Lycan Prince Matteo

Matte

“Your Highness,” Freya’s parents said in unison, bowing their heads before extending an invitation for Calvin and me to take a seat. “I will go get her,” Rica, her mom, announced, and I nodded, patiently awaiting her return. Why the need for a summons? Shouldn’t she have detected my scent? Uncertainty lingered; was this typical behavior for her? Did I hold no significance to her? It felt as if my enthusiasm for our union was one-sided.

Lucas, her father, remained silent, seated across from me. His sentiments regarding me becoming his daughter’s mate remained unclear. Any parent would desire someone like me for their daughter, so what set them apart? I sighed, mustered my resolve, and disclosed, “We will be returning to the palace in two days. I presume Freya informed you about us?” He nodded but offered no further comment. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps reached our ears. Glancing towards the staircase, I beheld my mate gazing at me as she descended with her mom.

Freya sat beside her father, and her mom sat next to her. I wished she would sit beside me, but I had to let it go, sensing she wouldn’t. This is challenging. I don’t know how I’m going to talk to my mate.

“His Highness mentioned they’re returning to the palace in two days,” Lucas stated, glancing at her. Then, she looked at me again. “You know what that means, right?” he added, and she nodded. Thank goodness she understands.

“But I’m not ready yet,” she said afterward, and I couldn’t help but growl. Calvin restrained me, warning against acting irrationally. Whose mate would willingly choose to live apart from each other? “I said, not yet. I’ll come with you, just not now,” she added.

“I didn’t like that,” I said with a stoic face. She knew she had me wrapped around her finger, so I had to stand up for what I wanted.

“Just not this time, Matteo,” she repeated.

“You know that’s not going to happen, Freya,” I replied, making it clear I wouldn’t leave without her.

“School is about to end, so I want to finish that before I join you,” she explained. I understand her; believe me. But I’m a Lycan, and there’s no way my beast will agree to that.

“Does your wolf want that?” I asked.

“I’ve already talked to her, and she’s willing to wait,” she answered. “And you?”

“Of course, that’s why I’m telling you this. I’ll follow you right after school ends.”

“Don’t you get it, Freya? My beast will never allow it. He wants you to come with us,” I told her, and she just stared at me, saying nothing. Then I saw her eyes dilate; she was now communicating with her wolf. I just hope she won’t agree to it.

“I need to stay a bit longer and finish this school year,” she said after a long silence, and I hated it. She’s stubborn, and I don’t know what to do with her. She does whatever she wants, and I already feel sorry for her parents, thinking about how many headaches they’ve had to endure because of her worries.

“You must not have understood, mate. I want you to come with me, and I’m not asking for your permission.”

“You can’t dictate what I do, Matteo. What about my studies? How am I going to continue what I’ve left here?” She asked repeatedly. Am I being selfish now? Most werewolves I see who meet their mates just mark and mate with each other, no more conditions or whatever.

“I anticipated my mate’s enthusiastic reaction upon discovering that I belonged to her. However, my reality starkly contradicted my expectations.

Freya refrained from displaying any exuberance; she chose to keep to herself the fact that she considered me hers, and I, in turn, was hers. Surprisingly, she even kissed another man, despite having found her true mate. What baffled me the most was her willingness to disregard the fact that she was mated to a Lycan prince, poised to become a king, and opt for a future with a chosen beta instead. Why was she behaving this way?

Now she insisted that I leave, allowing her to stay in the pack where the future alpha, beta, and gamma vied for her affection. I wasn’t foolish enough to comply. “I can’t leave you here alone. You know Joric wants you for himself, and I won’t let him get anywhere near you,” I asserted angrily.

“It’s not like I’ll let him have me,” she retorted.

“Yes, because you have your sights set on his future beta,” I replied.

“What? Are you crazy? Where did you get that idea?” she exclaimed, surprised. But there was no reason for her surprise; she knew exactly where.

“You’re asking me that now? Do you forget how I found out that you’re mine, or not?” I questioned. “You think it’s easy to forget?”

“What’s going on? What are you two talking about?” Lucas interjected. “Your Highness, with all due respect, I understand why my daughter hasn’t joined you yet. School is almost over, and it would be beneficial for her to finish before heading to the palace,” he explained, siding with his daughter. However, Freya seemed to conveniently omit the part where I caught her with Clay.

“If you were in my position, you wouldn’t agree with her either,” I retorted, narrating the incident to Lucas and Rica. They both scrutinized Freya, who kept her head down.

“I comprehend. This doesn’t excuse my daughter’s actions, but she’s been anxious since discovering she has no scent. Witnessing strong wolves reject their weaker mates, especially omegas, may have led her to doubt our bond. Because Clay was ready to accept her despite knowing her true nature, she felt overwhelmed,” Lucas explained sincerely.

“Dad,” my mate mumbled.

“Freya, I can’t find peace if you don’t come with me. You’re my mate and the future queen. Your life will be at risk if I leave you alone here,” I insisted.

“I’m in our pack; nothing will happen to me,” she countered.

“You don’t understand. Just by being my mate, many will try to kill you. Leaving you here alone will put you in danger. Anyone who wants you out of my life will do everything to get you. Once they do, they’ll have me as well.”

“I didn’t want to stop school,” she said in a hushed tone.

“I need to return to the palace, Freya. And I plan to take you with me. You’re intelligent, so making some adjustments to your studies will be manageable.” I assured her.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Dear, you understand how a mate bond operates, right? You can’t simply ask his highness to separate momentarily. It would be challenging for him and especially for you,” her mother chimed in, glancing at her daughter. “In a few weeks, you’ll experience your heat. Being alone with him, you never know what might happen next,” Rica added, and Freya nodded.

“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Collins,” I expressed my gratitude before turning to my mate, who still had her head down. “A truck will arrive tomorrow to collect her belongings, and she will be staying with me in the villa,” I added, and the three exchanged glances.

“Why?” Freya inquired.

“Why do you even need to ask? You know perfectly well why,” I replied, feeling annoyed.

“I was planning to join you in two days, so why should I leave for the villa now? I wanted to spend my remaining days with my parents,” she explained.

“Let’s not argue about this. I’ve already given you time to prepare and handle your affairs. You have to be with me from the moment I discovered you were mine,” I retorted with frustration.

“It’s okay, dear. You should go with him. He’s right. When I discovered your mom was my mate, I didn’t give her a chance to leave my side and brought her home with me,” Lucas said, smiling. “She has nothing to do but come with me now.”