Twisted Fate: The Future Queen’s Mate

Chapter 2

“I suggest you all gather your things and go home.” My father said with a hard stone face. Everyone scrambles out of the water quickly grabbing their things and heading towards the tree line. Reina turns around and mouths “good luck” to me before scurrying off. She knows how my father is when he’s upset.

Dante and I are still standing in the river. My fathers gaze slowly makes his way over to us. His eyes are squinted in disappointment and his lips are pursed together hard in a straight line.

“As for you two,” he started, ”you should be ashamed of yourselves. A future king and queen day drinking with a bunch of fools. If your father hears even a word of this it’s going to be my head for not keeping a close enough eye on you.” My face turns hot and bright red with embarrassment. He’s right. The King would lose his mind if he saw this scene himself.

“I let you two off for one day from your duties so I can consult with the council regarding the incidents happening in Seattle and this is how you repay me? Evie, I am so disappointed in you for succumbing to this level. Maybe you’re not prepared to become Queen like I thought you were. Both of you out of the water now.” My eyes well tears while I am looking down at my toes on the rocks in the water. I glance up at Dante and he’s looking anywhere but at me.

We make our way up to the bank and towel dry ourselves off before heading back to the castle. My fathers already gone and probably halfway back by now.

“You couldn’t have said something to him? This was all your idea.” I angrily snap at Dante while shoving my book and blanket into my tote bag.

He says nothing at first. Just running the towel through his messy blonde hair before draping the towel over his shoulder.

“Let’s go,” he says, still not meeting my eyes. He turns and heads into the forest and down the dirt path.

I’m fuming with anger at this point. My body feels hot and tense and I can feel my beast's anger rise up inside of me. She doesn’t like to feel this type of humiliation and disrespect. I’m right there with her but I’m able to control myself and emotions enough to push her back before she can escape.

I start up the path and yell to him “So what you’re just not talking to me now? You’re just going to ignore me and act like nothing happened? Act like I wasn’t just completely humiliated in front of everyone, for being scolded by my father for something that I didn’t even want to do?” I’m so angry that I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. My fists are clenched tight by my side.

I finally reach him just outside of the forest as we reach the grassy field. He stands waiting for me but with his back turned. “Hey! I am talking to you!” I yelled as I push his shoulders. He spins around and grabs me by my wrists hard. I’m totally taken aback. His grip tightens and it f*****g hurts. He’s never gotten physical with me before and I’m feeling scared and uneasy by the darkness clouding his usually hazel eyes.

“Let go of me Dante” I squeak out trying to pull my wrists away. I can’t even look at him. I’m full of emotions right now. Humiliated, angry, scared. I’m trying to be strong and not cry. Everyone always sees me as submissive and sensitive. But I don’t want to let him win this one.

“Do you think I give a f**k about what just happened back there?” His voice is low and deep and his head is almost touching mine. He towers over me and at this moment I feel so small, physically and mentally. “Do you think I give a f**k what your father has to say? What my father has to say? This isn’t a life I wanted. I didn’t want to grow up being the perfect child fit to become a king. Hell I don’t even want to be the f*****g prince. But what can I do about it?”

I’ve never in all our years of knowing each other seen him like this. I’ve heard rumors of girls he’s been with tossing them aside like they were nothing once he got what he wanted but everyone thought they were just mad that he hadn’t wanted to mate with them. Now I’m seeing they might not have been rumors.

“Dante please, you're hurting me.” I whisper glancing up to him. He scoffs and let’s go of my hands forcefully. “And you” he starts while taking a few steps back and looking me up and down. “You’re hot, have a amazing f*****g body that I’d love to see more of” he says smiling a almost evil grin and licking his lips “But you’re weak. Amazes me that my father thinks you’d make a good mate and queen. Must just be because of your high birth status” he says grabbing my chin. “But if I’m forced to marry you, just know it’s just for looks, to please the public and my father. I’ll have whatever slut I want and I won’t give a f**k what you gave to say about it.” He steps backwards before turning and walking back to the palace with his hands in his jean pockets.

I’m standing there shocked. I don’t even know what to think right now. There’s a pit in my stomach and I feel like I could throw up. My head is spinning and it feels like someone just punched a hole in my heart. I lean over and catch myself on a tree.

My whole life Dante has been sweet, kind, and funny. Never has he ever spoken to me like this. I don’t know what has changed from just a few minutes ago when he kissed me at the river. Yes, we recently started exploring dating each other but nothing has happened to make him this standoffish with me. We’ve only been on two dates. Was he not attracted to me the way I was to him? I know I’m not ugly by any means. My tall, slender but toned body, long brunette hair and bright green eyes always got me the attention from the other boys in the territory.

I’m left in the field alone not knowing what to think or do. This person I’ve known my whole life is not the person I just saw five minutes ago. I’m expected to be mated to him in less than six months. How am I supposed to spend eternity with someone who just admitted to my face with no emotion, no remorse that I am weak and they’ll have whoever they want besides me.

I can’t do that. I cannot live my life with someone so narcissistic and evil. Weak? Where is this even coming from? Besides my high birth status I was top girl in school. In training I am physically the strongest girl in the group. Hell, I can even beat some of the boys. I’ve been groomed for the last two years to become queen and never once have cracked under the pressure like he has. I don’t slum it with sluts, get high behind the castle walls or drown myself in a handle of vodka any chance I get. No. I’m not the weak one. Sensitive maybe but never weak. I’ll prove to him that he’s wrong and he just said all of that to the wrong girl.