The Lycan King Faceless Mate

20

Margot

A sharp itch hit the back of my nose, and I sneezed before I could stop myself.

Dorian didn't hesitate, pulling a folded linen handkerchief from his pocket and sliding it across the wood toward me.

“Thank you,” I said, keeping my head down as I pressed the cloth to my face. The linen was smooth, completely blank without any monograms. I used the small delay to steady my breathing, forcing the tension out of my jaw before I looked back up at him. “Wait… what were you asking again? If I am the one?”

Dorian’s fingers locked over the edge of his phone, his thumb freezing above the dark screen. Then his shoulders dropped, and he shook his head quickly. “No, no, no. I’m not talking about that. I’m so, so sorry. I was trying to send a message to someone and I accidentally said it to you.”

My lungs finally expanded, a long, quiet breath slipping past my teeth. For a split second, the whole game had felt like it was crashing down around my ears. I squeezed the handkerchief in my lap under the table, anchoring myself. ~Calm down. Look bored. Margaux wouldn't panic, she’d just be confused.~

“Thank God,” I murmured, letting my gaze drift toward the small plate of seared meat between us. “For a second, I thought… never mind.”

The waiter returned, setting down the rest of our plates with a dull clatter. As the minutes ticked by, the silence broke down into a steady, easy sound. I watched him handle his utensils, matching his pace, offering small smiles exactly when the conversation required them. We talked through the first course, and by the second, I even managed a soft, practiced laugh at a dry comment he made about the city's council.

Dorian leaned back against the high leather of his chair, swirling the water in his glass. “I used to think all of it was nonsense. Just stories people used to control belief. I didn’t think anything like that could actually exist.”

I nodded along, keeping my expression smooth and attentive while the real thoughts clawed at the inside of my skull. Keep talking, you arrogant king. Tell me everything you don't believe in while I sit here wearing your lost mate's face.

“That’s interesting,” I said lightly, tilting my head to look like I was following his philosophy.

The dinner stretched into something resembling a real courtship deliberate, measured, completely under my fingers. Every time those cold grey eyes lingered on the line of my jaw, searching for a flaw, I simply looked away or adjusted my hair, keeping the prize just out of his reach.

By the time the staff cleared the small porcelain cups from the table, the small clock on the alcove wall pointed toward three in the morning. I smoothed the black fabric of my dress and stood up first.

Dorian was on his feet an instant later, rounding the table to close the distance between us. “Thank you so much for accompanying me. I’m satisfied… everything feels right.” His tone dropped, the gravelly edge returning to his voice. “So… would you like me to take you to the palace? I want to show everyone in the 12 districts that I have found my mate.”

The word hit like a cold slap . Mate.My fingers dug into the fabric of the bag still hanging over my forearm. One wrong move here and the whole territory would find out I belonged in a ditch back at Silverwood Park.

As his hand came up to bridge the gap between us, I took a tiny, deliberate step backward, letting his fingers brush empty air. It wasn't my instinct,I wanted the palace keys tonight but Margaux was a stray rabbit. She would bolt if a man pushed too fast so I needed to act accordingly.

Dorian’s hand dropped back to his side, his face tightening. “I’m so sorry. Does that not sit well with you? I just thought… since we already have a bond, it wouldn’t be wrong for you to come closer.”

I kept my eyes fixed on his silver lip piercing, avoiding the direct glare of his eyes while I found the right sound for my voice. “I need to let you know something. That night… it happened because it was a mistake. I had a drink that made me intoxicated. That’s why it happened.”

The lie felt heavy, but my delivery was perfect flat, small, defensive. Let him think she's ashamed. Let him play the protector. But what if it’s not what happened? I thought then on the other hand i dismissed i know my sister too well she will never mate with a stranger unless that so it’s exactly what happened

“That’s what happened,” I added for weight.

Dorian took a slow, heavy breath through his nose, his chest expanding under his coat. “Yes… yes, I understand. It was a mistake. But still… I found my mate because of that night.”

I forced a faint, watery smile to my lips. “Yeah,” I said softly.

But my mind was already tearing down the road ahead. If he dragged me into the light too fast, the pack elders would notice something before I could secure my position, My gaze tracked the sharp line of his jaw, the heavy silver ring in his lower lip, the way he stood like he owned the ground under the restaurant. He was too smart, too used to seeing through people.

To break his focus, I leaned in slightly. “How do you know I am your mate?”

Dorian’s posture went rigid, his chin lifting. “I felt it. My wolf recognized you instantly. I just knew. And I can’t wait to make this public.”

My stomach went hollow. “Public?”

“Yes,” he said, his face clearing with an absolute sort of certainty. “If you accept, I will take you to the palace. I will present you to my mother, my supervisors, my assistant everyone in the Palace. I will hold a feast. Every Alpha from the twelve districts will attend. They will all know that the King and his mate have been found.”

Twelve districts. Lucien would be there. Richard would be there. Every old bastard who had ever thrown mud at me in the pack village would be looking directly at my face under the ballroom chandeliers.

I swallowed the dry lump in my throat, keeping my voice steady by sheer force of will. “If that happens, I don’t want anything extravagant. I don’t like loud celebrations.” I paused, letting a flicker of false anxiety cross my eyes. “And Lucien… he would think I ran away with someone else. I don’t want unnecessary attention.”

Dorian watched me for a long three seconds before the stiffness left his shoulders. “Then I will do it your way. We can keep it within the palace. No excess. No chaos. Just enough to make it official.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a quiet, heavy register. “All I want is your happiness and acceptance.”

I stared at him, letting the silence hang between us just long enough to make it look like a choice.

I gave a small, submissive nod. “Okay. We’ll go to the palace.”

I let my gaze drop to his dark shirt before completing the sentence. “I will be your mate.”