Her Forever
(Book 3)- Chapter 12

Willa’s POV

All night had laid in the bed, with my back to Orion. The morning light was coming into the room, only reminding me that today I would be telling Violet and her family goodbye and be taken to a kingdom that I had never heard of until a few days ago. My heart ached knowing I wouldn’t be going back the River and Ivy, they were all I had left and now I really had nothing. Even though this king said that I was his and he was mine, I couldn’t help but feel the doubt in my heart.

He wanted to love me and care for me, but with all that good intention could also bring great pain. My own parents had good intentions on keeping me and turning their relationship into a marriage that would hopefully turn out to be a happily ever after, but we all know how that turned out. Me, getting the one left alone, abandoned and unwanted my by very own parents.

Last night, I didn’t have much strength for arguing anymore. Orion told me to get ready for bed and for once I listened and did what I was told. The large bathroom was easily 5 times the size of my own bathroom back in my cabin. The tub was large and lavish and held many different oils and soaps. Sitting there all night looked like a great idea but the emotional rollercoaster I was on just wanted me to get into bed.

I put on my baby pink shorts with a matching camisole. If I had known I was going to have another man sleep in the same room as me I would have brought better nightwear that covered my entire body.

Orion was already in bed, no shirt, and reading some papers in his hand. One hand reached behind neck which showed the stretching of his muscles. He was by no means built like a werewolf with big and scary large muscles all over, he was leaner with muscles encompassing his entire body. His skin was pale and not an inch of a scar or freckle on his torso. I gulped and kept my eyes to the ground as I hopped into bed.

The massive amount of pillows that I had on the side of the bed were brought up by me and I built a massive pillow wall between us.

“What do you think you are doing?” Orion smirked as he put his papers on the nightstand.

“Creating a wall so you don’t come on my side in the middle of the night.” I put one last pillow that caused me to have to really sit up and look over. “Goodnight,” I said sternly and quickly covered myself. He was making me sleep in the same bed as him, a man I have only known a few hours. How scandalous is this?!

I never went to sleep, and I think he knew it. I could hear and feel him tossing and turning all night. Sometimes mumbling something, probably cursing me because I wouldn’t let him near me. If I had my stuffed wolf I’m sure I would have slept better. In all honesty I don’t think I’ve ever slept with out it until today. Goddess, I’m such a child sometimes. My eyes finally grew heavy with the morning rays coming in the room. I felt warmth encompass me and I finally drifted off to sleep after 6 hours of fighting it all.

The next time I woke, the sun was high in the sky and we had obviously missed our window of leaving, remembering what Annan said about the horses to be ready at dawn. Blinking a few times and trying to sit up I realized I was restrained. Glancing behind me I see Orion in a deep sleep. I should be angry with him holding me like this, but I have a feeling he was able to sleep too since we were closer.

His face was so perfect, not a pore to be seen. Orion was chiseled from marble itself. His lashes weren’t black, but of brown and hints of gold. His ears that I had never concentrated on before were in fact, pointed just like I thought a fae might have. The hair that fell between us was stark white and soft to the touch.

Being this close should certainly bother me, but it doesn’t. The sparks continued to flow freely between us but instead of feeling the intensity of it yesterday and the comparison of today, it felt more natural. It felt like it should have been there all along.

A bond like this shouldn’t happen so quickly right? When humans fall in love it takes months if not years and even then, that love isn’t certain. Taking my hand, I cupped the side of his face which he only leaned into. I smiled how just a little touch even in his unconsciousness he reacted to.

“Are you alright, Darling?” His rough voice said as he opened his eyes. “I was afraid you might be sore with me doing this, but I feel that we both slept better, didn’t we?” I nodded my head in agreement, a bit shocked he was awake with me staring him in the face.

“This is what a bond does, makes us more comfortable with each other, to help trust one another. I know you don’t trust me and are uncertain, we will take our time. Just don’t fight it.” I hummed in agreement, blushing a bit. Orion gave me a quick k**s on the forehead and got up from the bed. He was wearing a type of jogger pants, made of light material and was hanging dangerously low. Turning my head quickly I covered up, realizing what little I was wearing.

“Get dressed Darling, I’ll go to another room.” Within minutes he was gone to leave me to my own devices.

****

The smell of baked goods filled the large cabin as I walked down the stairs. A large table spread of cheeses, fruit, croissants, pancakes, sausage and several other items on the table I didn’t know where displayed expertly on the table. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I got a bit of everything,” Orion said behind me which caused me to jump. Both his hands landed on my shoulder and he guided me to the table.

Annan, Eamon, Fionn and Brenden came in and sat as well. Everyone sat in silence while I looked around confused. “The Queen is to let her subjects know when to eat,” Annan said proudly.

“I’m not a queen,” I shook my head.

“But you will be,” Orion interjected. Might as well get used to it and learn a bit about our traditions, hm?” Orion placed a napkin on his lap as well as mine. Everyone was still staring at me, so I said what I thought was best.

“Alright, dig in?” The brothers all laughed and started to load their plates full of food. Does everyone have a metabolism on overdrive?

“Your highness, your request to extend our stay an extra day was confirmed with the council and will expect us no later than tomorrow evening,” Annan said.

“Excellent, thank you Annan. You didn’t mention Willa did you?” Annan shook his head.

“No, your highness.”

I placed my fork full of eggs back on my plate. “Why do you not want them to know I’m coming?” I asked confused. Orion sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“If they know you are coming, either someone from the court or parliament would want to either plan some sort of coup before we even arrive, and we want to have the upper hand. They have been trying to marry me off for years to several high-ranking nobles to try and get their own families involved in the running of the country, but I won’t allow it.” Orion’s voice continued to become louder. “We will take things slow, Darling.” He grabbed my hand and placed a k**s on my knuckles. “I know you probably feel you were dealt a bad hand here, but trust me, with you, all things will come to light in our kingdom. I just know it.”

“Y-yeah, no pressure or anything,” I said with a shaky voice. “I have no qualifications to help you run a country, let alone live here in Bergarian. I’m human and new to everything!”

“And that is why you are perfect to be queen. You don’t know our laws and traditions; you could shed new light on how things could be dealt with. New ideas, new thoughts… you were made for this, Willa.” Orion pleaded.

My mind was still telling me to run, but I continued to hold on to the little bit of a broken heart I had left. For once, I wasn’t going to do what my mind has always told me to do. Trust and rely on someone other than me. It will be an adjustment, but I was willing to try. I wouldn’t go in blindly, however.

Sensing my inner battle, Orion brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. The coolness of his hand felt soothing against my feverish face. “We will go slow, just enjoy what we have now. Don’t worry about the future. I promised you last night I would always be truthful.”

I nodded my head lowly, not knowing what to say. “Gods, you are so beautiful Willa,” Orion whispered to me. Even though there were other’s a the table, I felt like he and I were the only ones in the room. My heart started to race as his thumb traced my lips. “I’ve been blessed with a soul more beautiful than Aphrodite herself.” My cheeks grew embarrassingly red.

A loud banging noise came from the front door and everyone’s heads whipped to the commotion. “The ‘ell! Can’t even eat me breakfast yat!” Eamon shouted as he stomped to the door. The loud banging was silenced only to see Violet with my stuffed wolf on the other side.

“No!” I whispered as she came in. Jumping up, I took the wolf from her and started pushing her out the door. Everyone kept staring and I shut the door behind me. “What do you think you are doing?!” I whisper-yelled. “I thought you would want your wolfie, to remember us! See he was so sad!” Violet held up my stuffed wolf and started to make a whining puppy noise.

“Ugh, I didn’t want them to see! They will think I’m so childish,” I pouted.

“Well, you kind of are. I mean, you did throw a temper-tantrum in the middle of the dance floor last night,” she rolled her eyes as she stuffed the animal into my stomach. “So where is your mark?”

“My mark?”

“Yes, your mark! Where do they put theirs? Wolves usually do it around the neck area, oh gosh did he do it on your inner thigh?! You little kinky slut!” My red flushed as I threw my hand up to her mouth to shut her mouth.

“Are you crazy!! We didn’t do anything! We just slept.”

“You smell like him, so I guess sleeping in the same bed will give that off. Anyway, I was wondering if you want to do something fun before you leave tomorrow.

Violet was known for her crazy adventures. There was one time she snuck out of the house to meet me at my cabin in the middle of the night to go tee-pee the pack house. We giggled through the whole thing until we were caught by the Alpha and got a good scolding. We had to help serve breakfast, lunch and dinner for an entire week.

“I can’t really go,” I threw my hands up. “Orion and his guards are up my butt and around the corner saying I can’t go anywhere! They even stand guard by the bathroom. All my freedom is gone,” I whined. Violet stood silent for a moment, rubbing her chin mischievously.

“Alright, we do it at midnight,” she whispered.

“What??”

“Sneak out while everyone is sleeping. Meet me at the lake, it will be our last hurrah before you get whisked away my dear princess.” Violet gave me a wink so I couldn’t even object.

“Violet! Come back!” I yelled but she had already pranced around the house, leaving me with my wolf stuffed animal. Letting out a huff I turned around and bumped into a great smelling wall.

“What was that all about?” Orion raised his eyebrow.

“N-nothing, just wanted to tell me goodbye and all.” Orion nodded his head and lead me back into the house.

“Whatcha got there?” Brenden asked with a smirk. Looking down at my wolf I threw it behind my back. “Nothing! I’m going to go freshen up a bit alright? Alright bye!” Running up the stairs I heard snickers and laughing but Orion quickly shut them up.