BLOOD MATES

Chapter Four

Why him, of all people? I couldn't help but wonder if he had already found his true mate, while I remained still in search of my own. Being a late bloomer had only added another layer of complexity to the situation. As I gazed up at the ceiling, my thoughts gradually drifting away, a knock cut through the silence. Who could it be? I thought everyone was still at the ball.

Sighing, I called out, "Helen, please go away." To my surprise, a deep voice replied, "It's Eric, and I don't know who Helen is." Alarm prickled along my skin, and I quickly rose from the bed, grabbing a blanket to wrap myself in. I approached the door with caution, still unsure of what Eric's intentions were. "I'm ill, please come back later," I pleaded, hoping he would retreat. But Eric's voice grew steadily more impatient. "You better open this door now, or hell, I will break it down. You have five seconds. 4... 3..."

Panicking, I unlocked the door and swung it open, coming face to face with Eric's infuriating smirk. "Nice nightdress. Should I come in, or are we having this discussion outside?" I stepped aside, allowing him into my room, though I maintained my guard. He wasted no time in lounging on my bed as if he owned the place. The audacity.

"What is it you want to talk about?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of irritation and curiosity. He turned his head toward me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I didn't know you liked me too much to still be looking like that." Annoyed, I made my way to my wardrobe and grabbed a light pink cloak, draping it around my shoulders. I stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Fine," he finally conceded. "First of all, you're in huge trouble for storming out of the ball when our parents were about to announce our engagement." I rolled my eyes, my frustration growing. "You're lucky I stepped in and saved you from further humiliation," he continued. "Your father was ready to drag you to the throne room and make an example out of you."

I let out a deep sigh, not fully convinced of the severity of the consequences. "What's the worst he can do?" I questioned, trying to maintain some semblance of defiance. Eric's laughter filled the room, sending an icy chill down my spine. "He mentioned something about publicly flogging you, but I guess that wouldn't be very thrilling, now, would it?" His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I could feel the color drain from my face.

My anger and frustration surged within me, overwhelming my senses. I approached the edge of the bed, the distance between us mere inches. "You and I both know that I am not your mate," I spat, my voice quivering with a mix of fury and desperation. Eric narrowed his eyes, studying me intently. "But have you found yours?" he challenged. I shook my head, a hint of sadness lurking in my eyes. It was a painful reality that I hadn't yet discovered my true mate, but I was determined to hold onto the hope that I would find love on my own terms.

Eric let out a cynical chuckle. "Such a pity," he remarked, his tone laced with sarcasm. He stood up from the bed and moved closer, causing my heart to race. I couldn't help but notice the mesmerizing warmth in his eyes, a stark contrast to the coldness of his demeanor. "Well, Amelia," he said, his voice softer now. "I guess we're both trapped in this mess."

Anger surged within me once more, and I couldn't hold back my frustration any longer. "If you came here to insult me, Eric, then shut the f**k up and leave my room, you f*****g bastard," I snapped, my voice filled with venom. The shock on his face was evident as I pushed past him, heading towards the door. "Eric, please leave. I've had enough," I pleaded, my voice now tinged with exhaustion.

He stood there, stunned for a moment before finding his voice. "It was never my intention to hurt you," he said softly, his eyes meeting mine. A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I closed the door in his face, finally releasing the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

I took a few moments to collect myself, letting the weight of the situation settle in. As I removed the cloak and returned to the comfort of my bed, I knew that my defiance had only brought more complications to an already complex situation. The knowledge that my fate was now intertwined with Eric's hung heavily in the air, suffocating me.

Unable to fall back asleep, I rose early the following morning. The soft glow of the early dawn illuminated my room as I slipped out of my nightgown and into a fresh set of clothes. The warmth of the morning sun beckoned me outside, urging me to seek solace in the vastness of the palace grounds.

I tiptoed through the hallways, careful not to attract any unwanted attention. With each step, the cool marble beneath my feet grounded me, soothing the whirlwind of emotions within. Finally reaching the palace field, I let my wolf emerge, the familiar rush of freedom coursing through my veins.

As my paws hit the soft grass, I ran—leaping over obstacles, feeling the wind whip through my fur. It was in these fleeting moments of liberation that I found a glimmer of hope. No matter the circumstances, I couldn't allow myself to be defined solely by the choices of those around me. The desire for autonomy burned fiercely within my soul, urging me to fight for control of my own destiny.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, I knew that there was still a possibility for love, for a connection that went beyond the constraints of political alliances and arranged marriages. So, with the wind at my back and the sun on my fur, I ran, determined to seize the freedom I so desperately craved and discover the path that would lead me to true happiness.