Sarina's P.O.V.

I hid in my room, or if that's what you could even call this monstrosity. I knew I probably should've tried to get some rest but my anxiety wouldn't let me close my eyes unless it was to blink. The room was huge but seemed to slowly close in on me after a while so eventually I found a hiding spot, and I hid until I was summoned, who the hell summons people?

They may have been kings but they clearly needed a lesson in manners, I mean I'm their supposed mate and they couldn't even come get me when they needed me.

But that wasn't the only thing, guess who was now the main source of gossip on everybody's lips? Yeah that right that would be me...

Apparently I'd become the talk of the city, even though I'd only been here about 5 minutes, well that's what it felt like to me, at least that was according to this very chatty women who was escorting me.

"It's so crazy! I mean most people didn't think they'd have one, but yet here you are!" She enthusiastically says gesturing wildly to me.

Curiosity began to pluck at my thoughts.

"Why wouldn't they have a mate?" I hesitantly asked.

A look of pure shock comes over her face, as if I'd asked the most shocking question in the world. Who knows maybe I had. Or had just run a child over and walked away laughing my head off, but the shock was unlike any I had ever seen before.

She takes a moment to recompose herself before explaining, "Well, you see when they were younger apparently they did a lot of things behind the former King and Queens back to rise to power quicker..." she whispers.

I was about to ask another question when this women, whose name I still didn't know, started up again.

"I mean if you hadn't been found, our Kings would have been forced to choose a mate. Maybe you've seen Duchess Victoria?" She asks

At that name, I start to listen more intently. Maybe this women could give answers as to why that Duchess thinks she's mated to Garreth and Enderson. My current theory in her is that she's some whack job, but because her parents are high ranking she's allowed to do whatever the hell she pleases.

I nod my head at her question.

"Well apparently she was the first choice to be Queen if you hadn't been found. Which I for one am thrilled you were found because between me and you that women is a raging bitch, and a few tea bags short of a full pot if you know what I mean," she gossips to me.

Hmmm maybe this chick is good to have around she obviously has all the intel on this place.

"Oh before I forget my names Cassandra," she introduces finally.

"I'm Sarina," I reply.

"I know, everyone knows who you are," she giggles.

I was escorted to the parlor, which apparently is just a fancy name for a room that people eat and gossip in apparently. These people are so rich they have specific rooms just to talk in, I could get used to something like this.

While I was in my room, apparently some important people had come, and they wanted to meet me for some reason, at least that was what Cassandra, the chatty women had explained to me.

When we walked in Enderson thanked Cassandra for bringing me. Then turned us around, and I was met with two more shifters that exuded power from every fiber of their being. And only one thought popped in my head, and my anxiety began to kick in again.

Could they be...?

"Sarina, I would like you to meet our parents, Lilith and Garret, also known as the former King and Queen", Enderson introduced while motioning to the very powerful looking couple.

They were the former King and Queen...crap

The Queen had a glint in her eyes, like she had recognized something. I knew if she recognized me it wasn't going to be about anything that was good. She even looked like the type to gossip or spread shit about someone she didn't like, and I got the definite urge she didn't like me.

Great more people to talk bad about me

I tried to take a seat on a comfy looking pink chair, before I was gently yanked to sit in between my mates. It would seem I wouldn't be allowed to do anything I actually wanted to do, like sleep or be anywhere but here.

"Are you okay?" Enderson asked, concern seemed to be written all over his face.thought I could t understand why he would be concern, I hadn't been gone that long and nothing had happened that he should know about... right?

Concern. That was a new emotion for me, I vaguely remember my parents giving me that look when I was younger. Before they sold my soul to those beasts.

"Yes", I mumbled.

"You don't have to lie, we're always here for you", Gareth said, the intensity from his eyes showed me that he wasn't joking.

I noticed the King and Queen having a hushed conversation, probably talking about me, my self deprecating thoughts told me.

They were glancing at each other before glancing back at me. Then suddenly the Queen stopped, and looked as if she had found all the answers to the known universe.

"It's the young girl from the parade..." the Queen whispered and soon the room fell into a dead silence waiting for the Queen to further explain what she was talking about.

When she said no more, "What are talking about mother?" Enderson curiously asked.

She thought for a moment before replying,

"Well you see a few years ago when you boys were frantically looking for your mate, we had a parade so you could look for her that way, because she may have been a commoner" she said that last word with such disgust and a confined sneer.

It felt like a stab to me and what I was, I guess most royals always will look down upon us. I hung my head lower, but still continued to listen to the Queen's story.

"Oh I vaugly remember that, considering it was almost 15 years ago" Gareth suddenly blurted out.

"Well I only remember it because there was a little spiritless girl that ran up to the carriage, she couldn't have been more than two or three. Enderson had the carriage stop, and you both got out, and were talking to this cute little girl, that was until her father came out of the crowd a took her away a few moments later. And your mate well, she looks exactly like the little girl from that day" the Queen said and it seemed she was more amazed than anything.

Good I had had enough of her side looks and hatred wafting off of her, I didn't need anymore negativity in my life. I had enough of that when I was younger to last a lifetime.

A throat clearing, all made us turn our heads and face the entry way. We all looked towards Cassandra, and I noticed that their was someone standing behind her.

"Your majesty's Duchess Victoria", Cassandra introduced before bowing and leaving.

Great, why is she still here? Isn't it standard procedure to threaten someone then leave?

"Ah Victoria so lovely to see you darling, we were just catching up with- oh I'm sorry dear I don't know your name", the Queen said.

And the ugly smirk that appeared on Victorias face was enough to give me the courage and spite to speak loud and clear for the first time in a long time.

"Forgive me, my name is Sarina," I said while a smirk off my own appeared.

Before the Queen had a chance to reply, The Duchess once again butted in.

"So Sarina, what type of shifter are you?" While an all knowing smile appeared on her face.

This bitch

Anxiety filled me to the brim, there were butterflies filling my stomach but not in a good way.

"Sarina isn't a shifter, she's a spiritless." Garreth answered coming to my aid. But that's not what surprised me, what surprised me was that he didn't sound ashamed of me. He sounded almost proud, similar to what my parents used to sound like.

A gentle squeeze on my hand brought me back to the present time.

A look of pure horror was on the Queen's, the Duchess looked so pleased with herself. I glanced over at the King he had a relatively neutral expression on his face.

He appeared to be studying everyone in the room, watching them, must be a skill he picked up from how he ruled.

"You're a SPIRITLESS!" The Queen shouted, bounding up out of her chair. I flinched and huddled closer to Garreth, which didn't go unnoticed.

"I could have settled on the fact that you were a commoner, but a spiritless! I cannot stand for it, you must reject this- this thing at once!" The Queen demanded.

At the suggestion two very loud growls were heard, and both sources were on either side on me. The sound practically made the room shake, and made an ugly frown land right on the Duchesses face.

Just as the Queen looked as if she wanted to continue, Enderson jumped in, "Mother that is enough! She is our mate, we've waited long enough for her, and I REFUSE to let her go!"

You know those moments, you wished you were anybody else, yeah this is one of those moments

"How dare you-"

"Lilith enough", The King finally spoke up, "you don't get to dictate their lives anymore, now let's go I've had enough family time for one day. We'll come back when you can be civilized, okay?"

The Queen looked no short of humiliated, but begrudgingly followed the King out of the room.

Victoria scampered right after them, like the little dog she probably was. A wolf shifter no doubt, but I wonder where the rest of her pack is?

"Are you okay?" Garreth asks.

I just nod my head, that was a lot to process in just a short amount of time. But I'm much more relaxed now that the three main sources of my anxiety have left the room, and hopefully the building.

Enderson, paces around the room, mumbling here and there. Unfortunately I can't hear anything, damn spiritless curse.

"Umm guys? I'm kinda hungry could I have some food please?" I hesitantly ask.

A sad look crosses both their faces, before brilliant smiles replace them.

"Yeah of course it totally slipped our mind that you hadn't eaten by now. Our apologies."Garreth replies.

Enderson helps me stand, and we all head towards either a kitchen or a dinning room. I'm not sure which one though...