Chapter 14: Under the King's Protection

The announcement spread across the Royal Palace before sunrise.

Every servant, every guard, every noble, and every member of the Royal Council awoke to the same unbelievable rumor.

The Alpha King had personally moved a human maid into his private chambers.

By breakfast, it was no longer a rumor.

It was the only thing anyone could talk about.

"Have you heard?"

"It can't be true."

"I saw the royal guards escorting her myself."

"A human... inside the King's wing?"

"The council will never allow it."

Inside the King's private chambers, however, none of those whispers could be heard.

Micaela stood nervously near one of the enormous windows overlooking the palace gardens.

The room was unlike anything she had ever seen.

The walls were carved from black marble streaked with silver veins that shimmered beneath the morning sunlight.

A massive fireplace occupied one side of the chamber while towering bookshelves lined another. Elegant furniture filled the room, yet despite its luxury, everything remained surprisingly simple.

It reflected its owner perfectly.

Powerful.

Disciplined.

Cold.

Yet somehow... peaceful.

"Did you sleep at all?"

The King's voice broke her thoughts.

She turned to find him entering from an adjoining room already dressed in his royal uniform.

"A little," she admitted.

"You're lying again."

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"I'm getting worse at it."

"Much worse."

For a brief moment, they simply looked at one another.

The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.

It felt... natural.

A knock interrupted them.

"Enter," the King ordered.

Marcus stepped inside carrying several reports.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

His eyes shifted toward Micaela.

"Miss Whitlock."

"Good morning," she replied politely.

"Any news?" the King asked.

"The assassin disappeared completely."

"No tracks?"

"None."

"Witnesses?"

"Only frightened guards."

Marcus hesitated before continuing.

"There is another problem."

"The council?"

"Worse."

"Princess Anastasia has requested an emergency royal assembly."

"I expected as much."

"She intends to question your decision publicly."

The King remained calm.

"Let her."

"Your Majesty..."

"Marcus."

"Yes?"

"How many times has someone attempted to kill Micaela this week?"

"Twice."

"Then my decision stands."

"Until the assassin is found, she remains here."

Marcus nodded.

"I'll prepare the council chamber."

After he left, Micaela lowered her gaze.

"I'm causing problems."

"No."

"Everyone seems angry because of me."

"They're angry because they fear change."

"Wouldn't you?"

The King walked toward the window beside her.

"Perhaps."

"Then why are you helping me?"

He looked toward the palace grounds below.

"Because some things matter more than politics."

Before she could ask what he meant, another servant arrived announcing breakfast.

The dining room attached to the King's chambers was quiet.

Only the two of them sat at the long oak table.

Micaela felt awkward.

"I've never eaten with royalty before," she admitted.

"Neither have I."

She blinked.

"You're joking."

"Apparently I am capable of it."

She laughed softly.

The sound surprised them both.

It was the first genuine laugh either of them had shared.

Outside the dining room doors, two palace maids quietly exchanged shocked glances.

"Did you hear that?"

"The King laughed."

"I've worked here twelve years..."

"I've never heard him laugh."

Meanwhile...

Inside the Royal Council Chamber, Princess Anastasia stood before the gathered elders.

"This cannot continue," she declared.

"The King has placed a human servant inside the royal chambers."

"It violates centuries of tradition."

Several elders nodded.

"The nobles are becoming restless."

"The visiting Alphas have begun asking questions."

"What if she's using magic?"

"Humans don't possess magic," another elder answered.

"Then explain His Majesty's behavior."

Silence followed.

Finally, the oldest council member spoke.

"There are ancient legends..."

"Legends?" Anastasia asked.

"About the Moon Goddess choosing unlikely mates for powerful Alphas."

"Stories told to children," another elder dismissed.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps not."

"If the legends are true..."

The elder's expression became troubled.

"No force in this kingdom can separate destined mates."

Anastasia's hands tightened into fists.

"Then perhaps..."

She smiled faintly.

"The legends need to be proven wrong."

Later that afternoon...

The Alpha King escorted Micaela through a secluded section of the palace gardens rarely visited by anyone else.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Silver roses surrounded a crystal lake while ancient willow trees swayed gently beneath the breeze.

"This place belonged to my mother," the King explained.

"She came here whenever palace life became overwhelming."

"She sounds kind."

"She was."

Micaela noticed something unusual.

"You're smiling whenever you speak about her."

"She taught me that strength means nothing without compassion."

"Most rulers forget that."

"She never did."

They continued walking until they reached a small stone bridge.

Without warning, Micaela stumbled.

The loose stone beneath her foot shifted unexpectedly.

Before she could fall into the shallow stream below, the King caught her.

One arm wrapped securely around her waist.

The other held her hand.

Time seemed to stop.

Their eyes met.

The air around them felt strangely warm.

Inside the King's mind...

His wolf surged forward.

"Mate."

For the first time...

Micaela felt it too.

Not words.

Not thoughts.

But a strange warmth spreading through her chest.

Her heartbeat synchronized with his.

She quickly stepped back.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for."

"Something felt..."

"Different?"

She nodded slowly.

"Yes."

"I felt it too."

Neither of them understood what had just happened.

Neither realized...

The mate bond had just awakened inside Micaela.

Hidden several yards away behind the willow trees...

Princess Anastasia watched everything.

Every glance.

Every smile.

Every touch.

Her expression turned ice cold.

"Enough," she whispered.

"I've waited long enough."

Cedric stepped beside her.

"Your Highness?"

"Prepare the carriage."

"Where are we going?"

She looked toward the distant mountains beyond the capital.

"To visit someone older than the kingdom itself."

"Someone who knows how to destroy a mating bond."

Thunder rolled across the distant horizon.

Far away, deep within the forbidden mountains...

An ancient pair of glowing crimson eyes slowly opened.

As though something...

Or someone...

Had just called them awake.