Page 4 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

I followed closely, biting down the smile that played at my lips and willing the fluttering in my stomach to slow down. Our first meeting was not under the best circumstances and barely gave room for a conversation, much less an opportunity for us to express our feelings for each other.

Regardless, I was certain our next meeting would be much different. We would have the rest of our lives to get to know each otherand make up for the time we spent apart. I was so happy and eager. I couldn’t wait for him to get back already.

Left to me, he didn’t need to waste his time on the likes of Karl and his father, but he didn’t strike me as one to turn a blind eye to injustice. It was a notable quality, one that already had me in awe of him.

Mrs. Anderson stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway, fishing out a bundle of keys from her pocket and handing them to me.

“This will be your room. You’ll have today to unpack and settle in, and a list of your duties will be given to you after dinner. You’re expected to start work tomorrow.”

“Duties?” I asked, confusion etched on my face.

Mrs. Anderson gave me a look that probably mirrored mine. “Yes, duties. You’re to be the prince’s personal maid. He hasn’t had one since he was a kid, so I’ll advise you to take the position seriously. It’s an honorable one.”

My lips formed an ‘o,’ and I nodded slowly, taking in all she had said. My mate was yet to address them and tell them who I was, so I couldn’t blame her. No one would see an Omega with rough hands, shabby clothes, and a worn duffel bag and think them to be the prince’s mate.

“I’ll be sure to take the position with utmost seriousness,” I replied, toying with a made-up scenario of how shocked she would be when she discovered I wasn’t brought here to be a maid.

“Alright. Dinner is at six, and the kitchen is on the ground floor, first turn to your right. Don’t be late,” she finalized, walking off in the opposite direction.

I opened the room and was swept into the dreamiest room I’ve ever seen. It was big enough to fit my cottage back in Darkmoon and a huge upgrade from the peeling walls and old creaking furniture I was used to. The bathroom turned out to be my favorite part of the room, with a bath big enough for me to swim in. I wasted no time in hopping inand giving myself a long overdue soak, letting my lids drop as I felt my muscles relax under the soft pressure from the water.

My little bath time turned into a nap, and when I opened my eyes, the sky was a black canvas of stars, and my skin was pruney, but I felt more rested and rejuvenated than I’d ever been. I dried off my skin and walked into the room to find a neatly folded maid’s uniform with a note sticking out of it on the bed, and on the nightstand was a tray of food and a bottle of water.

My stomach rumbled in response, and I dug into the mouth-watering plate of spaghetti and meatballs. If this was what a normal life felt like, then I couldn’t wait to explore all the possibilities that came with it.

I woke up in great spirits, donned my uniform, and got to work, not wanting to piss Mrs. Anderson off before we got the chance to be properly acquainted.

My list of duties spanned from overseeing the preparation of the prince’s meals and making sure he was kept up to date with the happenings around the place to ensuring his clothes and room were always pristine and in the best condition.

I was almost rounding off my duties and folding the prince’s clean clothes into his wardrobe when I heard the door open, revealing my mate in all his mouth-watering glory. I felt the same heat from the first time we met spreading through me under his watchful gaze. My body thrummed with a level of excitement I didn’t think was possible, and the room suddenly felt too small and devoid of oxygen.

I don’t recall which one of us moved, but in a flash, I was standing almost toe to toe with him. My senses were overwhelmed with his scent, and I was hit with the overwhelming urge to sink my teeth into him, crawl into his skin, and burrow myself into him like a baby kangaroo.

He finally touched me. Reaching out to run a soft finger on my cheek, and an involuntary moan slipped from my lips. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve been embarrassed at my reaction, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I wanted more, more of his touch, more of—

My thoughts came to a halt when a pained growl came from him, and his warm fingers were replaced by cold air. My wolf whined in protest as he took a few steps back, urging me to cover the distance between us. But I held back, waiting for his next move.

He cleared his throat.

“How are you finding the palace?”

It was not what I was expecting, but it was a start. Maybe he preferred to get to know people before settling into a relationship, which was fine by me. I wanted to know everything about him, too.

“It’s really great. Everyone is so nice, and the food is the best I’ve ever had.”

A look of amusement crossed his eyes, and his lips stretched into a smile, transforming his face into a pupil-friendly version of the sun. I caught myself smiling in return. I must have looked like a teenager talking to her crush for the first time.

“I’ll be sure to let the kitchen know they’ve captured your heart, or should I say, your stomach.”

My smile widened.

“They’re not the ones who captured my heart.”

It was supposed to be a silent thought, but the look on his face told me I had blurted it out. I dipped my head as my face heated up with embarrassment. I wasn’t one to air every thought that crossed my mind, but when he was close, I found myself acting first and thinking later.

A little moment that seemed to stretch forever passed before he cleared his throat, pulling out a chair for me. “Sit.”

The soft command sent tingles down my spine and carried my legs to the chair before I could register anything. I couldn’t tell if it was my wolf giving into his authority as royalty or if it was part of the reactions he coaxed from me.

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