POV: Caden

It went on like that until all I had touched all the females hands. To say it took me days to change my ways would be an understatement. Rumors spread quickly about how the Princess ran from her unwanted Prince. It didn't matter that I was a Prince, males would mock me in passing. They would declare me a worthless piece of shit, unfit to care for a female. Others would whisper that my mate suffers from ugliness.

At first, I thought maybe she was ugly and too afraid to show her face to me. That was how my fourteen year old self thought. Now at the age of twenty-two, I understand that no matter what, she would be the most beautiful woman in the world.

I was an idiot to think flogging and sending her to the dungeons would put her in place. It took me nearly two whole years to get my act straight and once I did, I tried to prove to the court and world I was fit enough to take care of a mate properly.

My parents stood by me through it all, telling me the dos and don'ts. If it wasn't for them, I'm sure I would have blown up on more people than I did.

"Caden, sweetheart, what's the matter?" Observing Jessica, I try not to cringe. I couldn't understand why certain woman caked on make-up. I pray my mate doesn't. Woman are beautiful just the way they are.

"I'm fine, Jessica. No need to worry." She only cared about gaining the crown and for some unknown reason she had it in her mind that she was getting it.  

"Are you sure? We can always skip out and have a little fun." Running her hands up and down my body, I held in the disgust I felt at her touch. I despise it. I despise her and every female I've bedded.

The very idea of cheating on my mate kills me, but I had no choice in the matter once I turned eighteen. As a royal the beast inside of me is stronger and without his mate to calm him down he would have gone on a rampage. I couldn't afford that to happen.

The night of my eighteen birthday, I had my father pick a female wolf and send her to me. It wasn't hard for my father to do as they were lining up waiting. They figured if they got me in bed and became pregnant with my child, I would have no other choice then to marry and crown them. That is why every female I bed has to be given the shot. I will not allow a child to be born to any female unless she is my mate.

I don't recall a single detail about the female, the lights were off and stayed that way. The moment we released I left her.

Marcus, my wolf understands the reasoning behind it even if he hates it. We both do. The repugnance we feel touching other woman sickens us.

"Caden your twenty-two now. When will you be proposing to me? Our kingdom needs its Prince to have his Princess." Gazing over her head at Jason, I square my jaw. How dare she ask that of me out in public? I could careless in private as I ignore her. Does she realize I haven't given up searching for my mate?

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention." Bombed my father's rough voice. "It is time for the royal run. First off has the Prince selected his partner for the run?"

All eyes turned to me and Jessica. Of course people knew she was my mate's replacement. Not that any female could replace my mate. Sending her a fake smile I nod my head.

"Excellent. If the females would please head out to the forest to change, the males will follow behind. The run will begin once Prince Caden and his partner reach the front line. Enjoy!" Ending his speech the females head off to undress in the privacy of the trees.

Except one. Jessica.

Her hands stroke my covered body in a seductive way. She may believe it's a turn on, I tend to disagree. Having enough I bring her hands down, hoping she will get the hint. Instead she stands on her tippy toes and plants a wet one on my lips. Without thinking, I spin her around and shove her away with a slap on her ass. It meant nothing other than to get her away from me.

 "She will be a nice bang tonight Caden. I bet she has a little something planned for you in her bed," Jason smirks while punching me in the arm. "This night needs to be over. I'm already missing my mate underneath me."

I knew he was joking.

"You know the reason she occupies my bed Jason. Not one of us is thick enough to not see through her lies. Jessica wants a crown on her head in three years." I laugh. Stupid girl.

"The only reason she believes that is because you've kept her the longest. Normally your mistresses last a few months, not a year. It's not like I blame you." Raising his eyebrows up and down Jason laughs before walking to the refreshment table to grab a drink.

"Caden, I need to speak to you before the run," Nik asked urgently. What couldn't wait until tomorrow?

He and Jason are the only two I can truly confide in.

After I beat the living day lights out of the Commanders son, I went later on the next day and repaid him a second visit. He hadn't said a word to his father at least that I know of.

I despised him until the unthinkable happened. I ignored my father's warnings as a young boy and ran outside the castle walls right into a group of rogues. Nik and his parents were out patrolling the area. Apparently they loved doing it as a family. The rogues didn't hesitate to attack me. The need to kill of the royal blood line thrived deep inside.

Nik's parents came to my rescue. His father forced him to carry me towards the castle walls. By the time reinforcements arrived it was too late. His parents were murdered.

I blamed myself. Privately vowing to watch over Nik for the rest of my life. He would want for nothing. He has wanted for nothing. My parents took him in as a second child, raised him to take his father's place as the commander of our troops and he has.

"What is it Nik?" I want this night to be over. All it is, is a reminder of my failure at finding my mate.

"I think you need to stop sleeping around. Your twenty-two Caden. What do you think your mate feels when she sees you walking away with a female on your arm? I know we've spoken about this multiple of times, but do you honestly believe she would stop her life to come live with a man whore?"

I hate when he reminds me. Maybe if she had given me a hint, I would have stopped. I know it's a foolish excuse, but it's all I have.

"What do you think will happen once she goes into heat and you find her? I wouldn't be too surprised if you found her in bed with another male. It would serve you right in the end."

Lowly growling, I hold my hand back from gripping his throat. "You may be my best friend Nikolai, but don't you ever forget who I am. No one speaks about my mate that way. I will kill any male who threatens to steal her away from me." I felt Marcus push forward. We both loathe the notion of her sleeping with another.

"I'm speaking the truth Caden. You believe it's alright to sleep with Jessica. She may well believe it's alright to sleep with a male friend. Do you want to start you relationship off by killing the man who has taken care of and treated her with upmost care?"

"Why does it sound as if you know something I do not, Nik? What are you hiding from me?" Walking slowly towards him, I feel my claws lengthening. At the thought of Nik keeping secrets about my mate to himself is sending me into over drive. I want to hold him by his throat until he spills all.

"Nothing, my Prince. I'm only trying to give helpful advice. I would never deceive you." Could I have been wrong all these years? He could have easily lied to me about not knowing who my mate was when she pushed him down. I will have to keep an eye on him.

"Be warned Nik, if I find out your lying to me and you know information that could help me find her, I won't hesitate to beat the living hell out of you, if not kill you," I snarl under my breath.

"I understand, your highness. I wouldn't dream of putting our Princess in harm's way." Without another word he bows his head and exits the room.

"Jason!" I holler.

"What did Nik say to piss you off this time?" He knew Nik loved to shove the infidelity in my face each chance he received.

"I want trackers on Nik. He is hiding something and I believe it has something to do with my mate. His words tonight portrayed that he knew how she actually felt. As if he has spoken to her. I want to know who he speaks to, where he eats where he sleeps. Every minute of his day."

"Caden, you can't be serious. Nik wouldn't backstab you like that."

"I thought I knew him Jason. Maybe we were wrong all those years ago. What if he knows who she is and is hiding her away to get back at me for getting his parents killed?" Running a hand through my hair, I groan out in frustration. I didn't want to believe one of my best friends could keep vital information from me.

"Shut up before I punch you Caden. Nik isn't like that and you damn well know it. His parents died protecting the two of you. Yes, he blamed you in the beginning when he found out you ignored your fathers orders."

Why couldn't I have been a smart youth?

"He has had a hard life Caden. His parents were taken from him, then shortly after he lost his mate. That does things to a person, man. He probably only wants to save you from the heartache of seeing your mate hate you for sleeping around. You know he is right. You honestly shouldn't be doing it now that she is older."

I hate how they make me feel as if I'm a young boy receiving a lecture.

"What if she wasn't ten? She could have been nine or even five!" I described how tall she was to my parents and they informed me she probably was a little over ten years old.

"You know that's not true. She wasn't that short Caden. Have faith that it's this year. Stop sleeping around for her sake." He was right. I need to end my bachelor ways. "Think on this Caden. Picture her in bed with another male. One she has been sleeping with for the past year. How would you feel? Murderous, am I right?"

Growling is my only answer. Murderous can't compare to what I feel inside at that notion. No one and I mean no one will ever lay a hand on her body!

"How do you think she feels seeing you leaving a room with Jessica on your arms? She has to know you've had Jessica for a year now. It's no secret. "

"Why wouldn't' she come to me then? Demand I stay away from other females? Kill Jessica?" Why in the world would a female wolf allow her mate to sleep around in the first place? I've seen female wolves jealous and it's not a pretty sight.

"I've asked Alina that question once and you know what her answer was?" Shaking my head, I try to figure out what his little mate would say to my transgressions. "She told me that if I had slept around before finding her, she wouldn't have confronted me. I may be her soul mate, but she deserves a hell of a lot better than a cheating bastard. Yes, she considers it cheating Caden. You know your mate is out there watching you, though you don't give a damn if she sees you kiss and fuck other woman."

"Is that your way of informing me to stop my manly ways?" Shame bashes against my chest. If I hadn't have slept around, would she be in my arms right now?

"Manly? Caden you have a mistress. You're sleeping with a female who believes she is gaining the royal crown. You know Jessica loves to gloat about it. What if your mate has heard her speaking of it to others? For all we know Jessica is reveling to others you have shown her the crown she will wear. If your mate heard she might further the distance between the two of you. Why would she want to come forth knowing you've already promised your love to another?"

Shock flows through me. It couldn't be possible. She couldn't have heard Jessica, right? She has to know I would do anything for her.

"Gentlemen, I believe we have given the females enough time to change out of their complicated gowns. It's time to head out before they come barging in demanding where we have run off too." Barely listening to my father's laughter, I follow Jason through the doors.

Unlike me, he has a mate who loves him deeply.

Sighing, I realize how horribly wrong I have been once again. I thought I could drown my sorrows in bed in the dark. How utterly mistaken I was. I have only myself to blame once again.

Running with Jessica tonight will be the last I see of her. No more. If Nik and Jason are right, which they are hardly wrong, I need to shape up once again and prove that I can be a faithful mate. If it's the last thing I do. I will show to her, how my love is for her and only her.

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Authors Note: Hope you liked it. :)

Question of the day: What do you think Caden will do to Nik once he finds out he knew?

Don't forget to show your lovin.