The Alpha Prince's Abused Mate Chapter 15

Alana

I immediately sprung up to my feet to open the door when I heard someone knocking. Is it William? Did he come back to see me? I haven’t seen him the whole morning and something in me is itching to see his handsome face again. I don’t have a name for this feeling but I know it felt more like a need for me to have.

But when I opened the door and found a woman in her white uniform, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

It’s not William. It’s not the man I have been wanting to see first thing in the morning.

“Excuse me Ms. Alana but can I ask you to please vacate the area please,” the woman said smiling from ear to ear. “We are just going to clean the alpha prince’s room. I am afraid that you are allergic to dust so we will have to ask you to come with me to the garden to get some fresh air.”

That’s when I noticed a group of girls on her back with cleaning utensils in their hands.

I opened the door and let them in. “I can help with the cleaning. I can do it.”

Every one of them gasped in disbelief and the woman shook her head vigorously. “No, our lady! Someone like you should not pick up a broom or a map to clean. The alpha prince instructed us to keep you like you are now- a delicate princess.”

I looked at the pink dress I am wearing and felt a kick of joy when she said that. She thinks I am a princess! But that little bit of happiness was washed away when I had a reality check. Despite my dress, I am still nothing but a dirty girl that the alpha king brought in here.

“But I am not a princess. So very far from it!”

She took both of my hands into hers and smiled widely.

“One day you will be, our lady. Please, this way.”

She led me into the backyard of the castle where roses of every kind and color are blossoming so prettily.

I stood there amazed by their beauty and how big my eyes were seeing. Beyond the castle are endless stretches of lands, buildings and sceneries that I only saw now in my entire life!

“Wow!” I was mesmerized by the view.

The capital is a very beautiful place!

“Are you enjoying your stay in the capital, our lady?” she asked while we are seated on the soft trimmed grasses while she’s braiding my long hair.

I nodded, bringing back a few strands of my hair to cover some scars and wounds of my face. “Yes, I am.”

“My lady, my name is Francine. I am the chief manager of the affairs of the alpha prince.”

“Hi Francine. I am Alana.”

She offered her hand to me and I gladly touched it not knowing what to do.

“Alana… what a lovely name our lady,” she complimented me and then put some little flowers on my hair.

I paused. Does William think that my name is lovely too?

“Uhm Francine? Can I ask you a question?”

She gave me a slice of cake from a lady that brought us a whole one. I am so shocked to know that the cake here in the castle is served daily.

Back in the mansion, I was only able to taste it when it’s rotten and spoiled.

“Sure, our lady.”

“Do you know where William is?” I asked shyly.

I have been meaning to ask her that since I saw her in the room but my embarrassment always gets the best of me.

“The alpha king ordered him to quell an uprising in the north so he will be there for the whole day.”

My heart beat erratically in concern. An uprising? Just like what my father has been doing to the east of the territory which is the reason why he always returns home with wounds?

“Oh, I hope he will be okay,” I spoke softly. “May he come home safe and sound.”

Francine laughed, showing her fine lines on her face. My heart is so relaxed with her presence that it feels like I have found an older sister in her.

“Do not worry our lady. The alpha prince is the most skilled swordsman and marksman in the whole capital. He will be fine.”

I let out a sigh of relief. Of course! He will not be the alpha prince if he is not good like that and I am sure he also has guards with him that will keep him safe.

“I recalled you earlier saying that the room I am staying in is the room of the alpha prince. Why did he give up his space for me? Why is he not staying there with me?” I asked again.

I expected to see William first thing in the morning just like when we were still in the mansion. I was on his bed while he slept on the couch, probably watching me. Back then, I used to just stare at his lovely face until he woke up while I pretended that I was still asleep.

“Because you are his mate, our lady. And the alpha prince is not sleeping there with you because he wants to preserve your dignity as a woman.”

My forehead creased into confusion. I heard that term before but I don’t know what it is. “What did you say? I am his mate?”

Francine’s mouth opened to say a thing but instead burst into a knowing and an amused laugh. “I was told you are really innocent, our lady. Don’t worry. You can ask me anything.”

I moved closer to her to ask, “What is a mate, Francine?”

“It’s the other half of your soul, my lady. Your wolf will recognize your mate. You are the other half of the soul of the alpha prince. The alpha prince has been waiting for you for years now. He has been in countless arranged marriages but he still remained firm to wait and search for you.”

I blinked, having a hard time to accept that fact. William, the great alpha prince has been waiting for a girl like me who’s locked in the cell and unloved by her own family?

“And I am William’s mate? I am the one he’s been waiting for?”

“Yes, our lady,” she confirmed.

I fell silent again ruminating what I would do to this. In the end, I came up to a decision.

“Francine? Can I ask you another question?”

“Ask me anything, our lady.”

I swallowed hard, doubting to ask her the question but I summed up my courage to still ask. “What does a mate do to her mate?”

She paused for a while thinking hard before explaining to me the things that made me laugh, blush, and happy at the same time.

“Would he be happy if I do that, Francine?”

She took my hand and nodded. “Both of you will be happy, our lady.”