Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne
Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Chapter 52 You’re safe here, Doris.

When Doris didn’t object, Enzo dragged the chair a bit closer so he wouldn’t be so far away. Still, hemade sure to keep a respectable distance between them. “I know you’ve probably heard some horrorstories about our pack—and had to live through one unspeakable experience but I hope I can help youunderstand us a little more.” Enzo leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. After what shewent through, she didn’t think it would be possible for her to see them in any other light no matter hownice he was to her. “Years ago, our pack was able to break away from Royal House Arnold and theircorruptive ruling. We made a life for ourselves out here—”. “Excuse me,” Doris interrupted. “Did you sayRoyal House Arnold has a corruptive ruling? What do you mean by that?”

Enzo looked at her with furrowed brows.

You’re safe here, Doris. Doris shifted under his gaze. She knew how they treated her at the palace, butnot the other citizens. “I’ve worked at the palace for over five years, I’m not allowed to venture into thetowns away from the palace.” Understanding lightened his eyes.” You’re a servant to the palace, aren’tyou?” “Yes, of course I am. What else would I be?” “I thought you might have been the prince’s-nevermind. It doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you how they treated their own citizens.” He stood and hovered near theunlit fire place. “You don’t mind if I light this, do you?” “No, you can.” Doris said. She watched as heleaned down to light the logs and warm the room. It was a small sense of relief to feel a bit of comfortfrom the flames. When he turned back to take off his coat, she noticed how handsome he was for thefirst time. His jawline was sharp and his eyes had a softness to them that made him look young. Hescratched his scruffy jaw as he draped his coat over the back of the chair and seated himself again. “Thekingdom has always made sure the citizens knew how they felt about them.

You’re safe here, Doris If you were rich, you were favored and treated well by everyone. If you werepoor…” Enzo sighed and leaned back.” The poor were treated… horribly. If you slept on the streets andstood in the way of an official, they would kill you to prove a point. Children were beaten, women were

raped and sold. The poor had no rights and it was impossible for us to live. “They took advantage of us,and they still do for those that remain there. Even those of us who were alphas had no rights. The kingtook pleasure in knowing he could control those who couldn’t afford to eat. He held so many lives in hishand and did nothing to help any of them. He encouraged the abuse, if anything.” Enzo twisted a goldenring on his finger. “You were sold to the palace too, weren’t you? When you were young?” Dorisswallowed and nodded. She didn’t want to talk about what she had been

through. “I was. When I was sixteen.” “Then you know a bit of what I mean. You know how unfair it is tohave your life sold away to the palace and not even get to breathe without their permission. You’re ayoung girl who should have choices. Us rogues, we came here to be able to have a life where we could

You’re safe here, Doris. choose what to do and not be killed because we don’t have money.” “I—I don‘tunderstand. Why are there so many horrible stories about the north? Why do you have rogues thattorture others?” Doris asked. Her eyes flickered to her bruised wrists where the ropes burned her. Hemust have noticed, his face softened a bit as did his words. “We had to make a name for ourselves outhere. We couldn’t have the kingdom coming to rip apart what we made here. They tried when they heardwe wouldn’t listen to their ruling any longer. They came with hundreds of guards to tear us down but wewere prepared and fought more viciously than they expected. We only allowed a few guards to survive totell the story of how they were beaten.” Doris pulled her sleeves over her hands . “It seems some of therogues are still vicious towards others.” “Unfortunately so. Some rogues think it’s their job to make sureanyone that comes to the north is taken care of. Especially if they’re royal. I know the royal members areresentful of us and our freedom from the kingdom, when they heard a prince was passing through -everyone was on edge and I should

You’re safe here, Doris. have guessed they would react this way. I should have done more to prevent it.”“Not all of the royal members are as resentful as you think. Not Martin or Daniel, not even William.” Orshe believed that at least. As horrible as some of the royal members were, she saw goodness in thoseprinces. Even William-deep down. “Are you referring to Prince William?” Enzo said with disbelief in histone. “Yes, of course I mean him-” “Prince William has been brutal since the moment he came into the

north. He’s been acting crazed since you were taken.” “What do you mean? I know he defended himselfwhen we were ambushed but surely you understand” “No, he’s hunted down rogues who wished him noharm looking for you. Last I heard, he was tearing through each village to make sure you weren’t there.”Doris’s lips parted, there was no way that was true. She thought he would have already been to themarket by now and forgotten all about her. Why would he be searching so wildly for her? “I—I’m sorry,”“Why are you apologizing for his actions?

You’re safe here, Doris He clearly wants you returned safely to him, but you are not a piece of property.You can choose to go to him if he’s near and I wouldn’t stop you, but you can also choose your ownpath.” “I am like a property to him and the palace. I’m a slave maid to them, they choose my fate.” “Ah,but you’re in the north now. Aren’t you?” Enzo smiled at Doris. “Their rules don’t apply to us.” Enzo stoodand grabbed the cake from the dresser. Doris watched as he neared her and placed it in her hands. Itwas still a little bit warm, but no longer steamed. She breathed in the scent before she took a small bite.“His mother was once a part of our pack when I was a child.” Doris’s brows raised, she paused herchewing. “Prince William’s? The king’s fated mate was part of the pack?” Enzo seated himself next to heron the bed, she felt a bit of heat raise to her cheeks. “Yeah, I had to be about four or five so I don’tremember her well, but I’ve heard the story a hundred times. “The king had come through to speak toanother alpha about the rogues. He was highly protected and no one was able to

You’re safe here, Doris. get near him enough to even think about harming him. He must have scentedthat she was his mate across the camp because he was drawn to her immediately. I’m told it was love atfirst sight for him, even though he already had two children with his lady at home, the Luna Queen. “Hismate despised him and what he stood for at first. Eventually, she fell for him too and he took her back tothe kingdom. She promised she would sway him to change his ways-and he had, for a little while. Onceshe died, everything went right back to normal. Some even say it had gotten worse once she was gone.”“I heard he found her on one of her journey’s, I never knew it was in the north.” Doris wondered if Williamknew this, or if it was kept hidden from him. Were there members of his mother’s family still alive in thecamp? She wasn’t sure how he would take the news, but she knew he should replace out about it eventually

“Yeah, the king didn’t tell his people where he found her. It wouldn’t sit well with them if they knew he hadfallen for a rogue when he had been trying to take us down.” Enzo stood. “As the leader, I

You’re safe here, Doris. speak for most of us when I say you’re safe here. We only wanted to have ahome where we weren’t killed for being poor. We will do anything to protect our own and our home, butwe would never harm the innocent.” “How many rogues are…like the two that took me?” Doris askedhesitantly. O “I’m trying to make it so none of them are like them, but there are a few that won’t be tamed.You’re in my camp now, Doris. You won’t be harmed here.” Enzo walked to the door and glanced backwith his hand on the knob. “When you’re ready, come and replace me. I‘ll introduce you to others.”