Forbidden Mate

Chapter 18

Once my mother finishes braiding all my hair back we head to the lower level of the Palace as my father and Alaric leave his office. Alaric flashes me one of his wicked grins and I feel myself swoon. He walks over to my mother takes her hand and places a kiss on the back of it. I can feel the jealousy rise in me. That's ridiculous I scold myself. 

"Pleasure to see you again Abigale, Aria is a true asset to our council. I really am looking forward to working closely with her" I swoon again listening to him talk about me and him working close. Then he turns his gaze to me those eyes burning into me. The heat and intensity and lust is too much  I feel my heart rate picking up. "Princess"  he says taking my hand "this trip has been splendid" Did he say splendid only spending? I thought it was phenomenal, mind blowing anything better than splendid. I stop my thoughts from leaving my mouth. 

"It was indeed I look forward to discussing the issues raised further with you" I say as he takes my hand as the sparks fly, he leans down his lips grazing the back of my hand before he places his kiss on it. I feel like time has slowed down as he did it. Honestly I have no words to describe the feelings he is giving me right now. And I'm 100% positive I'm full on blushing. 

He bids us one last goodbye and leaves. I feel  a pull at my heart that I  can only assume is the mate bond. I feel lost. Broken almost. I just stare at the door he just left.

My father says something but I don't catch it. I turn to him as he says again. "King Alaric is quite taken with you" he says proudly "says that you are a new aged thinker and could take us places" 

"Oh did he. I was being open minded. Did you know that Selene the goddess of the vampires and out moon goddess are the same person?" 

"Well I always thought that theory was a possibility as we were all children of the moon but it's never been spoken about. What made you bring that up?" He asks curiously. 

"Well she came to me whilst i was away. Did you know that the main species that has cross bread is demon" 

"Ow is it now, that is interesting Aria. Wait what do you mean the moon goddess came to you?" 

"Dad I mean I was in the forest and she appeared before me. She  has told me the prophecy of the Demon king's demise" I explain everything to him minus the part about me and Alaric being mates. He was shocked at the fact the gods never set rules on who we mate with. 

"Well this is interesting we need to take this to the council. I shall call and arrange a meeting for tomorrow" he turns and leaves. 

"Right, I'm going for a run. See you soon mum" I turn and run out of the Palace before she can question me. I'm sure she picked up on my lingering stare as Alaric left. 

I start running harder and faster than I ever have. I put everything into it. As I near the edge of the forest I approach the training grounds. I see my father's top warrior Zac training. I know he was devastated when he found out we weren't mates. He always pictured himself as the future king. 

He spots me from across the training ground and bows low. "Princess, I am humbled that you have graced us with your presence" he remarks sarcastically. 

"Ow bite me Zac" I snarl back. As I move towards him.

"With pleasure Princess I thought you would never ask" he flirts. 

"Don't be disgusting" 

"So other than coming to check me out what brings you here" 

"First in your dreams and secondly I came to spar. Being away means I didn't get to kick anyone's ass" I square up to him. "You up for it" 

"Always, wolf or human?" 

"Human" I suggest. My wolf gets a little too carried away. When I train in wolf form. She always wants to go for the neck. Which is great in battle but in training the whole aim is not to kill warriors. 

"As you wish. First one to tap out loses" I just nod in response. 

I pull my hair into a tight bun. Remove my t-shirt so I am just standing there in my sports training bra and my work out leggings. 

We begin to circle each other. I know he will make the first move he always does. Just as I predicted he lunges for me. I side step and put pressure on his left shoulder so he hits the floor. I let him regain his composure before we go again as he lunges for me this time I pull back and land a punch to his jaw. 

As I'm getting ready to attack my mates intoxicating scent distracts me as Zac has spun and kicked me in the face. I feel my lip pop and the blood begin to trickle. I turn back to face him wiping the drip of blood. I can feel the anger burning inside me. Nobody has ever drawn blood, now he will be sent to the hospital. I let out a wicked laugh and hear Zac audibly gulp. He knows he is in for it. I punch, kick and throw him. Everytime he tries to dodge he is met by a different attack each one landing. I kick one last time straight to his stomach. He flies back landing on the ground. I throw one last punch and he's out. 

I stand up, wipe my lip and turn to the crowd gathered. "Get him to the hospital" I grunt and walk back towards the words following the scent of my mate.