The Alpha King's Princess
The Alpha King’s Princess – Chapter 31

Several weeks passed since I learned about Candido and Sibyl’s engagement. While he left the Estate relatively often, he was always there for breakfast, dinner, and to train with me. For a while, it felt like I could forget that it was even happening.

The investigation of the Moon Shadow attack, the other attacks on werewolf land, the book, and what was happening on campus were all on hold. No more damage appeared in the school and things were oddly quiet.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” Candido asked.

I lifted my head and smiled across the table at him. Allen was gone. We were all alone at breakfast. It felt a little bit like a date except we were in out pajamas. I chuckled.

“You need more fun pajamas.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll leave the fun pajamas to you.”

I laughed. “You’ll cave. I’m going to buy you something with… penguins or something for you.”

“Penguins?” He asked. “No.”

“Cats?”

“No.”

I grinned, “Penguins and cats. Got it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not wearing anything so ridiculous.”

“So, if it was less ridiculous, would you wear it?”

He chuckled and wiped his mouth before standing. He rounded the table and pressed a k**s to my temple.

“Get ready to head out, little one.” He scoffed. “And keep your phone on you.”

“I will.”

I watched him go, at once determined to get him into penguin-printed pajamas and sad to see him go. Nothing was back to normal. Even dinner the night before had been stiff, but today was better.

I left the table and got dressed. Candido was waiting for me and climbed into the car after me.

“I thought you were busy.”

“Can I not take you to school and be busy?”

I laughed. “I guess not.”

His lips twitched. “I have a few things to manage while at the Academy… If you are lucky, I may have time to take you out for lunch.”

I smiled at him, wondering if he was trying to make it up to me that he was spending so much time with Sibyl these days, but I was glad for it. I leaned into him, thinking a bit. He put his arm around me.

I could hear his heart beating in my ears, louder and all-consuming. A deep sense of calm filled me.

“Candido?”

“Yes?” He asked softly.

“Is Sibyl your mate?”

“No,” he said.

My heart lurched at the tone of his voice.

“How do you know?”

“… where is this coming from?”

What was I supposed to say to that? I sighed trying to come up with a lie, but the truth came out instead.

“I’ve been… experiencing some strange things,” I said hesitantly. “Hyper-awareness. Sometimes I hear a heartbeat.”

His hand tightened around my shoulder. “It could be the return of your senses since you’re getting healthier.”

“But I know it’s a man’s heartbeat.” I couldn’t tell him that I knew it was his heartbeat. “Sometimes, I zero in on a presence and I want to go to it.”

It had begun to happen more and more while we’ve been training, though I had gotten better at resisting the urge.

“Are you telling me you have a crush on someone?” Candido asked.

I looked up at him, curious about what sort of expression he was making, but he tightened his grip, keeping me locked to his side and unable to see his face.

“I’m asking what I should make of it,” I said. “Is it normal? Should I be worried?”

“No, but it could mean a lot of things.”

“You said Sibyl isn’t your mate, but you sounded a bit like you know who your mate is…”

He let out a slow, trembling breath. “I don’t.”

I frowned, “But…?”

The car stopped. He released me. “You don’t need to worry about it. You’re… too young for all that.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Too young for what? How much longer are you going to treat me like a child?”

Candido met my gaze and cupped my face. My eyes burned with frustration. Something in me was reaching out, but I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t explain what it was, but it was pushing to get out. My focus zeroed in on his heartbeat, the smell of his cologne and skin.

“Enjoy your youth while you can,” Candido said. “You won’t be a little girl forever, but you’ll always be my little girl.”

I set my jaw and turned from him. I pushed the door open and got out, slamming the door behind me, furious and confused. Why didn’t he understand that I didn’t want to be his little girl forever.

I wanted to be his everything the way I was starting to realize he was mine.

I didn’t look back to wave or even watch the car drive off. I didn’t want to think about it any longer.

Classes were miserable. My mind kept wandering to Candido’s words and the way he looked at me. As I was heading to lunch, Claire texted me to say that she wouldn’t be joining me.

I asked her if she was meeting up with Francium.

Claire: Don’t be cheeky! I’m working on a project!

I smirked and replied.

Is the project getting him naked?

She sent back and emoji sticking out its tongue. I tucked my phone in my pocket. Now, alone for lunch I headed towards the cafeteria. Down the hall, I saw Sibyl walking. She was wearing a pair of slacks and a blouse. She looked elegant if a bit out of place. For a moment, she glanced at me, but I kept walking acting as if she wasn’t there. One of her pack mates looked up and walked towards her.

It seemed like she was here to see them.

I glanced into the cafeteria and decided against it. I’d get someone on Team Gamma-2 to take me off campus. I wasn’t up to sitting alone. I pulled out my phone and called the leader of Team Gamma-2, holding the phone in my hand at my side as I walked away from the door.

Sibyl stepped into my path. I sucked on my teeth and took a deep breath. She stared at me with her lips pursed and I had a feeling that she wasn’t going to let me go on with my day easily.

I turned around and found a wall of her guards there, all wearing the crest of the Red Moon Pack.

It seemed like Candido didn’t supply her with guards, or Candido’s supplied guards had been dismissed for this purpose.

I turned around and looked at Sibyl.

“Don’t you have something else to do but corner me?”

She looked at me haughtily. “Planning a wedding takes time. I have time for this.”

I sighed. “What do you want?”

“I’m here to give you a warning,” Sibyl said. “I know you’re the reason Candido hasn’t been seeing me lately. I know you’re playing games. Stop or you’re going to replace yourself in trouble.”

“I’m not sure why you think I care what you say,” I said. “Don’t you think you should take this up with Candido?”

“It’s His Majesty to you,” she sneered. “And I know he’s been running off to train you. Looking to get slimmer to tempt him, are you?”

I had never thought of it that way, but maybe I was. I smiled, feeling a little vicious. She flushed and stepped towards me.

“You think he’s going to want you? I won’t accept a mistress in our marriage. And we will be married. If you try to get in the way of that—”

“This is all very entertaining, Sibyl,” I said, cutting her off. “I really enjoy all these little bullying sessions, but I’m hungry. Growing young werewolf and all. You’ve been at this for four years; I think you can wait until I’ve eaten lunch.”

Sibyl’s eyes narrowed. “The first thing I’m doing as queen is kicking you out.”

The fear went through me as if someone had tossed me back into that nightmare. I glared back at her.

“You’re dumber than you look if you think Candido would ever give you enough power to do so.”

Giving her the title of queen and all the power that went with it would be a nightmare.

“We’ll see about that.”

“I guess so,” I replied. “Are you done?”