My Destined Mate

EpisodeFour

Clara POV

“What's your name, little pup?" He asked me. His scent filled my nostrils.

“Clara. My name is Clara.”

“Clara. Clara wake up." I heard a familiar voice I recognized too well. I jerked up and that's when I realized I was dreaming.

Sarah was on top of me when I woke up. I pushed her away and stood up.

“What were you dreaming about? Your heart is racing." Says Sarah.

I shrugged innocently, "I have no idea.” A sharp pain surged through my shoulder which made me wince, reminding me of yesterday's encounter.

Sarah quickly rushed to my side and removed my hand that clamored the wound.

“You are still not healed." Says Sarah with a bit of surprised eyes. "I think we should inform your Dad and Mom. They need to know.”

I stood up from the bed. " No no no. You can't tell them yet.” I protest. "I don't want Dad to be worried.”

Sarah looked at me with a disapproving expression.

" I need to shower. I will use Liam's bathroom.” I said, trying not to flinch at the pain in my shoulder. I walked out of the room.

An hour later, I and Sarah went downstairs to join the rest of the family members. We walked straight to the kitchen as I felt so hungry this morning. The sight of what we saw was shocking. Dad had mom pinned to the wall as she clipped her legs around his waist. They were making out.

“Way to go Uncle Mat." Says Sarah, her tone cheering.

Mom quickly came down and pushed Dad away. They both felt shy. I smiled and walked away. Dad and mom were still young, Dad is 45 years old while mom is 36 years old but they both looked young.

“How are you doing, Sarah?" Says Dad. Sarah rolled her eyes as she responded.

“I am good, Uncle Mat."

" That's great to hear.” He responded and leaned by the fridge. He turned to me. " Are you okay, my Queen?” He sounded as if he could see the pain in me.

“Yeah, I am fine. Let's have a hug." I said.

Dad grabbed mom and Kissed her passionately. “You sure, you need a hug?"

" Well, I hope you both are doing fine. Liam mentioned something about last night's power outage.” Dad spoke but was not interested much in what happened. “He said you guys left before anything could happen."

My heart almost skipped a bit. I thought Liam had informed Dad what happened to me.

“Yes, we left immediately and nothing happened." I and Sarah spoke simultaneously. I didn't bother to look at Dad's eyes. I headed to the fridge and took out an orange juice.

“So what's the plan?" Sarah asked. “The king is visiting tomorrow, what are we planning for the visit, Aunty Eli?” She asked further, as the maid entered the kitchen with an empty tray.

" The table is set Ma.” She said smiling.

“He is already in town. He will soon be here." Says Dad, frowning.

" I can't wait to meet him. I heard he is handsome." Sarah spoke with a cheerful tone.

“He is a dickhead." Dad retorts.

" Language, Mathew.” Mom glared at Dad. We left the kitchen.

" You look beautiful, My queen.” Dad wrapped his hand around my shoulder and kissed my forehead.

We sat around the dining table. The maid served the food.

“So, Dad. Will the king have dinner with us or you guys are heading to the pack house?" I asked Dad.

" He will have dinner with us and stay here with us. He doesn't like people that much.” Says Mom.

" Neither do people like him.” Dad added as he grabbed his plate of pasta.

“He is the Alpha of Alphas. It doesn't change anything.” Says mom, frowning at Dad.

“Dad definitely hates people with ego." I said

“Yeah, ego issues." Says mom with a smirk on her face.

" Can I join in serving the King?” I asked. Dad frowned.

" No, Linda will serve him." Dad frowned as he spoke. Our maid has been with us for over a decade now.

“Why, Mathew. If she wants to serve the king, let her do it.” Says mom, kissing dad on his neck.

“You know Clara is kind and adorable. You should let her, uncle Mat.” Says Sarah eating her bacon strip.

“I know, but I just don't want her around that d**k head."

" I will be fine Dad.” I knew he was concerned about my health. I haven't told them about the growing pain in my ankle. I sustained an injury when I was four years old during a rogue attack.

Later that evening, I helped Mom and Linda prepare dinner. The kitchen smelled amazing with roasted lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, and fresh herbs filling the air. My shoulder still ached, but I tried not to show it as I arranged the fancy plates Mom only used for special occasions.

"The King and his warriors have arrived," Linda announced, peeking through the kitchen window. My heart started racing for some reason I couldn't explain.

Dad went to greet them at the entrance. From the kitchen, I could hear deep voices and heavy footsteps entering our home. Linda hurried to serve them while I finished garnishing the last of the side dishes.

"Clara, bring the wine to the dining room," Mom called out.

I grabbed the bottle of red wine and headed towards the dining room. As I entered, my breath caught in my throat. There he was - the King, the Alpha of Alphas. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. He was devastatingly handsome, with intense dark eyes and an air of authority that filled the entire room.

Then it hit me - that scent. The woody aroma that had surrounded me last night when I was saved. It was him.

His eyes locked with mine, and I saw recognition flash across his face. Neither of us moved for what felt like forever. The wine bottle nearly slipped from my trembling hands.

"Your Majesty, this is my daughter, Clara," Dad introduced me, completely unaware of the tension crackling between us.

"Clara," the King said my name slowly, his voice sending shivers down my spine. It was the same voice that had called me 'little pup' last night. "A pleasure to meet you properly."

As I stepped forward to pour his wine, our hands brushed slightly. An electric shock ran through my entire body, making me gasp. The wine sloshed in the glass, but thankfully didn't spill.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Please, call me Marcus," he said, his eyes never leaving mine.

My wolf was going crazy inside me, pawing and howling. This couldn't be happening. Not with him. Not with the King of all werewolves.

But there was no denying it - the pull between us was unmistakable. Every cell in my body seemed to gravitate toward him. This was a mate bond, something I'd only heard about in stories.

I could tell he felt it too. His fingers gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white. The warriors around him exchanged knowing looks.

"Clara, why don't you help Linda in the kitchen?" Dad suggested, his voice cutting through the tension. Did he sense something was off?

"Yes, of course," I said quickly, grateful for the excuse to escape. But as I turned to leave, Marcus spoke again.

"Actually, I'd love to hear more about your pack's traditions from your daughter's perspective, if you don't mind, Matthew?"

Dad's jaw tightened slightly, but he couldn't refuse the King's request. "Of course."

I sat down across from Marcus, my heart thundering in my chest. How was I supposed to make it through dinner with my mate - the Alpha of Alphas - sitting right there, when all I wanted to do was run away and scream into my pillow?

This was going to be the longest dinner of my life.