The Prince's Mistress

9

I sit up, sensing Zoltar getting closer to the pool and to me, where I'm sunbathing on the sun lounger with nothing else to do as everyone in the castle keeps their distance from me, nobody wants to talk to me. For these two whole weeks of being in the castle I only get slight conversation at meal times, where the King or Queen simply greet me and, if they remember, ask me how my day was.

Other than that, Thaddeus is the one to speak to me; on our nights alone when he can make it or whenever we are around one another with other people he will find a way to subtly communicate with me or just touch me. When being seated for a meal he always walks past my chair ensuring his hand gently brushes my shoulder and through my hair, if a meal is held outside in the garden in a more casual way he will meet me by the food table, press his hand to the small of my back or his side into mine, head dipped to whisper words of love to me that make me blush. Sometimes he just brushes his fingertips on mine but those small touches remind me as to why I am here, to be with the male I love.

"Good afternoon, Isilee" Zoltar greets standing at a distance in his rigid stance as always but this time he has sunglasses on with his all black attire of a dress shirt and suit trousers.

"Hi" I respond as I stand knowing full well what he is about to tell me "Prince Dominic requests for you to leave before he and the Prince's company arrive" he says exactly what I predicted as he tells me this every time they are wanting to enter an area that I am in.

"Okay" I say, forcing a smile onto my face as I hate this seclusion I am being put under. As a wolf we are raised in packs, surrounded by numerous members as we are social creatures but this treatment is going against what I was raised in and what my wolf needs. I feel alone, and sadness seems to be following me around like a rain cloud above my head unable to escape the feeling until Thaddeus is beside me on some nights. Even then it is tainted by Calliope's lingering scent on him and the fact that he needs to rid himself of my scent when he goes to leave.

I'm about to leave just as he asked but then Zoltar's hand grips my elbow, his expression alarmed as he rips off his sunglasses "Why are you bruised Isilee?" his gunmetal eyes look at mine with concern "It doesn't matter" I insist, trying to brush his hand away when he presses his fingers over the bruises on my bare stomach making me flinch.

"Who has done this? When?"

"Honestly, it doesn't matter it will heal"

"It looks like bruising over previous bruising Isilee, suggesting you will only get more bruises to layer on top. But what is the cause?" once again his hands press into the injury as if surveying it but that causes me to whine "Stop that hurts"

He's shoved away, Thaddeus' body separating Zoltar and I as he grips onto Zoltar's shoulder "Do not f*****g hurt her" growling lowly in his ear as Zoltar takes a submissive stance I gently clasp onto Thaddeus' bare arm as he's in his bathing suit.

"He didn't hurt me Thaddeus" I murmur noticing Dominic, Atticus, Jasper and the other guards joining us; most of them ignoring me or scowling at me par Jasper who gives me a smile. Thaddeus growls but releases Zoltar and tells me to sit next to him on the large sun lounger, his hand resting on my thigh "Then who the f**k hurt you" gritting out the words with a clenched jaw as the others find their own seats.

"It's fine-"

"Answer the f*****g question Isilee" snarling in anger, his grip on me tightening with claws extending and his sapphire eyes feel like they're burning into my own eyes as I see his lycan through his orbs "Every time you... Mate with someone else I feel pains"

Immediately confusion is written all over his features "How?" he asks "I don't know but that is why you find me crying Thaddeus, because I feel pain for the duration of you being with Calliope"

"Liar" Dominic declares from the lounger next to Thaddeus, he doesn't even flinch when Thaddeus growls towards him "That is impossible. Mated couples are aware if their spouse is unfaithful but it does not hurt and you two are not mated, nor will you ever be"

I lower my head with a sigh knowing there is no point trying to reason with Dominic or even talk to him as I know he hates me and any time he does speak to me it is to spew out insults. "You may be slightly bonded, you lycan recognises her as your female so there must be some sort of bond between you" Jasper voices his opinion.

"They are 'bonded' because she spreads her legs when he clicks his fingers, the slutty w***e" Dominic spits "The lycan uses her for f*****g, he knows she's an easy f**k who will always be on tap"

Before I can blink Thaddeus has grabbed Dominic and snapped his neck "Thaddeus!" I exclaim in panic - he's just murdered his brother! "He isn't dead Isilee, he's only unconscious do not worry" Zoltar is quick to say as Ixion and Dahlia reach Dominic's side putting him back onto the sun lounger to let him heal I suppose but my heart is still racing in shock.

Thaddeus continues to growl and curse at his brother under his breath before he grabs my hand, forcing me to rub my hand on his thigh which quickly gets his to calm down "Bastard" he snarls glancing towards his brother "It's okay Thaddeus, just ignore his words" I say softly wanting to keep him calm but that only makes him growl.

"It's not f*****g okay Isi. You are my female and he is insulting you"

I stay quiet, not bothering to respond as I know how irritable he is at the moment and any words of disagreement will only rile him up further.

"You won't be able to act like this in public Thaddeus, you're lucky no one has seen this whole exchange with how careless you are. You declare your love and possession over Isilee without considering that someone could hear it and share your secret affair" Atticus says from opposite to us, shaking his head towards Thaddeus "You even have your hand on her, how much more obvious can you be?"

"You are only angry at me because you don't have the f*****g balls to approach the female you love and even f*****g kiss her" Thaddeus spits the words towards him referring to the complicated 'relationship' between Atticus and Dahlia which quite honestly confuses me as they aren't together in anyway.

"I suggest you lower your voice Prince Thaddeus" Zoltar comments, Thaddeus just shakes his head removing his hand from me and folding his arms whilst Atticus is silently glaring Thaddeus' way.

Suddenly Atticus sits up looking behind us "Aurelia what are you doing here? You are supposed to be in combat training" he scowls "I was just there but now I have to get ready" she smiles, her bright pink work out gear and golden hair shining even more in the bright sunlight.

"For what?" her brother responds

"A shopping trip?" Jasper snorts "Off to by some more frilly pink dresses as always" he laughs to himself but she laughs with him "You can try some on if you want Jasper" she offers "No, no I don't want to embarrass you by looking better in your outfits than you do"

"Anyway, I am actually going on a date!" she exclaims excitedly "Isilee will you help me get ready, I cannot find Calliope anywhere" she pouts, I am shocked that she even asked me seeing as Dominic had gotten them all to not speak to me but it makes me feel included for once, even though she's blatantly told me she wants Calliope and I am her second choice. It is better than nothing.

"I'd love to"

"Excuse me, who has dared to ask my sister on a date without consulting me. Does father know?" Atticus asks

"It is Farris, my lovely combat instructor that you got for me. He's so romantic Atticus! I think I may love him!"

"That bastard" he snarls under his breath "I don't give my approval Aurelia. You will not see him and form now on I will teach you combat not him. You realise father will kill him if he has done anything to you, as will I. Had he done anything to you? Kiss you?"

"No! Farris is a traditional male, he wants us to get to know each other and i am sure you and father will love him. I think he may be who I want as my mate"

"No. Absolutely not."

She pouts, eyes filling with tears and lip quivering "But I love him Atticus, he makes me happy and I want to be with him. It would break my heart if he was hurt especially at the hands of my own brother and father"

"Do you think I am falling for those fake tears?" he scoffs but then pinches the bridge of his nose when she whimpers "Fine. Go on this date but do not cry to me when he breaks your heart"

"Yay! Come on Isilee you have to help me choose my outfit!"