Chapter 16

**Allister POV**

I looked down into her eyes, my eyes widening as the realization hit me like a thunderbolt of lightning. It ran through my entire body. I realized that after such a long time of searching for her, I had finally managed to find her, my mate.
Her breath hitched in her throat the moment her eyes locked with mine, but in the next moment I could see confusion in them and I wondered why.
“Allister?”
I heard my name being called, but I didn’t want to tear my eyes away from my mate to look at Warit who was standing next to me, wary of my actions which wasn’t a surprise. The tingles erupting from our touch made my blood go wild as I gently nudged her chin, silently asking her to stand up. My queen will not bow down to me. No, never, she is my equal.
I watched her in silence as she rose to her feet, her eyes never leaving mine.
Taking a step closer to her, I watched her swallow as her eyes slowly took me in. I was waiting patiently for her to look into my eyes once more before giving her a smirk, enjoying the feeling of her eyes leaving a hot trail over my body.
"H–How is this even possible?" I heard her whisper as she asked no one in particular the question.
“Why wouldn’t it be possible, my Queen?” I startled her when she heard me speak, her eyes wide again as her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes looked away from mine, making me growl disapprovingly.
Warit cleared his throat, effectively stealing my attention. I looked over to him, letting go of my mate’s face. “My King, these are the females I was telling you about a moment ago. They are in desperate need of your help.”
I arched an eyebrow when the realization dawned on me that he was talking about my mate. The great hall was silent as everyone’s eyes were on us, watching and listening to our conversation.
I pushed my shoulders back and looked towards my subjects, turning my dark gaze at them, I ordered, “Get out!”
My stern voice startled everyone and they quickly rushed to leave the room, leaving me alone with the two females and my cousin, Warit. I looked back down at my mate but she was looking away from me which irritated me, so I turned and walked to my throne, sitting down casually, not wanting to give away my irritation.
“You were saying…” I forced my voice to sound bored as I asked Warit the question.
He looked at me while he stood next to them. “As I explained to you, Allister, they have been held captive for almost a year and finally managed to run away. They are searching for Nerissa’s Aunt Patricia, but I thought it would be faster if we asked for your help with this matter. Would you help us find Nerissa’s aunt?”
Nerissa… I wondered which one of them was Nerissa. Well, mostly I wanted to know my mate’s name so I asked, “And which one is Nerissa?”
My mate turned her head my way before standing tall and looked me straight in the eyes. “I am Nerissa.”
A lazy smirk appeared on my lips, hearing her speak up loud enough for me to hear. It showed me she was fearless as she stood looking me in the eyes. I couldn't say I didn't admire her or like it when she looked at me. Good, my Queen needs to be fearless, especially when she will be by my side as we will rule the world.
Standing up, I slowly approached the steps. She watched my every move as I made my way towards them once more.
“Nerissa,” I repeated her name, seeing her pulse beat erratically in her neck.
“Yes, and this is Emily.” Warit pointed to the other female that stood silently next to my mate.
"Very well," I said, as I walked past them, deeper into the room, making the three of them turn around and watch me in surprise.
“Allister? Where are you going?” Warit hurriedly asked after me.
I stopped and turned to look at them all. “Well, I am hungry, so if you all wish to chat about your quest then I suggest you join me for dinner.” Turning back around, I started to walk once more, not stopping until I reached the double doors. I opened them to walk out of the great hall. My heart thumped so loudly in my chest, excited that, finally, the final piece of my long-time desire to fulfill my destiny was here in my home, making me one step closer to fulfilling my plans, to gain power, to make everything I ever wanted come true.
Walking through the long hallway, I reached the dining room and took a seat at the head of a table when I heard footsteps following after me. They entered the dining room, and stood in the doorway, looking at me in silence.
Pointing to the seats next to me, I said, “Take a seat and join me.”
Emily and Nerissa looked around the room, deciding which seats to take as Warit took the one on my right, leaving one of the two females to sit on my left side.
Nerissa's eyes took in the empty chair next to me, then looked back at me. I ignored her, taking a plate that was already filled with food, and started to eat. She walked past me and then pulled the chair next to me away from the table to sit. Emily took a seat next to her. I had to hide my smirk of pleasure that she chose to sit next to me.
I watched her look over all the food that was displayed and laying on the table. She looked at the mashed potatoes, various cut-out meat platters, steamed veggies, gravy… it was a feast worthy of a King.
Warit, as usual, had no manners and started to pile up his plate like some pig, while Nerissa and Emily sat there silently and stared at the table.
"It won't bite you," I told them. But I will soon, I thought to myself before clearing my throat to hide my smirk, making Nerissa and Emily look at me, "Eat, there is plenty for everyone."
Nerissa looked at me a minute longer before she nodded her head and took her plate, filling it with food. Emily followed her action.
Nerissa took her fork and grabbed some potatoes and turkey meat before placing it in her mouth, moaning in delight from the sweet taste, making me almost choke on my food when I heard those sweet sounds. My eyes grew darker, as I silently looked at her with my fork forgotten in mid air.
I watched her eat as she let out a moan with each bite she took.
I swallowed hard, my food long forgotten as I fought to keep myself from grabbing… taking her right here and now, claiming my rights, and making her mine... forever.
The desire in me was like something I have never felt before, it surprised me. I had a hard time controlling my beast while she made those little noises. Fuck it, I need to be alone with her and try to win her over.
Deciding to make a move, I put my full fork down on my plate. As I was about to push my chair back to stand up and ask Nerissa to join me, Warit slapped my shoulder and asked, “Will you help them or what?”
I was irritated to the point that I wanted to strangle Warit this very second, but I composed myself when I noticed Nerissa and Emily looking at me, waiting for my answer, so I obliged. Taking a deep breath, I looked at her. “Why do you want to find your aunt?”
She looked at me, thinking for a moment before she answered. “I promised my mother that I would find her and I intend to keep that promise.”
“Why is it so important you find her, I mean besides your promise?” I asked her.
“Besides Emily, she is the only family that I have left,” she answered honestly, making me release a loud sigh as they silently waited for my decision. I could feel their eyes burning into me while I considered her words. I had to admit that this could be a good opportunity to bond with her and for us to get closer. Plus, I most definitely am not letting her go out in the world alone or with only my dork of a cousin.
I looked over to them, resting my eyes on Nerissa. "Fine, I will help you find her, but you will listen to everything I say," I spoke the last part in a little more of an authoritative voice which made her eyebrows furrow as she looked at me.
“Hmm…” was her only reply to my warning. She rolled her eyes making me want to bend her over my knee and spank her for challenging me.
I decided to let it slide this one time. I looked at Emily and then Nerissa. “Warit told me that you two were held captive, is that correct?” I couldn’t help the growl that escaped my chest when I thought of someone hurting my mate.
Nerissa looked away as Emily answered, “Yes, they captured us on the same night that they attacked our home and burned it to the ground. Our mothers sent us away, they instructed us to find Nerissa's aunt, but we never had a chance to since we were caught.”
I couldn't help but wonder why Nerissa's reaction was so strange.
I watched her closely as I asked, “Who attacked your home and held you captive?”
Nerissa squirmed in her seat, but interestingly enough, she decided to stay silent while Emily answered once more, “The dragon pack called Draconis.”