I don't want Anastasia
Raphael’s POV
The room was cold and detached, as always. My body felt weak, my muscles aching with exhaustion after hours of endless meetings. I collapsed into the cushion, feeling the weight of my responsibilities pressing down harder than ever.
“I don’t want Anastasia,” Grey, my wolf, growled in my mind. I could feel his anger simmering through me, coiled tight in my veins. I clenched my fists, breathing in and out to calm myself. The moon goddess had cursed me, that I am sure of.
For decades, I had lived, far beyond most. Lycans are half-immortal, able to live for hundreds of years. I’ve passed five hundred, and still, I carry the burdens of my role as king. Theresa would have been three hundred years old by now. The thought of my sister woke something painful deep inside me, and I forced myself to stop thinking of her. Yet, I couldn’t. Her death still haunted me.
I had suspected others within the royal family had a hand in her death, but no investigation had ever revealed the truth. Even with my powers, I came up empty. Theresa had been healthy, there was no reason for her sudden death. But the answers eluded me, leaving me to question everything.
A soft sound from the bed broke my thoughts. My gaze shifted, and there she was, Ava. The light and curse of the moon goddess. My mate. My destined one. My salvation. And yet, my dilemma. Duty demands I reject her, perhaps even have her sold, but how could I ever bring myself to do that?
My legs moved of their own accord, drawn to her scent, she smelt like lilies from the valley of Lystra. I climbed onto the bed, needing her warmth, her presence. Only she could soothe the storm raging inside me.
But as soon as I lay beside her, I regretted it. Not because I didn’t want her, but because every fiber of my being craved more. More than just her embrace.
Grey and I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of our mate. She was everything. I peeled away the thin lilac fabric that clung to her delicate curves. Her skin was both pale and rosy, a perfect contradiction, glowing with an ethereal beauty that only she possessed. I’d never seen anyone with a silver mane like hers, it contrasted with her skin, making her look otherworldly like she had always belonged in this kingdom.
I reached her thighs and removed the last barrier between me and what I desired most. The sight of her, so red and ready, made my hunger unbearable. Without thinking, I dove in, tasting her sweetness like a starved man. The nectar of the gods couldn't compare.
Her soft purrs told me she was waking, and when I looked up, goddess help me, she was ravishing. Her lips held in a teasing bite, her eyes reflecting the same desire that burned in mine.
“You’re awake. Good,” I murmured, my voice thick with need. I returned to her, lapping up every drop of her juices as if she were my only salvation.
She moaned, writhing beneath me. “Ra… Raphael, what are you doing?” The way she whispered my name, so breathless and seductive, nearly undid me.
I pressed harder, my tongue teasing every corner of her. No fruit had ever been this sweet. I dived deeper, relishing the way her body responded to me. She lifted her hips, begging for more. I knew exactly what she wanted, and I was more than willing to give it to her.
But duty, as always, interrupted me.
“My king,” Caleb’s voice suddenly invaded my mind through the link. “The person we are searching for has been found. We need you here.”
Goddess knows, I would have done anything to stay by Ava’s side, but my responsibilities called.
“I’ll be there,” I replied sharply, my frustration leaking through. Caleb was waiting for me, but I wasn’t ready to leave.
For one last moment, I indulged myself in her taste before pulling away. I didn’t want her to feel abandoned, so I offered her a teasing smile. “You’re not being a good girl today, my cherry.”
With a heavy heart, I left the bed and began to disrobe.
As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think back to the meeting I had just come from, one of many where the council had gathered to discuss kingdom matters. They sat around me, a mix of different species: elves, centaurs, fae, and other lycans. The tension had been palpable, each of them vying for attention, each with their own agenda.
“The kingdom demands an heir,” one of the council members had urged, his voice rising above the others. “You still have no mate. It is time you take Anastasia, the prime minister’s daughter, as your concubine. She comes from a noble line, and her blood will strengthen the royal family.”
Others chimed in quickly, voices overlapping in agreement. “Anastasia is the best choice,” one of the centaurs had said. “She is of pure lineage. The kingdom needs stability, and an heir would provide that.”
I had kept my expression neutral, though inside I had wanted to roar in frustration. How could they not see? How could they not understand?
“Anastasia would be loyal,” another added. “You’ve gone too long without a mate, my king. The people are beginning to talk.”
I hadn’t told them about Ava, about my true mate. I couldn’t. Not yet. The thought of exposing her to the dangers of court life, of making her a target for those who would seek to harm me through her, was unbearable. I couldn’t let her be hurt because of me.
“I will consider your suggestions,” I had finally said, ending the discussion before it could go any further. I could feel Grey snarling in my mind, angry at the thought of taking another woman when we had already found our true mate.
Back in the present, I sighed, the weight of those arguments still heavy on my shoulders. I had kept Ava a secret, to protect her. But how long could I continue to do so?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
