The Bear Kings Bride

I watched as the blood trickled down my mate Ashton’s face. He was being held up by Kings Guards. He was beaten and nearly dead. “Why Father? What is the meaning of this?” I asked, my voice trembling. My father was the Wolf King and everything he did had a reason. But what had I, his only daughter done to deserve this? “He can’t heal like we can! He’ll die from these injuries.” I screamed at him. My father sat in his thrown high above the court where I stood. “Did you really think I’d let you mate with that human halfling scum?” He said laughing to himself. “Stand him up. The mutt has something to say to the Princess.” Said my father. The guards lifted him to his feet as the king commanded. It broke my heart to see him in such pain as he held himself up. He cleared his throat and looked me dead in the eye. Tears streaming down his face. “I. Ashton, a bastard with no name. Here by reject Ella Thorn, Princess of Alpha Rock.” The last word left his lips and he fell to the ground. The world seemed to be spinning around me. The pain in my chest was making it hard to breathe. I reached for my chest pulling at my dress stumbling backwards, a guard caught me by the arm and steadied me. Tears streamed down my face. I looked up to my father, there was no trace of remorse on his face. “I am done watching you do as you please. Guards escort Ella to her room and inform the maids to pack her winter garments. She leaves at dawn.” The guard grabbed ahold of me, lifting me from the ground. I thrashed and kicked, trying to get free. “Why are you doing this? Where are you sending me?” I screamed as they carried me out of the thrown room. I was locked in my room for the night. I threw myself into the door trying to free it from the locks. I did it over and over, till my shoulder was throbbing and it was all I could do stand. My efforts were no use the door was solid oak. I laid against it, my chest was heavy and full of pain. I hadn’t even the chance to get to know Ashton. I’d found out only a few nights ago on my eighteenth birthday that he was my fated. When father realized he locked him away. I hadn’t seen him since. I took a shaky deep breath and willed myself to stand. Everything was aching. My body was ridding itself of any connection to Ashton it had. From this point forward the pull he had over me would dwindle away. My father was making sure of it too by sending me away. The farther I was from Ashton the faster I’d be rid of his connection. I stumbled to my bed and crawled my way into it. Even the soft blankets beneath me weren’t enough to sooth the pain running through me. I let the dizziness take control and fell into the darkness. Pounding on my bedroom door woke me. I opened my eyes to a darkroom. The sun hadn’t come up yet and my head was thankful for it, it was throbbing. “Who is it?” I asked as I rolled my legs over the side of the bed, sitting up and stretching. A few maids entered. They were wearing the colors green and black. Clan colors I recognize but couldn’t name. “I don’t know who you are but I’m not going anywhere.” The maids looked to each other and then back to me. One of them spoke up. “Princess we have orders to prepare you for the wedding.” I looked at them confused. What in the three kingdoms was she talking about. “Who’s wedding?” I asked. The Maid laughed at me. I stared blankly at them. “Oh, you aren’t joking. Princess it’s yours.” Said one of the maids. My entire body started trembling. I knew my father sending me away was to good to be true. He always made sure his punishments were to the extreme. “On who’s orders?” I asked knowing the answer already. “The Wolf Kings.” She said. I stood from my bed. He’d hated me ever since I was born. After all, my existence took my mother from him. Dawn was her name, she was his second wife. She had become pregnant after the honeymoon and died during labor. I was an exact replica of her and my father hated me for it. She was his fated. “Who is the groom?” I asked my voice shaking. The maids looked to each other, ignored my question, and started undressing me. I took a deep breath, a tear ran down my face. All I ever wanted was what I never had. A loving family. I wanted to find my mate, have his children, and raise them to love each other. Like true brothers and sisters. It was something I never got to experience, my brothers where all much older then I. The youngest was already fifteen when I was born. And they all carried hatred for me. After all in their eyes my mother was a home wrecker. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my face. I needed to accept the facts, I was marrying a man I didn’t know. I stood there staring at myself in the mirror. They zipped me up into a long, thick, white dress, they draped white furs over my shoulders, and slid a pair of white heels on my feet. My long curly black hair was pulled back, braided away from my face to show my pale skin and rose cheeks. “What do you think princess?” The maid asked. I was speechless. I waited all my life for the day I’d get married. I just always thought it would be my choice. “It’s beautiful.” I said bluntly, turning away from the mirror. A gentle knock hit the door. “Princess? It’s time.” A man’s deep voice rang through. The door opened and familiar older man stood in the doorway. a part of me recognized him, but I couldn’t name him. His hair was silver, he had a long beard and he was dressed in a black tux adorned with a green tie. He held his hand out to me. “We mustn’t keep the king waiting.” He said. His smile was ear to ear but I could see the sadness in his old eyes. I took his hand, forcing a smile. We started walking down the long corridor headed in the direction of the thrown room. The silence was starting to get awkward. The strange man cleared his throat. “Ahem, ah you look beautiful in that dress.” He said. I kind of laughed to myself, was this man for real. “Sir, Im sure your aware that this is all against my will. I’d care less for the unnecessary small talk.” I said pointedly. He looked at me like a deer in headlights. To my surprise he started laughing. “My boys going to have his hands full with you.” He said. “I’m marrying your son?” I asked and again it surprised him. “You don’t know who your marrying?” He asked. I started laughing and shook my head. I guess he didn’t know as much as I thought. “No, my father. The King likes to keep me on my toes. I didn’t know of this wedding until hours ago.” I said. He starred at me surprised. We walked in silence for a few minutes. I could tell by his face he was thinking his nexts words over very carefully. “My son is very stubborn. He’s dominate and set in his ways. Pushing him will only get you hurt. Just do as your told and you’ll have a happy life.” He said bluntly. “Who is your son?” I asked. Who was this mysterious man? What exactly was i getting myself into. He just smiled at me. “We’re here.” He said. Some how he’d led me straight to the thrown room without me realizing. “It was a pleasure talking to you. Remember what I said.” He knocked gently on the door. They started to open. “Wait, what is your name?” I asked. “Henry.” He said before walking out of view. The doors opened and wedding music started playing, my father stood in the open door way. He held his arms out to me. He was smiling for the people not me. He’d never smiled for me. I took his arm and he pulled me close. “You look stunning, my daughter.” Said my father. “Thank you. Brilliant choice on the dress by the way.” I gritted through closed teeth. Everyone was listening, super hearing and all. You never wanted to insult the king in public, he’s known for being rather malicious. “Oh it wasn’t me, rather my associates.” He said. Only a few feet from the alter and I was shaking. I couldn’t see who it was, just his back. He was huge, definitely nearing seven feet. His shoulders where broad and his body was definitely fit in every department. His golden brown hair was mid length and swept back behind his ears. I could see a low cut beard meaning he was older, just how much older was the question. “Don’t screw this up.” He whispered into my ear as we stepped up to the alter. The mysterious giant of a man turned to look at me. His emerald eyes seemed to roam my entire body. I was short and plump. A sly smile crossed his lips when his eyes reached my hips. He locked eyes with me and I realized I’d met him before. Benjamin Cross, the king of all bears. One of the most powerful and feared men in the world. The last time I saw him I was twelve, it was at his coronation. Before that we’d been friends. He was six years older then I was. But we had the loss of our mothers in common so we got along for the most part. At the time of his Coronation every women in the three kingdoms was talking about how he was without a queen. But His popularity dwindled down after many of there attempts to be his bride failed. My father handed me over to Ben. He placed my hand in Bens and stepped back. Bens hand was huge compared to mine. His touch was warm and gentle. His thumb stroked the stop of my hand. It startled me, I looked up to him and our eyes met. He was staring at me like I was a doll that would break if he was to rough. The priest started talking, going through the ceremony. I was half listening to what he was saying. But for the most part I was entranced in Bens eyes. “I do.” Said Ben. I looked to the priest. “Ella Thorn, Princess of Alpha Rock. Do you take this man to be your husband and mate. Till death do you part?” I looked to Ben. Then to my father. Could I do this? Really marry this man? I looked back at Ben. He was pleading with his eyes. Asking me to say yes. I took a deep breathe. “I do.” The priest clasped his hands together and said. “You may kiss the bride.” Ben turned to me his eyes asking me permission. I took a deep breath and nodded. I wasn’t sure what had come over me. I just wanted to please him. He placed his hand on my hip pulling me close. His other hand tilted my chin upward. He leaned down for the kiss and I met him half way. My eyes fluttered shut as the kiss deepened. His hands found the small of my back and he pulled me into his chest. My hands started roaming his hair. We pulled apart gasping for air. Everyone in the thrown room was cheering, happy for are union. His lips parting mine left me wanting more. Of what I wasn’t sure. But something in me needed it. Bens eyes were dark and he was trying to control himself. The music started playing, people started to mingle and forget about us for a moment. “Do you remember me?” He asked. I was still in twined in his arms. His thumb was stroking my cheek. He was staring down into my eyes. “Of course I do.” I said.