Rejected By My Mate, Now Mated To The Lycan King

~ NYSSA

"Well fuck me sideways," Eric drawled once I was done speaking. He ran his hands through his hair, the corner of his lips tugging upwards. "Of course you’re the daughter of a vampire king. You just can’t do shit halfway, can you?"

For the first time since this shit started, the corners of my lips tugged upwards in a genuine smile. "What can I say? I’m an overachiever."

He laughed loudly, his hands resting on his stomach to hold himself back. "Damn right you are. Goddess... a vampire. I’ve never seen one of you before."

"Technically, I’m not a full vampire," I reminded him. "I still have a wolf, and that’s the most dominant part of me... at least right now."

"How does your wolf feel about this?"

I tried reaching out to her but she had up a wall between us. It’d been there since the moment Allister told me what I was. I felt her confusion, then her panic, then she slammed the wall shut and refused to speak to me after that.

I shrugged at Eric. "I’m sure I’ll find out sooner or later."

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. I began to rise but Eric stopped me, crossing the length of the room and pulling open the front door. His large frame prevented me from seeing who was on the other side but at his surprised exclaim, I knew it was someone we knew.

"Who is it?" I called out.

He stepped to the side and Leah walked in, her hair braided neatly over her shoulder. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me.

"Leah!" I exclaimed. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

"You’re... not usually here when I come. I ran a bit... busy today that’s why I’m here late. I can come back tomorrow if you’d like."

"Come back for what?"

"To clean," she answered with a soft smile. "It’s ... what I do."

I knew there was someone who cleaned, obviously, I just never knew it was her. Like she said, she always came when I wasn’t home.

"Please, come in," I ushered her forward. "You don’t have to come when we’re not here. I don’t bite, I promise."

Her lips tugged upwards slightly. "I know, I just... I try to..."

"Whose voice is that?" Rowan’s deep rumble echoed from the top of the steps.

Leah’s spine went rigid, her hands clasping in front of her as she bowed her head to the floor. It was then I realized why she always came when we weren’t home. It wasn’t me she was avoiding... it was Rowan.

I didn’t entirely blame her, Rowan was fucking terrifying to the average person.

"It’s Leah," I answered.

He barely shot her a glance before making his way over to me, his lips brushing over the top of my head. "I have to go to the palace with Jeremiah. Are you okay here with Etic alone? Just for today."

"I already told you I didn’t need two guards."

I felt his lips curve against my skin. "That part Is none negotiable."

I pulled back, narrowing my eyes at him. "When I’m home, I don’t need a second guard. Jeremiah is your sentinel, you need him more than I do."

Rowan frowned because he knew I was right. "Just for today. Tomorrow, you have him back." He tipped my chin up with one finger and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "I love you, little wolf."

Without waiting for a response from me, he walked out with Jeremiah in tow, the door shutting quietly behind them.

My cheeks flamed when I locked eyes with Eric who wagged his brows at me.

"Love," he teased. "That’s a new one."

"Fuck you," I hissed and he immediately burst into fits of laughter. "You’re such an ass."

His laughter echoed as he made his way down the hall and into the kitchen.

I leaned back onto the couch, rolling my eyes as a small smile tugged at my own lips. I didn’t have it in me to be bothered by his teasing, not when my mate just told me he loved me in front of everyone.

I reached for the TV remote when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Surprise filled me when I looked up and found Leah still standing there, watching me with a confused look.

"Do you need something?" I asked but she shook her head. "Are you alright?"

"I... yes, it’s just... you’re the Luna."

I cocked my head to the side, unsure of where she was going. "I am."

"Eric is a guard."

I nodded slowly. "That’s how it works, yes."

"He spoke to you like... it wasn’t respectful."

"He means no harm, trust me, Eric is a friend. He’s a bastard sometimes, but he’s harmless, I promise."

She opened her mouth to speak but decided against it at the last minute and bowed. "I should start working."

Leah moved around the house in silence.

She was like a little mouse, weaving through corners without a sound. Eric and I tried to include her in some of the conversations but she’d just smile softly and return to her work.

We gave up after a while.

"So tell me," Eric began, leaning forward on his elbows as he dropped his voice to a whisper. "How much blood do you drink?"

"Eric!" I hissed, looking around to make sure no one was listening.

"She’s upstairs, don’t worry. Give me all the details. Do you drink from animals or do you drink from the Alpha in some kind of kinky sex—"

There could not have been a better time for someone to knock on the door.

I rushed to my feet instantly, not bothering to check who was behind the door before pulling it open.

"What—oh, Aria."

She stood on the other side of the door with a large book in hand, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We need to talk, right now."