Chapter twelve

We start down the path and as it gets a little bumpier it's less an actual path as it is just walking on a lightly beaten path. Eventually, Damian lets go of my hand and I realize it's because he feels unstable on this terrain. "So, you and that Cody guy used to come this way as kids?" He finally asks and I'm pretty sure he's concerned with my parents' decision to let us frolic in the woods.

"We didn't come this way until we were older," I tell him with a smirk. "We stayed pretty close to the normal path when we were young, except that one time we got a little lost. Your dad was kind enough to share that story last night." I tell him.

"What made you like being outside? It's not exactly the most typical for an Alpha's daughter." Damian asks.

"I didn't fit in with the other kids. I realized I wasn't built like them. They were all fast and so good at sports that when I tried to join them it was embarrassing- or I got hurt. Cody didn't exactly fit in either, so it was just a friendship between two outcasts. We got picked on a lot and just ended up playing in the woods to stay away from it all. Turns out that if you spend enough time here, you can fall in love with it." I finish with a shrug. "I take it you aren't enjoying your time out here?"I ask.

"It's not that I don't enjoy it, I just don't have time. I'm always so busy with some royal duty that it doesn't leave a lot of time to just exist." He tells me while stepping off a large rock to look defeated at the sight of more rocks.

"Did your parents bother you, too, about finding your mate ?" I ask him. "I don't know if their obsession with it was normal or enhanced because of my situation"

"They wanted me to find her, well, you. I was just hesitant," he says.

"Hesitant? Were you hiding away, too? Making sure you didn't meet anyone?" I ask in a joking tone.

"No, maybe. It's just..." and he stops. "It's nothing to worry about." He finishes awkwardly and attempts to change the subject. "So, do you have a boyfriend hanging around who's going to have his heart broken when you tell him we've met?" He asks.

"Umm, no one wants me," I tell him sadly, and it's true. "Short of some inappropriate comments made about me, no one has shown any genuine interest in me, ever."

"Annie, wait," he says and reaches out his hand for me. I take his hand and he continues "You're just different, I see that now. And you are absolutely beautiful".

"You can see I'm different now? That kitchen tour made a difference", I joke, but he's not laughing.

A jolt went through our bond then, a feeling I couldn't quite grasp. It was subtle, indescribable. I glanced up at Damian, his smile strained at the edges. We continued down the path, an unsettling silence hanging heavy between us. An unspoken thought gnawed at me – was he keeping something from me?

Reaching the shed, I brushed the feeling aside. Damian had been nothing short of a perfect gentleman. Maybe I'd misspoken, or perhaps he was simply having an off day. I refused to let anything taint this moment. We stood in companionable silence, his hand finding mine – warm, yes, but damp with nervous sweat. A smile bloomed on my face as Dad and King Aaron joined us, breaking the quiet spell.

"Told you there were shortcuts you wouldn't know about," I declared with a triumphant chuckle "Looks like we made it to noon!"

My dad lumbered up, clapping me playfully on the shoulder. "Annie," he rumbled, "you've grown up. Used to be you lagging."

A ripple of laughter spread. Damian, his hand still warm in mine, received an appraising look from the King. Emotions swirled within me. There was no way, not after this, that Damian could reject me. Catching his eye, I met a warm smile that sent a shiver down my spine. The unspoken promise hanging between us was sweeter than any victory.

A hush fell over the path as a guard materialized at the King's elbow, a flurry of hushed words filling the air. The King's demeanor shifted.

"It appears my presence is unexpectedly required at the palace," he announced, his tone apologetic. "Such a pleasure meeting you, Annie! I would dearly love to stay for dinner, but duty calls." He turned to me, a light smile playing on his lips.

My heart sank. The thought of parting ways with Damian after just meeting him left a hollow ache in my chest. As if sensing my disappointment, his hand tightened around mine, a silent promise exchanged through the warmth of his touch.

"Annie," Damian surprised me, his voice laced with a hopeful tremor, "why don't you join us at the palace?"

A knot of nerves formed in my stomach. He was my mate, yes, but yesterday was a whirlwind introduction. The undeniable pull between us was there, but could I truly consider leaving everything behind so soon?

My father, ever the pragmatist, stepped in. "Yes, an excellent idea, dear! Spending some time with Damian will allow you to get to know each other properly before the marking ceremony."

I stammered, unsure how to respond. "I... I'm not sure..."

A gentle nudge from Dad's mind link reached me. "Annie, you don't have to worry about us. This is your chance to explore, to start a new chapter." He was right. Everyone, it seemed, was thrilled about this unexpected turn of events. Besides, what was the worst that could happen?

Taking a deep breath, I surprised myself by saying, "Sure. It sounds like an adventure."

Damian's smile, if possible, grew even wider. The excitement crackled between us, a tangible current coursing through our bond.

"Excellent!" boomed the King, looking positively gleeful. "Then it's settled. Go get ready, dear. We leave in three hours."