Chapter 3 The Lover

I sighed before lifting my face. Drake and I stared at each other. He was standing by my chamber door. I knew this wouldn't be easy, but we couldn't be selfish. Celyn was the only person who knew about our relationship, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Fortunately, my parents were in my father's study. They wouldn't have heard our conversation. The maids and bodyguards left me on the second floor. There was only us in the hallway. So, no one witnessed our encounter.

"Please, don't do this," I said.

"There must be another way for that man to remain king without marrying you." Drake approached me.

"We've talked about this, and there is no other way. He can't be king without me. After all, It's my responsibility to replace Celyn as queen when she's gone. We need Alpha Boaz and his pack to win the war," I reminded him.

Drake wrapped his arms around my waist. "I missed you. I missed us. Don't you know I must hold myself together to see him touch you?" He rested his forehead against mine.

Oh, Goddess. My sense of smell wasn't wrong. I was terrified of being near Alpha Boaz because of his frightening aura. But I wanted to stay beside him and found it hard to part with him, even if only for a moment.

In contrast, I felt uncomfortable with Drake's touch even though he did that to me daily. This time was different. I felt like pushing him away from me because my Lycan wanted me to retreat immediately.

"Our relationship is over, Drake. Start looking for your mate. She must be out there or in another kingdom. Accompany my parents when they pay a visit. You'll meet her and forget about me," I suggested.

Drake was one of our Gammas. He was my bodyguard and responsible for my safety. He confessed his feelings when I was twenty, old enough to understand I felt the same. I was the one who suggested we keep our relationship a secret.

Father and Mother would forbid our relationship because I could only marry a fellow Royal Lycan or an Alpha. Therefore, I patiently waited for the right time to tell them about Drake.

However, fate had other plans. Celyn died, and I had to take over her duties and responsibilities. It broke my heart to lose my loved ones, but I didn't have time to mourn. I had to prepare myself to marry another man.

Drake framed my face with his hands and looked at me pleadingly. "I can't forget you, Chris, not after going through so much with you. I don't care about your position as the future queen. I don't want to be the king. I only want to be your mate."

A pleasant scent entered my nostrils, and his powerful aura gave me goosebumps before he growled, "Keep your hands off her. Now!" The palace walls trembled from his loud voice.

"Alpha Boaz, don't misunderstand," I explained, trying to break free from Drake's embrace.

Instead of obeying the man's orders, Drake released me and stood as a shield before me. "Step over my dead body. Chris is my chosen mate. We've loved each other for years, and I won't let her marry you."

"I said, keep your hands off her!" Alpha Boaz moved so fast, grabbed Drake, and threw his body effortlessly to the end of the corridor behind him.

I squealed in surprise. "What are you doing? He's my bodyguard and won't hurt me," I protested. I was about to see how Drake was doing, but Alpha Boaz held my hand back.

"Your bodyguard? Did you think I wasn't listening to your conversation? He was your lover, but not anymore, Chris," he scoffed.

"Don't call me by-" I turned to him.

Alpha Boaz had one arm around my waist, and the other was on my nape. He sealed my lips with his. His kiss was so intense, punishing me but also satisfying me.

My Lycan betrayed me by savoring his every touch and kiss. My heart pounded happily, and all my senses became sensitive, resisting my will to resist. I only had my hands trying to push him away, but to no avail.

"Let him go, bastard!" Drake shouted.

I couldn't turn because Alpha Boaz was holding my head. But I inhaled another familiar scent in the corridor. Some people came and fought with Drake. I tried to break free, but he wouldn't let me go.

Alpha Boaz lifted my body, opened my bedroom door, and closed it again without ending his kiss. He laid our bodies on the bed, making me even more terrified. What was he going to do?

The servants in the room squealed in surprise. They might pack my clothes and stuff to take to a new place. Instead of helping me, they walked out of the room, leaving me at the mercy of a stranger. Oh, Goddess. I had never been so scared.

"Relax, Crystal, my princess. I won't hurt you," he whispered between kisses.

"Don't," I pleaded.

He massaged my neck, and his kisses softened. His other hand caressed my waist and worked up to my fingers. He intertwined our fingers while coaxing me to open my mouth with his tongue. I resisted with all my might.

"I changed my mind." He freed my lips and kissed my neck. "I want you to take me to my room."

Without waiting for my response, he carried me on his shoulders. The door opened, and I smelled the scent of his people and my maids. However, I didn't smell Drake. Alpha Boaz took me to his chamber on the third floor.

He laid me down on the bed. Before I could escape, he pinned me down and kissed my lips again. Fighting him and the mate bond was exhausting. Therefore, I finally gave in and kissed him back. It was the best kiss, or kisses, I've ever felt.

Mate bond made the intensity higher and more intoxicating. The pleasure convinced me I could get pregnant just by kissing him. Oh, Moon Goddess. Would he think I was cheap for giving myself to him so easily?

"Strange," Alpha Boaz whispered. "Why would the experience with you be any different?"

"What?" I asked in confusion while trying to catch my ragged breath.

"You're my second chance. Why does it feel stronger than my first mate? I didn't feel this with Celyn, even though she was intimate with many men. I'm not... possessive." He furrowed his brow.

"Who says I'm your second chance?" I mocked.

Alpha Boaz gazed deeply at me. His eyes glanced at my lips, and his hands caressed my chest. "I accept your challenge, my princess," he whispered seductively, arousing me. Oh, no.