly. I grimaced and gave her a look of regret. "Where is he now?"

"Uhh I don't know. Nickolas doesn't like it when I'm close to Vincent"

"Typical" Maggie grumbled quietly.

I heard a knock on the door and I gave Maggie a sorry look, "sorry Maggie, I have to end up the video call, there is someone outside"

"Okay, see you later and be careful Gween"

"I will"

I immediately put the phone on the nightstand and moved from the bed. I walked towards the door and opened it, "Nick? Are you just home?"

Nickolas pushed me in and closed the door with a loud slam. "Tell me, have you ever had a relationship with Lumiere?"

"Huh? What relationship? He's my childhood friend, Nick, I just think of him as a brother, nothing more. I've never had any feelings for Vincent"

Nickolas frowned and asked, "why do you call him by the name Vincent?"

"Because I know him by the name of Vincent and will always be like that. You don't have to worry ---"

"Why did Lumiere say that you were engaged?" Nickolas asked quickly. Breaking my sentence without giving me time to finish it. Nickolas gripped my jaw tightly, "tell me" he hissed sharply.

"I --- I've heard my parents and Vincent's discuss ..." I sighed and winced when I felt Nickolas's grip strengthen, "they did plan to set me up with Vincent, but the plan was canceled because Vincent and I were both not want a wedding and I'm still in school too "

His grip loosened and Nickolas sighed deeply. He put his head on my shoulder and whispered softly, "thank God"

"I'll tell you at the beginning if I'm with another man and I'll tell you that, I'm alone, so there's no need to worry anymore. Nicko" Nickolas immediately raised his head and looked at me closely.

"What did you just say?"

"Nicko. Why didn't you ever tell me that is your nickname?" I asked carefully. Nickolas looked at me for a long time and slowly his smile expanded. He kissed my long forehead and answered,

"Because I haven't found the right time to tell you"

I nodded my head and stroked Nickolas's cheek softly. My eyes watched his face for a moment and again asked, "why don't you allow others to call you Nicko?"

"Nicko's name means so much to me"

"So?"

Nickolas nodded his head and kissed my lips briefly, signaling that, this conversation had ended.