The Secret Mate

"Please..." my cries for help pierced the night. "Please, let me go..."

Tears ran down my features as the cold brisk air made it painful to breathe. What was once a freeing night, turned into an utter nightmare. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. I felt blood trickling down the nape of my neck, where he had sunk his teeth and smeared across my bare breasts.

The pain of his teeth in my flesh made it almost unbearable, but his tender embrace and soft kisses on the wound made the pain subside slightly.

His words were echoing in my ear, words that still made no sense. Yet, he keeps repeating them.

"My mate..."

What did those words mean?

Surely, he wasn't insinuating that I was his mate? I couldn't be his mate. I didn't have a wolf. Most would develop their wolves at the young age of 14, but I was 21 and I had never developed my wolf. It wasn't possible for me to have a mate.

A shadow fell upon this man's face, so I couldn't tell who my attacker was. But his voice was low, seductive, and familiar.

My bare body trembled under his touch; I didn't want this. I didn't want to be touched by this man. I wanted to be set free. All I ever wanted was to be free. It's been 5 years since I became a slave for the Golden Palace, working under House Arnold.

I could hear the music and the chattering of the ceremony going on within the palace walls. They were celebrating the joining of Royal House Arnold and Warrior Reilly Pack, as Martin Arnold and Lady Grace Reilly married.

Anybody who was anybody was inside enjoying the ceremony, except for this man.

Whoever he was.

"My mate..." the man said again as he trailed his kisses down my bareback. His fingers traced my breasts tenderly and pulled me closer to his body.

"I'm not..." I cried out to him. "I'm not anyone's mate."

His warm breath left my skin coated in goosebumps as his lips made their way across the back of my neck and towards my cheek. His other hand forced my head slightly towards him. I still couldn't see him clearly for the shadow was cast over his features.

However, I could smell the alcohol clear on his breath. I nearly gagged at the scent.

Whoever he was, he was drunk.

"I'm not your mate..." I whispered, trying to get through to him.

His lips closed around mine, I could taste the bitter taste of the wine lingering on his lips. I didn't pull away; my body wasn't allowing me to pull away. I didn't want this, and yet my body wasn't listening to my mind. I stayed still; I closed my eyes and allowed him to deepen the kiss.

I thought back to a few moments ago before I stumbled outside. Beth, another slave, and my best friend had told me that it was dangerous for me to go outside.

"Doris..." she said to me before I reached the back door. "You shouldn't." She kept her voice in a harsh whisper to not alert the others.

I knew she was right. We weren't allowed to be outside without permission and it felt as if I haven't been outside in so long. I just needed that small taste of freedom; I wanted to feel the cold autumn air on my skin and embellish the night with my presence.

If I were to be found out, I would be punished.

I wasn't planning on being gone long and most servants and everyone else was busy with the ceremony. I didn't think I would be found out so soon.

His low growls invaded my ear; I could smell the musk of his wolf. His claws were sharpening as his wolf form was breaking through his person. He wasn't in control of this attack. His wolf was. He was hungry for me, and I could feel it.

The softness of his fur tickled my back and his hold on me only tightened. I wasn't a match for a full wolf when I couldn't transform myself. I was powerless against him, but I didn't get the sense that he wanted to hurt me; he was in lust.

The sharpness of his claws dug between my breasts, breaking apart my skin and leaving a scratch down my torso. I screamed out in agony as I watched the blood soak into the soil of the garden.

"Please... Stop!!" I screamed out.

I no longer cared if anyone could hear me. I just wanted the pain to go away; I wanted him to let me go.

I stared down at my maid's uniform that still sat by my feet; he had torn it off me with little to no effort. It wasn't even a question in his mind; he came out here knowing exactly what he wanted, and I happened to be in his path. I shouldn't have strayed from the path I was on to come to the gardens. I just wanted to smell the blooming roses and soak under the moon for a little while.

I made a silent promise to the moon gods that if they got me out of this alive, I would never be disobedient again.

His claws turned back into hands, and I could feel his erection pressing into me, begging for entrance.

I cried out again for him to stop; my mouth was telling him to stop, but my body was firmly pressed against his and unmoving. My body stayed obedient to him and when he touched me my back would arch, and my breathing would grow heavy. When he kissed me, I would feel a soft moan from the back of my throat.

He sensed that burning pleasure and fed into it; despite my words and pleas for help, my body wanted it.

The gardens began to brighten a bit when the storm clouds moved away from the moon; between the foggy vision of my misty eyes, I was able to look at my attacker.

I stared up at him, astonished at who I was seeing. Too stunned to speak.

Before I could say anything, I heard a voice coming from the end of the garden. I heard footsteps and knew it must have been some of the other servants. There was no way anyone else would have left the ceremony; they must have been looking for him.

"Prince William!" A servant said as they spotted him.

He realized that they were heading in our direction and released me instantly. I fell to the ground, scrambling around to collect my uniform. I covered my body, my fingers shaky and tears still falling from my eyes.

Prince William stumbled backward confused, looking around at the mess around us. His eyes finally fell on me, and his face turned expressionless. He turned to the servants that were rushing towards him.

They haven't spotted me yet; the shadows have returned, and I was hidden within.

"We've been looking all over for you!" One of the servants said, breathlessly and panic riddling her tone. "You are needed at the ceremony. Mr. Carson is losing his mind."

Mr. Carson was the head servant; if Prince William was late for this ceremony, it would be his head on the line. Everyone knew this, especially Prince William. The problem was, he didn't care. He didn't care about much of anything.

I felt disgusting as I thought about the prince touching me.

I managed to cover myself enough to be able to return to the palace. I couldn't allow the other servants to see me though, so I hid within the rose bushes. The thorns of the roses dug into my back, and I winced as the pain shot through my body; I felt blood trickling down my spine and soaking into the soil by my feet.

Prince William still seemed confused, but he didn't argue with them. He let them guide him out of the gardens and back towards the palace. Leaving me alone at last.

As their footsteps grew quieter, I was able to pull myself out of the rose bushes.

I stared off in the direction they walked.

I couldn't believe it.

Prince William was my attacker.

Williams POV

William stumbled through the foyer of the palace, the music from the ballroom growing louder as they approached the grand doors. A servant on each side of him to make sure he doesn't fall over or try to get away. He's been dreading this moment for months since he got word that Grace Reilly, a woman he had once fancied, was to marry his half-brother, Crown Prince Martin.

The wine he had drunk moments ago was making his head spin and he could hardly walk a straight line. His wolf was angry with him and wanted him to return to the gardens for whatever reason. It kept telling him of his fated mate but that couldn't have been right. He was with a servant; she wasn't anything special and she certainly couldn't have been his mate.

He didn't even know her name.

The idea of a mate was disgusting to him; his own mother died because of her fated mate and he won't allow something like that to happen to him.

Servants went in and out of the ballroom as they worked the ceremony; the music growing loud as the doors opened and closed. Then, there was Mr. Carson.

He had beads of sweat piling on his forehead; he was periodically peering in the ballroom and scanning the foyer. He looked nervous.

Mr. Carson was most likely looking for William; not that William cared. He didn't want to be at this event. He didn't want to watch Grace Reilly marry his brother and he certainly didn't want to be in the same room as the woman who killed his mother.

Luna Queen Cara.

His father's wife since his supposed fated mate died.

It was obvious to William that it was Luna Queen Cara that killed his mother out of jealousy. She wanted Alpha King Charles to herself and stopped at nothing to get it. She took William's mother away. Then she arranged for her son, Martin, to marry the only woman that William ever truly wanted.

This whole event was sickening but according to his father, he wasn't allowed to miss it. None of them were allowed to miss it.

Mr. Carson finally spotted William heading in his direction and relief flooded across his face as he rushed towards him. When he approached William, his face fell slightly as he gathered William's appearance.

"Prince William, your highness, you look a mess," Mr. Carson said with disappointment.

William glanced down at the white shirt, he was wearing, and realized it was unbuttoned where his chest was revealed. It was also slightly dirty from the rose garden grounds.

William said nothing as he stared in the direction of the ballroom. Anger was already fueling him; all he could think about was needing another drink.

Sighing, Mr. Carson went towards the closet where they kept the coats. He returned moments later holding a tie.

"At least put a tie on," Mr. Carson said as he began placing the tie around William's collar.

William groaned miserably; he hated having to dress up. If it wasn't for Mr. Carson, William would have worn pajamas to the ceremony. Once the tie was on him, Mr. Carson gave him a look over with disapproval on his expression.

"That will do," Mr. Carson muttered, still unsatisfied. "Please, your highness. Don't make a scene." Mr. Carson pleaded.

Ignoring him, William shoved past him and towards the grand doors.

He stumbled into the ballroom, shoving past a couple of servants that were holding trays of food. The food splattered to the ground and the trays made a clattering sound that startled some of the guests. The guests turned to see what the commotion was and noticed William standing there almost immediately.

William didn't care. He enjoyed making a loud entrance; especially at an event, he didn't want to be at. He grinned wickedly at some of the guests and grabbed a glass of wine from another Servant who was standing close by.

He stumbled further into the room, nearly tripping over his feet, and using a table to keep his balance. His weight proved to be too much for the table, and he heard the legs snapping and the table tipped over. Drinks and food splattered to the ground; some of which got on the gowns of the women sitting at the table.

They jumped up from their seats, shocked at what just happened. Food and wine staining their gowns.

William couldn't help but laugh at the misfortune.

The music began silencing and everyone, including the royals, turned in his direction.

He was met with his father, Alpha King Charles, and the anger appearing across his face.

"William," his father hissed as he stalked closer to his son. "You are late, and you are drunk. What do you have to say for yourself?"

William stared at his father; they were about eye level in height if William kept his back straight.

"You're lucky I showed up at all," William muttered; he could see the fury in his father's eyes, but Charles knew better than to lash out at a ceremony as important as this one.

This was the ceremony that was to save Royal House Arnold. There were packs with massive armies set out to conquer House Arnold. The only way to retain the power was the connect House Arnold with Warrior Reilly Pack by marriage.

This wasn't something that Charles would jeopardize.

William, still staring at his father, drank the wine out of the glass he was holding before shoving it in a servant's chest as the servant walked by.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," William said as he shoved past his father and towards the lovely bride and groom.

Grace Reilly stood from her seat with Martin standing by her side. As the distant niece of the Luna Queen, Grace was the most beautiful creature in the entire kingdom. Not a single soul came close to her beauty, werewolf or human, they simply couldn't compare.

As much as he loved her, William always found her to be a bit conceited. She always thought that any male creature would fall for her at first sight. Maybe she wasn't wrong because she certainly had William's attention.

"Brother," William addressed Martin, completely ignoring Grace's presence. He could feel her unease and it made him smile. "I apologize for my tardiness."

There was a bitterness that leaked through William's tone.

His eyes shifted from Martin to Grace, and she swallowed hard. He didn't linger his eyes upon her for long; he switched his gaze to Luna Queen Cara who stood nearby as well. She pressed her lips in a thin line and her body tensed. There was a slight hatred in her eyes that you'd have to be blind to not notice.

His wolf stirred deep within him, begging to be released so he could rip Cara's throat out in front of everybody. He wanted everybody to know how much he truly hated this woman. She took everything from him and now he wanted to take everything from her.

She didn't say anything though; she broke eye contact and cleared her throat.

"Where did the music go?" She asked loud enough for the band to hear. "Let's not stop the celebration. This is my son's wedding day after all."

Without much delay, they began playing the music again. Guests were finally able to pull their attention away from William and continue enjoying themselves. Servants worked to clean the mess William left on his trail.

"I'll see myself out..." William muttered as he turned to walk towards the grand doors.

He did what he was told; he came and made an appearance. He didn't need to stay much longer than that and he didn't want to stay longer than he had to.

As he walked back on his trail, he said nothing to anybody and saluted nobody.

The last thing he heard before leaving the ballroom was the muttering from Cara, "What a rude bastard."

Doris POV

I ran from the rose gardens to the palace; thankfully everybody was busy tending to the ceremony that they didn't notice me. I don't know what I would tell them as to why I was half-naked, dripping with blood, and cold. At that point, I didn't even know what to tell myself.

I was still in shock over what had happened. Prince William attacked me and bit into me; he marked me as his.

He kept calling me his mate; or rather his wolf was calling me his mate. But that had to be the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. I was a werewolf without a wolf, which also meant I didn't have a mate.

Tears flooded over my eyes, and I bit my bottom lip to keep from sobbing. I couldn't cry right now; I had to clean myself up.

I ran into my bedroom, throwing my ripped uniform onto my bed and grabbing a fresh uniform out of my drawers. I stumbled awkwardly into the bathroom and filled the bathtub with water that was so cold it would surely numb my body.

Looking into the mirror I saw the scratches outlining my torso; they were growing puffy, but they were no longer bleeding. I knew it wouldn't take long before I fully healed; by tomorrow the wounds would be completely gone and I can pretend none of it happened. I didn't want the marks to remind me of the brutal attack.

My body was still shaking as I stepped into the cold bath. I allowed the water to soothe away the pain from Prince William's claws. I could still feel his lips on my neck and remembered how obedient my body was to his commands.

I felt ruined.

My body was ruined, and I was disgusted with myself.

How could I have let something like this happen?

Before long, the bathroom door swung open and my best friend, and roommate, Beth stood in the doorway. She was breathless and staring at me with eyes that were alert, yet wary. I tried to cover my naked body with my hands, but it didn't really matter, she could see everything as she waltzed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Doris!" Beth said, panic rising in her voice.

She grabbed a towel off the rack on the far end of the bathroom and strolled closer to me. I got out of the bath, allowing the water to drip from my body and puddle around my feet. Something I would have to clean up later.

It seemed so trivial to be worried about something as small as a puddle in the bathroom. Especially after what had just happened. She looked around my body as she wrapped me in the towel; her arms were warm, and I didn't realize how badly I was shaking until she was holding me tightly in her embrace.

"What happened to you?" She asked, keeping her tone low in case there were others nearby.

"I..." My voice came out as a raspy squeak, and I nearly flinched at how broken I sounded. I couldn't even speak; if I spoke, I would start sobbing and I didn't want to start sobbing in front of her.

I couldn't tell her what had happened. I couldn't tell anybody.

"It's okay..." she whispered as she held me tighter. "It's going to be okay."

--

Morning.

As predicted my wounds were completely gone by the morning; however, the wounds I felt internally would last for a lifetime. I thought if I couldn't see the markings on my body, I would be able to forget the events that had happened.

But I was wrong.

I had to tough it up though; I couldn't break down and continue crying. I spent the night crying. But this morning I was on tea duty for the Banquet, and I couldn't mess it up.

This was the first-morning Banquet since Lady Grace married into Royal House Arnold. It was a tradition that the royals have a feast to celebrate the new marriage and joining of the packs.

I held the teapot firmly in my hands until my knuckles had grown white, trying to keep my hands from trembling.

Melody, a fellow maid, stared over at me with a frown of disapproval.

She wasn't someone either Beth or I got along with. She was only a couple of years older than me and flirted her way to the position of the head maid. Though Mr. Carson was still her boss for he was in control of all the servants around the palace.

"Why are your eyes so puffy?" She asked in a harsh whisper. "Did you cry all night because you couldn't marry the Crown Prince?"

She sounded so arrogant, and I couldn't help but snarl at her. But I also didn't want to argue with her because I was on duty and needed to appear professional. I couldn't mess up this Banquet or else I would get in huge trouble.

"Fine, don't answer me," Melody said, turning away from me and staring at the royals in front of us.

They weren't paying much attention to us. Alpha King Charles was furious because Prince William was late. It didn't surprise me, or anybody, that he was late. He was always late. He had an "I don't care about anything" attitude and it drove the royals crazy. But his was an important event and their patience with William was wearing thin.

"Just answer this," Melody said, leaning close to me. "What made your eyes swollen?"

"I..." I paused to gather my thoughts. "I couldn't sleep last night."

It wasn't a lie. I couldn't sleep last night. But I wasn't going to tell her why.

She rolled her eyes and jammed her elbow into my side, I winced but kept my structure.

"Bullshit," she said with a chuckle; she spoke a little too loudly that time and Mr. Carson peered over at us with a disapproving gaze.

"Ladies," he hissed, rolling his eyes. "This is an important event. You need to be on your A-game."

We both lowered our heads politely in an apologetic manner.

I jumped at the sound of Alpha King Charles' fists slamming into the table before him and he sprang to his feet. His face was red with fury.

"I can't believe he is late, yet again," Charles hissed through his gritted teeth. "He knows how important this is."

"Darling, William has his own life. I'm sure there's a reason he's late," Luna Queen Cara said, keeping her tone calm.

"What possible reason could he have?!" Charles asked, still furious as he returned to his seat. "Why can't he be more like his brother?" Charles added in a mutter.

"Well..." Cara said, glancing around at her family and then landing her eyes back on her husband. "I heard that he marked a maid last night."

I felt my heart sinking into my stomach and the color in my features draining. My breathing got caught in my throat. I attempted and failed to keep myself from shivering uncontrollably; panic rising through me and tearing me into pieces.

How had she heard about that?

"What?" Charles asked, shooting his gaze at her. "Mark a maid?"

A timid smile was placed on her lips.

"I think we should find out who this maid is. She could be his mate," Cara stated with humor lacing her tone.

There's that word again. Mate.

Royal house Arnold is famous for its noble status and dignity bloodlines. How could a maid be a prince's mate? It was impossible and laughable.

I felt sick to my stomach; for a moment, I thought I was going to pass out.

Charles looked over at Mr. Carson, a snarl on his face.

"Find William and bring him here. NOW," Charles ordered.

Mr. Carson didn't waste much time; he headed towards the doorway to find William, but before he could go anywhere, William casually strolled through the door.

I knew he had drunk a lot the night before, but I was surprised that he didn't at all appear to be hungover. His sun-kissed skin was elegant, and he looked gorgeous even dressed casually. No maid would dare to look him in his eyes, or they would get lost in his ocean-like storm.

I felt my cheeks flush as he strode into the room.

He glanced around at the table of royals, his frown deepening as he stared at Cara. From the 5 years I've resided in the palace, I knew William didn't have a good relationship with his family. Especially Luna Queen Cara. However, the reasoning behind it was unknown.

Of course, there were rumors, but that's all they ever were. Rumors.

"You're late," Charles hissed to his son. "Again."

"I'm here, aren't I?" William muttered, strolling towards an empty seat at the table.

"I'm disappointed in you; you were also late for your brother's wedding. You knew how important that event was," Charles said, trying to maintain his anger but we could still see the fury of his wolf rising within him. His wolf's honey-brown eyes flashed through his gaze as he addressed his son. "How dare you disrespect Warrior Reilly Pack like that."

"But I'm not the groom," William said casually. "Whether I was late or not had zero impact on the wedding. Am I right?"

Charles took in a deep breath to steady his anger; William was right. It didn't matter whether he was late or not. It had nothing to do with him.

Only I knew why he was late though, and the thought was sickening. There wasn't a bath cold enough that could take away the memory and feeling of his touch against my bare skin.

"Fine," Charles finally said. "I'll let you off the hook this time. But what is it I'm hearing about you marking a maid?"

I used the table beside me to keep from falling over; I placed the teapot on the table and held onto the edge with dear life.

"I don't know," William said without any emotions. "I was drunk." He shrugged it off like it meant nothing to him. "Now, your majesty, would you mind if I started my breakfast?"

He didn't wait for Charles to answer before shoving a forkful of filet steak into his mouth. Charles opened his mouth to say something, but Cara stopped him before he could get a word out.

"Okay darling," she chuckled nervously. "This is Grace's first meal since joining our family. Let's not ruin it by getting angry."

Charles sighed, releasing his anger. He turned his attention back to his food which seemed to please Cara for she gave him a soft smile in return. She turned her attention to Mr. Carson who straightened his back, ready for his orders.

"Mr. Carson," she began. "I want you to find out who this maid is that William seemed to have marked."

"Yes, your majesty," Mr. Carson replied obediently.

"Oh, and please do so alone," she added, glancing at the rest of us that stood behind him.

He nodded in respect to her before he turned to face me.

"Serve the tea," he ordered me.

I straightened my stance and grabbed the teapot off the table; I began walking towards the dining table when my foot snagged onto the outstretched foot of another maid.

Melody.

Before I could stop myself, I was tumbling forward with the teapot firmly in my grip. But not firm enough to keep it in my hands. I landed on the ground, and I heard the clattering of the teapot before me.

Gasps erupted from the royal family and William stood up quickly as the tea soaked through his clothing.