5: Mate?

Camella's pov

The kitchen was alive with the usual hustle and bustle of preparing meals.

I stood at the counter, focused on chipping off spinach for lunch. My mind was a whirl of thoughts, primarily revolving around the many tasks yet to be completed before the meal could be served.

But still I found myself thinking about Ethan. How was he coping over there?

Tears peppered my vision as I took a deep breathe and brushed it away hurriedly.

The delicate balance of spices, the precise timing of cooking, and the coordination with other kitchen staff—it all had to be perfect. At all cost.

Cooking for the royal family was a privilege.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted, voices raising and objects clattering to the ground.

I didn't even bother turning around. Lunch was only a few minutes away, and we were behind schedule. Lateness is never condoned.

The sound faded into an eerie silence, unusual for such a bustling environment. Despite the change in atmosphere, I found myself humming a tune, a habit I had developed over the years to keep my nerves steady in high-pressure situations.

Carrying the basin filled with freshly chipped spinach, I turned to pass it to the next person for washing. My eyes caught an unexpected sight—everyone was on their knees, heads pinned to the floor. Panic gripped me for a moment. What was happening? My gaze followed theirs and landed on a figure standing authoritatively in the doorway.

It was Leo.

I gasped, the basin slipping from my hands and crashing to the floor, water splashing everywhere. My knees buckled, and I found myself sinking to the ground, just as the others had. Just as I was about to bow my head, I felt warm, strong hands holding me.

"Don't do that!"

Startled, I looked up, my eyes meeting Leo's.

There was something intense in his gaze, something that commanded attention and obedience. He held me firmly, helping me to stand up. Around us, murmurs filled the kitchen as everyone wondered what was happening.

"Come with me," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, glancing around at the unfinished preparations. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but lunch has to be prepared," I replied quietly, bowing my head in respect.

"Now!" he commanded, his tone brooking no refusal.

Reluctantly, I followed him out of the kitchen. He led me to the terrace, a place that offered a momentary escape from the confines of the palace's daily routines. He walked with purpose, his hands clasped behind his back. Once we reached the terrace, he turned to me, his expression unreadable.

"MATE!!!" he declared, the word hanging in the air like a thunderclap.

I froze, my mind racing to comprehend what he had just said. Mate? What was he talking about?

"I... I already have a mate," I stammered, confusion and fear mingling in my voice. "I'm sorry, Your Highness." I bowed again, but he reached out, lifting my chin with a gentle yet firm touch.

"Ethan treated you like crap," he said, his eyes boring into mine, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place.

"But he's still my mate!" I protested, my voice trembling. The bond with Ethan, no matter how fraught with pain and disappointment, was something I had accepted as part of my life.

"Forget about that! I'm your mate now!" Leo's words were final, his tone unyielding and commanding.

My heart pounded in my chest. How could this be? Mates were fated, chosen by forces beyond our control. To have a new mate, especially someone of Leo's stature, was unimaginable. Yet here he stood, claiming me as his own.

"Leo," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "this isn't how things are done. You can't just—"

"I can," he interrupted, stepping closer. "I will. You are mine, Camella."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. Part of me wanted to flee, to return to the safety of the kitchen.

"But Ethan..." I tried to reason, my mind clinging to Ethan.

"Ethan doesn't deserve you," Leo said firmly. "He never did. And now, you have a chance at something better. With me."

Tears welled up in my eyes, the confusion and emotional turmoil was to much to bear.

He wasn't my mate. No matter how much Ethan hated me, or more like hates me, I can't betray him.

"Trust me, Camella," he said softly. "I will never hurt you. I will cherish you as you deserve."

His words broke through my defenses as I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Now," Leo said, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that left no doubt about his intentions.