Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER TWELVE

Raven’s POV

The silence that followed the messenger’s announcement was broken by a sound I didn’t expect. Valen burst into laughter. It was loud and full of mockery. He crossed his arms, his shoulders shaking with amusement as he looked at Darian.

"Well, well," Valen chuckled, his black eyes dancing with mischief. "Isn't that your future Queen? The lovely Lady Celeste?"

My heart gave a little jolt. Future Queen? I looked at Darian, my eyebrows shooting up. Was he engaged? The thought made a weird, uncomfortable knot form in my stomach. I had just found out this man was my mate, and now I was hearing about a Queen.

Darian didn't look at me at first. He shot a look at Valen that was so piercing I was surprised it didn't draw blood. Then, he turned to me and gave a small, incredibly awkward smile. He looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"Won't you go after her?" Valen rambled on, clearly enjoying Darian's misery. "Aren't you worried? You really should go, you know. Not going won't look good on your reputation. The noble King of the South letting his bride-to-be wander off into the woods? How scandalous."

"Shut it, Valen," Darian snapped. He turned back to me, his expression softening just a bit. "Raven, I will explain everything. I promise."

He started to walk toward the messenger, but then he stopped and retraced his steps. He leaned in a little, pointing a finger directly at Valen. "One last important thing: do not listen to a single word he has to say while I’m gone. He is manipulative, depraved, and he loves to cause trouble."

Valen just leaned his head back and smirked, not bothered in the least. "Uh-huh. Sure. You go deal with your runaway bride. I’ll stay here and have some fun with my mate. Off you go."

Darian grimaced one last time before turning away to speak with the messenger in low, hurried tones. I looked around the courtyard. Most of the other wolves were chatting in groups, completely oblivious to the drama happening right in front of them. Some people had already retired to their rooms, probably exhausted by the day’s events.

I looked at Valen, and for the first time since I’d met him, he looked... unsure. He shifted on his feet, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm on his knee. He looked fidgety, like he didn't know what to do with himself now that Darian wasn't there to argue with.

"Would you like some food?" he asked suddenly. "You should have some. You've had a long day."

"Yes, your majesty," I said, realizing my stomach was actually growling. "I should eat, actually."

We moved to their earlier table that was already spread with a feast. Valen reached out and uncovered a few silver trays, the steam rising up and smelling delicious. He started serving me portions of roasted meat and vegetables, his movements surprisingly careful for a man who looked like he usually broke everything he touched.

I didn't wait. I dug in immediately, realizing I was starving. After a few bites, I looked up and found Valen just... watching me. He wasn't eating. He was just staring at me with an intensity that made me pause shyly.

"What?" I asked, a piece of potato halfway to my mouth.

He looked away quickly, his jaw tightening. "Nothing."

I shrugged and continued eating. A few moments later, Valen looked over his shoulder and called out to someone passing by. "Hey, you! Come here."

The person stopped and turned around. "Your majesty?"

I froze. I recognized that voice. I looked up, and my heart sank into my toes. It was Gary.

Gary, the Alpha’s son. Gary, the man who had looked at me with disgust and told me I wasn't enough for him. He was standing there looking smaller than I had ever seen him.

"Get me some wine bottles," Valen commanded.

Gary nodded quickly, his face pale. He practically sprouted wings and sprinted off toward the kitchens without glancing in my direction even once.

"You seem to know him," Valen said, his eyes narrowing as he watched Gary run. "I know he is the son of one of the Alphas from your lands."

"Yes," I said, my appetite suddenly fading. "He is the son of the Alpha of the pack I’m from. The Inker Pack."

Valen eyed me closely. "There’s more to it, isn't there?"

I took a deep breath. "He is my first mate. The one who rejected me."

Valen went still. His face didn't change but the air around him seemed to grow colder. He didn't say anything for a few seconds, just let the information sink in.

"Did it hurt?" he asked eventually, his voice very quiet.

I paused, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "Yes," I whispered.

Before we could say anything else, Gary returned. He was carrying two bottles of wine and two clean glasses. He looked like he was walking to his own execution.

"Pour me a cup," Valen said.

"What?" Gary stammered, looking confused.

Valen raised a single eyebrow, and Gary jumped into action. His hands were shaking so badly the bottle clinked against the rim of the glass. After he filled Valen's cup, Valen gestured toward me. "Pour for her, too."

For the first time since he’d arrived at the table, Gary’s eyes met mine. He looked absolutely haunted. I could see the gears turning in his head; he looked like he was questioning every bad decision he had ever made. He probably thought I was going to whisper in the crazy King’s ear and have him executed right there on the spot.

Gary started pouring my wine, his hand still trembling.

"It's enough," I said when the glass was half full.

Gary paused mid-pour, but Valen made a clicking sound with his tongue. "The glass isn't full," Valen pointed out.

I didn't look at the glass. I just kept looking at Valen until he finally gave a frustrated huff. He waved Gary off with an annoyed flick of his wrist. "Argh, go on then. I can't believe I’m already listening to a female."

Gary didn't need to be told twice. He disappeared into the crowd immediately. Valen muttered something else under his breath just as Darian slid into the seat opposite us.

"Hope you didn't miss me much," Darian said, looking directly at me.

I shook my head with a small, tired smile. "Not too much."

Valen didn't share the sentiment. "So, are you going off then? Your little Queen is waiting."

"You are very eager to send me away," Darian said coldly.

"Of course I am," Valen replied, a truly evil smile spreading across his face. "If you leave, I’ll have Raven all to myself. No interruptions."

Darian leaned back, looking completely unimpressed. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m staying. Lady Celeste ran off on her own accord, which means she's likely just throwing a tantrum. I’ve sent my best wolves to find her and keep her safe, but my place is here."

Valen’s smile vanished. "Hmm. So, are we just not going to talk about the fact that you’re engaged?"

Darian’s jaw clenched so hard I thought it might snap. "I was not engaged to her. It was a political arrangement my advisors were pushing. There were no papers signed, and there was certainly no ceremony."

I sat there, my eyes going back and forth between them like I was watching a tennis match. It was exhausting.

"And are we also not going to mention the fact that you’re in danger of going feral?" Darian fired back, leaning over the table. "I could feel it, Valen. When we were mind-linked, I felt that pit of black rage in your head. You’re losing it."

Valen went silent. It was like the air had been sucked out of him. I saw a flash of so many emotions in his eyes—anger, hurt, and a raw kind of vulnerability that made my heart ache for him. He looked down at the table, his voice losing its edge.

"What's it to you?" he muttered.

"Don't poke at others if you don't want to be poked at," Darian said firmly.

Valen didn't have a comeback for that. He just stared at his wine cup. I dropped my spoon onto my plate; I was full, and I was tired of the bickering.

"King Darian," I said, catching his attention. "Do you actually want to be with that other lady? Celeste?"

Darian looked genuinely offended. "No. Absolutely not. Like I said, it was an 'in case of emergency' situation. My advisors were worried about the succession."

"Then it's all good," I said. I turned to Valen. "And King Valen, I know about your situation, too. I saw it in my vision before we even met."

They both looked at me, surprised into silence.

"And since we’re sharing secrets," I continued, feeling a bit embarrassed but determined to get it all out. "I’m an Omega. I shifted late, which is basically a sign of weakness in our world. And I don't know who my parents are. They abandoned me in a human town."

Both Kings started to speak at once, probably to tell me it didn't matter, but I held up a hand.

"I know what you're going to say," I said. "You're going to say it doesn't matter. Well, the same goes for both of you. You're losing your mind? Darian had a political mess? It doesn't matter to me. We all have things we’re going through."

I looked from Valen’s scarred face to Darian’s perfect, stony one.

"Since we’re going to be stuck here together in that mansion, let’s at least try to be understanding. I’m not saying you have to like each other, I know that’s a big stretch. But can we at least be cordial? No more serious fighting, no more low blows. Deal?"

The two Kings looked at each other. The silence stretched out for a long time. Finally, they both turned back to me.

"Deal," they said in unison.