4 3

The chattering stops as quite a few people stare wide eyed in shock at me. No one has ever really seen me cleaned up like this. I blush violently and move closer to my father's side. He hugs me and smiles. My mom squeezes my hand.

"This is it, honey. Your mate is most likely here."

     My eyes scan the room, not feeling the pull or smelling anything. I glance at Anna. She's looking around, her nostrils flared. I know she can smell her mate. I smile at her brightly. I'm so happy her mate is here! She quickly hugs me and runs off. Max sighs and Tasha giggles.

"Looks like she's found her mate. The Kings Beta. They'll make an amazing couple. Sapphy, do you smell anything?

      I shake my head, my curls bouncing. I don't. He isn't here. My mom looks at me, her eyes filled with sadness. She knows it hurts when I don't find him. Mom and dad didn't meet until they were both in their thrities. Mom's parents almost forced her to mate someone else. My parents are giving me time to find my mate.

     I look at Anna, she's so happy. Nestled in her mates arms as he kisses her. She excitedly grabs his hand and tugs him this way.

"CALLIE! I FOUND HIM!"

    I giggled and look at them. He's quite gorgeous. Blond hair, tan skin and pale blue eyes.

"You must be Sapphy. I'm Jonathan. King Remingtons Beta."

"Nice to meet you...."

    I'm suddenly thrown forward as Kristen pretends to bump into me. Johnathan growls protectively as his arms shoot out and catch me before my head bounces off the floor.

"Are you okay? I don't know why I felt the urge to protect you like that. But I had to."

"Yes... I'm fine. Thank you."

    I brush my dress off and hug Anna.

"He's perfect Anna. You go enjoy your mate. I'm going to go for a walk."

     My father looks at me, his brow furrowed.

"Not too long, sweetie. The King will be here in ten minutes."

"Okay, Daddy."

     I sigh as I walk out into the garden. This is my favorite place. I feel so at peace and safe in this garden. It's been like this for as long as I can remember. I sit on a bench and let the moonlight bathe my skin. I close my eyes and silently pray. I beg the goddess for my mate.

      I'm so absorbed by my own thoughts that I would have never seen him coming.

"All alone? No daddy here to keep you safe?"

      My eyes snap open at his voice. Peter stands menacingly in front of me. My breathing quickens as I notice the predatory look in his eyes. He lunges forward and grabs me by my hair. A scream rips its way out of my throat.

"SHUT UP, SLUT!!"

      He yells in my face, smacking me hard. This time I do not hold back the tears. This spurs him on. He wraps a hand around my throat, throwing me to the ground. I feel one of his hands start to rip at my dress. I claw at his hand on my throat, it tightens.

"No.... Please.... Don't. Don't touch.... STOP."

     I sob, this makes him laugh as I hear my dress tear. His hand snakes under my dress. I buck and try to get him off of me. I didn't want this to happen again. He tightens his hand even more. It gets harder to breathe. My only focus now is getting his hand off of my throat so I can breathe. I feel his bare hand touch my thigh and travel up. I kick and flail, one last scream bubbling to my lips.

     Out of nowhere, there's a very possessive and menacing growl as Peter is ripped off of me. I scramble to sit up, coughing and choking on the sudden rush of oxygen to my deprived lungs.

"MINE!!!!"

      I hear someone bellow loudly. Then I hear Peter begging for his life.

"P...p...please. Don't kill me, my king. I was just having fun with her."

      The growl is back but angrier this time. I hear more footsteps and Anna and her mate come running. Anna kneels by me and pulls me behind her. Jonathan rids himself of his jacket and wraps it around my body. Anna turns and pulls me to her as I sob. Peters screams can be heard clear as day, along with the growls.

"SAPPHY!!! WHAT HAPPENED?!"

     I hear my father and my mother runs over to me. I start to panic.

"Daddy..... Peter.... He.... He...."

"HE TRIED RAPING MY MATE."

       Comes from the director of Peters terrified screams. My father looks completely shocked. He scoops me up and looks to Jonathan, who nods.

"I'll tell him she's safe. Anna, go with them. Protect the queen."

     She takes me from my father and lets him lead us inside. My brothers head snaps our way, his nostrils flare. Tasha gasps and clings to her mate.

"What happened?"

"Peter Andrews."

    That's all Anna said. My brother wenf to take me from her and she growled threateningly.

"Don't fucking touch the queen."

"Queen? Anna, what...."

      Another loud growl erupts in the ballroom, my scream following it. I am suddenly wrenched from Anna's arms, trembling. The scent engulfs me, snow and musk. The scent of my mate. My body tingles as he brings me closer.

"MINE."

      He growls softly, as I bury my head in his chest. He rubs my back soothingly. Jonathan comes in carrying a very bloodied and unconscious Peter. My brother bows his head.

"My king. My sister is your mate?"

"She's perfect."

     I hear him whisper. My trembling slows down being close to him. I inhale his scent and press closer.

"Little mate.... Go with your friend and change, please..... I will wait with your father."

    He sets me on my feet gently.

"Okay, your majesty."

     I whisper and he growls.

"No, sweetheart, you call me Remmy."

     I nod and follow Anna up to my room.