Elijah placed his big hand on the small of my back and nodded to the guards. The door opened, and we walked in. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and I froze from all the stares. Elijah nudged me forward, and we walked. Everyone parted ways for us like the Red Sea, bowing down for their king in the process. You could tell that they were hesitant to bow because I was with him. Why would Alphas of great packs bow to me, a nobody?

I saw some glaring at me while others were surprised to see their King. There were a few murmurs going around, but I could hear them.

"It's him!"

"Who's she?"

"He's hot."

We walked around as Elijah greeted the Alphas. Some Alphas went straight into business mode, asking for permission to expand their pack land and other business matters that I had no interest in. I still couldn't believe that the king wanted me. What would become of me? I knew from the moment I laid eyes on him that my life would change and I would never be the same.

I looked around curiously; my eyes landed on Andrew and Natasha who were clinging to him like a second skin and glaring at me. I rolled my eyes and looked elsewhere. Then a thought came to me.

Where the heck is my family? I really hope they didn't leave without me, or I swear to the goddess I'll—

"Lady Celeste?" A voice said. I turned to see an older-looking man smiling at me.

"Yes..."

"I said it was a pleasure meeting you."

"Yes, me too," I replied sheepishly.

He smiled and then turned to the King. "See you soon, Elijah."

"Who's he?" I asked Elijah as he took a glass of wine from a maid.

"My uncle, Eros Black."

I gasped. "You mean the Eros Black? Alpha of the Blackwood pack?"

He chuckled. "Yes, that's him."

Eros Black was known in his youth days; he fought with the Alpha King before Elijah against the rogues. It was a bloody battle between thousands of lycans, and it happened thirty years ago. I wished that I had actually paid attention to their conversation.

The party came to an end, and Elijah escorted me outside the palace. The air was chilly, and I wrapped my hands around myself to keep warm, which Elijah noticed. He took off his suit coat and placed it on my shoulders.

We reached where Simone's car was parked, and I saw that they were already seated in the car.

I cleared my throat and faced him. Unexpectedly, he pulled me in for a hug. My face was pressed against his chest, and my hands were on his strong abs. My wolf thought about just taking a peek, lifting his white shirt that was tucked into his pants, and seeing the roll of abs he had.

My cheeks turned red, and I probably looked like a tomato. "See you soon, Celeste," he said as he let go of me.

"Y-yeah," I replied, looking elsewhere. I quickly got into the car and waved at him through the window as Simone started the car. He put his hand in his pants pocket and then nodded at me. I watched as he became smaller and smaller as Simone drove away.

"Now, tell us what happened!" Josephine urged.

"Nothing happened," I told her with a shrug.

"But we saw you... He even hugged you, Celeste."

"We're just friends," I lied.

I don't know why, but I felt like I shouldn't tell anyone yet. I wanted to keep it a secret until I was sure that the king really wanted me. Honestly, I was undeniably attracted to him... Who wouldn't be? With his thick brown hair that looked silky, sharp jaw, broad shoulders, height, and his beautifully toned body.

We got home, and my parents asked me questions about Elijah and me, and I told them what I told Josephine.

"We're just friends."

***

I spent the next couple of days mostly indoors because whenever I went out for a stroll or a run, pack members would come to me asking about the king and my friendship. Rumors had spread about what happened at the ball and how I kept the king company.

Some would call me names... The King's whore, slut, clout chaser, but honestly, I didn't care. While others—especially females—tried making friends with me, including Natasha.

I called Anna and told her about my time here. I told her about everything, excluding us being lycans. She's human, and for her safety and sanity, I can't tell her about the Lycan race.

It had been a week now, and I was packing the few clothes I had brought with me into my suitcase. Elijah's coat was lying on my bed, and I picked it up, inhaling his delicious scent. I smiled to myself, then placed it in my bag and zipped it up. My family was waiting for me downstairs. I hugged everyone goodbye, then Simone drove me to the airport. We reached the airport, and I hugged my brother.

"I want you to be careful, Celeste," he said.

"I will," I mumbled.

*********

It had been two months since I arrived back in New York City, since I last saw the king, since he told me he would see me soon. I scoffed. How stupid it was of me to believe him.

It was 8 pm, and I was currently sitting at a cafe eating dinner after long hours of lectures. After I was done, I walked through the silent park, trying to get to my dorm quickly. Someone grabbed my hand, and from the tingling, I knew who it was. I yanked my hand and turned around to face him.

"What are you doing here?" I gritted out, looking around to see if anyone else was around. He ignored my question and stepped closer to me.

"How are you?"

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. "I've been... okay," I said, not knowing what to say to him. After my answer, there was silence again.

"I miss you, Celeste. I know I hurt you, but we can work this out. I want you back... as my mate, my real mate."

His words completely threw me off guard. I looked at his face for any sign of humor, but there wasn't. He looked dead serious.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you back." He grabbed my hand again, and I looked at our intertwined fingers, then back at his face, but didn't say anything. "I've missed you, and I am sorry."

I pulled my hand back and moved it behind me when he tried to grab it again. I scoffed at his pitiful yet stupid words.

"I do not know what games you're trying to play, Andrew, but I am not falling for it," I said to him as I pulled my bag handle back onto my shoulder as it kept shifting.

"You have Natasha; she's your Luna. I and my wolf want nothing to do with you again."

"I know, and even with that, we can still work things out. I love you."

I shook my head and yelled, "Do not give me that bullshit!"

"I'm serious, Celeste. I love you. So fucking much."

I'd had enough of his bullshit. "Stay the heck

away from me, Andrew." And with that, I turned away from him.

He forcefully grabbed my hand again. "Do you feel that, huh? Do you feel the tingles? It's there because we're mates, and you're mine, Celeste, mine."

"Let go," I struggled, trying to yank my hand out of his grip, which he only tightened. "I said let go, damn it. You're hurting me!"

"Not until you take me back."

I struggled harder. "Never."

He immediately pulled me closer, grabbed the nape of my neck, and slammed his lips onto mine. I was absolutely disgusted. I tried pushing him away, but he only growled and pushed our lips closer.

Suddenly, his grip on me released, and he was flung backward, and I gasped for air.

"Never force yourself on a woman, Alpha Andrew. It's disrespectful."

That voice.

"Stay out of this. She's my mate, and I want her back!" Andrew screamed at Elijah's face.

"Back off, Andrew," I hissed, wanting this to come to an end.

"You'll be mine soon, Celeste," he looked me dead in the eye, then glared at the King before walking away.

"I'll make sure he loses his Alpha title," Elijah commented beside me. I turned to look at him. "Please don't... I don't want you to do that."

He cupped my cheeks tenderly, then asked me, "Why? Do you still have feelings for him?"

"No, I never once had feelings for him, Elijah."

He sighed, then nodded his head. "I will respect your wish, but next time he dares to try to hurt you," he said, his eyes growing dark, "I'll have his head hanging on a spike."