Rejected by the Lycan king

CHAPTER 3: OPHELIA

There is no way that man is the Lycan King, and my soon-to-be husband!

Father has moved us to the formal dining room now, taking his place at the other end with Lucretia and leaving me to sit beside the Lycan King.

Everyone seems joyous enough and the chatter continues till I space out of their conversations, staring down at my food and just pushing pieces aside. My mind drifts to Dahlia and just how lucky she was that she’s escaping this fate I’ve been forced into.

“Is the food not to your liking?”

I look up sharply, my gaze locking with that of the Lycan King. The whole table has gone quiet, and I turn to look at my Father, glancing over Lucretia’s pinched look. I turn back to the Lycan King.

“Uh, No, My King. It’s just – “

I look back at my father and then again, to the Lycan King. “I don’t like peas.”

Immediately as I say it, a server rushes to my side and lifts the plate, murmuring an apology as my meal is rushed off. My reaction to what just happened dies on my tongue and I smile awkwardly and the other diners that watch us.

“Don’t be afraid to speak up when you’re not a fan of something.” My eyes flicker down as my hands squeeze into fist, wishing he could just shut up and stop talking to me.

“You didn’t fail to tell me what you thought of me a while back.” As he says this, I feel a hand sneak over my clenched fists and I jump, shooting at him and then down the table. Everyone probably thinks I’m shocked at his revelation that we’d met before.

“I didn’t know who you were then.”

I feel his fingers gently unclasp mine, before laying heavily on my downturned hands. I gulp.

“You’re saying you’d have been nicer to me if you knew I was to be your mate?”

My hand tries to clench at this but the solid weight of his hand still presses down on mine, halting my movements. I look at him, this time, failing to hide my ire.

“I’m saying I wouldn’t have chastised you for roaming on grounds that aren’t yours.”

Even as the words leave my mouth, I can feel the impact it lands on everyone seated, the Lycan King most especially. His hand leaves mine as he reclines back on his seat and my skin suddenly misses the warmth of his.

“I admire the fire in you.” He says this slowly, gazing at me with an odd look in his eyes. “Call me Rafael, seeing as we’re about to be wedded.”

He takes a sip of his wine as he says this, unbothered by the fact that he’s just shocked the rest of us into silence.

Everyone is now staring at me with something akin to wonder in their eyes and I have to look away, grateful when the server finally returns with my pea-less meal.

The dinner is finished and we all head back to the throne room. The Lycan King, Rafael, is speaking to my father in hushed tones, my father throwing worrying glances at me the longer they speak.

“Ophelia.”

I walk to my father’s side, not looking anywhere at Rafael. “Yes, Father.”

“Our King wants to speak with you.” At my accepting nod, he adds warily, “Alone. In my study.”

Alpha Rafael is shown to my father’s study as I silently trail behind him. Lucretia pushes the door open and steps aside for both of us to step in. I’m turning to her, sure that she’s stepping in beside me when she shuts the door in my face.

Alpha Rafael and I are cocooned in the dim lighting of my father’s large study. Alone.

Somehow, the large space now looks so small, and it takes a minute before I turn back to face him.

“Come closer, Ophelia.”

He’s taken a seat on one of my father’s leather chairs, his thighs spread to accommodate his hands that he places flat between them – on the settee. The only light that’s on in this room is the one beside him, a pitiful wall lamp that gives off a dull glow but still manages to bathe his skin in a magnificent glow.

He looks ethereal like this, shrouded in darkness, with only a sliver of light gliding across his face and neck. I’m propelled to listen to his order and I step closer, till I’m a hair’s breadth away from him.

“Closer. Still.” There seems to be an untapped fire licking beneath his veins because as I still remain rooted in my spot, he gives into the flames and stretches a hand out. He seizes my wrist and yanks me down. Onto his lap.

“What – “ I let out a yelp, trying to stand almost immediately. He doesn’t let me, pulling me firmly into his chest till I’m frozen at contact. I decide to sit still and not say a thing, watching what he’ll do and waiting for this nightmare to be over. It seems the rumors about him are true.

“Mmh. Some of them are, Yes.” I turn at his gruff affirmation, because I’d somehow said that last part out loud. “But they’re also wrong about your family. Tell me,” His hands carefully wrap around my middle and just sit there.

“Are you the enigmatic and popular sister, or the defective one?” My mouth falls open at the insinuation. My wolf wasn’t bound at my own volition.

At the look on my face, he lets out a little laugh, the warmth brushing my temple. His hands move from my waist and he finally lets me slide off his lap. I’m on my feet the next second, glaring down at him.

“You’re uncouth!” My face is burning with anger and I struggle to remember this man’s title. Alpha. Lycan King. Husband. Mate.

“Yes. But your family is much worse. I’d been promised the best from this pack and yet, I’m somehow being swindled into accepting the fallible one. The Alpha’s mistake.”

He rises from his seat and steps towards me, moving round my person before lifting a finger and trailing it down my cheek. My face is downturned, my father’s shame too heavy to overlook. Alpha Rafael tilts my head to his with a finger, ensuring my eyes lock with his before he continues.

“What do you propose be done to your family for such deceit, Little Dove?”