CHAPTER 3

"Let's get something straight, there is only one woman in my life and there will always be only her.That being said, I can't sleep in the same bed with you." He hissed with so much hatred that I winced at the intensity. I blinked up at him, this was definitely not what I was expecting from him. "Excuse me?" Did he really just say what I think he just said? We barely knew each other and we were already married. Then why did he think I had to accept something like this? He narrowed his eyes at me. "We aren't sleeping in the same bed together." "Not that I want to be sleeping in the same bed with you." Lies. . . okay, who said that? I ignored the inner voice and continued with my rant. "But why did you agree to this marriage if you already had a woman in your life?" I demanded. He could have saved us both from this horrible arrangement if he had just stopped this wedding and be with that awful woman. He gazed past me as he stared off into the distance. "I don't owe you an explanation." What a jerk, we were now officially husband and wife and he didn't owe me an explanation? "Where do you expect me to sleep then?" I demanded. His eyes swept over my body once before clenching his jaw and looking away. "I've already arranged for another bed to be sent to the room, it should be here before tonight." He informed me in a dry tone. Before I could respond a knock on the door interrupted our unhappy conversation. "Come in," Austin called, his face still set in an unhappy frown. "Sire," the maid called, her cheeks red as she kept her gaze down. "The King has asked for you and your bride's presence in his study. He said that it is urgent and you must come now." Austin glanced at me and without waiting for me to ask any questions, already started making his way out of the room. I had to hurriedly follow behind him so as to not get lost. ………………………………….. "What's all this about mother?" Austin inquired taking in all of the arrangements taking place around him. "Your father and I had a discussion and we've decided that it would be best if we hosted a welcoming party in Lucy's honor where we introduce her as your wife." Both Austin and I stiffened at this news. I was never one to be fond of parties, it always left me extremely uncomfortable. I hated to receive weird stares or listen to any of the gossips about me, like I'd often witnessed back home. "I thought we agreed on not doing that."Austin demanded, his mood getting worse by each second that went by, I didn't think that was even possible. “This had to happen eventually Austin, it’s better we get it over with tonight. Besides, Lucy deserves a proper welcoming.” “Now Lucy, we have already organized an entire new wardrobe for you, when you return to your room there will  be a dress waiting for you on the bed, wear that tonight.”  “Yes your majesty.”  “No sweetie, you can call me Lisa.” "And you could call me Jeremy." The king announced with a warm smile. I returned their smile, thankful to at least be around a loving family for once, excluding the prince of course. ……………………………………………….. Austin’s POV: The pack would have to be more careful around the castle now that Lucy was here and had no clue about werewolves .I felt my hatred towards her grow once more, she just kept disrupting everyones lives and she only just got here. “Everyone’s here.”Alex reported. “Good.”I responded turning to face everyone.”This meeting is to discuss the arrival of Princess Lucy.She has absolutely no idea that we are werewolves or that they even exist for that matter, as such, no one is allowed to be around her in werewolf form.Everyone must go about the castle with caution from now on to ensure that she never finds out.”I announced as the pack went up in an uproar. “Why must we do this for a newcomer ?”Anthony demanded ,he always opposed anything I said so this wasn't anything new to me. “Yeah.”Everyone else agreed . “Look I assure you no one could be more upset about this than me but we also can’t forget that she is the only reason our kingdom was saved , this is not only for her but the safety of our pack.We can’t have a human knowing about us .”I reasoned . “Alpha, we have a problem.”Alex interrupted . “What’s wrong?”I asked on alert , he never interrupted me unless it was a serious matter. “We just got word that there is a rogue  on the loose and he is getting closer to the castle as we speak." "Why do I sense that there is more to this?"I asked studying his tensed posture . "Alpha."He started."I think Princess Lucy is in the castle's gardens ." My eyes snapped up to his at his words, my wolf suddenly becoming restless and was that fear I sensed? My wolf had never been scared of anything in its entire life. What the hell was happening ?   Before anyone could respond I shifted into my wolf and raced towards the castle.  I had to get to her. NOW! …………………………………………. Lucy’s POV: The palace’s garden was beautiful , much more than the one back home , I inhaled the scent of the gorgeous red roses in front of me and sighed .Something about being around plants always managed to help me feel at peace and this time was no exception. My mind wandered back to Austin against my wishes ,he had disappeared from the castle yet again, could he be with that woman?The thought of him with her made my heart ache  in a way I’ve never felt before which was absurd , I barely knew the prince , why did it affect me so much already?I only just got here and every time I didn't know where he went bothered me and at times I caught myself hoping to catch a glimpse of him ,something inside me felt at home whenever he was near. I placed my hands on my chest, right above my heart and pressed hard , hoping it would somehow help the pain I felt there. What was wrong with me? A loud howl came from the woods just outside the gardens and I fell back against one of the trees in shock. What was that? Wait…did I just hear growling? Maya came running out along with two other guys I hadn’t seen before , they rushed passed me and out into the woods while Maya stayed behind. “What’s wrong?”I asked alarmed . “Oh it’s nothing for you to be concerned about sweetie.”She assured me.”My brothers just always like to uh take a run in the woods every evening.” “But is it safe?I just heard a howl…like from a wolf.” “Oh.I’m sure you misheard it Lucy, there aren’t any wolves on this side of the forest.” “Are you sure?” I knew what I heard. “Yes , now let’s get you inside so we could get you into your dress and get you all dolled up for tonight.”  The reminder of tonight was enough to draw my attention away from what I just heard, at least for now. ……………………………………..…………… My eyes studied the dress in front of me , my cheeks suddenly enflamed …they wanted me to wear this?The material was a soft red velvet with a low cut at the chest area and a long slit at the bottom.The dress was extremely sexy and I've never worn anything like it before. I quickly slipped into it , my makeup and hair was already done by one of the helpers .I studied my reflection in  the mirror in shock, who was I?Never before have I ever looked this beautiful and seductive. With a long sigh I stepped out the room and headed down the hall. I peeped around the wall to examine the crowd and immediately fell back , the entire room was full and I knew absolutely no one there but the royal family .I hated being around crowds , I always somehow managed to make a fool out of myself. After taking a few seconds, I finally convinced myself to step out from my hiding spot and into everyone’s view.I felt many eyes on me and it took every ounce of my self control not to run back into the room. A loud growl suddenly erupted from the crowds and my eyes widened as I realized who it came from. Austin.