Chapter 3
Cedric
I stood at Victoria's door, fingers on the handle. Couldn't make myself push it open.
My wolf clawed at my chest, restless. Demanding I leave. Demanding I find our mate.
"No." The word came out harsh. I forced the door open.
Lavender and herbs hit me. Victoria propped herself up in bed, pale as death.
"Cedric, what are you doing here?" She tried to sit up when she saw me.
"Carol said you were bad. Came to check on you. What did the doctor say?" I stopped her from moving and crossed to the bed, keeping my voice gentle.
"I'm fine..." She managed a weak smile before a coughing fit tore through her. Shoulders shaking, hand pressed to her mouth like she'd hack up a lung.
"I'll get the doctor."
"No, Cedric, I don't need—" Another violent cough cut her off. "I'm sorry. I'm so useless, getting sick on such an important day. You left Alice for this—she must be furious. Please apologize to her for me."
"She's not angry." My voice dropped. That was what pissed me off.
Alice wasn't angry. Hadn't shown any displeasure at all. When Victoria's maid Carol burst into the wedding, Alice just looked at me. Calm.
"Go," she'd said. "Victoria needs you."
That tone. That expression. Cold and detached, like she didn't give a damn whether I left or stayed.
"Really?" Surprise flickered in Victoria's voice. She paused, then her tone fell. "Alice must be hurt, just hiding it. If only Arcales were still here. Then I wouldn't keep causing you trouble..."
Arcales.
The name hit like a punch to the chest.
My brother. The person I'd trusted most in this world. Five years ago, he died in the border war with Kavil Pack, protecting the kingdom.
His last words, hand gripping mine, "Cedric, promise me... take care of Victoria for me."
I'd promised.
Arcales died a hero. His final wish—I had to honor it.
"Cedric?" Victoria's voice pulled me back. Worry creased her face. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"
"No." I shook it off. "Rest. Don't think too much."
"Then... can you stay with me tonight?" Hesitation. Hope in her eyes. "I keep dreaming about Arcales. I miss him so much. If you're here, maybe I can sleep."
Her voice weakened on the last words, disappointment flickering through.
I stared at her. Victoria needed me. I should stay. But my mind went back to the wedding—Alice's eyes when she looked at me. Cold. Distant. Like I was a stranger she couldn't care less about.
My wolf suddenly roared in my chest, nearly splitting my skull. Thrashing. Snarling. Fighting to break free.
Go to her. Go to Alice. Go to our mate.
The urge made me blurt it out. "Tonight's my mating ceremony with Alice. She's waiting. I have to go back."
The words shocked even me. I told myself it was duty. I'm the king. For the kingdom, I need Alice pregnant as soon as possible. A child born from fated mates would be stronger than any ordinary werewolf. That child's power would keep the other packs in line and stabilize the kingdom's politics.
That's all.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that," Victoria said immediately, voice even lower. "Go. Alice is waiting. I just hope she won't blame you for me..."
She trailed off, turning away. Shoulders trembling.
The gesture reminded me of Alice. She used to do that when she was upset—head down, thin shoulders shaking. Fragile. Pitiful. It always triggered my protective instincts.
But now she'd changed completely. Not the Alice I remembered. She shouldn't be so cold. She should try to keep me, should...
I took a breath, forcing down the churning in my chest.
"Rest well." I turned and left.
The corridor was silent except for my footsteps. My wolf still tearing at me. Pushing me toward Alice.
I didn't understand. Alice was just a task I had to complete. So why couldn't I calm down? Why had she been so composed today? Why had she let me leave so easily? Why did she look at me like that—so distant?
She used to be different.
She used to look at me like I was her whole world. Eyes bright. Blushing, shy, stealing glances then looking away fast. Like a frightened rabbit.
Now she looked at me like a stranger. One she didn't want near. The change grated on me.
I walked faster. Through the corridor. Pushed open the door to the bridal chamber.
Moonlight spilled across the room. I saw her.
Alice sat on the edge of the bed in her nightgown, hair loose over her shoulders. At the sound of the door, she turned. Eyes went wide. Shocked.
"Cedric? What are you doing here?" Surprise filled her voice, like I had no business being there.
I frowned, strode in, and shut the door.
"Should I not be here?" I shot back, irritation seeping through. "You're my mate. This is my room too. Where the hell else would I go?"
She stared at me. "I thought you'd be with Victoria."
I locked onto her eyes. No adoration in them. No shyness. No anticipation. Just cold indifference. And a hint of... wariness.
Damn it. She shouldn't look at me like that.
"Alice, do you hear yourself?" My gaze darkened. I closed the distance to the bed. "You think I'd stay there?"
"You rushed out of the wedding to be with her, didn't you?" She lifted her head and met my eyes. Those beautiful green eyes—no trace of caring. "So why come back? Wouldn't it be better to stay by her side? She's so sick. She needs you more."
"So that's what today was about?" I moved closer and grabbed her wrist. Hard enough to make her wince. "You acted cold at the wedding, said those things—just to make me feel guilty? To get my attention? Is this your new game, Alice? When did you learn to play hard to get?"
"What new game?" She struggled. "Cedric, let go."
"What the hell are you playing at?" I bent down, face nearly touching hers. The rich scent of dewy roses flooded my senses. "You think pretending not to care will make me notice you? Make me love you?"
"I'm not playing anything." Her eyes held mine steadily. No embarrassment at being called out. "I'm just done lying to myself. Cedric, I know you don't love me. You see me as a task. A duty. I know Victoria's the only one in your heart. So why should I keep groveling for scraps like I used to?"
"So what?" I couldn't help the cold laugh. "Didn't you always say as long as you could stay by my side, you were satisfied?"
"People change, don't they?" She said it calmly. "I've just finally seen reality."
I stared at her, searching her face for cracks, for pretense. Found nothing. Her expression was cold enough to feel foreign.
This was what I wanted. My father was destroyed by the mate bond. He fell for my mother—the mate the Moon Goddess chose for him. He went mad for her, lost all reason. Then she betrayed him. Got him killed.
I was twelve that year. That day taught me the mate bond wasn't a blessing. It was a curse. It made you lose yourself, lose control, spiral into destruction.
I would never make that mistake.
I wouldn't love Alice. Wouldn't let myself fall into that sick obsession. She was just a mate. A tool to bear my heir.
She'd accepted this marriage and understood her role. That should be good. So why didn't I feel as relieved as I thought I would?
"Do you know what tonight is?" I lowered my voice, tightening my grip on her wrist.
Her gaze flickered. Voice dropped. "The mating ceremony. I know."
"Then you know why I'm here." I leaned down and gripped her chin with my other hand. "The elders are pushing. The whole kingdom is waiting. We need an heir. Soon."
"I understand." She met my eyes. "Then let's get it over with."
The absurdity hit me. We were like strangers completing a transaction.
I didn't want to see her eyes anymore. I leaned in, one hand cupping the back of her head, the other braced beside her, pushing her down onto the bed. Her body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.
I kissed her. Her lips were soft, tasted faintly of roses. My hand slipped under her nightgown, skimming her smooth skin. The fated mate bond exploded between us—electric currents spreading from every point of contact. My wolf howled in excitement, urging me on, demanding I mark her, claim her—
"Look at me." I released her lips, voice hoarse. A command.
She slowly opened her eyes. Already flushed with desire. I could see her want. Her body was responding to mine. For a moment, something softened in my chest.
"Alice—"
"Cedric." She cut me off, tone edged with impatience. "If you're ready, then continue. Don't waste time talking."
She finished speaking and yanked at my collar. Her thigh rubbed against me.
"Fine," I growled. "I'll give you what you want."
I tore her nightgown. The ripping fabric was sharp in the quiet room. Her body trembled slightly. Moonlight washed over her, tracing her curves. Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. A small mole beneath her collarbone rose and fell with her breathing.
And the most striking thing—the massive birthmark covering half her face. Deep purple, stretching from her brow to her jaw. Everyone said it was the mark of a curse. Called her a monster abandoned by the goddess.
But right now, I didn't find it ugly at all.
I bit down hard on her shoulder. Alice moaned, that sweet sound nearly undoing me. Her fingers threaded into my hair, seeking more.
I pushed her thighs apart, fingers circling her most sensitive spot. Alice shuddered all over.
My fingers slid through her slickness, and she gasped—a sharp inhale that she tried to muffle. I felt her body tense beneath me, fighting the response even as wetness coated my hand.
"Don't hold back," I said against her throat. Not a request.
Her nails dug into my shoulders. "I'm not—"
I pushed two fingers inside her, cutting off whatever lie she was about to tell. She cried out, back arching off the bed. But her eyes—when they fluttered open—were still guarded. Still distant.
That look infuriated me.
I curled my fingers and found that spot inside her that made her whole body jerk. "Feel that?" I worked her roughly, thumb pressing her clit. "Your body doesn't lie, Alice. Even if you want to pretend."