KING'S MATE

Apple Pie Story

After our conversation in the late Queen Shafira's private garden the other day, my relationship with Nickolas progressed further.

I feel happy that finally our relationship can go one step forward, but I fear that when I have stepped forward it will return two or three steps backward. Of course I don't think about it for now, it's just that I feel it's too easy.

Even now Nickolas is really sleeping in my room. He only goes to his private room to take a shower or just rest if I'm kicking him out of the room.

Nickolas also often asked me out on dates or just to take a walk in the castle garden and that was the thing I was waiting for the most.

Every afternoon Nickolas and I would spend time in the private garden of his late mother by drinking tea while telling stories.

He told me about his business and company or his days before meeting me.

You could say Nickolas has a lot of experience because of his long life. I had asked how to make people not be suspicious of Nickolas's unchanging appearance, Nickolas just shrugged his shoulders while answering "manipulating their minds of course" after that I didn't ask again and changed the subject.

Our lives are arguably better and by the way our plan to go to New York was canceled because there was an important problem related to Rogue that had to be resolved.

Of course I understand that and tell him that going to New York is not a top priority. I want to go back, but with Nickolas being protective of me, he won't be able to let me go alone.

My relationship with Nickolas is still being opposed by the elders of course --- I have guessed --- and Nickolas doesn't care about their opinions. Every formal dinner that is held every Tuesday, will always be filled with debate and also ridicule from them all makes me feel embarrassed.

Of course I never pay attention to their sentences, but if every time you are reminded of the deficiencies you have, surely you can't help but say those words in your brain, right?

I sighed and closed the book in front of me. My eyes glanced at the window where the view of the castle that looked so beautiful was in the distance.

I decided to exit the library and breathe the outside air.

There is no harm in going around the city in the afternoon. At least in that way I can feel my normal life in an abnormal situation like this.

My feet stepped down the hall and stopped right on the steps. My eyes focused on the two men who were busy having a serious discussion in front of the closed front door. I slowly descended the stairs and saw the two men stop talking. They turned to me with a smile that was so wide and full of falsehood. "well the Queen is here"

"I'm not a queen," I muttered irritably. Vincent rolled his eyes and walked toward me.

He stretched his hand towards me while leaning slightly. "May I take you to hell, madam?" asked Vincent jail.

"Oh, I don't know if you go there often, sir," I pretended to be surprised. Josh snorted loudly and walked over to me. He pushed Vincent's body to the side and gave Vincent a sharp look.

"Hey, you just pushed a prince, Gamma," Vincent protested, annoyed. Josh ignored Vincent and chose to pull my arm away.

"What's up Josh?"

"something bad happened"

***

"Tell me, what is happening Josh. You are frightening and curious at the same time," I said to my friend as we entered the library and sat on the couch provided there.

Josh sighed roughly and looked at me with an inexplicable look. His eyes imply something, but I don't know what that is because I'm not good at reading someone's eye gaze, except for Nickolas of course.

"Josh?" I asked again. The curiosity and anticipation I felt was so great that I was annoyed at Josh's attitude, who seemed hesitant to say what made him look so tense.

"Gween ---"

"Gween?" I turned towards the library door and found Nickolas standing there with an aura of strength and intimidation that always surrounded him. Nickolas walked into the library and watched me and Joshua in turn. "What are you two talking about?"

I turned to Joshua and saw him staring so sharply at Nickolas. If stares could kill, maybe Nickolas had been buried a few meters deep in the ground. "Josh?"

Joshua blinked and turned his gaze to me. There was a look of despair that was so obvious on his face, but why? What makes it look so hopeless. Nickolas sat himself right next to me and his hands embraced my shoulder possessively.

"Josh? Do you want to say something to Gween?" Nickolas asked in a cold tone. I glared at Nickolas and gave a warning through my eyes because of his cold attitude towards one of his trusted believers beside him, but somehow I felt something strange from Nickolas ---- and my instincts said that Nickolas felt different, different from usual. He is not like the Nickolas I met a few days ago and I have felt that feeling since breakfast.

Josh pursed his lips and answered curtly, "No Alpha" I looked at Joshua and saw him get up. He excused himself and walked away from the library with a dark aura surrounding him.

"Why are you acting cold to him, Nick? You don't usually behave like that" I said with dislike.

Nickolas just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I am always cold to everyone, only you are different Gween" I pursed my lips, but he hadn't behaved like that before.

Maybe his mood is bad Gween. Don't think negatively, I thought calmly.

I rolled my eyes and rose from the couch. Nickolas looked at me closely, his forehead constricted faintly and his posture seemed to tighten. "Where are you going?"

My hand reached out to him with a small smile, "it's dinner time. You don't want to come down?"

"Oh" after that we walked away from the library together. Nickolas took my hand so tightly that the warmth it radiated spread to me. Not to mention the spark that I feel every time I touch it. Make my heart beat twice faster.

"Why do you keep calling me Nick? I've given you permission to call me Nicko" Nickolas asked suddenly.

I shrugged and answered casually, "I'm used to it"

Nickolas tightened his grip and sighed, "You sound unenthusiastic in answering Gween"

"But it's true. I'm used to calling you Nick, maybe there will be a certain time I'll call you Nicko" I muttered softly and a little embarrassed.

My cheeks flushed red to hear him chuckle softly and say, "I didn't know you would think like that"

"Umm Nick, why does the name Nicko mean so much to you?" I asked carefully. I heard Nickolas take a deep breath. "If you don't want to say it ---"

"That is the most valuable name for me because my late mother always liked the name Nicko" Nickolas laughed blandly and continued, "well she gave me that name. Since my mother's death, Nicko's name has been one of the things that made me feel close to her. That's why only people who got permission from me, who can call me Nicko"

My heart feels like being squeezed at Nickolas's explanation.

***

I sighed and turned my body to the other side. Where can I stare at the figure of Nickolas who is currently asleep. My eyes watched his face that looked so peaceful and the wrinkles on his forehead also disappeared.

His breathing also looked so regular and his eyes closed tightly. Hide gray eyes that can hypnotize me or give me a shady look.

My hands reached out and touched the curling eyelashes with my fingers and then turned to his nose and lips. I smiled softly and pressed my palm to his cheek which was overgrown with delicate beards.

Is this too fast for me to love him? Sleeping on the same bed? While there is no certainty about the status of the relationship that exists between us. Indeed, there is a bond that is more sacred than a pair of lovers who bound me to Nickolas. I am the soulmate and the line of my future is clearly visible, but somehow it feels all too beautiful.

There was a speck of doubt that suddenly appeared in my heart. No, it's not that I don't trust Nickolas but it's just so fast and all this will happen in a dream.

Do I have to asking this relationship with Nickolas? Lately our relationship has improved and Nickolas has always been kind to me, but when I remember the sharp gaze that Josh gave Nickolas and Josh's strange attitude at the library, it forced me to think again.

I'm still surprised by Josh's attitude changed to Nickolas. Every chance he would give Nickolas a sharp look or a sharp sentence like at dinner which was held a few hours ago. He also looks away from Nickolas and never talks much when Nickolas is in the same room with him.

Nickolas certainly ignored Josh's somewhat strange attitude, but I didn't. Every time I ask when I'm alone with Josh, he always answers "later" or "I'm still not sure" Are you sure? What are you sure of? Until now that was what kept me from sleeping because I thought of all kinds of possibilities, but for now I can only wait.

I also just found out that Vincent had returned to his kingdom before dinner was held and when I asked Nickolas why I wasn't told, he just answered me with, "I don't want to risk" my reaction was unexpected. I immediately pulled his hair while screaming annoyed.

Nickolas just groaned and tried to keep me away from him. Finally he allowed me to call Vincent as a farewell.

I have also never met Alpha Drake and his daughter, but from the conversation I heard from the staff of the mansion that the daughter of Alpha Drake was still in the Royal Pack and was staying at the guest house provided by the palace, but what made me even more surprised was why they didn't return home if the Alpha Drake and his daughter have no interest here anymore?

The elders also have a strange attitude at dinner. They greeted me and no longer offered swear words. Smiles on their faces --- although I know their smiles mean bad signs. Some of them even invited me to speak and of course Nickolas was happy about it.

I heard from one of the servants that the full moon night would be in a week and I didn't know what to comment. Every staff in Nickolas's private mansion always reminds me of the ritual of mating and also their desire to see their Alpha heirs born.

If it's like that, what should I say? My relationship with Nickolas is still unclear and at the same time other people want that Nickolas and I will soon have a child. I know that they only fear the continuity of the Wsrewolf Clan, but hello, what about my fate?

Nickolas moved and slowly his eyes opened. Gray eyes that were so familiar welcomed me and a small smile appeared on his handsome face. "Why did you wake up Little Mate?"

I returned his smile and answered, "I don't know either"

Nickolas took a breath and threw it away slowly. His arms around my waist tighten and his hand made into my pillow moves around me. I feel like Nickolas's personal bolster pillow is like this. The hug is so tight that it makes my body feel hot.

Nickolas breathed in the scent of my hair several times before saying, "You're thinking about something"

"You're not trying to dig into my mind, are you Nick?"

"Of course not baby, I know where I am and explore your thoughts without permission, including things I must not do." I snorted to hear his statement. Nickolas ignored me and continued, "I just felt a feeling of anxiety so strong from Matebond, what makes you nervous Gween?"

I sighed and hugged Nickolas's body which was only covered by a thin, white T-shirt. He respected me by sleeping in a shirt and silk pajama pants while sleeping, even though I was sure that he always slept without wearing a piece of clothing. That's what a man usually does. Don't ask me where I know!

"Nothing. Sleep again Nick" I muttered softly.

"No tell me," he said firmly. His baritone voice sounded like a symphony playing in my ears. Make my body and mind relax in an instant. I closed my eyes and shook my head quickly. "tell me Gween"

I relented and spoke softly. "what is our relationship?"

"Pardon?"

I took a breath and looked up. Staring Nickolas's eyes who are currently looking at me. His forehead pursed deeply and his lips formed a thin line, a sign that he didn't like something. "What is our current relationship Nick? I need clarity. We sleep in the same bed and we always make out in public. I just want to have a label in our relationship"

"You are my soulmate Gween. What is more than that?"

"It's only in your world Nickolas. What about me? What if one day my parents ask about our relationship? Do I have to answer that we are friends while we sleep in the same bed?"

Nickolas growled softly. He gave me a warning about the pitch of my voice that sounded rising. "So what do you want? Do you want us to be lovers? Or do you want me to marry you?"

"It is not that----"

"but that's what you want isn't it?" Nickolas hissed sharply.

I lowered my head and looked at his body which was adorned with wounds. As proof that Nickolas is a true warrior who always descends on the battlefield for the survival of his kingdom. "I just asked Nick" I softly said.

"Trust me, Gween. Soulmate ties are more sacred than lovers."

I just nodded.

"There must be something else that makes you restless besides that, say Little Mate"

I was silent for a long time, but in the end I said, "everyone hopes that on the night of the full moon, we will finish the ritual of mating and I will carry your heir"

There was no answer from Nickolas. I thought that he was back asleep, but when I looked up, Nickolas was seen staring off into the distance with a blank look. He seemed to be thinking about something and his hands were getting stiffened so that I was a little tight. "Nick?"

"It is indeed your duty Gween" I was surprised to hear the tone so cold. I thought he would convince me that everything would be all right, but what I heard was the opposite. "This kingdom hasn't had a heir for too long. So it's natural that everyone wants that."

"But --- Nick, you know that I am not ready. We haven't met for a long time, and I have only just known the existence of the Supernatural world at this time. It's too fast, Nick, I --- I'm still young and ---"

"Don't think about it now okay?" Nickolas cut quickly. He lowered his head and gave a short kiss on my forehead and sank his face in the recesses of my neck. "Go to sleep, we can discuss this later. There is still time a week before the full moon"

"Nick ----"

"Sleep Gween. It's still late and I'm sure you must be tired"

"Okay"

***

"Josh, tell me why lately your attitude towards Nickolas is different. I feel there is something you are hiding," I pleaded the next day when I went to the city together with Joshua.

Josh shook his head and gave me a soothing smile, "it's okay Gween, everything's fine. I just --- uhh don't like Alpha's decision. That's all."

"What decision?" I asked curiously.

"A decision regarding the future of the werewolf clan," he said flatly. Moreover, Nickolas's decision was not approved by Josh. I also saw Jax's expression at breakfast this morning and he had the same reaction as Josh. What is the decision actually? Joshua's answer made me even more curious, but the man beside me didn't want to clarify the answer and chose to be quiet.

"You know, when I was little, Mom used to make me apple pie," I muttered carelessly. My eyes are fixed on one of the food stalls selling various kinds of pie. "She always took time to make pie every day and I always accompanied her in the kitchen at the time"

"Then?"

"Apple pie became my favorite food. Mom's made is very different. Besides that, I can also spend my time with mom every day"

"You guys sound so close," Josh commented curtly. He also paid attention to the same shop as me.

I smiled sadly, "right, but unfortunately it all stopped when dad was elected to be one of the members of parliament. Mom immediately changed to be different. She always taught me manners and how to be a lady. She always hoped that I would marry one of the noble children. She's like creating a new thought when our family status rises."

"I see? Do you want your mother to go back to the way she used to be?"

I nodded slowly. "I know she love me so much. I am the only child, but the status makes it dark. I hope my family stays like it used to be. I don't need a high status. I just want my family to get warm again"

"What about your father?"

"Since becoming a member of parliament, dad rarely at home. He always works and works. If the weekend arrives, he will spend it by going to a charity event or party held by his friend" I paused and absorbed the wind that blew and hit my face. My eyes were closed and imagined my beautiful childhood. "I feel alone. Living in a big house alone and only accompanied by a few staff, that's why I refused dad's request to follow his footsteps. Why do I have an important position if in the end it will make me forget about myself and my family."

"You're right, people will be easily blinded by status to forget those around them who need love," Josh said quietly.

"Do you know the reason why mom and dad ever set me up with Vincent?"

"You mean Prince Lumiere?"

"Yes," I muttered briefly, nodding my head. "Mom was worried because my relationship at that time wasn't good and my attitude was always resisting. She thought if I married Vincent my attitude would change to what they wanted because I always obeyed and heard what Vincent said"

"Did you say all this to your mother and father?" Josh asked quietly.

"I did"

"Then what did they say?"

I made a fist and answered flatly, "they say that I'm spoiled and childish"