The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 48: Please say no...

**Florence**

The next morning, I found myself on the agenda of cooking, the ladle hovering above the pot as my thoughts wandered.

"Am I nuts?" I muttered to myself, setting the spoon down.

Here I was, preparing food, getting excited about seeing Nicholas again, despite his clear words about putting me in this shabby house because he didn't want to see me.

“It's just the mate bond”

I mean, the rational part of me knew better than to invest emotions where they weren't reciprocated. Yet, there I was, inexplicably affected. I even stayed up late last night, unable to tear my gaze away from the picture I'd secretly taken of him.

I knew I should feel anger, and resentment even, for the way he treated me at times, like I was nothing more than a stranger. I'd tell myself over and over that I should feel nothing, that his coldness should've turned my heart to ice. Logically, hating him would've made sense. But my heart? It was utterly clueless. I couldn't comprehend why I still felt something for someone who made it crystal clear they wanted nothing to do with me. It was like a tug-of-war between my head and my heart.

My train of thought abruptly halted at the knock on my door. Hastily, I smoothened my shirt, trying to put on a composed facade before opening the door and preparing to greet him.

However, my hopeful anticipation turned into disappointment as I laid eyes on Clifford instead of Nicholas. I couldn't mask the slight flicker of disappointment that crossed my face.

"Clifford," I greeted him, trying to maintain a neutral expression.

"Hey, Florence," Clifford responded awkwardly, "The Alpha won't be able to make it. Urgent business. He sent me in his stead."

I remained silent for a second.

“I know that you might be angry with me because the last time we saw each other was me chasing you after you attempted to escape. I will not apologize for that but I will apologize for saying mean things back then—” Clifford ranted but I am not actually hearing his words.

"Is Samantha with him?" I couldn't help but blurt out.

Please say no... Please, say no….

Clifford's reaction was telling, avoiding my gaze almost apologetically. "Yeah, she's with him,"

I am so dumb.

That familiar ache in my chest awakens. Despite my efforts to push away any feelings I harbored for him, the truth remained clear—he was engaged to Samantha. It was a harsh reality, that no matter what, Nicholas belonged to Samantha. The sooner I accepted the reality of his relationship with Samantha, the better it would be for my own well-being. Yet, despite that understanding, the ache lingered and I could not help but hope.

Hope that someday he will choose me. He will learn to accept me as his mate.

I pushed it aside, trying to put out my sassiness again, crossing my arms, "Say sorry first because you're really rude back then”

Much to my shock, Clifford nodded and said sincerely, “ I am sorry”

“Why are you suddenly like that? What changed?”

“I've given it much thought. I am not apologizing for trying to catch you but I am guilty for the rude words I said. You're right, I didn't do any good things to you to receive your respect”

I am a simple person. And most of the time, I don't push people to think or see my perspective. I saw theirs instead and adjusted myself. Clifford just followed orders from his Alpha. It's as simple as that.

Letting out a sigh, I opened the door wider, “Come in then. I cook something, let's eat first”

………

One Week Later

It'd been a whole week since I last saw Nicholas. No news, no updates—time was dragging by. The days seemed to pass by slowly.

Meanwhile, Clifford took charge of overseeing the renovation of the cabin, and with his help, the place was almost unrecognizable—it was like a new space altogether. Layla also visited me just the other day and we had a late-night movie night together.

As for me, I started working at the florist shop a few days back. The owners, this adorable elderly couple who're mostly out of the pack, was super chill. They just wanted someone to keep their shop running while they traveled. The couple was very sweet and didn't ask me anything about personal stuff. They even said that all they wanted was a good person to work for the shop they cherish.

It was a welcomed distraction, immersing myself in something other than the ache in my chest whenever I thought of Nicholas and Samantha.

As the clock struck 5 in the afternoon, I locked up the flower shop, ready to call it a day. Sammy, my coworker, approached me.

Sammy is a beautiful woman with her wavy long brown hair framing her small face, paired with her warm green eyes.

“Hey, Florence, wanna tag along for a mini-concert tonight?” she asked out of the blue.

"What's that all about?"

“Oh, it's this thing where some musicians from the pack who work in the city get together around this time for a jam session. It's kind of a tradition. Most of the packs usually show up. It's a sweet event—you get to watch the sunset. Pretty romantic, actually.”

I glanced up at the sky, seeing the gorgeous colors—the vibrant oranges and pinks—as the sun started to dip below the horizon. It cast this warm, golden glow across the sky.

Considering I had nothing planned back at my house, I nodded at her with a smile, “Sure. That sounds fun”

It seemed like a pleasant way to spend the evening. It seems that people also move on to the part where I am their Alpha's Mistress since the people who I come across in the shop were civil to me.

As we headed towards the field in my car, Sammy took the wheel.

“You will enjoy it!” she exclaimed.

Sometimes, I see Sammy as Layla's version. They seemed so cheerful and just bright every day.

“This event's pretty special for me—I found my mate here, can you believe it?” she gushed.

I glanced at her, “Really? No wonder you called it romantic.”

She giggled, "My friend dragged me to this thing even though I've been avoiding it like the plague. I thought it was cheesy 'cause everyone I knew with a partner showed up there. Then, bam! Caught a whiff of the most amazing scent and there he was—my mate. You know what's wild? He was my childhood friend who was away in Poland for ages and just returned that day. The moment we locked eyes, boom, mates.''

I gave her a sad smile, “That's such a sweet story. Really happy for you.”

“Thanks. I've told this story a million times, but it still gets me excited every single time,” she gushed, sounding head over heels.

I wished Nicholas could see and appreciate me the way I deserved. I wish he could accept me like others.

I longed for Nicholas to see and appreciate me the way I truly deserved, to accept me like everyone else.

"How does it feel, being accepted by your mate?" I finally asked Sammy.

Her gaze turned towards me, a glint of curiosity lighting up her eyes.

I attempted to downplay the sudden envy and heartache in my voice as I shrugged, "Just curious, you know? Wondering what it's like to be accepted by your mate."

"It's a mix of emotions," she began, her voice gentle and understanding. "There's this overwhelming sense of belonging like you've found the missing piece of yourself. It's a feeling of completeness and security, knowing they'll love you endlessly. It's happiness without needing a reason. But if that connection isn't mutual, it's... painful. It's having this incredible bond and feeling it slip away, like sand running through your fingers."

"Do you have a mate?" she gently asked, a hint of concern lacing her tone.

With a heavy heart, I shook my head, "Yes," I murmured softly, a bitter chuckle escaping me. "But he... doesn't want me."

"I'm sorry," she offered in a soft tone, an expression of empathy in her eyes.

I managed a grateful smile, appreciating her comforting words, silently hoping that things would eventually fall into place for me.