Thank you etherealoakheart for the cover! I hope this is the one of the ones you made and that I didn't mix up the covers with someone else's.

[Unedited]

The week went by agonizingly slow. I tried so many times to get to know Lily, yet she seemed really shy and sometimes even tried to avoid me.

My brother seemed so depress and was in a mood because of his mate. I didn't blame him because I understood what he was going through. I felt the empty feeling but tried to ignore it. I hardly got any sleep and couldn't concentrate on my school work, but it's not like I did well anyways.

I fixed the strap of my bag on my shoulders as I walked to the library. I was supposed to meet with my tutor here while I had a free period.

I swung the door opened and walked in greeting one of the librarians who was at the desk. I came here often to get books so they practically knew me.

I took a seat at an empty table and pulled out my huge biology textbook along with the notes. I attempted to get some of the assignments done but struggled in the process. Why the hell was I taking an AP class?

After a few minutes passed, the seat across from me pulled out and a body took a seat. I looked up to see that a guy sat there. He had a large build, blond hair, and piercing green eyes that seemed to stare deep into my soul.

I furrowed my eyebrows. I could easily tell that he was new considering that I didn't recognize him. I would remember eyes like that. Maybe he's the guy from Italy.

"You're my tutor?" I asked raising a brow.

If he was new, how would he be the best student if it has only been a week. It's not that simple...

He nodded his head and my eyes narrowed. "What's your name?" I asked. He didn't smell like a werewolf or human, just like Lily, but I couldn't tell what he was.

"Cade," he responded offering me a small smile. "So, what is it you need help with?" I could hear the Italian accent roll off his tongue smoothly with his words.

"All of it," I muttered under my breath.

He immediately started explaining things and I was able to understand it better. He definitely taught it better than my teacher.

Time went by quickly and soon enough the bell rang. I gathered up my things and put them away.

"See you Monday?" Cade asked bringing my attention back to him. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his black leather jacket. "Do you have another free period?"

I nodded my head and he grinned. "We can meet here again," he told me before turning and walking out of the library. I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder before leaving as well.

I walked into the hallway, merging into the crowd of students. The rest of the day went by slowly.

• • •

I unlocked the door of my house and walked in, Preston following me in. I was so relieved that it was Friday. I was exhausted and desperately wanted to relax. Maybe read a book or something.

"We're home!" I called out tossing my keys into the bowl by the door.

No one responded, so I shrugged my shoulders and went to the kitchen while Preston went upstairs.

I filled a plate up before heading up to my room to attempt to finish my homework. Key word 'attempt'. On my way to my room, I heard voices coming from dad's office.

I stopped in front of it and used my strong hearing to figure out what they were saying.

"What do you mean he's here?" I heard mom's voice. She sounded angry.

"I mean that he's here. He's here for Liana. There is no doubt," dad responded. I could tell he was stressed. He worked too much, he's probably relieved that Preston would be taking the position soon. In fact, his ceremony was only couple weeks away.

"Where is he now?"

There was a pause for a moment before he answered.

"At the pack house. I invited him over for dinner," he said before adding, "Not that I wanted to, but out of respect."

"Dammit, Parker," she sighed. "Who's going to tell Liana? I call not doing it."

"Fine. I'll tell her. But I don't like him, not at all. He doesn't deserve our daughter. She deserves a better mate, but we can't stop him."

I stepped away from the door, my heart slamming into my chest. My mate was here? In my own pack? And worse, my dad invited him for dinner!

Fuck my life.

I quickly went to my room when I heard footsteps moving towards the door. I jumped onto my bed and quickly pulled out my binder with my biology stuff in it.

The door to my room opened and I saw dad standing there.

"How was school?" He asked glancing around the room before landing on me.

"It was good," I responded nonchalantly as I pretended to write things down. My hand was shaking slightly though. I already knew what he was going to tell me, but a part of me was hoping my ears deceived me.

"Listen, there's something I need to tell you," he began.

Here it comes.

"What is it?"

"The king is here, your mate, and he's coming over for dinner."

My stomach dropped. Damn, the one time I wished my hearing was bad and this wasn't happening.

I frowned and glared at my papers. I didn't say anything as my wolf began to pace inside me head.

"Ana?"

I looked up and noticed dad looking at me with concern. "Yes?" I mumbled.

"Don't let him get to you. You are his equal," he told me seriously. I nodded my head, smiling slightly. I definitely would keep him in his place. He needs to know. I'm not some girl he can control just because he is the king.

He turned and left the room. I stared back down at my homework. My mind was a complete jumbled mess. There was no way I would be able to finish this.

I tossed it to the side and picked up my phone, sending London a text. She responded immediately and started giving me some advice.

She told me to show him what he's missing and to act like he's not affecting me in any way.

Time went by quickly and soon I got ready. I decided to put on some dark skinny jeans and a black off-the-shoulder top. I kept my hair down in its natural waves and put on light makeup.

I opened my door and heard voices downstairs along with the smell of my mate.

Great.

I walked down the stairs and went into the dining room to where everyone was at. My eyes found my mate immediately. I noticed the black suit fit him nicely, making his icy eyes stand out. I forgot how sexy he really was.

I averted my eyes away from him as soon as he caught my gaze. I turned to my dad who had a blank face sitting at one end of the table. Mom walked in carrying a few dishes at the middle of the table.

I took a seat across from my mate while Preston sat next to me. Preston had a bored look on his face as he stared off into space.

I could feel the tension in the room as we all started serving ourselves food. I kept my gaze down as mom decided to say something.

"What brings you to our pack?" She asked not bothering to address him as 'your majesty' or anything.

I glanced up and noticed my mate sitting with perfect posture, although his body tense. He cleared his throat. "You probably already know," he said smoothly, picking up his glass of water and taking a sip from it.

I watched as mom clenched her jaw before nodding slowly.

Without stopping myself I opened my mouth. "What is it that you want?" I already knew what he wanted because I heard my parents talking earlier, but they don't know that.

My mate's eyes shifted towards me, his eyes locking with mine. I noticed how tired and exhausted he really looked. He looked as if he hasn't gotten any sleep, just like me.

He looked at me so intensely, it felt like the tension in the room intensified. I couldn't help but squirm under his gaze and I'm sure I wasn't the only one feeling the tension. My wolf yearned for his and she could feel his yearning for us.

"You know what I want," he murmured, his voice a little lower than before. I coughed awkwardly, shifting my gaze away. My family was in here too.

"Actually, I do but I don't think we can give you what you want." I responded before taking a bite of food on my plate.

I felt dad kick me under the table while mom tried to hide her smile.

"Actually, I think you can," he said, unfazed by what I said. I narrowed my eyes at him and he narrowed his.

"Please enlighten me."

He stood up from his seat and excused himself before gesturing me to follow him. I hesitated before following him out of the room.

He stopped in the hallway before turning to face me, his tall height still towered over me even though I wasn't short.

"Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" He asked, his eyes scanning my face.

I shifted on my feet, with my arms crossed, eyes assessing him. After a moment I nodded my head before motioning him to follow me. I walked towards the office on this floor.

He followed me in and I closed the door behind us. I leaned against it and waited for him to speak. He leaned against the desk across a few feet away from me.

"I've been growing weaker, each and every day I've been away from you," he began, his deep, silky smooth voice dripping like honey as he spoke. How can someone have such a sexy voice that can send chills?

"I can tell you have too," he added.

I rolled my eyes. "And whose fault is that?"

He frowned slightly but quickly brushed off my words. "I know. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry, it was very ignorant of me," he admitted.

My eyes widened slightly. He admitted that what he did was wrong which surprised me. I really thought he wasn't going to apologize.

"Then why did you do it?" I asked seriously.

He looked away from me and I watched a muscle in his jaw tic. "I don't know," he mumbled.

He was lying. I could tell but whatever it was, he didn't want me to know. I made a mental note to ask about it later.

"Why are you here?" I know, it was a stupid thing for me to ask, but I wanted to hear him say it. I wanted to relish in the moment of my mate coming to me because he needed me, instead of me going to him.

He pushed off the desk and moved towards me with long strides until he stood right in front of me. His fingers reached up and trailed over my visible shoulders. Warmth and the electricity between us trickled over my skin with his fingers.

He brushed up my neck with the back of his hand before he tipped my chin up so I was looking into his eyes.

"I want to take you back to my home. I'll keep growing weaker the longer you're gone. I'll eventually die," He whispered lowly, his breath mixing with mine.

"I can't just drop everything and leave. My friends and family are here. I'm on my last year of school," I said, not really sure of what I'm saying. I'm failing AP Bio but he doesn't need to know that.

I honestly didn't care if I didn't finish school. I couldn't have a career or get a job. My fate was already chosen. To be a ruler. A queen.

However he needs to know that he can't just come here and hope that everything would be okay. He hurt me, I felt rejected.

"I don't live that far away," he told me.

No one knows where he lives. Some say he lives in Europe while some say Canada. I didn't really care about it until now.

"Where do you live?"

"Florida," he answered tilting his head slightly.

"Really?" I had never been to Florida.

He nodded his head, trailing his hand back down my neck, shoulder, and then down my side. His fingers brushed some of exposed skin as they toyed with the hem, which sent a wave of pleasure through my body.

I pushed his hand away from me. I needed to think about this. I would eventually have to go with him, it's basically a given. I need him.

But I don't want him to expect I would immediately jump into his arms.

"Lets head back to dinner."

-

I'm so sorry for the long update. School has been a struggle for me and it's only been three weeks since school started. I hate homework...

So I've finally had time to update and I hope you guys liked the update. Thank you for all your support!

I'm proud to say that RTA has reached 10M reads and I'm so thankful for that.

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Enjoy your weekend!
~Kira

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