I lean back in my chair, the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on my eyelids. It's been years since I've had a proper night's rest. The responsibilities of being King aren't something you can put on hold. The endless meetings, border disputes, and preparations for the Senior Wolves' arrival have all taken their toll. My body screams for sleep, but my mind refuses to let go.

Finally, I decide to give in. 

I'll allow myself a few hours, just enough to keep going. As I lay down on the bed, the moment my head hits the pillow, a sharp knock interrupts the silence. I groan inwardly, rolling over to ignore it, but the knocking persists, growing louder and more insistent. 

When I opened the door, there stood Cole's sister, a small, tentative smile on her face. She started talking, but I was too groggy to make sense of whatever she was saying. My mind was still tangled in sleep, struggling to process her words.

Then, a voice, smooth and sexy, cut through the haze. It jolted me awake instantly. 

I glanced to my right and found Aderyn standing near the corner, dressed in short jeans and a black top. She looked hot so damn sexy that I couldn't help but stare.

Damn.

I frowned. 

How did I not sense her presence earlier? Weren't mates supposed to feel and smell each other's presence easily? 

The thought lingered at the back of my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on what she was saying.

Shopping. They were going shopping.

I hated the idea of her going alone, even though Bell a warrior as strong as Cole would be with her. But still, the thought of anything happening to her twisted my gut. I discreetly mind-linked two of my guards, instructing them to follow at a safe distance.

Like it or not, Aderyn was my responsibility. I'd be damned if anything happened to her.

Then, I did something completely out of character. Before I could stop myself, I told Aderyn to wait. I went back into my room, fished out my credit card from my pant pocket, and handed it to her. It was meant as a kind gesture, but she took it the wrong was more like screamed at me that she had her own money and didn't need mine. 

Still, she eventually accepted the card.

As they were about to leave, I began closing the door, but once again, something came over me. I couldn't stop myself.

Spank.

The sound of the spank was so loud and sharp.

I spanked her.

I spanked her sexy butt, and for a moment, all I felt was satisfaction. But as soon as my brain registered what I had done, disbelief hit me like a ton of bricks.

"You perverted wolf! What the hell did you do that for?" I snapped at my wolf, shutting the door in Aderyn's face. She banged on it like a caveman, furious.

"She's my mate. I have every right to her. You weren't making a move, so I did. You got a problem with her? Not me," he retorted.

"How am I supposed to make her understand this?" I cursed, relieved when the banging finally stopped. But I knew it wasn't over. Aderyn was stubborn and hot-headed, she'd hunt me down in my dreams if she had to.

"She's my mate," my wolf screamed in my head.

"Go back to your cave, you mutt," I snapped back.

"How dare you! I'm no mutt. I'm the King," he howled in my mind, puffing up with pride.

"So am I," I replied, shutting him out.

I kept getting updates from my guards. I was confused when I heard Aderyn went into a store alone but didn't buy anything. 

What the hell was she doing in there alone? 

She could've taken Bell with her. But it wasn't my business. Her safety was my priority.

To my surprise, she returned my card the same day, telling me she hadn't used it. She was always different, always unpredictable.

I couldn't help but wonder how my life would've been if I weren't so broken. Maybe I would've accepted her as my mate from the beginning, cherished her with love and care. Though I don't love her, I do care. And I know it's going to hurt like hell when I finally reject her.

I'm just waiting for the day the Senior wolves finally visit us.

The Senior Wolves—sacred and powerful, like walking legends. They're not just ordinary werewolves; they're sacred souls, second only to the Moon Goddess. Immortal. They were the ones who crowned me as King, and they're the ones who will announce Aderyn as Queen.

But even though I've found my mate, they haven't shown up yet. 

What's keeping them?

I've decided that the day they arrive for the Queen's announcement, I'll reject Aderyn. I'll give them a good reason. I just hope they'll understand.

Sitting in my office, I couldn't stop thinking about Aderyn. The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.

"You don't want a mate, right?" I asked myself.

"That's right. I don't want a mate," I answered.

"But why?"

"Because a mate will make you weak, especially a human mate."

"In what way?"

"In every way. I'm the King. I have countless responsibilities. I have to protect the kingdom, the werewolves. And I have enemies. How am I supposed to save them both if they're in trouble at the same time?"

"Just because she's human doesn't mean she's weak."

"Yeah, I know she's stubborn, but we're werewolves. We're judged by our strength. Strength is everything for us."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is, and I don't want her to see my life. My past is something I can never forget. She's so full of life smiling, laughing, living. Dragging her into my problems would only hurt her. I want to keep her away, away from my difficulties."

I rubbed my forehead, frustrated. If anyone saw me talking to myself, they'd think I was mad.

"What should I do?" I muttered.

"I think yo—" my wolf started.

"Don't butt in! You're making this more complicated," I snapped. But the stubborn wolf ignored me.

"You don't want a weak mate, right?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah."

"Then make her strong."

"Make her strong?"

"You're worried you won't always be there to save her, right?"

I nodded.

"Then teach her how to protect herself how to fight," he suggested. And damn it, I liked the idea.

"You can train her so she can defend herself. Sure, she's human and not as strong as us or our enemies, but at least she can use her brain in a pinch," he said, wagging his tail like he'd just solved world hunger.

"Right," I agreed, satisfied with the plan.

I arranged everything. I ordered Train, one of our best warrior trainers, to teach Aderyn. I trusted him to handle her.

The only problem was Aderyn herself.

Convincing her would be difficult. I cursed my fate for giving me a human mate. It would've been so much easier if she were a werewolf. She would've understood, and I could've rejected her without any trouble.

"Why did you do this to me, Moon Goddess?" I sighed, leaning back in my chair. I mind-linked Bell, asking her to bring Aderyn to my office.

The sooner this was sorted, the easier it would be to reject her.

For her own good.

As I waited for her, I tried to come up with ways to explain why she needed the training.

Hey, don't forget to follow me.