The Alpha Prince's Abused Mate Chapter 22

WILLIAM

“Alana…”

I pushed Belinda away to help Alana who was on the floor hurrying to clean the fragments but before I could come to her, Lucas and the other servants already came to her assistance.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she kept on murmuring to each and every elite guest in the party but not once looking at my way as if I did not exist in front of her.

My heart hurts for her seeing how she kept on apologizing. Why does she keep saying sorry when I should be doing that? She’s hurt I can tell just by her mannerisms. That little fidgeting tells me everything I have to know and yet I am still here in the middle of the dance floor watching her scurry off back into the kitchen.

“I will take care of him, alpha prince,” Francine said when she saw me going for Alana.

“No, I will do it.”

“But alpha prince…”

Belinda caught my arm and made me turn back to her.

“William, where are you going? It’s just a servant girl. Are you going to leave me just because of her?”

“Watch your mouth! She is not a servant girl!” My frustration erupted.

How dare she judge Alana like that? There is nothing wrong with being a servant but the way she phrased her tone is mocking my one and only mate and that is something I cannot let pass.

Belinda gasped in disbelief and shame especially when lots of people in their circle were witnessing how I handled her.

“William, why are you angry? She looked like a servant girl so I thought she was one.”

“Do not try to insult her! She is more precious than any of you here!”

She burst into tears at a comparison.

“I am a princess! How dare the alpha prince insult me like this, comparing me to a lowly woman that she is!”

I saw red the second she said that. With gritted teeth, I grabbed her arm and held her eyes so she will not forget what I am going to say.

“You are acting more like a lowly woman, Belinda. Say another thing against Alana and I will have your tongue!”

The crowd stood in shock as Belinda sobbed loudly and ran out of the hall crying herself out.

“Alpha prince…” Francine looked at me in worry but I did not feel any guilt for what I did.

She deserved it for insulting Alana.

“Save that for later, Francine. I don’t need your nagging now.”

I left the hall in a hurry to come for Alana. She was not in the room or in the garden so I went to the place where I always found her to be contemplating or painting.

I sighed in relief when I found her at the lake wiping her eyes off.

When she looked up at me, she quickly hid her face into the gap between her knees. My heart broke for her gestures as I gently sat by her side and caressed her head.

“Alana please. Let me explain,” I said, trying to keep my heart from doing what it wants to do.

I want to hug her, to tell her that she is not the kind of woman Belinda mentioned about but the invisible distance she’s threading between us kept me from doing it.

It’s like she is too far away and I am afraid I could do more damage to her.

“There is no need to explain anything, alpha prince. I understand everything,” she answered, still not looking at me.

I can feel my chest constricting at her words as my hand froze on her head. My Alana. Why are you running away from me?

“Don’t call me that. Please call me by my name like you always do. William. Please call me William,” I begged her.

“No, please. It’s not what you think. I just don’t have any choice and I will not marry her. You are my mate, Alana. You are the only one for me.”

She raised her eyes at me letting me see the clear pain in her expression. A big hand punched my gut when I saw the tears in her eyes.

“You have a responsibility for this kingdom, alpha prince. A princess like her is the perfect match with you, unlike me who cannot even present herself to the alpha king and the luna because of her shameful situation.”

I reached for her face and wiped her tears off with my hands.

“Alana, nothing about your situation is shameful. You should not feel bad about it. It’s not your fault that your father is an abusive alpha.”

She shook her head and pushed me away.

“Please listen to me, my Alana.” I held her hand but she just took it back.

“Alpha prince, I think it’s wrong to be here. Can I find another place to live? A master to serve?”

I bobbed my head in disapproval. No, I would never let that happen! “No, you can’t leave me. I won’t let you!”

I hitched her waist and captured her cheek firmly before leaning down to press his lips gently against hers. It was only supposed to be an innocent kiss meant to calm both of us but her luscious soft lips that I have always been tempted to taste got me feeling things that I unconsciously deepened the kiss, my fingers tracing the contours of her jaw.

I was almost lost into the moment but when I felt her warm tears on my face, that’s when I withdrew from the kiss in shock and self-embarrassment because I failed at controlling myself.

“Alana…” I whispered when I saw the surprise in her face.

“I’m sorry, Alana.”

But then she dashed off quickly from me as if in fear.

“Alana!”

Francine seized my arm, stopping me from going after her.

“Please alpha prince, let the lady be with herself alone. She is in pain and hurt. Do not force talking to her now. It would do nothing and she would only feel worse.”

I palmed my face in frustration. “Francine, will Alana hate me? Will she try to run away from me?”

“No, she won't, alpha prince. You are too precious for her to do that. She only said what she said out of sheer pain. She is just trying to process her emotions now so please just let her be.”

I sighed countless times cursing myself for losing it. “God! I messed it up big time! I messed it all up!”