Ice Princess and the Alpha

Chapter 9-Markus

POV- (Kia)

I woke up with the sun shining in my bedroom window, the warm glow giving me the confidence I needed for the day.. For some reason I felt relaxed; odd to feel this way after yesterday's break down. The strangest thing is, I could smell summer rain and pine combs in my bed. Like my mate had been here. It was comforting and I took in a deep breath to breathe in the scent; it gave me comfort and a peaceful feeling and I felt like I could take the world on.

But, why in the world would I smell my mate? Did he come to my room last night? Of course not. I would have woken up if he had been in my room. My mind was playing tricks on me.

My stomach started growling. I had not eaten all day yesterday and I was starved. I looked at the clock and it was 7:30 am.

I jumped out of bed and ran to get in the shower so I could go down for breakfast.

After a quick shower, I went to my closet and picked out some work-out clothes. I would like to go to the training grounds. A good work out on flight skills is what I needed.

After all the drama and metal break down last night, I needed to get back to my routine and act like everything was normal, convincing everyone that nothing had changed. I am not going to let finding my mate affect me. I am going to go on with my life like nothing happens and my mate is no consequence. It is time for me to get back at being me. This has always been my plan before last night; I am going to move on if nothing happens. Yes, this is going to be how I handle this situation with my mate.

I started walking down to the dining hall and feeling more confident than I did yesterday with my head held up high and a smile on my face. This is me, you got this Kia. No one will know. Keep your head up and a smile on your face.

Once I reached the dining hall, I could smell the food. Thank goodness the kitchen omegas have made a great deal of food lying out on the kitchen island bar. I was so hungry and everything smelled so good; my stomach growled, letting me know I needed food. I grabbed a plate and piled eggs, bacon, ham, and toast on it. I grabbed another plate and added some croissants and muffins. I am starved.

When I turned around, I saw Baxtor and some other warriors sitting at a table in the corner of the room. I smiled at the group of warriors and walked up to the table. I noticed Baxtor had started squirming in his seat and looking awfully uncomfortable with my present. I wonder what his problem was this morning?

"Good morning everyone." I said with a big smile on my face.

"Good morning Princess Kia," said the group of warriors. I raised my brow, why are they being so formal. "Did you enjoy the ball last night?" I inquired.

"Yes, Princess, we did," they replied.

"Good morning, Princess Kia," replied Baxtor.

Baxtor was trying to look at somewhere else besides me. Wow, his behavior was a lot different from last night. Did I do something wrong last night to cause these reactions?

"Baxtor, would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"Princess Kia, I have to get to the training ground to supervise the other warriors. Maybe, some other time," he said.

I was a little surprised and I raised my brow at him but kept the smile on my face.

" OK, your loss." I smiled and said.

I will be at the training grounds after I have my breakfast and I will find out what his problem is then.

I saw Ry walking in with Gabriella to sit at our normal table; I guess I would go sit with them this morning. It looked like Ry and Gab had already marked each other. I guess they are a happy couple and are fully mated now. I started walking to them and set my plates down on the table.

"Good morning, Ry and Gabriella," with a firm smile on my face.

"Kia, we are sisters now; can you believe it? I am so excited," said Gabriella. " It is so amazing that Ry is my mate. Who would think we would have been mated by the moon goddess, you and I being best friends all."

Ry looks at Gabriella with a grin on his face. "I am the lucky one Gabriella." "Can you believe how blessed I am to have you? I could not have asked for a perfect mate like you."

I smiled at both of them. I squeezed Gabriella's hand.

"Gab, I am glad for you and Ry. I could not imagine anyone more perfect for my brother." I hugged her and said "I could not have asked for a better sister." " Hey, when Ry lets you, maybe we can go for a girls' day, or go to the spa for a day."

" Oh, yes, that sounds wonderful." smiled Gab.

Her smile slipped and she looked at me with sorrowful eyes.

"Kia, I am so sorry about your mate. Is there anything you want to talk about or I can help you with? I am here for you if you need anything, of course?"

Be strong Kia. You can not show weakness. Yesterday was a one-time thing, a moment in life you cannot repeat at all cost. I plastered a bigger smile on my face and said,

"Oh, Gab, do not concern yourself about such a little thing as the mate bond. I am fine. There is no consequence of me finding a mate who I do not want." I paused for a moment. " We should reject each other by the end of the day, if he is still around."

At least, if I have anything to do with it, we will reject each other. I took a deep breath.

"Of course, you know Gab, I have been against the mate bond for awhile now." " However, I am really happy for you and, Ry." "For me though, the mate bond is not an option."

Gab's mouth dropped open in shock. She kept open and closing her mouth like she wanted to say something but nothing came out. Ry was giving me a smirk. I did wonder what Ry was thinking, but I am not going to worry about that right now. We can talk later. I am taking control back and I am not going to let this mate issue get in my way.

I had finished my breakfast and I needed to head to the training grounds.

I stood up and smiled. "Gab, everything is going to be great, don't worry." "However, I am really happy for both of you."

I needed to get some space, so I smiled and said,

"But, I need to head to the training grounds to get some work-out done." "Lets catch up later. Ry, you better be good to my friend-sister." I winked at him.

"I will, sis, I do believe you have a lot more important matters to take care of instead of worrying about me, such as a mate." He laughed. I raised my brow at him in a questioning look.

"I have nothing to worry about little brother, I've got this." I winked at him and started walking out of the dining hall.

I headed out of the castle to the training ground. It was a beautiful day and the warm sun made me feel more confident. I am a princess and a warrior, I can handle this foolish mate-bond easily. I pushed all thoughts of him out of my mind. As I was getting closer to the training, I noticed Baxtor was instructing a dozen warriors in a fighting stance. I walked up to listen to how he was instructing the warriors to perform the attack on their opponent. How could I get his attention?

"Baxtor, I am not sure that I understand. Would you personally show me?" I gave him a smirk, then an innocent smile.

The tension in his shoulders and stiffness in his back were obvious. I could not figure out why he was behaving this way when he was so charming last night. Why is he acting like I am the last person he wants to speak to or see?

"Sam, can you take over training?" said Baxtor. "Princess Kia, can I have a moment before training to speak with you in private?" I raised my brow at him but then put a sweet smile on my face.

"Of course."

"Walk with me please?"

We started walking away from the training ground. Odd why did he want to talk to me in front of everyone else and why? Why does he keep calling me Princess Kia?

Well, I guess I am about to find out what was going on with him; we walked far enough away from everyone else. No one could hear us. He finally turned around and looked at me.

"Princess Kia, I apologize for my behavior last night and I am sorry for any disrespect I might have caused you."

Now I am getting frustrated. This has to stop.

"Baxtor stop calling me Princess Kia! Excisely, what are you talking about disrespect?" I could feel myself getting upset and my temper coming into full force. This does not make any sense.

"No, you are Princess Kia, I am a warrior solider of the court of the King and Queen. My loyalty is to your family. You and I cannot be together and it would not have worked out. You deserve someone better than me and not just a warrior. " He took a frustrated breath like he was talking to a child.

"We need to put an end to our flirtation that happened between us last night, when we were dancing. Someone gets the wrong idea and it could damage your status." "I will not bring shame on you or Gabriel, who will soon be my King."

Oh, I am furious! So, Gabriel had said something to Baxtor. This is what this is all about, why he is behaving the way he is toward me. How dare my brother go to Baxtor behind my back after we had danced and say something to him. How dare he do this to me without talking to me? How dare my brother interfere with my life! Who I dance, talk or socialize with is none of his business. I was me seeping with anger. You wait until I get my hands on him. I am not a child who needs her older brother to look after her. I am going to kill him.

I took a deep breath and glared at Baxter.

"It is a shame, Baxter. I thought you were a better man than that. Let me tell you one thing, I am a grown woman. I do not need my brother interfering with who I choose to be with or not be with. This is your mistake for even entertaining the idea from my brother and it is your loss."

I could not stand here one more moment or I would say something I should not say. I turned around and started marching back to the castle. I could feel Baxtor standing there, staring at me, as I was walking away from him. I am so mad if he could so easily let my brother influence him, then he was not who I thought he was. I was pissed, to say the least. You wait until I get ahold of Gabriel.

I would get to the bottom of this mess and there is one person I needed to see. I walked back into the castle fuming with rage. I headed straight to Gabriel's study. I knew he would be there. I was going to set him straight, once and for all. He would not be interfering or I would go back to London and live in the human world away from the pack.

As I reached his study, I did not even bother to knock, I barged into his office, yelling at the top of my voice.

"Gabriel Griffin, how dare you interfere in my life!"

To my surprise, there were three men sitting in front of his desk. Then the smell hit me, damn, my mate.

I could not help it, I gasped, it was hard to breathe with him there! His eyes locked with mine and it felt like time stopped. There were so many emotions going through those beautiful golden eyes and I felt myself go weak. No Kia! You will not be weak today.

Gabriel jumped out of his chair. "Kia, what is wrong?"

Then Gabriel realized I was looking at this man and he was looking at me. He knew this man had to be my mate by the way we were looking at each other. I had to be strong.

I looked at Gabriel. "I did not realize you had visitors." before I could get another word out. I heard the growl and the words roar.

"MINE."

I turned and looked at him. I was so angry and furious with Baxtor. It was the fire I needed. I was not going to let this man see weakness in me today. Yesterday was bad enough. It is time I put him in his place and cleared up this mate bond.

"Yes, I know mate. silly mate bond, we need to reject each other, get this over with." " You can go on with your life, I can go on with mine."

I was so angry and furious right now it gave me the courage to say what needed to be said to my mate. I felt him stiffen and the anger flowing from him was unnerving. However, I was not going to let him know he was making me feel nervous. His emotions were like a storm and his eyes were going from black to golden. He was at war with himself about exactly what to do with me. I could feel the rage inside him, it must be the mate bond. He was facing me with his eyes, fully gazing at me. He looked at me, slowly scanning me from the top of my head to my toes. Then he looked back into my eyes. I took a step back from its intense stare. I did not know what he might do.

In a low husky voice, with an edge of danger, there he spoke,

"What do you mean rejected each other?" his voice void of any emotion, but those eyes were saying a lot more.

I could tell he was trying to stay calm, but failing miserably. I didn't move an inch as he approached me. I stood my ground, we were inches apart, our bodies almost touched. He was glaring at me straight in the eyes. His summer rain and pine combs intonicating smell was overwhelming. I felt light headed and I wanted to melt into his body with him so close. We were both gazing into each other's eyes, then finally, I shook my head so I could think clearly. I raised my chin and looked him square in the eyes. I saw his jaw clenched.

"Look, I am not interested in being mates. What is your name so I can reject you and we can move on?"

He growled. "Princess, there will be no rejection today or ever. You are MINE! I will not accept your rejection period."

He leaned into me and before I had a chance to react, he kissed me. It was a demanding kiss with need, his lips felt so soft next to mine. Being kissed by him was magic. The world around me seemed to disappear, it was like him and I was the only one in the world. He pulled me in close to him and I gasped. My mistake, because it gave him access to my mouth. His tongue entered my mouth, our tongues started dancing of their own, his taste was amazing. He deepened the kiss. I felt my knees going weak. I could not help myself. I moaned, this was heaven. Oh God, what is he doing to me? I felt myself getting wet between my legs with need. I was so caught up in the kiss. I had forgotten that I was in my brother's study with him and two other men there.

I heard someone clear their throat and the kiss ended. My legs were weak and I lost my ability to think clearly. The room was quiet and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I wondered if anyone else could hear my heart. He was breathing heavily and so was I. I tried to snap myself out of the spell he had me under.

Oh God. What is this man doing to me? Kia get control. I was trying to find my voice before I spoke. I took a step back to put some distance between us. I needed distance or I would be mated before I could blink. His eyes were blazing, he watched me for my reactions. I cleared my throat.

"What is your name?" I said in a whisper.

"Kia, this is Val---," and the man interrupted Gaberial.

"That's okay Gabriel, since the princess is my mate, I think all she needs to know is my name is Markus for now." Markus said with a wink to Gabriel.

I raised my brow at him. So, he wants to keep his name a secret. Well, we will see about that.

"Gabriel, when you have finished with your business, I need to speak with you."

It is too dangerous to stay in the same room with my mate. My body was betraying me with need and desire. I needed to get some distance from him. I turned around and walked out of the office and closed the door behind me. I could hear laughter behind the door. I need to go to my room, where I can think and take a cold shower.

Oh God! This is going to be harder than I thought.