Chapter 4: Rowan

Rowan's Pov   

The door slammed shut, the vibration heavy in my heart.

I wiped off the blood with the wipes from Lake.

“What a bit—” 

I shot Lake a glare, he paused half way, “your highness, how could you stand up for that omega that doesn't know her place” he grumbled. 

“It's fine. I hurt her too.” 

“She's just an omega, she had no right, you were even trying to save her. Not only did she not appreciate your good will, she had the guts to injure you.” 

“Enough Lake.” I growled.

Another wave of blood splurged out painting the floor red, 

My wolf bared its fangs, banging against the walls of my mind for its mate.

“Sorry buddy.” I whispered, even though I knew it couldn't hear me all the same.

“The curse.” he gasped, “it's getting worse.” He mumbled, stumbling back.

“Stop being such a crybaby” I snarled, “you're a beta, act like one.” 

“It must be because of that fat omega, sleeping with her must have made it to flare, she drugged and took your virginity, that must be why it flared. How could she do this to you” 

I groaned, “you're not helping matters Blake” I only called his full name when I needed to get his attention and stop him from spiraling. 

He sniffed, “Sorry my prince, I couldn't protect you, that's why she was able to get her claws on you.” 

“I'm fine.” I grunted out, my heart constricted, the black veins suppressed by the drawings on my hand expanded.

I could feel it stretch, slowly, I gnashed my teeth through the pain, it felt like needles, thousands of them piercing through my soul. 

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, dripping slowly on the couch. 

“Your highness” Lake's voice came out shaky. 

I shook my head, sometimes I had to wonder how he ended up as my beta. 

“If even a single tear slips from your eyes, I'll hang you upside down on the platform for a whole night” I threatened.

“Wow. And here I thought I was loved” he whined, but that seemed to do the trick.

“There are so many forms of love, this one is specially crafted for you.” I laughed, ignoring the fact that my mind felt like it was tearing itself apart. 

The pain subsided and stopped, I gazed down, as expected, the black veins had extended. 

I sighed, I needed to complete this marriage as soon as possible.

“This is bad, it's getting closer to your heart” Lake mumbled. 

“That's besides the point, what of the princess? Did you manage to  get through to her?” I asked, for some reason that dark blue eyes seemed stuck to my head.

To think she was actually ready to tear herself apart just to destroy the bond. I had wanted to show her some mercy, but it seems she didn't deserve the kindness. 

“No.” Lake shook his head, “if only we could get to her, everything would have been easier.” 

“It's fine. Let's go see the king”

Knock. 

Knock. 

Two rasps knocks sounded on the door, the knob turned and a trembling male stepped in,

“The king requests your presence.”

Right on cue, “you're dismissed. We will find our way,” 

He nodded and practically ran out, “Guess my reputation precedes me.” I joked. 

“Well, not everyone can stand in the presence of the prince of Valeria.” he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, “I'm not scary, they're only scared of the unknown” I shrugged. 

“Right, like you didn't slaughter many before you turned 15.” He nodded. 

“Fair point” 

“Good to know we're on the same page — hey, wait up” he chased after me, while I walked ahead, leaving him talking. 

“Alpha king” I bowed my head on entering the office, the air a mixture of lilac and seaweeds, a scent that permeated the entire palace. 

“Prince Rowan. Welcome” his warm smile radiated, he was buried in a stack of papers, the glasses at the tip of his nose weirdly out of place. 

“Oh, don't mind these” he took it off, folding it and placing them by his sides, “my baby girl got them for me and she said they look good for me. They're just aesthetics” he chuckled, pride shining on his face 

“You were right, he's totally whipped, wrapped around his daughter's fingers. We definitely should have met her,” his voice echoed through the mind link. 

“Its too late for that now.” I replied. 

“Hope you settled in well?” Something flashed past his eyes, too fast before I could catch what it was.

“Yes. The welcome was—” the red haired chubby omega with dark blue eyes flashed right through my mind, “Hospitable” I smacked my lips. 

“Good” he laughed aloud, “that's good. I'm glad you're settling in, you came to honor the engagement I see.”

“Yes.” I said stiffly,

“That's good. But you must know” his face hardened, the look in his eyes sparking some odd familiarity, 

“The final decision is up to my daughter. While I may pressure her to honor the engagement, I won't force her in the end. If she really insists then I'll have to resist.”

I nodded, father had predicted that he would say this, I stretched my arms towards Lake, he placed a scroll in my hand which I handed to him. 

“My father said to remind you of what is at stake”

He opened the scroll, his face stiffened, then his eyes narrowed, “you're threatening me.”

“No. Just a reminder of what is at stake, it benefits you too and your daughter most especially, as a hybrid she's better off as my Queen than a princess.” 

He sighed, pinching his brows, “have dinner with my family and I. We'll talk more after that.”

“Of course Alpha." I bowed and stood, “I hope this works out, for both our sakes." I walked out without waiting for his response. 

The day flew by in a blink of an eye and soon I found myself seated at a dining hall with the Alpha king while we waited for his precious daughter to come out of whatever existential crisis she was going through. 

“Your father would have had your head on a spike if you were even a minute later than him to the dining grounds” Lake grumbled.

I didn't complain, my eyes patiently fixed on the door.

The doors swung open, a figure walked, wearing nothing but jeans, a tank top that exposed the piercing on her belly button and a jacket over the top, her striking hair making my heart sink.

The tiara firmly on her head, established her status, beside her was an Identical male counterpart, her twin brother.

My jaw nearly dropped immediately, those familiar dark blue eyes fixed on me.

“Holy shit” Lake spat.

“What is he doing here?” She sneered.