The Werewolf King's Maid Mate

Chapter 9

Kelathari's POV

I can't believe what just happened to me. How could Gloria treat me like that in front of the other maids? Or better yet, how she actually tried to defend her actions against the King. She really did not care about her own life to be brave enough to do that. I wiped the tears from my eyes. Honestly, I don't even know why I am crying over this. They have done a lot worse to me in the past and in front of the whole pack for that matter. I guess I felt more embarrassed this time because it was in front of the King and his Beta. The only two people apart from Amalia and Demetrius that have actually ever shown me some kindness and treated me like I am an actual human being. I heard the main door close to the bedroom and footsteps coming towards me. I continue brushing my hair as the smell of the forest begins to fill up the bathroom. I feel myself relaxing again in his presence, but I don't understand the reason for this. Is it because he is the King? Is he able to have an influence over people's emotions in his presence? After tonight and I get this shift out of the way, I will have to ask him.

"Are you okay? I am sorry that they treated you like that! I had no idea that would happen whilst I was walking back" saw Benjamin look down at his hands holding his head in shame.

"Hey heyyyy! Look up at me". I reached for the bottom of his chin and gently pulled his face up to look at me directly.

" I am used to this treatment. I really should be thanking you for saving me before Gloria managed to take me to the Alpha and Luna. I think Gloria would have probably exaggerated the situation, making it sound a lot worse than it actually was" I smiled at him in relief. The intense stare coming back from him makes me shy. I drop my hand and look back in the mirror, I grab the hairbrush and continue brushing my hair. I really don't understand this feeling that I get when I am around him, but I find it hard to stay focused.

"What time is it, Benjamin? I assume we don't have much time to eat and then head out into the forest"

"It is 9:30pm. It seems time is being taken away rather quickly. We should leave around 11pm. That way we can find a spot that you are most comfortable in to shift". He grabs my hairbrush in my hand and places it onto the bathroom counter. He then takes my hand and leads me into the bedroom where the food has been set up beautifully on the table. I wish I had more time to sit and appreciate how amazing everything looks. I felt a tear fall down the side of my face.

"Are you okay, my dear? What's happened? Is something not to your liking?"

"On the contrary, everything looks beautiful, Benjamin. It's just a very surreal moment for me, this is your normal everyday life and, for me, this is such a treat. I have never been treated so well as I have whilst being in your company. So I just want to thank you honestly for all the kindness you have shown me" Before I knew what I had done, my body had flung itself towards him and molded perfectly to his. My face rests on his chest, as he is much taller than me. I listen to his breathing becoming heavy and the rhythm it settles itself into. He wraps his arms around me with his hand gently rubbing my arm. This man provides me with such reassurance, I guess it is what makes him a truly great king.

"I am glad you like it. But please don't thank me for things that should be your right also. It saddens me that this has happened in a pack under my watch. This isn't how I wanted people to live under my rule. I have always expressed my distaste for this sort of treatment of people, acting like they are slaves. Anyway, my dear, we need to feed you well because tonight will be a long one" He chuckles to himself and we both walk side my side to the table and chairs that have been set up for dinner.

"Would you like any wine, Kelathari?"

"Erm, I haven't really had wine before. I am happy with the fruit juice though, I would like to keep my mind clear so that I am able to understand and manage well with this evening". I watch him as he pours me some of the fruit juice with a frown on his face. Clearly, the fact I haven't really drunk wine before seems to bother him for some reason.

"Thank you for going to get this food for me whilst I was resting. I guess I didn't realize just how hungry I was until I smelt all of this delicious food"

"It was my pleasure."

We began to eat in silence, both of us digging into our food acting like a pair of hungry animals. After the majority of the food had been eaten, we started to slow down and I looked up at him. He catches me staring and looks up too, with that we both burst into laughter.

"I guess we didn't know just how hungry we were", I grabbed a napkin and wiped my face.

"So Benjamin, if you don't mind why don't you tell me about your family"

"Erm, I thought most people knew about my family? Also, do you want dessert? They seemed to have brought a lot for us to choose from."

"Yes I will have some of the lemon cake please. Sorry I wasn't always allowed to be at school with the others to study, so all I know is that you have 2 sisters and a brother if I remember correctly?" He passes over the plate with the lemon cake on and I start to eat it. He takes a tiramisu for himself to eat which, judging by his expression, he is thoroughly enjoying.

"Oh... I am sorry, I misspoke. Yes, so my older sister is called Mila and she is married to Ethan, who is the head of security at the palace. Mila was never interested in ruling the kingdom. Therefore, she passed the crown on to me. It is a shame really.. to this day, I think she would have made an awesome queen. Then it's me. Then my younger sister, Nova, is a complete party animal and is currently away at college studying to become a doctor. Lastly, it is my younger brother Sebastian. He is also away at college with Nova. I hear they are both having a whale of a time. They both finish college in a few months. I know Nova will continue her studying at a university, I don't know what Sebastian has planned though" He rolls his eyes and that last sentence which makes me chuckle to myself.

"Wooow, it must be fun growing up with a number of siblings though."

"It was fun, we would get up to all kinds of mischief"

"And your parents?"

"Oh yes sorry I forgot, so my dad is called Leo and my mum is Rhea. They sat and ruled for around 300 years, which was made possible because of our royal blood. We age a lot slower than the average wolf. When we find our mates and they join our family, they also become like us and slow their rate of aging so it enables us to be able to live long lives with our family."

"Ahh yes. I think I remember something about that. The moon goddess blessed your family, helping to keep peace and equality amongst all the packs across the country. Until the rebellion in the South, they went off on their own, that's why their leadership changes so often and they struggle with civil wars amongst their packs."

"Well, it looks like you managed to learn about some of our past. Yes, the South went off on their own about 1000 years ago. Our focus is the northern territory and our packs being able to live in peace with one another. We haven't had a civil war break out amongst our packs since the north and south divide began, which I think is a great accomplishment. It's why us royals actually take the time to go around the packs multiple times a year to understand their wants and needs, it helps to diffuse everything before it even begins." This is a lot of information to take in and makes me realize that there was a lot of history that I missed whilst not being at school. After I shift within the next few days, I will have to try and find some books about our history.

"Well, thank you for sharing with me, I think your family sounds really fun! Hopefully, I can meet them one day on one of their tours"

"I am sure you will be able to meet them sooner than that". He started chuckling to himself. What does he mean by that? Why is he laughing? Are they doing a tour soon or coming here?

"Oh Kelathari, look at the time. We have been so busy eating and chatting that it is almost 11pm. We have to get ready to leave"

"Oh my, time flies when you're having fun" I stood up and headed to a bag of some spare clothes and a bottle of water that I packed. I packed a few granola bars that were on the dessert table.

"Are you ready for this Kelathari?"

"Yes, yes I am" With that, he nods and gives me a reassuring smile.

We both head to the door and Angelique is already standing outside smiling at us with a bag on her back. She gives me a quick hug and then the three of us head out of the pack house into the woods.