Chapter 8 It's just us.
"No, I don't want to hear!" he replies, nervously running a hand over his face.
"I think it's much better if you hear it from me," I say, and he stares at me anxiously.
I have to hold back a laugh, since it seemed like Conrad was about to hear the news about the death of someone dear. Well, at least we had something in common; neither of us liked that subject.
"I've had a mate." His eyes widen.
"What?" Conrad finally speaks louder, completely incredulous.
"I don't know how that's possible, but I've had a mate bond with another wolf," I try to explain calmly.
His initial reaction is complete shock. His mouth is open and that expression of disbelief. His body stiffens, his shoulders tense, and his eyebrows arched.
Conrad huffs and starts pacing back and forth. Completely dissatisfied. I shrink back, unsure of his final reaction. Would he hate me? Would he be angry? Because that's what his expression of displeasure showed.
"Is he dead?" he asks, staring seriously at the floor, as if the floor were to blame for everything.
"No," I reply softly.
"Damn it! Well, he will be soon!" Conrad starts pacing back and forth again, huffing with anger.
Conrad stops abruptly and looks at me, now seeming full of doubt. He starts walking towards me and crawls to me, covering me with his body again.
"By the Goddess, promise you will choose me." His tone is pleading, and I look at him confused. "I can't live without you, Maya. I'd rather die!"
His gaze reflects agony and suffering. That deeply affects me. His fear of losing the bond. His look of agony was exactly the same as mine when I was coldly rejected. This makes me put my hand on his face and caress his beard. I wanted to show my affection and that I was involved in the bond just like him.
"Don't talk like that," I ask, pulling him into a slow kiss. "I can't live without you either."
His expression changes to relief and Conrad kisses me again. I smile between kisses and soon our foreheads are pressed together.
"There's more," I say, seeing his displeased expression.
"Okay," he replies with a sigh and sits on the bed, then pulls me onto his lap.
I wrap my arms around his neck and sigh too, gathering courage.
"He's alive and..." Conrad grimaces, making me smile. "Don't worry, the bond has already been broken," I explain.
I thought I would see an expression of relief or joy. But, in fact, his face is full of doubt.
"Broken?" he asks, confused.
"He's the alpha of my pack. He didn't want to stay with me for obvious reasons. Right after kissing me, he broke the bond." I explain and swallow hard.
The memory of the broken bond no longer hurt me, which was a great surprise. That pain that tore me apart inside and made me groan in agony was gone. But the cruel way I was treated still left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Does it still hurt, my love?" That question makes me look immediately into Conrad's eyes.
I thought he would be angry at the information, but in fact there was concern in his gaze. The king thought I still cared about this bond from the past. I give him a small smile and caress him again.
"It's as if it never existed." I tell the truth and see relief on his face. "You are my true mate. You, and only you, possess my whole soul." I declare the truth that was already etched in my heart.
Conrad kisses me, this time with great desire. We explore each other again, strengthened by our last conversation. The certainty that there was nothing between us. Nobody. Not even an arranged marriage. Or a bond of an old companion.
It was just the two of us. There was no more room for anything. But soon a knock echoes in the room, making us stop kissing. Conrad huffs in a bad mood and I smile at his expression of discontent. He walks to the door, assuming his regal posture. Even his gait changes. As he opens the door, I see one of Conrad's soldiers in the distance. The one who stayed behind to protect me from the attack and whom I treacherously left behind.
"A new attack has just been registered, Your Majesty." The man speaks with his extremely straight posture and serious expression.
I see Conrad's shoulders tense. Another attack? Similar to the one we just faced?
"Wait for me." Conrad says to the man and walks quickly towards me. "I didn't want to have to leave you alone now, but I need to resolve this."
I give him a calm smile and place a quick kiss on his lips.
"Don't worry about me." I try to comfort his worried gaze. "I'll be waiting for you." I assure him, and I see him become more relaxed.
Conrad kisses my forehead affectionately and leaves the room. I take a deep breath, already feeling the weight of his absence. Whenever he distanced himself from me, would I feel like this? I still wasn't used to being dependent. It was the first time I had someone by my side. And that feeling was strange. Uncontrollably strong.
Again I hear knocking on the door and I stare at it confused. It wasn't Conrad, since I couldn't smell him. The doubt of whether I should open it or not began to torment me. What if it was someone else telling me that this wasn't my place?
I already felt like a fish on Mars. I didn't need confirmation of that from people I barely knew. But the person on the other side was insistent. I get up and walk reluctantly. When I open the door, I'm immediately startled.
There were several housemaids. They were carrying hangers full of clothes and several boxes. I stare at it confused.
"The King asked us to help you with your new clothes, Your Majesty," the maid closest to me explains.
She bows, leaving me in shock. Your Majesty? Robes?