Chapter 16
Freya
“I’ll get it. Witnessing the shock on my parents’ faces, I sensed the impending hurt, knowing they’d be pained by discovering this way. Why does Matteo have to take this step? I understand; it’s because of that troublesome Joric, who insisted on proclaiming me as his.
Returning home that night, it was when Matteo learned about our connection. I couldn’t find the words to tell my parents about us. The prospect of explaining was daunting, and I didn’t want to frighten them. I mean, becoming the mate of a prince wasn’t something we anticipated. I was perfectly fine with either Clay or Alec, but the moon goddess had different plans, giving me a prince and a future king.
“We all know who emerged as the champion in this tournament. Tomorrow, there will be a celebration marking its end, with prizes for the champion and a few consolation prizes courtesy of the palace,” my mate announced after declaring me as his.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Beta Jack replied with a smile. “The omegas have been preparing for it since yesterday as well,” he added.
“Clay and Joric,” he called, and they both approached, heads down. I could sense Joric’s eyes on me. “Congratulations to both of you for showing strength. I urge you to grow and consider the well-being of your pack and its members. As future leaders, work together so that what Daniel and Jack have endured and accomplished will not be in vain,” he added.”
Matteo is undoubtedly fit to be a king. Despite the past events, he remained committed to bestowing Joric with his title and reminding him of his responsibilities. “Your mates will come; I’m sure of it. I waited for nearly a hundred years and finally found mine,” he stated, glancing at me with a smile. I remained silent, still preoccupied with thoughts of my parents.
“Your mates don’t need to be strong or powerful. She only needs to be your fated mate,” he continued. Both nodded, and I hoped they grasped the significance of his words. I wasn’t sure about Joric, but I hoped he did.
After his brief speech, he escorted me back to the villa. Despite our time alone, he never attempted to mate or mark me, leaving me puzzled. Was there something wrong with me? He claimed to want me, so why wasn’t he marking or claiming me?
“Freya, is there a problem?” he inquired.
“No, nothing,” I replied, shaking my head. “I was just thinking about Mom and Dad. They discovered you that way, and I sensed they were hurt,” I explained.
“You haven’t told them yet?” he asked, appearing hurt. “I thought you informed them about us the night I saw you kissing Clay,” he added.
“I didn’t get the chance. I was feeling lightheaded, thinking about you, so I forgot. When I had the opportunity, I worried it might scare them, so I waited for the right timing,” I confessed, only to hear him growl. I looked at him, momentarily frightened. I didn’t think he would harm me, but still,
“Waiting? What’s wrong with me, Freya? First, you didn’t tell me we’re mates. Second, you kissed Clay and were ready to accept him. And now this? What am I to you? Don’t I matter to you at all?”
“What are you saying? It wasn’t like that.”
“Then tell me why it was so difficult for you to announce to everyone that you are mine and I am yours,” he shouted. His lycan had surfaced, and I sensed he was more agitated than Matteo. He’s a beast wanting everything according to his will.
“It wasn’t difficult!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t imply it was challenging; all I meant was that I wanted to inform them at a time when they wouldn’t have to worry about me. I want to reassure them that they are accepting of me. Since they took me in, they’ve been concerned about me, and I didn’t want the news of my mating to you to become an additional source of worry for them,” I continued. “I understand that they won’t leave the pack to accompany me when you take me with you,” I added, observing him freeze for a moment.
He remained silent, and not wanting to engage in conversation with him, I stated, “I am going home,” then turned my back and left the villa. I’m confident that Mom and Dad will return home, and now is the time for me to share the news of my mate with them. As I walked back, I sensed someone following me. It must be one of Matteo’s warriors, so I kept walking until I reached home.
Mom and Dad were seated in the living room, likely discussing why I hadn’t informed them about him. I sighed, sat on the couch in front of them, and lowered my head, feeling remorseful.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Certainly! Here’s a proofread and slightly rephrased version:
“Why didn’t you inform us about the prince?” Mom broke the silence and inquired.
“I was concerned that you would worry about me. You know, he couldn’t scent me, and you witnessed him with another female Lycan,” I explained.
“We sensed that you had been hurt and had gone through a lot of pain the moment they arrived,” Dad said, and I nodded. “And we weren’t there for you to at least take care of you when that happened.”
“Don’t you trust us?” Mom asked, hurt.
“Of course, I trust you!” I exclaimed, “It’s because I trust you so much that I knew you would be hurt as well, and I didn’t want that to happen. You wouldn’t be able to fulfill your pack duties, and I was afraid it might inconvenience you since we couldn’t reveal that the prince is my mate,” I added.
“Why didn’t you just tell him?” Dad asked, understanding that it might have been easier if I had just told them the truth. But I knew it was easier said than done.
“I was worried he would never believe me,” I replied, still looking down. I felt them sitting beside me.
“We understand, dear; we’re sorry we forgot about your condition,” Dad said, and they both hugged me. I felt the love of a parent, sighing in relief because I knew they had already forgiven me.
“Wait, how did he find out about you being his mate?” Mom asked, confused. I recounted the events, and they both pondered.
“You must keep your head down all the time when you talk to him,” Dad said.
“Yes, because Pi wanted to jump at him and, you know, claim him. I was afraid he would deny me if I did that.”
“He found out because you look into each other’s eyes,” Dad said, redirecting my attention to him. He explained how another mated couple discovered their connection. I recalled Matteo asking me why I always had my head down or disrespecting him once when he talked to me on the first day of the tournament.”
“Now that clarity has dawned upon me, the uncertainty of what lies ahead is unsettling. I am confident that when he eventually chooses to depart from the pack and return to the palace, he will take me along. The question lingering in my mind is whether the King will embrace me as the future queen. Being a wolf without a distinct scent, they may assume I lack a wolf’s essence. I suppose I must rely on my mate’s assurance in this matter, don’t you think?”