Chapter 24 You Smell Sweet.

Chapter 24 You Smell Sweet.
Verona

To some people, his declaration would have been nothing short of a dream come true.

To me, however, it was anything but.

If my grandmother had known this was how everything would unfold, I was certain she never would have sent me here.

We might have been poor, but ours had been a peaceful life. The only battles we fought were for a roof over our heads and enough food to fill our stomachs.

Not... whatever kind of existence this man intended to drag me into.

“I'll give you more time to process everything. I am a patient man,” he said.

I shook my head, willing my racing thoughts to settle.

“I think that's enough for today. I'm quite famished,” I replied, rising from my seat.

He inclined his head before standing as well.

“I truly wish there were another way, but there is not,” he said, leaving no room for doubt. It was his silent way of telling me he had no intention of taking back a single word of what he had said.

Turning away, I made for the door, aware of his footsteps trailing behind me.

“And about what happened when you arrived,” I said as my hand reached for the handle, “I wasn't lying. My body simply refused to bow to you.”

The moment my fingers curled around the handle, warmth enveloped me.

His broad hand settled over mine.

Lowering his head, he leaned in until his lips hovered just beside my ear.

“Not that it mattered,” he murmured, his voice low and velvety. “After all, you're my mate... an exception.”

His warm breath ghosted over my ear, drawing an involuntary twitch from it.

He was actually flirting with me.

Knowing full well I was still upset with him.

Honestly, this Alpha King or whatever title he preferred, had an extraordinary talent for thinking only of himself.

His free arm slipped around my waist, drawing me gently against him.

“If I were not a man of restraint, I would find it impossible to restrain myself,” he murmured. “It pains me that your wolf has yet to awaken. Because I want you to suffer alongside me.”

His hold on my waist tightened ever so slightly.

Then he lowered his face, brushing his nose against the nape of my neck.

“You smell sweet,” he whispered.

Against my better judgment, my eyes fluttered shut as a wave of longing coursed through me.

I would have accused him of using magic, except I couldn't sense even the slightest trace of it.

It seemed my body was betraying me of its own accord.

“I can't wait to take you to my castle,” he said as he straightened. “If only your stubborn grandfather would agree.”

His words caught me completely off guard, and I hastily gathered my composure.

Thankfully, he couldn't see my face.

Because somewhere between his embrace and those whispered words, I'd completely forgotten why I had been angry with him in the first place.

“I have to stand by my grandfather,” I said after he released my hand, allowing me to open the door.

“So do I,” he replied. “For now, it's what is best for you.”

We walked side by side through the long hallway.

“It has been a very long time since I last walked these halls,” he said quietly.

I tilted my head to look at the towering man beside me.

His gaze remained fixed ahead, every trace of emotion stripped from his features, as though his thoughts had wandered to a time long past.

For the first time, it truly sank in.

I was mated to someone unimaginably old.

Because it was the truth.

A man who had lived for seven hundred and sixty years could only be described as ancient.

I released a quiet sigh.

We walked in silence until we reached the grand double doors leading to the parlor. The guards stationed on either side immediately dipped into deep bows.

The reverence they held for their ruler was unmistakable. Even as they straightened, I caught the subtle admiration lingering in their eyes whenever they looked at him.

Nor did I miss the delicate flush that bloomed across the guards cheeks before the doors were pulled open.

I supposed his curse was at work.

And now that my mind had settled, I was beginning to notice it.

The doors swung open, and we stepped inside.

Obed stood beside Evan turning their backs to us, while the woman called Ina occupied one of the couches.

The moment we entered, her gaze settled on us.

No... on me.

If she could have killed me where I stood, she would have. The murderous glare fixed upon me left little room for doubt.

It was the very same look she had worn the moment she discovered I was Soren's mate, and also the one she gave me when they arrived.

I supposed she was one of those who wished me dead.

She rose gracefully to her feet while Evan and Obed turned to face us as we approached.

"You both took quite a while," she remarked, taking a step toward us.

For reasons I couldn't explain, I disliked the fact that she was coming closer.

Almost as though he had sensed my discomfort, Soren lifted a hand, silently ordering her to stop.

She froze instantly, a soft gasp escaping her lips.

"Know your place," he commanded, his voice low, deep, and laced with unquestionable authority.

She didn't utter another word.

Only then did I realize something.

Whenever Soren spoke to me in private, his voice was different.

Softer.

Gentler.

Almost... patient.

But before everyone else, he sounded every bit the Alpha King he was, commanding, formidable, and utterly impossible to defy.

“I mean no harm in coming closer,” she said, offering him a warm smile.

“I find that difficult to believe,” Soren replied evenly. “Not when you were looking at my mate the way you were.”

I couldn't see the expression on his face. He had stepped in front of me.

But judging by her reaction and the subtle smile playing on Obed's lips as he stood by in silence, I knew his expression had been nothing short of intimidating.

“Forgive me, Alpha King,” she said, her features falling with hurt at his reprimand.

And deep down...I was thoroughly satisfied.

Because I still remembered the moment they had arrived and the way she had clung to him.

It had irritated me far more than I cared to admit.