^^His Highness aka Alastair's father^^

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will tear me apart."

Chapter 11
River's POV

It's been almost a week now and I'm barely getting by without Alastair. I've must have gone through half his closet by now from all of the times I've slept and wore his shirts just to remember his scent. I miss him with more words than I can vocalize.

Keith said that he may return in a few days span if his heat doesn't strike again.

I'm running out of things to add to my list to do, as I'm not leaving our room as often as before. I'm afraid if I leave for too long, I'll forget what his scent smells like and the crisp air outside the room will wipe whatever I have left of his scent from me.

Isaiah comes and visits me often as well as Michael, but as much as I appreciate their kindness to help, they weren't helping. They speak of all the things they've done and how much fun it would be if I had joined, but I didn't want to. Was that a strange concept to understand?

At the moment, Michael and Keith were sitting by me, on the cushioned chairs placed next to the bed. I wasn't sure what they were speaking of, as I had begun to tune them out long ago.

I felt a poke on my shoulder and I turned.

"I got a letter from Alastair this morning saying he plans to return in two days time," Keith smiled.

"Are you sure?" We've had many false alarms.

"Yes, he said he can't stand being so far from you for so long. He said he'd rather chain himself in the cellar if needed." He laughed.

Chain himself?

I shuddered at the idea.

If his heat would get so bad to the point of chaining himself, I'd rather mate with him then allow him to do so.

What would be the point in putting him in unnecessary pain?

As much as Alastair wanted our first time to be special, something I loved him tremendously for, as long as it was him I don't mind how it's done. I'd do anything if it meant making him happy and misery free.

Michael must have caught onto my horrified aura as he sent Keith 'the look', "what Keith is trying to say is that your mate is returning, so turn that frown upside down." He smiled.

I pulled a small smile.

"Aww, look how cute you are when you smile." Michael cooed as he pulled me into his lap, rocking me back and forth.

Why do I feel like a baby?

"Don't pout, cutie." Michael laughed.

"I'm not pouting." I am.

A knock resounded at the door. We all pivoted our heads, staring until Keith decided to be unlazy of the bunch and actually answer it. He opened the door, revealing a girl dressed in a maid's wear.

"His Excellency calls for your presence in his chambers for a meal." She spoke in a monotonous voice.

His Excellency? Is she speaking of the king? Alastair's father?

"All of us?" Keith asked quizzically.

Was it strange to be summoned by him?

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Very well." He dismissed her before turned towards us with a confused look in his eyes.

"My father does not usually summon us. At least not when not all of us are present.." He trailed off.

"Does he know of Alastair's leaving?" I asked.

"Yes, he was the one who permitted it, after all. Without the king's permission, neither I nor my brother can leave the premises of the capital."

So even the royalty don't have complete freedom.

Michael ushered me out the room behind Keith as they made their way, assumingly, to the king's chambers. Being nervous didn't even begin to explain how I was feeling. I was practically peeing myself. This was Alastair's father, someone I clearly needed to prove my worthiness to if he were to give me his acceptance as his son's mate.

What if he doesn't end up liking me? What if he finds me unworthy of his beautiful son's presence?

Oh Goddess, I hope he accepts me.

We arrived in front of a large, wooden door.

Keith knocked as a deep, bellowing voice said, "Come in."

He opened the door as I peeked from behind Michael. I was more than a little intimated.

There, upon a large purple, velvet cushion sat a tall, muscular man lounging with a golden wine glass in hand.

He looked up and his yellow-hazel eyes seemed to pierce me. The color was similar to Alastair's, but as Alastair's eyes were soft and filled with love and compassion, his father's were sharp and on edge.

"Aah, you're the new addition, huh?" His voice was filled with malice.

Well, I guess there goes all my hopes and dreams of him accepting me.

Michael's eyes narrowed as he stood protectively in front of me.

"Is there a reason for our calling, Your Excellency?" His voice sounded cut and forced as if speaking with thorns down his throat.

"Aah, that there was, that there was," he moved his glass in small circles as he slowly stood from his lounging position, "please," he motioned to a table beside him filled with food, "take a seat."

Michael held my hand as we made our way to the table and sat me beside him, as far away from the king as possible.

I smiled in thanks.

"So tell me," he motioned towards me with his hand in a waving motion.

"River," Michael snapped.

The king seemed not to notice his tone as he continued, "River, from what class are you?"

"A low one, Your Excellency," I said quietly, looking down.

"Hmm, do you consider yourself worthy of my son?" I looked up so fast I could have sworn I had gotten whiplash, his eyes blazed with anger.

I didn't know what to say as I just stared at him wide eyed.

Did I?

"You see, Alastair is to be the heir to my throne as Keith has long since denounced his right to it." He mumbled angrily staring at Michael.

Why do I have a feeling that Keith denouncing his right to the throne had to do with Michael?

Michael grounded his teeth as Keith ran small circles on his tightly held hands as his knuckles turned a chalky white.

The king sipped nonchalantly from his wine glass as Michael seemed to visibly shake in his seat, "You know, River, my son had to be sent off to a heat camp," he said putting his wine glass down.

I nodded.

"Have you rejected my son?" He spoke as if the idea was inconceivable.

I shook my head fiercely at the thought.

How could he think I would reject his son? His beautiful, loving son. If anything he would reject me.

"So then why have you not mated with him yet? Do you find him unattractive?"

My face turned bright red, as I shook my head like a broken rag doll.

"O-of course not," I whispered.

"Then why did you send him away?"

"I-I didn't, He t-told me--"

"Don't lie to me, child. I know exactly what happened. You played the cute and innocent virgin too afraid to be rushed into his first time. You convinced him to wait and wait he shall. After all, the cute virgins are my son's favorite type," he mumbled, taking another sip from his wine glass.

I felt all color wipe from my face.

Michael stood up from his seat with a screech, "we're done here," he grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door before anyone could say anything. Keith followed behind, silently, as Michael dragged me into his chambers.

He held me tight in his arms as I bawled my eyes out. I wasn't sure what I was crying about, but something the king had said had struck a nerve.

Thoughts of Alastair's past conquests filled my mind, from beautiful, exotic women to porcelain, blond males.

All more beautiful than I.

"Shhh, don't listen to what he said cutie," Michael cooed, "you're the most precious person in Alastair's eyes and waiting for the right time was something he wanted more than anything, it was his idea."

I knew all that. I knew it was his choice, though I wished he could have stayed. However, what really struck a nerve was his comment on me being 'just his type' as if, in comparison, I was just like his past conquests. Just one amongst many. Nothing special.

I want Alastair. I want him back. I want it to be him holding me to his firm, warm body as he comforts me with words of love.

I felt a darkness engulf me as a wave of exhaustion pulled me under into its dark abyss.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Alastair's POV

I sat, chattering among the four men I had grew accustomed to throughout my week stay here before I heard a strange thumping sound followed by yelling. The whole dining area grew silent as everyone watched the grand door to the eating area as it swung open, revealing an extremely angry looking Keith.

Keith?

He peered around the room before his eyes landed on me as he stomped in my direction.

"You idiot!" He bellowed.

What did I do?

I stood up from my seat as he reached me.

"What were you thinking leaving River for so long?! Father--"

"What are you talking about?! I'm in heat! Do you expect me to remain with my mate when I could pounce him at any moment and forcefully take him?! Where is this coming from? Why are you here?" My voice when from angry to nervous.

Did something happen to River? Is he okay?

"Father got to him."

No.

"What did he say?"

"You know, the usual 'you are not worthy' followed by degrading and making your mate feel like absolute shit."

Shit.

"He's crying you know, cried himself to sleep. You should have seen his face when father brought up how innocent virgins were just your taste---"

"I'm going to bloody rip his head off," I growled.

How dare he speak to my mate like that.

...Wait.

"Why are you here? You could have told me this through a letter." I trailed off as my mind began searching for conclusions on its own.

"I'm here to take you home. You've been gone long enough. Your mate needs you and you're going to bloody chain yourself to a post if you need to, because if you stay here any longer you're going to come back to something you won't know how to fix. Michael suspects he's going through early signs of depression and he's doing everything he can to try to at least keep your mate from sleeping the day away in your clothes, but enough is enough. He can't handle being away from you any longer. He's going to break. I can see it in his eyes. He's barely keeping it together."

My chest tightened at the thought of my beautiful mate, sweet, River, going through an internal battle on his own.

No, he's not alone.

"We're leaving," I declared as I made a beeline out the door.

Keith followed me as I entered my room. I rushed to my dressers, pulling out heaps of clothing and stuffing them into any available luggage.

Keith watched from the doorway, not even bothering to offer help.

"Are you going to bloody help me?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Nope," he said popping the 'p', "I'm good."

Asshole.

I packed two pieces of luggage before giving up and just leaving the rest behind.

I'll ask someone to deliver the rest.

"Let's go," I said swinging the two pieces of luggage over my shoulder and walking out.

He eyed the piles of clothes behind me but didn't say anything as he followed me to the entrance of the cave.

"Wait!" I heard behind me, as I was about to climb into the waiting carriage.

I turned and saw Kaiden, Ron, and Allen running towards me.

"Are you leaving, Alastair?" Allen pouted.

"Yeah, sorry," I said, ruffling his hair.

"Aren't you still going through heat..?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," I sighed.

"What the bloody hell, Alastair?!" Kaiden says exasperatedly, "You're still going through heat and here you are hopping into a carriage like a bloody fairy princess or something! What the hell is wrong with you?! Get your ass back inside and eat your bloody porridge!" He points to the entrance of the cave.

Wow, never thought I'd see Kaiden go all mother goose on me.

I smiled, "I can't, I have to go. My mate needs me."

Kaiden gave me a questioning look.

"Seems like it wasn't just me going crazy without him."

I miss my beautiful mate.

Kaiden smiled as he hit me hard on the back, "just don't pounce your mate, idiot." He smirked.

"I won't," I smiled.

We exchanged goodbye's before I climbed into the carriage, sitting next to Keith as I prepared myself for the long ride ahead.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

River's POV

I awoke sore, my head was pounding and my eyes burned from all the crying I had done.

Why do I cry so much? I hate being so sensitive.

I felt a movement below me and my body seemed to move on its own as I jumped backward and fell off the bed with a crash.

"Are you okay, love?"

I looked up to see Alastair looking down at me from the bed, his hair in all directions and eyes glazed with worry.

I laid there with my mouth gaped open like a dying fish.

What's he doing back? Wasn't he not to be back yet? Is this just a dream?

I heard a chuckle as Alastair reached his arms over the bed and pulled me up into his lap.

He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and purred in satisfaction.

"I missed you so much, beautiful," he kissed my neck repeatedly as I giggled.

"S-stop it tickles!" I laughed.

I felt him smirk against my neck as I felt a moist warmth rub against my neck.

Is he licking me?

He paused and pulled away from me as his cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

"Sorry, I guess my wolf missed you too, beautiful." He laughed.

I felt my wolf purr inside me as I smiled, "my wolf missed you too," I smiled as I cupped his face as kissed him lightly on the forehead.

His eyes were as big as saucers as I pulled away and I blushed in embarrassment of my bold action.

"Again."

I shook my head as my face heated up more.

"Please, one more time," he begged.

I shook my head.

"But I wasn't prepared, I didn't get to savor it..." he pouted.

His pout is so cute, like a puppy.

He grumbled about life being unfair as he pulled my into his arms and placed his head on top of mine. I buried my face into his neck as I felt him begin to drift off. When I was sure he had fallen asleep, I wiggled my way out of his tight hold so I'd be able to see his face.

He looks so peaceful, so serene.

He's so beautiful.

I bent down and kissed him lightly on his forehead before pulling away and looking back down at his beautiful form.

"I love you."