Alpha Princes Hidden Mate

10- Hot and Cold

Arin could see the deep lush green forest as the plane was nearing its destination. She seemed to handle herself well as the plane was preparing for landing, better than what she felt while taking off. Well she surely kept on reminding herself of this fact , although it was easier said than done.

Eros could see that Arin was trying not to show any discomfort on her face, failing miserably at it though. He also knew from the past few weeks that this girl contained a raging fire within her and that it was slowly coming out for him to see. And right there and then was one of those few moments he got to see that tough side of her trying to stand up to someone stronger than her, much more stronger than her.

Uhh , he couldn't see her struggling too. The dilemma of the mate bond.

" Can I sit with you, little one? "

" No need. I am fine Prince Eros. "

"What is this with prince , I told you to call me Eros , haven't I? "

" But you ARE a prince! Are you not ? " sarcasm was dripping from her every word and she too caught herself, but alas all too late.

" How dare you speak to our prince like that ? Who do you think you are ? You are nothing but a nobody , be in your damn limits ! " a voice screeched menacingly beside them.

Arin couldn't help but flinch a bit at the loud voice, she was still dealing with her nightmares. Looking at her pale face and the words that registered in his ears, a loud growl tumbled out of Eros. Within a blink of an eye, he was out of his seat and had Janet pinned with his hands around her throat.

" How dare you ? "

Janet was now shaking in fright as she looked into his alphas grey eyes now storming with rage, rage directed towards her. She had heard how menacing he can be but thought them to be rumors. Yes, he was somewhat bipolar but never menacing, their last interaction was proof enough. But how wrong he was, how f*****g wrong.

Janet quickly looked down and tilted her head showing her neck as the sign of submission to her alpha.

But that was not enough to cool down the raging beast threatening to rise and tear her apart. Though a second later she was shocked to see Eros calming down immediately. Curiously she tried to pry the reason behind this sudden change in mood which was impossible considering he was a royal wolf, unless........

Janet saw a small hand placed on Eros shoulder and looking further she saw that it belonged to none other than a lowly she-wolf. Her eyes further widened at that, as if it was even possible.

" It's okay Eros, let her go. We should sit down, the plane is going to land. " Arin's voice was firm even though she felt like trembling, but something inside her told her to go to Eros, to cool his temper.

Hearing the sweet angelic voice and the warm touch had Eros' wolf cool off enough to loosen his grip on the air hostess that dared to insult his mate. He turned towards Arin and quickly hugged her tightly and buried his head in her neck, inhaling her sweet lilac fragrance.

Arin was shocked at his sudden hug. She was stiff as a stone and was not sure what to do. She just stood there with her hands at her side, eyes wide, mouth gaping open and breathing a little hard as sparks ran throughout her body.

Eros felt Arin go stiff in his embrace and with a last squeeze peeled himself off her and without saying anything, buckled himself in the seat beside her.

" Are you just going to stand there, little one ? " Eros said as he amusedly watched Arin standing there with a dumb founded expression.

Quickly snapping out of her trans, Arin sat beside Eros and let her help while landing.

It was evening and the sun was on the horizon about to set for the day, when they started their journey towards the castle of the Kingdom of Galad. The journey was more or less eventless. Though Eros could definitely say otherwise as he quite enjoyed it while looking at all of the expressions on Arin's face. He seemed to be internally smiling every time he saw her eyes light up with amazement as well as awe at the surroundings they passed through.

The Kingdom of Galad was very different from all other kingdoms as being the kingdom of light. It was surrounded by different natural lights that seemed to give it an ethereal look. They were said to be the essence left by the stars of the moon goddess, she once left on earth. The naturally glowing flowers, water and animals could be found all over the world which Arin found astonishing.

In her entire life of eighteen years, Arin had never seen such magnificence. Her innocence was lit up by them and was reflected in her eyes for the alpha to see and admire. In that moment the lights of Galad were very dull compared to her pure light and aura that seemed to blind young Eros more and more he spent the time with her. Although he was trying hard to resist it.

As the car slowed down, Arin could see their destination. There was a huge palace in front of her that was all too similar to the rest of Galad she had seen so far. The majestic castle seemed to be the part of a big light tree emitting soft blue and green lights. The forest and green surrounded the entire castle bringing it closer to nature.

All in all she loved it and couldn't wait to see what it looked like from inside.

Eros saw Arin's expression while looking at the castle in front of them and a frown made its way on his face. She shouldn't have liked someone else's castle when a more majestic castle was waiting home for her. She should like it more, it was home after all.

Eros wasn't ready for such a level of jealousy to rise within him just because she was admiring someone else's castle rather than his own. What a hypocrite he was. He also admired this view the first time he visited this place as a teenager.

Shaking away his thoughts, he put on his armor, his famous expressionless face as he stepped out of the now stopped car.  He turned toward Arin and helped her out as the others also piled out. They were welcomed by King Galad XI, at the entrance along with his queen, the royal beta and their eldest son, Xavier.

The royal family of Galad was standing to welcome the youngest Moon Supreme ever in the history of werewolves and his entourage when cars stopped right outside. A young man stepped out of it and he helped a sweet petite lady behind her. Xavier could not believe the beauty she was. He tried to sniff her scent to be disappointed as the heavy scent of suppressants reached his nostrils. Nevertheless he was taken aback by her and couldn't help but admire her soft features.

Eros could feel the young prince gazing towards Arin, admiring her in a way nobody had right to other than him. He did not like that at all but before he could say anything, his attention was taken by the king.

" Welcome to our humble abode, Moon Supreme. I am happy to be able to receive you here in Galad "  King Galad XI said while extending his hand towards Eros.

Eros firmly shook his hand before replying to the King's greeting as humbly as he could given the situation Xavier's eyes were still trained at Arin.

" It is my pleasure to be here, King Galad. I have heard a lot about you and your kingdom. I do remember some from my last visit. "

" Ah yes, you were just a mere teenager when you came with The Regent. When I saw you then, I knew you were going to achieve extraordinary things and look at you now. "

" I am humbled by your kind words. Wouldn't you introduce the young man beside you? " Eros said, trying not to grit his teeth hard at the lost creature.

" Of course. This is my eldest son, Xavier. "

On hearing his name, Xavier quickly straightened his posture and smiled to welcome Eros.

" Hello, pleasure to meet you Eros. "

" It's Prince Eros. " Eros snapped at Xavier. 

A little taken aback, Xavier quickly apologized.

"Yes, yes of course, Prince Eros. If it is not an issue may I ask you a question? "

" Yes you may. " Though Eros did not want to say that, he couldn't be rude to their host and a fellow Royal family.

" Who is this young she-wolf with you and why cannot I smell her? "

Eros frowned at the question, but impressed with the way Xavier was not intimidated by him.

" That is none of your business, Prince. But as I cannot be rude, she is with my group as a housemaid and is on suppressants for safety measures as the only female in the group. "

The word housemaid seemed to be bitter on his tongue but he knew it was necessary to keep up the facade and ensure Arin's safety. On the other hand, Arin felt like being stabbed in her heart. Although she knew she was just a slave, a human slave, it still hurt to be introduced as a lowly servant by Eros even after whatever was going on between them.

Was anything even going on, she was not sure about that and Eros' words have again proved the difference between them. The difference was so big, none of them were capable of crossing. It just solidified her resolve to save herself from any embarrassment and heartache that was sure to come if she kept on pinning against the almighty Alpha Prince.

" Oh okay. " Xavier did not know what else to say but he was sure that whether she was a housemaid or not, he was going to talk to her soon.

" Enough chit chat. I am sure you all would like to freshen up. We have prepared your rooms as requested. Please come in and we will send for you when the dinner will be served. " said the queen and soon after everybody retired to their respective rooms with Arin being placed in the room adjacent to Eros.

It was after the diner when Arin found her way to the garden she could see from her room's balcony. Although the room was everything she could think of as her dream, one that would belong to a princess or a noble lady at least, not like someone as her, she couldn't find in herself to sleep in that warm silky bed.

Though the real reason behind her sleepless state was some jerk of an Alpha who was cold one time and hot other. She didn't know what exactly happened in the few hours they had rested in their rooms but Eros was as cold as ever. She had never seen him avoid even so much as glance at her. Up till now, she got a little used to the stares and glances thrown by Eros towards her once in a while that would make her warm all inside. But that night there was nothing, nothing at all.

And what was more disturbing was to see him sitting so far besides the royals and besides King's youngest daughter, whose name she didn't bother to remember. What she could not forget was the way that girl seemed to be smitten by him, the way she seemed to hang on from his arm, the way she laughed at whatever he said, couldn't have been all that funny or the way Eros never bothered to get out of her hold, away from her touch. Arin couldn't help but glare at the two while forcing down the bland food or it seemed to be bland to her. 

Eros could feel her mate glaring holes in his head during dinner. Though he did not want to acknowledge her presence in front of everyone, to not give away anything. So he tolerated the incessant jabbering of Alina, King Galad's youngest and the only unmated daughter. He only knew how he was able to resist the persistent fuming gaze of Arin and growling of his wolf to get away from the clingy she-wolf. But one thing he liked was the way Arin got jealous. That showed him that the mate bond was not one sided considering Arin was a human.

After the diner, Eros decided to retire to his room before Arin could come in front of him. He did not want to talk to her in the presence of so many wolves and it was also best to maintain the distance. He never wanted a mate and nothing has changed now as well. Well, Eros liked to think nothing had changed. So he decided to try to stay away from her, not let her show the effect she had on his emotions and try to find more about his situations. 

Yes, the plan seemed fine and was about to go lay in the bed when he heard the melodious laughter coming from outside. He opened the sliding doors and stepped out onto the balcony. His heartbeat quickened as he saw the angelic face contorted in laughter for the first time. But soon the serenity on his face turned to a scowl as he saw the wolf standing beside her. Everything he planned, just a few minutes ago, went out the drain.

Arin was still thinking about the diner when she heard somebody clear their behind her. She quickly turned afraid she was caught snooping around. She saw Prince Xavier standing there with a grin on his face illuminated by moonlight as well as the low glow emitted by the night flowers in the garden. He looked beautiful, handsome but not as handsome as Eros. Arin internally frowned at her thoughts and tried to forget about that grey eyed prince.

" Hello, I don't think we have had the chance to get a formal introduction, my lady, " Xavier said while taking Arin's hand and kissing  the back of it.

" I am Prince Xavier and you are? "

Arin blushed a little at his gesture before replying , " Arin, my prince. "

" You can call me Xavier , beautiful Arin "

Arin knew she would even make tomatoes dull in front of her red flaming cheeks. Nobody has ever called her beautiful. Mimi and Sophia had but never someone else, someone as the Prince.

" I like your blush. So what are you doing out here alone ? "

" Just needed some fresh air "

" So you won't mind if I join "

" Of course not. It is your home and garden after all. I couldn't have said no even if I wanted to "

This made Xavier laugh boisterously. That carefree and loud laughter was contagious and soon Arin found herself joining in with him. It was the first time in so long that Arin found herself laughing so freely. She loved it. And it was like ice had broken between them and they both started to enjoy each other's company unaware of the fuming gaze thrown at them.

That night, Eros and Arin both were not able to sleep properly as both were lost in their own misery. 

Arin could not seem to get over the fact that Eros could let that girl come so near her and not even give her a glance. She started questioning his each and every action till now and found that he never showed any other emotion than humanity towards her. This thought brought out tears in her eyes because she knew her feelings were futile even with the connection she felt.

Eros could not get over the fact that he heard his mate laugh for the first time. It was the most melodious sound he had ever heard but it was not caused by him. He was not the one to make his mate laugh but some other teenage wimpy Prince that managed to make Arin laugh. 

It was a torturous night for both. 

Somewhere inside the castle was a wise one that just smiled at them and then went her own way thinking about all the trials and challenges they had in their life.

It was just the beginning!