KING'S MATE

Assumption

In the past, when I was asked when to get married or have children, I would always smile and answer, "later if the time is right" but now, I don't know what to say.

I became the soulmate of an Alpha King, but only because of my status did everyone demand that I give Nickolas a child.

The closer the full moon night, the more people who openly want me and Nickolas to complete the ritual of mating and contain the heir to the kingdom. It is undeniable, sometimes I also imagine how it feels to contain my flesh and blood with Nickolas. Seeing him born and growing, but on the other hand I feel depressed and not ready to do that.

Plus Nickolas also wants the same thing from me. He's like a different person if I bring up the same thing. He doesn't like it if I postpone on the grounds that I'm not ready, but am I wrong?

I think I want to shut myself in the bathroom and cry loudly. Unfortunately, I live in a house filled with creatures with super powers. They will hear my cry even from outside the house though.

After all, lately, Nickolas doesn't want to let me go. He is always by my side all the time.

Watching and making sure I was always seen by his observant eyes. Joshua and Jax were also increasingly quiet and occasionally they threw stares at Nickolas.

My time with Joshua who had become a routine just disappeared because Nickolas seemed to fortify me from something, but I didn't know what that was. I couldn't find the right time to ask Joshua about all the changes in Nickolas's attitude which I found strange.

Edmund is going to New York to meet Maggie and he promises to go home the day before the full moon night with Maggie. Of course I'm glad to hear that because I miss Maggie and --- well I also need a friend to tell.

Gabriel, Malcolm and Alastair are also very busy before the full moon night. Especially tonight I heard from Nickolas that a barbecue party would be held so that the three generals with Del were busy with preparation and security.

"What are you thinking about Gween? I heard you sigh repeatedly" I blinked and saw the reflection of myself in the mirror. Nickolas stood in the doorway of the walk-in closet. He was leaning on the door frame while holding his arms while watching me closely.

I shook my head and smiled soothingly at him then refocused my mind again. My eyes looked into the mirror carefully. There was seen a woman wearing a green dress with a black bowtie with a neck and legs covered in stockings and black flat shoes. Her hair is simple and her face is adorned with natural make-up.

And yes, that woman is me.

Nickolas straightened up and walked over to me. He stopped right behind me. Our eyes meet each other in the mirror. His gray eyes darkened and occasionally I saw them turn golden, a sign that the wolf in his body was trying to control Nickolas's body.

He put his arms around my waist and leaned his body slightly, put his chin on my shoulder and murmured, "You're so beautiful tonight little mate"

I smiled, "thank you" I noticed the clothes Nickolas was wearing. He was wearing jeans and a turtle neck T-shirt in dark green that was the same as mine. His appearance increasingly looks perfect because of the black leather jacket and leather shoes he wore. "You're not bad either Nick"

"Is that all you can say about me?" Nickolas asked. One eyebrow raised and looked at me with amused eyes.

I didn't say anything and chose to pay attention to my appearance once again. All because of the help of the servants Nickolas ordered to prepare me, if I were alone it might not be this perfect. I can at least when wearing eyebrow pencil and eye liner.

Nickolas buried his face in the niche of my neck and sniffed the area with his nose. I still feel uncomfortable if he smells my scent, but I don't say anything.

A happy snoring sound came from his chest and I was sure that the wolf in Nickolas's body was happy because my scent was slightly mixed with Nickolas. How come? I slept beside him and put on his clothes, surely that was a pride for the wolf man behind me.

"Come on, the party will start soon" Nickolas said while moving away from me. He took one of my hands and led me out of the room

Hopefully nothing bad happens

****

"Josh, I want to talk to you alone" I said when I saw Josh was talking to one of the members of the pack.

They leaned slightly toward me while saying 'Luna Queen'. I was a little surprised when they all called me like that, but I didn't say anything and just smiled a little at them. "Josh, I have to talk to you," I whispered in his ear, "can I borrow your Gamma for a minute?"

"Of course Luna. No problem," murmured one of the women who surrounded Josh. I nodded and pulled Joshua into a corner.

"What's up, Gween? What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Tell me right now. I know there is something you are hiding"

"What do you mean?"

"You and Jax. Do you think I'm blind? I see your attitude changes if you are near Nickolas"

"Ah that ---" Josh looked right and left then put the glass he was holding to one of the closest tables because the party was being held outside the room, Josh pulled me away from the crowd into the forest which was not far from the location.

After a considerable distance, Josh stopped walking. He sat on the ground. His eyes looked at me closely and murmured, "Sit down, I have to say something to you"

"Okay," I said uncertainly. I arrange the dress so it won't lift when sitting. Josh and I sat crossing and facing each other. Luckily I wore shorts, otherwise I would refuse to sit on the ground. "what do you want to say?"

"This is about Nickolas"

"Yes ---- What's wrong with Nickolas?"

"Do you remember when I argued with Prince Lumiere?"

"Yes, I remember --- what exactly are you guys arguing about?" I asked curiously. I remember the day they argued and for some reason Josh's attitude changed after the debate.

Joshua nodded his head and said, "I want you to stay calm ---- but it looks like Nickolas's attitude towards you is fake"

"What do you mean Josh?" I asked in surprise.

"At that time----"

----

Flash back on

Joshua POV

Tok Tok Tok

I looked up and stared at the door in surprise. Who came to see me? Even though I didn't ask anyone to come to my room. I sniff the scent of anyone standing at the door and find Prince Lumiere's distinctive aroma welcoming me. I immediately invited the man to come in and get up from the chair.

"Hello Gamma Black, what are you doing on a sunny day like this?" he said with a big smile. His blue eyes look clear as sapphires, but they can turn blood red and so deadly when he is angry and that is a sign that he is a vampire.

I smiled politely and invited him to sit, "nothing, So what is the need for you to come see me Prince Lumiere"

Prince Lumiere clicked her tongue and waved her hand in the air, "Don't be so formal. You're Gween's guardian and friend. Whoever Gween's friend is my friend" I nodded and smiled politely. "Ah yes, I came here to meet your Alpha. I heard you know where he is"

"Ah yes, he is having a meeting with the elders in his office."

"Where?"

"In the eastern part of the castle"

"You want to take me there, Gamma?"

"Of course" I stood up and walked away from my office. Prince Lumiere followed me from behind. Occasionally he would comment on the interior of the castle which was very different from the Vampire royal castle. Of course it's different --- hello we are different species. I told myself.

When I reached the forbidden part of the castle staff and other residents, I invited Prince Lumiere to walk first. "Why is this hallway so quiet?"

"Only a few people are allowed to enter this area," I muttered casually. We stopped right at the end of the hall. Where is the place of two large mahogany doors carved with the royal emblem located. I reached out to knock on the door when I realized the door was slightly open.

I blinked because Alpha didn't usually leave the door to his office open while he was having a meeting.

My mouth just opened to call him, but my intention immediately disappeared when I heard Alpha's voice that sounded calm, "our plan has gone according to what you want Elder Rowin. Gween already believes me. Now we need to carry out the next plan"

I heard Elder Rowin's response, "Good My King. Then when the full moon arrives you must fertilize it until Miss Gween is declared pregnant. You must do it that night. If Miss Gween refuses, you must force her because it is your right to claim Miss Gween."

"Alright, how about the wedding preparations for Alpha Drake?" I heard Alpha Drake gave a positive answer. "Good, after the night of the full moon is over we will announce the marriage and also the future queen of the Werewolf empire"

Everyone in the room applauded and murmured in agreement. I stepped back and turned towards Prince Lumiere. The man beside me looks stiff and his eyes turn blood red and his fangs slowly appear. Maybe I will react the same, but I have to keep this prince away before making a mess.

***

"Why did you pull me away from that room Gamma ?!" hissed Prince Lumiere sharply.

"I don't want you to attack Alpha and cause bad things to happen"

"How can't?!! He dared to use my childhood friend who is also his own soulmate !!"

"Prince Lumiere ----"

"Is that what you call the wise King, Gamma?" asked Prince Lumiere sharply. He laughed blandly when he saw me silent not moving. "Not right? So ----" Prince Lumiere's words stopped when he felt Gween's sudden presence.

"If this happens and Gween is hurt, don't expect that your Alpha can meet her again," whispered Prince Lumiere threateningly.

After that he turned to face Gween and greeted the woman with a broad smile.

***

"Jax, I have something to talk to you about," I said in a serious tone as I entered Jaxon's office. My friend immediately looked up and looked at me with interest.

"Is that Josh?"

"It's about Gween and Alpha," I replied dryly.

"Gween and Nick? What's wrong with them? Isn't their relationship okay?" Jax asked confused. He immediately placed the document in his hand on the table and focused his attention on me.

I walked into the room and sat in the chair in front of his desk. My teeth churned in anger when I began to tell what I heard a few hours ago in Alpha's office and also the threat posed by Prince Lumiere.

"So all this is just fake? Are you sure Josh?"

My shoulders sagged and my head bowed. I no longer have to believe whether all this is just a play or not, but certainly the victim of all this is Gween. She didn't do anything wrong, but she will be affected by those who have cunning thoughts. "I have no idea"

"And Prince Lumiere threatens us to take Luna Queen away if she is hurt, is that so?" I nodded my head slowly.

Jax sighed loudly and ruffled his hair in frustration, "That's too much ---" growled Jax. He was silent for quite a long time like then he spoke in a very serious tone, "Didn't you smell something strange Josh with Nickolas's attitude? Since the arrival of Alpha Red Moon Pack and his daughter somehow he looks different and away from us"

"If you pay attention, what you say is true. At first I thought it was due to the influence of Gween, but if you think about it, it seems impossible." Jax sighed and leaned his back against the back of the chair.

"It looks like we have to investigate this irregularity in private and without Nick"

I just nodded in agreement

End of Flashback

---

Gween POV

"... So, Gween, I want you not to get prejudiced. I and Jax and the others are investigating this quietly," Joshua said in a low voice.

My hands are squeezing each other and my eyes feel hot too. How could it be? Why does he have to play with me? Nickolas doesn't look different ---- but there are times ... "what if it's Nickolas's intention, Josh? What if he really wants to use me from the start? Nothing more"

"Gween, you always spend time with Alpha. Did you know he was sincere or not?"

I thought for a moment and nodded my head quickly. My eyes looked desperately at Josh. It was just hearing the story from Josh, my heart felt like it was cut. What if that happens? Really I was unable to deal with it because what was at stake was my feelings and also my future. If I carry the heir to this kingdom, will I be forbid from meeting my own child? The child that I gave birth to with blood and sweat?

"Gween ..."

I looked down and watched my hands begin to tremble. Fear and frustration mix into one, "Gween ... Calm yourself, we will solve this problem to the end. I'm sure, Alpha will not do this low to you Gween. Believe me. You just need to be patient and wait for me and the others"

"but for how long?" I asked hoarsely. "If that happens what should I do? Sit still like a weak girl huh? !!" this time I couldn't stop my emotions that suddenly gathered. For the first time I yelled at Josh so hard that the man in front of me bowed his head while showing his neck.

"Am I worthless? Just because I'm a human, how can you guys play with me?" I asked while sobbing. "Josh ---- I ----"

"I understand Gween. I understand and I'm begging you not to give up. We all support you because you are valuable. If this is Alpha's initial intention, then we will all rebel against him because his actions do not reflect a King"

"I ----"

"Calm yourself. Rest, I'll give Alpha a reason if you want to go to the room, but tell me one thing. Is there something different about Alpha?"

I inhale and close my eyes. Playing back all the things I did with Nickolas and I felt nothing was different from Nickolas, but there were times when - Instantly my eyes opened and looked at Josh for a long time, I nodded my head and said, "my instincts say there is something strange about Nickolas. Nickolas will stare blankly at the wall.

I don't know what he was thinking, but there you have it. Then lately ---- before the full moon night, every time we discuss about the ritual mating or child, he always said it was my duty. When I'm not ready, he says I have to be ready and every time I disagree, Nickolas will get angry.

While he knows that I want our relationship to run first before running. It seemed this relationship was too fast and every time I asked for clarity about our relationship, he seemed offended.

He has never done anything bad to me, quite the opposite. So I think there is no problem

Ah! and one more thing, everyone always said the same thing to me for the past few days, 'I hope the lady will carry a healthy heir later' they assumed that later in the full moon I would finish the ritual of mating with Nickolas.

I didn't think much about it because it was normal. It's just that I feel pressured if every occupant of the mansion says the exact same thing to me "I explained sadly. Josh just nodded his head and thought for a moment.

He closed his eyes and explained, "maybe he won't change in front of you, but lately Alpha's attitude turned away from before. He moved away from us and always came to meet the elders, when he hated them so much. He also looked different when he was near the Alpha Drake princes, every time they have a meeting, Alpha will listen more to the elders' advice without thinking. As if he's set to accept all that "

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"what I mean is it feels like Alpha is becoming ..."

"What?"

"Become a living puppet"