I move with the crowd and stay hidden as much as I can. I release a sign of relief as soon as the ball comes to an end. This night has become a living nightmare and I must plan a way in which I can escape it.
I am even more relieved that my stepsisters decide to finally leave the ball. The ride home is uneventful as I struggle to keep my eyes open for long.
Their mates wish them a good night, and we enter the house. As promised, I get down to cleaning their rooms and putting everything away as best as I can. By the time I crash into bed, the first rays of sunlight are peeking through my curtains, and I doze off into a deep sleep.
I wake up in the afternoon and quickly run to the kitchen to cook and prep for dinner. I'm surprised to find my sisters eating out of takeaway containers. They must have ordered food to the house.
"Hey we saved you a packet," Mila says to me indicating the packet of food in a styrofoam container. I take it from her a little hesistant as what the contents might be.
"It's fried noodles from that restaurant that opened up near our home" Taia adds, without looking up from her spot where she is happily chewing on her food.
I smile and thank them. Taking it up to my room to eat.
Once inside, I shut the door and sink to the floor in a mixture of relief and a creeping fear floods my body, of what could happen if more people found out I was his fated mate.
I do the only thing I can think of and that is begin to pack my things. I take out all my hand luggage and bags that I have and begin to fit the things I know I will need.
If only my mother was still here I think to myself, she would know exactly what I should do and advise me best.
I sink to the floor and kneel beside my bed. Burying my face in a pillow on the bed. I groan inwardly if only I could be a mate to someone other than the Alpha King. What cruel joke was Fate doing entangling us together.
"I'm going to run away from him," I whisper to myself.
"And exactly where will you run to?"
Says a deep voice from above me.
I nearly scream for all that I am worth, he is in my room! As this dreadful realisation dawns on me.
I look up quickly to find his face close to mine studying my tear streaked, very red face and puffy eyes.
"Anywhere, so long as I am away from you!"
I tell him a little more fiercely than I intend to.
"My dear is a fate living life on your own terms struggling to meet ends meet, something you really want for yourself. With me you will be surrounded by luxury and more importantly you will be my constant companion. Is that really such a difficulty for you to abide under?" He asks in a mocking tone.
"Yes! Especially if my individuality is completely tied to you!"
"I want to be free of you, free to do what I want when I want, I am no man's pawn."
I say through gritted teeth.
"No you are no man's pawn, you will simply become my wife. You will still have your freedom just under my guidance."
"And your rule?" I add sulking.
I know I'm being childish now but I can't help it not when I don't even know him well enough to completely sign away my life to fate by his side.
"Please be fair to me and allow me to change your mind, if I fail I shall release you from being my mate and having to be by my side."
He says now pleading with me, gently taking my hand and sitting beside me on the bed.
I drop my face into my hands and taking in and releasing a deep breath.
"Alright", I say reluctantly.
"If you fail, you drop me and never bother me again?"
"If that is what you wish," he replies his voice tinged with kindness, I think it is as I look up to see him studying me intently.
"Will you move in with me, I know its too soon to ask but I would sleep easier knowing you're under my roof."
"I get my own room. Deal?"
"Deal." He replies with a small smile.
I release a breath I didn't realise I have been holding.
"I do not wish to tell anyone about this between us," I say pointing with my finger back and forth to indicate the bond.
"Neither, do I, don't worry your secret is safe with me." He says with a wink of his right eye.