I stared at him, the man who had just claimed me as his mate. He looked older than anyone else at the party, and I couldn't help but remember the rumors that had circled through the pack for years. The Lycan King had never found his mate, people said, because he was old. Too old. Some even whispered that he had given up looking, that he'd be alone forever.
But now, here he was, standing right in front of me.
"How old are you?" I blurted out, my voice barely above a whisper. I was still in shock from everything that had just happened, and I needed answers.
He raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're curious about my age?" His deep voice rumbled in his chest.
I nodded, my heart racing. "Yes."
He looked down at me with those piercing silver eyes, his expression softening slightly. "I'm forty-nine," he said simply.
I felt my stomach drop. Forty-nine. He was more than twice my age! I was only nineteen. My head swirled with the thought of it, but he didn't seem bothered by it at all. He just stood there, calm and composed, as if this was perfectly normal.
"Twice my age," I muttered, still in disbelief.
"It doesn't matter," he replied firmly, his gaze steady on mine. "Age means nothing when it comes to mates."
Before I could say anything else, he gently took my hand, his large fingers wrapping around mine with surprising tenderness. "Come," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Let's go back to the party."
I shook my head, trying to pull my hand away. "No, I don't want to go back there."
But he didn't let go. "You are mine now, and you will stand by my side," he said, his voice softer but still firm. "There is nothing to be ashamed of."
Despite my protests, he guided me back to the hall. My heart pounded in my chest as we re-entered the party, and I could feel all eyes on us. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd as they saw me walking beside the Lycan King.
We walked straight to the Old Alpha and Luna. The Lycan King—*my* mate—greeted them with a deep, respectful nod. "Alpha, Luna," he said formally.
The Old Alpha gave him a polite smile. "King Magnus. It's been too long."
The Luna's eyes flicked to me, her expression curious, but she said nothing as Magnus moved us along. We approached the New Alpha and his mate, Beta Colin standing stiffly beside them. His eyes were filled with shock and something that looked a lot like jealousy as he glared at me.
Magnus didn't seem to notice, or maybe he just didn't care. He greeted the New Alpha and his mate with the same formality, his grip on my hand gentle but firm.
"I think you should get something to eat," Magnus said, his voice softer as he turned to me. "You look pale."
I nodded, my mouth dry as I let go of his hand and stepped away. My heart still pounded in my chest as I moved to the table filled with food, grabbing a small plate. I felt like a million eyes were watching me, judging me. And they probably were.
As I reached for a slice of bread, I heard snickering behind me. Turning slightly, I saw a group of girls from the pack standing together, their eyes filled with malice.
"Oh look, the Beta didn't want her, so now she's with the old man," one of them sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Another one laughed. "She's so desperate that she latched onto the Lycan King the moment she was rejected."
My hands clenched around the plate, my knuckles turning white. I tried to ignore them, but they stepped closer, crowding around me.
"Pathetic," one girl hissed. "You couldn't even keep Beta Colin interested for more than a second, and now you're trying to act like you belong here? Look at your clothes. You're nothing."
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as their words cut through me. I wanted to say something, to defend myself, but the words were stuck in my throat. I could feel my wolf whimpering inside me, still hurting from the rejection. The girls closed in, their laughter cruel and sharp.
"Does the King know what a reject you are?" one of them said, stepping closer. "He probably just feels sorry for you."
"Enough."
The voice that cut through the air was deep, commanding, and sent shivers down my spine. I looked up to see Magnus standing behind the girls, his silver eyes glowing with barely restrained anger.
The girls froze, their eyes wide with fear as they realized who had spoken. They quickly stepped back, lowering their heads in submission.
Magnus moved to stand beside me, his presence overwhelming. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm.
"N-no, Your Majesty," one of the girls stammered, her face pale.
"Then leave." His voice was low but firm, leaving no room for argument.
The girls quickly scurried away, not daring to look back. I stood there, still clutching my plate, my heart racing from the confrontation.
Magnus turned to me, his expression softening as he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
I nodded, still trying to process everything. "I'm fine," I whispered, though I wasn't sure I believed it.
"They won't bother you again," he said, his voice firm. "And if they do, I'll deal with them personally."
I looked up at him, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Gratitude, confusion, and something deeper, something I wasn't ready to name yet. He had stood up for me, defended me in a way no one else ever had.
"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself. "Why are you doing this?"
Magnus looked down at me, his silver eyes softening. "Because you are my mate," he said simply. "And I protect what is mine."
His words sent a warmth through my chest, and for the first time since this strange night had begun, I felt a sense of safety. I didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, I knew one thing for sure.
I wasn't alone anymore.