Her Forever
(Book 3)- Chapter 11

Orion’s POV

Being able to publicly claim Willa, my destiny, was a freeing and joyous occasion. Most of the crowd was happy at the occasion that their new ally will soon have a queen, and one that was so close knit with the werewolf community. The extra ties to the werewolves was always a plus.

My thoughts of Willa being much more docile and accepting in the beginning as I led her to the dance floor proved to be completely wrong as I felt her aura shift quickly from confused and concerned to angry and hurt. As soon as I asked my darling what was wrong, she instantly pushed me away. I’m no mind reader, but it seems to be that she took what Eamon said to heart, that was the only thing that quirked her in our first few moments of meeting.

“Let me go, you barbarian!” I had just secured my mate over my shoulder, something that werewolves liked to do and earned an instant gratification from the crowd. I smirked as she kept squirming above my shoulder. Several she-wolves looked on in jealousy, if only my mate could comply so willingly, however I was told from the beginning I was to have a difficult and stubborn mate.

Several of Willa’s friends made crude gestures of mating rituals which only caused her to still and her whole body heat up in embarrassment. My entourage only laughed and jeered at each other as we took her back to our sleeping quarters.

“Where are you taking me!?” She screamed into my back.

“To our room darling,” I replied sweetly.

“You will do no such thing!” Her arms began to push off against my shoulders and I gave her a swat to her arse. Hearing her gasp gave me a slight satisfaction as the guards covered their mouths and snickered.

Willa remained quiet as we came up on the royal cabin, we filtered into the main living space and I turned to my men. “Go get some fruit and cheese and bring it to our room,” without haste, I walked up the stairs while Willa huffed and growled lowly behind me. We entered the large space and I gently sat her down on the love seat. Giving her a smile, she crossed her arms in frustration while I poured us some honeysuckle nectar.

“Now, Darling, surely you know something about mates and destined love since your best friend/sister is a werewolf?” I handed her the drink which she just stared at. “How do I know you won’t drug me and then have your way with me?”

My heart ached that my own mate would think I would drug or use her in that way. I wanted to love and cherish her, not treat her as my concubine or slave. “Willa, where did you get an idea like that?” I said quietly, hoping she would feel the emotion in my voice. Her eyes softened and looked away while biting her bottom l*p. By gods, I wish I was the one biting that l*p, but it seems that may be far into the future.

“I-I was told some things. Your reputation…” I nodded silently and placed the nectar on the table in front of her. “I understand,” I sat beside her looking at her.

“Y-you do?” her arms uncrossed and her body turned to mine.

“I do, I do have a reputation but I can promise you most of the things you have heard are untrue, you may ask anything you wish.” I put my hand on hers, stroking her knuckles. My heart aches not to hold her in my arms, to sit her in my lap and k**s her neck and reassure her it was all a lie. Lies that I allowed so that I could look like an uncaring king until I had my mate beside me. If only she knew the power of a mated fae couple. I despised every bit of what my nation has come, as well as my parents. They just weren’t not strong enough, but thanks to the gods I was born with more power than my own parents combined. Along with my mate and her ruling beside me we could change everything.

“Anything?” she asked questioningly. “Anything for you Darling,” I stroked her cheek. She didn’t shy away which made my soul happy, but she was still skeptical.

“The women, they say that you use your magic to get them to your bed…” her eyes looked down and blushed in embarrassment. I chuckled but then she glanced back in annoyance. “Darling, does it look like I need magic to do that?”

“Well, aren’t you a cocky thing huh?” Her arms went to the right back, folder under her breasts. I grunted a bit and adjusted my collar. She doesn’t know how much that little gesture made her chest look more appetizing. “I’ve never used my magic to put anyone to bed. I don’t take away people’s agency unless they grant it.”

“Grant it?”

“Yes, I do have an ability where I can enter someone’s mind and use their body as if it was my own. It is a gift that fae’s don’t normally discuss. I’ve only told you because you are my mate and I hope you respect that.”

“That’s a lot of trust you just put on me,” Willa whispered.

Willa’s POV

“Why would you tell me that?”

“Because, Darling, I will never keep secrets from you, nor will I lie to you. I’ve looked for you for centuries and I’ll be damned if I lose you now.” Chills went up my spine as he held my hand. Before I could ask my next question there was a knock at the door.

Annan came in holding a tray of fruits and cheeses as well as some biscuits that looked delicious. Since I wasn’t able to eat anything during dinner, I quickly grabbed some and put some on a plate. Orion chuckled and did the same.

“Tell me, Willa. Do you like it here in Bergarian so far? I know you are from Earth and the realms can be quite different.” Orion spread some cheese on his biscuit as he sat back on the sofa while he ate.

“So far, yes, I’ve really enjoyed it. It is like something out of a book, never in my life would I think a place like this exists,” I said passionately as I ate a strawberry.

“How was it, where you used to live then? Where did you live? I heard you lived amongst werewolves and you didn’t even know it,” he chuckled. Thinking back on it made me cringe. How could I not see? I was so blind.

“Yes, I live alone in a cabin on their territory after my parents left. I wasn’t at the pack house all the time. I kept to myself, took care of myself and lived off the money my parents left me until Violet’s Alpha realized I was good at numbers now I am his accountant.” I smiled. Alpha Remus was a complete i***t when it came to numbers, luckily I was a spreadsheet goddess and created the perfect point, click, type to watch all the spending.

“Your parents left you? Did they leave that world?” Orion asked concerned

“Yeah, it just wasn’t working out so I told them to leave and give me money to live off of and I would be fine on my own near Violet’s parents.” I waved my hand absentmindedly like it didn’t bother me. Jokes on me though.

It still bothers me.

“You can’t get rid of a child like that! Who do your parents think they are?” Orion raised his voice. The calm facade he radiated slowly dissipated and a new side of the king was coming out. Everyone talked about how King Orion was always calm and collected, having Annan speak for him in most cases because he lacked the drive to really give anyone the time of day. Now he was doing something I wasn’t expecting. Emotion. Anger.

“They made it perfectly clear they didn’t want me,” I picked up the glass of nectar. “I said it would be best for them to just go so I didn’t live in a fake family. Not that they were around much anyway. Violet became like a sister to me and her mother and I got close. I even call her mom. I owe them a lot, they were much more family than my own b***d.” My voice became lower as I spoke to him. A few straggly tears left my eyes, I felt so vulnerable in front of him, I haven’t cried openly in I don’t know how long.

Orion picked me up and put me on his lap, something I had seen a lot of supernaturals do with their mates, especially River and Ivy. Orion’s hand went to the side of my face and held me close to his chest. I didn’t fight it, I let him guide my face to his neck as I breathed deeply. There was a constant thrumming in his chest, if I didn’t know any better I thought it was his heart. “Is that your heart? Beating so fast?” I whispered. It was so fast it was inhuman.

“Yes,” he said huskily. “It is compared to a hummingbird, I believe Earth has those as well.” Hearing his voice made me shudder and I pulled away from him and sat back down on my side of the couch, the disappointment was clear in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m just not used to that much contact I guess. Touching you, it’s just so overwhelming.” I blushed while fiddling with my dress. “I’m just not used to all the attention,” I chuckled trying to lighten the mood. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him touching me, it was the fear in the back of my mind he would leave too.

Just like my parents.

Orion grabbed my hand again, the constant touch was something he craved and maybe I did too. “Don’t lie to me, Darling.” His golden eyes grew to a dark amber, I gasped as they changed and they quickly went back to his normal golden color. “I won’t lie to you so don’t lie to me. I’ll bend you over and spank you myself to let you know it.” I blushed bright scarlet, I couldn’t look at him any longer. He wouldn’t dare, would he? He did smack me earlier though!

Another knock was heard at the door and it was opened with a small creek, Luna Sadie came in with a few wolves in tow with my bags. “Wait a minute, why are you bringing my stuff here?” I said agitated.

“I told you, this is our room.” Orion got up and took the bags from the men carrying them.

“Don’t worry Willa, I packed your things,” Sadie said happily while Orion found a place for them. “So,” she wiggled her eyebrows, “how is it going so far?”

“This is weird to me,” I whispered.

“It was to me too, when I first met Seth. There was an undeniable attraction and I’m sure you feel it too.” I looked to see if Orion was listening but he was talking to a few of the attendants.

“Yes, but, what if he leaves me? I can’t get attached.” Sadie gasped at my question.

“Not with a mate bond, he would never. He has waited for you a long time. He may have a different past, his culture might be different but he has wanted you for so long,” she grabbed my hands that were folded nicely. “Just tell him you want to take it slow. He will, I promise. He’s a good friend of mine and means well. He has to put up a strong wall there because of the difficulties in his kingdom but he will show you his true self.” Nodding lightly, she squeezed my hand once more and got up to tell Orion good-bye.

“Go slow with her, Orion.” Sadie pointed her finger at his chest. “I mean it.”

“Of course, Princess,” he bowed. “Nothing less for her.” Sadie waved and walked out the door as Annan walked in. “Your highness,” he bowed. A lot of bowing around here, do I need to be bowing?

“The horses will be ready at dawn, did you need anything else for the night?”

“That will be all, thank you Annan.” Before Annan was fully out the door I spoke up.

“Oh, you are leaving tomorrow?” I questioned innocently. Will he come back? Both of them started laughing while I sat confused.

“Darling, you are coming back with us to the Light Kingdom. I can’t stay away for too long, I was just here to sign a treaty and return henceforth.” My mouth dropped.

“Who said I was going anywhere?! I don’t know you, I can’t just go ride off to some kingdom. I came here with Violet, Mom and River, I can’t leave them!” I threw my hands in the air. “You can’t tell me what to do, you are not the boss, king, mate or whatever you are to me. I am my own person and can make decisions for myself and I am not going!” I stomped my foot for good effect.

Annan snorted and gave a good pat to Orion’s shoulder while Orion looked dumbfounded. Does anyone tell this guy the word, ‘no?’

“Good luck, Orion. I’m glad I’m not you.” I stuck my tongue out at Annan and he gave a smirk. I don’t care if he is dangerous with that dagger he was waving around earlier, I didn’t need his comments.

Orion walked up to me, if we were the same height we would be nose to nose but my nose only came up about mid chest. “Darling, remember, you are my mate and you will be coming back with me. I’m trying to be patient but this attitude of yours is quite irritating.”

“Why? Because I don’t bow at everything you say?” I snipped. Orion gave a smirk and took a step closer to me, in turn I took a step back. He towered over me and the glow of the room was slowly fading as I retreated back to the far corner. There was nowhere else to go as my back felt the rough surface of the logged walls. One of his hands came up on one side of my head and then the other. His head dipped down and traced the underside of my jaw. His breath was hot and I put my hands up to push his chest away, which was futile because he was too strong.

“I meant what I said, Darling.” His lips tickled my neck and I felt an odd sensation in the lower part of my belly. This darn zoo in my stomach was going to kill me. “I will bend you over and spank you until you thank me for it if you don’t be a good little girl and listen,” he huskily whispered in my ear. “I won’t tolerate bratty behavior.”