What has gotten into Emma? Why was she behaving so strangely? If only she knew how I craved her—how I suffered night after night because I couldn't claim her as mine. Then all of a sudden, she's offering herself to me, letting me see her body…
Raymond tried to push the thoughts away from his mind when a knock sounded on his door.
"Come in, Derick," he said.
Derick had a unique knocking style, and each pattern indicated something. Today, he knocked five times in a slow-rapid beat, like an Easter Bunny trying to dig up the ground.
Derick entered and bowed to Raymond.
"You come bearing good news, don't you?"
"Yes, Alpha Raymond. Your parents are arriving sooner than expected."
"Oh wow, that's nice. When will they be here?"
"Today, Alpha."
"Oh wow, that's too sudden. Get everyone ready to welcome Their Majesties."
"Yes, Alpha."
Derick hesitated, remaining in place.
"Is there a problem?" Raymond asked.
"Not really. It's just that… that girl is disrespectful."
"You mean my Luna, Derick? My mate?"
"I'm sorry." Derick apologized. "It's just that your Luna seems—" He trailed off when Raymond gave him a look.
"I'll go get everything ready for their arrival, Alpha," Derick said, bowing before leaving.
Raymond thought for a moment before deciding to take a shower. As the warm water cascaded over him, his thoughts kept circling back to Emma—her words, her actions. He was eager to announce to his parents and the Council of Elders that he had found his mate. That would put an end to his parents' constant attempts to find a mate for him. Every attempt had failed, as no woman wanted to be bonded to him—not with his psychotic mental abilities and intense desires.
What is she doing now? he wondered. Is she dressed? Is she looking for me?
Raymond smirked at the thought, realizing he had lingered in the shower longer than usual. He quickly dried off and got dressed.
***
"Alpha Raymond, there you are!"
"I heard the trumpets, but the knock was unusual. Did something happen?" Raymond asked as Derick returned.
"I don't know whether to call this bad news or good news, but… your parents are arriving with a lady for you."
"A what?" he said, his voice sharp.
Had he not already found his mate, this news might have intrigued him. But now, it only confused him. Who was this woman willing to be mated to a beast like him?
Wait… was she forced? No, that couldn't be. His parents knew the rule—his mate had to accept the bond of her own free will.
Raymond sighed. "Are you sure about this, Derick?"
"Yes, my lord. I'm certain. Would you like me to prepare the chariots so you can welcome them?"
"No, Derick. Let them come."
"Oh, alright, Alpha. If there's nothing else, may I take my leave?"
"Wait."
Derick stopped midway.
"I want you to conduct a private investigation on that girl."
Derick stood frozen in place, as if uncertain.
"Which girl, Alpha?"
"The one we were just talking about."
"Oh! Alright. I'll look into it."
Raymond watched him leave, frowning slightly. Derick seems to be forgetting things a lot lately.
Raymond's jaw clenched. Why are they finding me a mate now—right when I've found Emma?
He could only hope this wasn't the curse trying to manifest.
***
"Alpha Raymond, Their Majesties have arrived," a guard announced.
"Where's Derick?"
"He's out with them."
"Alright, let's go," Raymond said as he strode toward the palace entrance.
His parents stood at the entrance, regal and powerful as always.
"Welcome, Mother. Welcome, Father," Raymond greeted with a deep bow.
"May you be blessed," his father said.
"Come here, son. I've missed you," his mother, Queen Olivia, said as she pulled him into a warm embrace.
Raymond's gaze shifted to the unfamiliar woman standing behind them. She was veiled, her features completely hidden.
"And who is this?" he asked, feigning ignorance despite already knowing the answer.
"Son, we've had a long and tiring journey. Let's get some rest first—we'll discuss this later," his father, King Armstrong said.
"Okay," Raymond responded, turning to his mother.
"Mum, I've missed you. Come, let's go inside. I had all your favorite meals prepared."
"Oh, aren't you a thoughtful son?" Olivia smiled warmly as he led her inside.
The palace maids and servants bowed as they passed before returning to their duties.
"Breakfast will be served in thirty minutes!" the head cook announced.
"Your Majesties, your royal bath is ready," a servant informed his parents, and they disappeared into their chambers.
Raymond lingered behind as he saw Edina, the head palace maid, speaking with the veiled woman. He wasn't sure why, but curiosity kept him rooted in place.
"Greetings, my lady. Welcome to Luxia Dynasty," Edina said respectfully.
The veiled woman's response was too quiet for Raymond to hear, but Edina quickly led her away.
Why is she veiled? Raymond wondered. Is she that ugly?
He chuckled to himself. "Well, I'll find out soon enough."
Raymond paced in his chamber, torn between two decisions—how to tell his parents that he had already found his mate and Luna-to-be and how to convince them to send that mysterious woman back home.
But returning a mate was nearly impossible. It would ruin both families' reputations—especially his own. The rejected woman would likely never marry again, and his family would bear the shame of the failed match.
What do I do now?
Frustration mounted as he continued pacing.
"Derick, where are you? Come here immediately," he mind-linked his Beta.
Derick arrived swiftly, bowing. "Alpha Raymond, you called for me?"
"Yes, have a seat."
Derick obeyed as Raymond resumed pacing.
"What should I do?"
"Alpha Raymond, I'm not in a position to advise you. But I trust that whatever decision you make will be the best one."
Raymond scowled. "Derick, if you were in my position, what would you do?"
"I… I can't be in your position, Alpha."
"Please, Derick, help me out, I—"
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Raymond called out.
"Alpha Raymond, His Majesty summons you for breakfast," a servant announced.
"Alright, I'll be down in a minute."
Raymond and Derick left his chamber and made their way to the dining hall. The rich aroma of food filled the air, making Raymond even hungrier.
Inside, the table was laden with delicacies. His mother, Olivia, sat beside the king, as always. The Council of Elders and the veiled woman were also present.
But something was off.
Emma was missing.
Raymond's expression darkened just as the palace maids he had assigned to dress Emma rushed toward him.
"Your Majesties," they greeted his parents and the Council before turning to him in alarm.
"Alpha, we have a problem."
Raymond's eyes narrowed. "What happened?"
"Alpha, your Luna—"
A deep voice interrupted.
"What Luna are you talking about?" Raymond's father spoke as he noticed their expressions.
The room fell silent.