The Prince’s Unwilling mate

023 Ayla

I woke up feeling more refreshed than I ever had. Which was weird since I was not sleeping in my bed. It tooka while to realize why I had slept like a baby. And only because Griffin kissed my head. Tellinghow happy he was I finally gave him a chance. But what got towas him tellinghe would never letgo. I tensed up because I‘ wasn’t sure if I should say something about it or not. It could be just the cute couply things people said. It could also very well be that as an Alpha as the Crown Prince. He was willing to go back on his promise to forceto accept him as my mate. I convinced myself he would never do that he has already made too much of an effort. He had to feel me stiffen, and so I awkwardly shifted back so I could face him instead of being cuddled up to him. I brushed the corners of my mouth to try and check I had not drooled on him. It would be the only thing that was worse than sleeping on him after telling him we couldn’t even spoon. Sleeping on him and drooling on his chest.

His rockhard chest, because boy this man was muscular even for a werewolf. I should have said something when he cto bed dressed in just a pair of low–hanging pajama pants. But what was I going to say, I pride myself on being independent to the extent I actually want to build. a life without a mate in it. Only to tell my mate he is so good–looking he needs to sleep fully dressed. So I can control my hormones? No, I wasn’t about to. I dressed in a baggy shirt and a pair of sweatpants. It didn’t make him reconsider his outfit to sleep in. Cto think of it, it didn’t stop him from keeping his eyes on me all the time. Like he was drinking in the sight of me.

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“Are you okay. I am sorry if I went too far. It’s just waking up next to you madeso happy. Especially since I don’t really know when we will see each other again.” He apologized.

Shit. I never considered it because the day sorta got away from us. Of course, he cover to try and work things out between the two of us. And since I had decided to give him a chance he was bound to want to take the chance and try to seeas often as possible. As much as I was trying to convince myself I wasn’t feeling anything yet. But I was and I kinda did not want to leave our little bubble in my Grandparents bedroom.

“Maybe we should talk about it then, cup with a plan?” I suggested.

Again Griffin’s face split open in a wide grin. If this man was planning on being so charming every day. I was bound to give in long before the six months were over. That idea scaredto the very core of my being I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was wrong with me. That David and the others were right about the fact that I was not suitable to be a Luna Griffin was cute and all to say he wanted an equal partner. But he knew nothing about me. And no matter how you spun the story aboutand David. Our paring had been a mistake, if not he wouldn’t have rejectedMaybe I needed to talk to Lina about this She had been so helpful about the second chance mate thing. I was sure she had more information about rejections too.

“Ayla, darling, did you hear what I said” Griffin’s voice snappedback

to reality.

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023 Ayla

288 Vouchers

A reality where I managed to make myself look like a fool in front of my mate. Who I might or might not accept. There was no way I could lie to him and answer a question he had askedwithout knowing what the question was. Especially not with things being a bit rocky between us. As we both wanted

fastly different things at this moment. I admitted to zoning out and luckily enough he just chuckled at me.

“I suggested we would only meet on the weekends. It’s a four–hour drive. I can probably manage to get the Fridays off early. But I totally understand that you might not be able to with your new job and all. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being the one to drive up here all the time. Or most of the tbut my parents are dying to meet you. They know about our situation so no pressure.” He told me

It was fair his family wanted to meettoo. My family had met him, or most of them had and they all love him. When he explained his younger cousin was about to turn 18 next Sunday. I knew what was coming and it did makefeel a bit pressured. It would mean I either go over there, meet his parents, and attend that party after. Or not see him for two weeks. Something I would be fine with but it would hurt him. It would also reflect poorly on him. And I had a solid excuse, so I tried not to worry about that too much.

“I would have cto you next weekend if I could. But I don’t have a car and I have no means of flying there. Which poses a bit of a problem.” I told him in all honesty, figuring he would be disappointed but

understanding.

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023 Ayla

288 Vouchers

Seeing him beam atlike I just made him the happiest wolf on earth. Thoroughly confused me. Because for a moment I forgot who he was. Everyone knew the royal family had a private plane. One they did not need very often, especially not when there was a party in their own pack. Griffin didn’t say so but he promised he would make sure I would be there in time. After tellinghe wouldn’t be able to pickup sof his staff members would. I figured out that was the only thing he could mean. With me telling him my lack of a means to get there was the only reason holdingback from being there. Suddenly I accepted an invitation to the castle. To a royal party, I might as well agree to see each other every weekend. Committing to giving him a chance to prove himself toand all that.

There was nothing wrong with this conversation. It had been pleasant and lazy which I loved. Still the sudden realization of who he was, to the kind of life he led, and my place in it if his wish cthrough. It burst the bubble we were in, not wanting to end this weekend on a sour note. It feigned being hungry and eager to get started with painting. Being thẹ sweetheart he was Griffin agreed and got dressed quickly. He was about to peckon the cheek before slipping out so I could dress in private. Things like that happened a lot in the past 24 hours. Times when he was about to reach out to me. Only to stop himself. Leavingto wonder how long he would be willing or able to keep restraining himself from touching his mate.

Even with all my doubts and insecurities, I felt it too. That need to reach out to him, to touch him. Just something simple like a hug or holding his hand for a bit would be enough. Unlike me, Griffin wasn’t trying to fight. the matebond. So for him, it would no doubt be worse. That need would be so much more intense for him. That was another thing I needed to

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push back to the back of my mind though. Trying not to stress out too much about everything I hurried to get dressed in just a pair of jeans and a knit sweater my grandmother had made me. To find out Griffin had been standing outside of the door all this tto walk to the kitchen with me. Hopefully, Jessa will be able to talk totonight when he is home. Hopefully, her being on a mate–moon wouldn’t stop her from FaceTiming with me. Because I desperately needed someone to vent to and sadvice on what to do. For now, I was just going to make the best of today. I would just consider him a friend today and treat him as such. After all Uncle Nic would be here too. And what could go wrong with two friends painting sbookshelves together all day?