The Last Fae Princess

11_Mate!

Nia POV

My eyelids are heavy, and my mind is foggy when I hear the door unlock. I wipe over my face and sit up. It takes me a moment to remember where I am, but the door opens before I can react, and Olga enters the room with a tray.

“Breakfast,” she announces bluntly and places it on the dresser. “There is an alarm clock by your bed. You must be awake and ready at seven every day. Don’t oversleep again.”

“Uhm, okay,” I clear my throat and search for the clock. It is eight o'clock. Oh, wow, when was the last time like this?

“I’m sorry,” I apologise and get out of bed. “I didn’t know …”

“That’s why I’m telling you now,” she cuts me off sharply. “We have strict rules here, which apply to our guests, as well.”

“Guest?” I mutter. The word explodes in my mind as I stare at her, dumbstruck.

“Hmm,” she grunts, turning towards the door. “This room must be spotless. No clothes lying around, and the bed must be made. This isn’t a hotel.”

“Yes, ma'am,” I reply clearly.

Utterly confused, I watch her leave and lock the door. I cannot tell if I am a prisoner or a guest. The one minute I am spoiled with delicious food – in bed – and the next, she locks the door. Speaking of food … eagerly, I look at the tray and my mouth instantly waters when I see the bacon, eggs, and sausages. Oh boy, this is going to be sooooo good.

I take the tray and sit on the floor. I am starving, and I do not want to mess on the bed. The food is fit for royalty, but even with my best effort, I can only finish half of it.

“Damn, that was good,” I sigh contentedly, rubbing my stomach.

With my hunger satisfied, I clean up the bathroom and make the bed. Indecisively, I look around. There is no chair or couch, and I am not sitting on the bed. It is perfectly made, and I do not want to ruin it. There is nothing else for me to do but wait. So, I sit on the floor, pull my legs to my chest, and rest my head on my knees.

The door opens once more, and Olga enters.

“Why didn’t you finish your meal?” She looks at me with disapproval. “Was there something wrong with it?”

“Not at all,” I answer quickly. “I loved it; it’s just too much. I’m sorry.”

“Noted,” she nods, picking up the tray.

“Thank you, Olga,” I smile. “The breakfast was delicious. Please give my gratitude to the cook.”

“You’re weird,” she snorts. “Now, follow me. Master wants to see you.”

Hearing that, my mouth instantly turns dry, but I silently nod and follow her. Curiously, I look around and realise that it would be damn easy to escape. The house has no burglar bars, and the doors are all open. All I have to do is turn around and run.

But I continue to follow Olga up the stairs to the third floor. Sure, I can run, but what is waiting for me outside? Even if I do get past all the guards, the night is crawling with vampires, and without my wolf, I would end up somebody’s dinner.

Declan POV

“Cut the crap, Dean!” I snap into the phone. We have been on the phone for what feels like an eternity, and I still cannot get anything besides sarcasm and mockery. I do not even know why I am trying - obviously, he will not tell me the truth, but I need him to know that I am not falling for it. “I know …”

A knock on the door interrupts me, and without thinking, I call ‘enter.’

“Dean, hold on,” I say when Olga and Nia enter my office.

“Thank you, Olga,” I nod. “You may leave.”

Nia swallows nervously and keeps her eyes on the floor as Olga walks out.

“Dean,” I say, putting my phone on speaker. I keep my eyes on Nia and notice how she stiffens when she realises who I am talking to. “Why did you send the girl?”

“Officially, she’s a gift,” Dean chuckles. “Unofficially, she’s a thorn in my side, and I wanted to be rid of her.”

“Interesting,” I murmur, surprised that Dean actually admitted some form of truth, even though I know he is hiding much, much more.

“Have fun,” Dean mocks, and ends the call before I can respond.

I exhale deeply and put my phone down. What the hell am I supposed to do with her? I have enough servants, and by the looks of her, she will not be of much worth on the battlefield. Well … maybe as bait. Yes, I can use her as bait to lure the vampires into a trap.

Nia looks up, and my heart skips a beat when our eyes meet. Is it my imagination, or does she look healthier than last night? Surely two meals cannot make such a difference. She said she has no wolf, which makes it even more improbable.

“Take off your jacket,” I order.

“Excuse me?” She gasps, her eyes wide.

“You heard me,” I growl, leaning back in my chair. “Take off your jacket.”

She lowers her eyes and swallows hard as her trembling fingers move to the zipper. Something in my chest tightens and moves lower as she slowly pulls down the zipper and drops the jacket.

Dammit, I have been without a woman for too long. My d**k is unbearably hard and throbbing, and she is just taking off a jacket!

“Now, your shirt,” I demand, my voice hoarse with desire.

Her beautiful lips pull into a thin, stubborn line, but she does not argue and removes her shirt, revealing her perfect, perky breasts.

Dear Goddess, concentrate, Declan, I reprimand myself. I tear my eyes away from her breasts and look at her ribs. How is that possible without a wolf? Last night, I could count her rips, but now all I see is the flawless torso of a woman.

“Show me your arms,” I say, standing up and walking towards her.

She flinches slightly when I take her arm and examine it. The bruises I saw last night are all gone.

“I thought you said you didn’t have a wolf,” I frown, still holding her arm.

“I … I don’t,” she stutters.

“Then how did you heal so fast?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” she whispers. “It was a couple of days old. So, maybe it was just time.”

“Hmm,” I mutter, sliding my fingers up her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps.

I lean forward and sniff her neck. I catch a whiff of magnolia, and immediately, my wolf goes into a frenzy, howling with excitement and desire.

Mate!

It catches me off guard, and before I can stop myself, my arm goes around Nia’s waist, and I pull her back against my chest.

“Master,” she gasps. “What are you doing?”

The way she calls me master is not helping the situation. I have an uncontrollable urge to protect her, and at the same time, bend and spread her across my table.

“Dammit,” I growl as I pull her closer and my other hand finds her breast. I do not want a mate, and here I have number seven. In contrast with the previous six, this one is sending my wolf and me into a wild turmoil of lust and desire.

My finger glides over her n****e, and it instantly hardens underneath my touch, making my erection throb with excitement.

“Lean back,” I demand.

For a moment, she does not move. Then she leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. I nuzzle her neck once more, savouring her scent. I want her. The Moon Goddess hears me; I want her.

But I am a monster, and no woman would want me. Also, I will not take any woman against her will, and Nia is not here out of her own free will.

“What’s it going to take,” I growl in her ear, “for you to be mine?”