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Molly, or Martha, I can’t remember what she said her name was, goes into extreme detail about her recent vacation to a resort off the coast of France. Not once does she ask about me, the kingdom, or what her role would be as queen.
“Oh my gosh, and then my friend dared me to go skinny dipping! Can you believe that?” she shrieks.
“Yes. That area of France is known for its nudist beaches.”
Her eyes widen, and I realize I said that out loud.
“Ah, but anyway, it must have been a shock,” I try to recover. Greg tries to cover up his laugh with a cough, but he doesn’t quite pull it off.
Just two more women after her, and then we’ll be done.
I glance at the clock and try not to sigh when I see we still have two minutes left. I paste a smile on my face and count down the seconds until her time is up.
“Up next is Miss Ren Michaels,” Greg announces. I smile as the girl walks in.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, trying not to be disappointed as her scent hits me, and I realize she’s not my fated mate.
“You too.”
She starts to talk about some book that’s on the end table next to me, and she seems so excited that I don’t have the heart to tell her it’s not mine. Romer loaned it to me a month ago, and I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
Truthfully, I’ve been avoiding it. The damn thing is over six hundred pages long, and while I don’t doubt it weaves a beautiful tapestry of fantasy and adventure, I don’t have the patience for books like that. Too bad Romer couldn’t make it here tonight. He’d finally have someone to trade notes with.
“It was nice to meet you,” I tell Ren when Greg comes back with the last girl.
My wolf paces inside of me. He wants out, and I decide to let him run through the forest toward Koda’s kingdom tonight. We both need to burn off some steam if we’re going to make it through the next five days.
The last girl walks in, and my wolf stops pacing inside of me as we take her in.
Striking light blonde hair is piled on top of her head, revealing her round face, plump lips, and delicate nose dotted with a few freckles. Wide, green eyes gaze around the room, and I’m fascinated just watching her take it all in.
The other women either didn’t notice our surroundings or turned up their noses at the small space, probably expecting something fancier. This woman drinks in every painting, every golden-trimmed lamp and picture frame, as if she’s cataloging the details to remember for later.
I take the opportunity to study her more, my interest in her growing by the second.
She’s dressed like Ren was in just jeans and a t-shirt, and has on a worn pair of tennis shoes that somehow tie her whole casual, slightly punk look together. It makes her stand out all the more amongst the satin and taffeta gowns.
“And finally, Miss Malia Marx.”
Green eyes snap to mine, as if just realizing she was spacing out. I don’t mind. It’s kind of adorable.
“Hi,” she says with a wave, her cheeks turning a charming shade of pink.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” I give her an amused smile as she tucks a few strands of her ice-blonde hair behind her ear.
The door closes behind her and I inhale deeply. My wolf tenses inside of me, and for one second, I wonder if we’ve found her. I thought my mate’s scent would hit me like a bullet to the chest, but maybe it’s more subtle.
I take another deep breath, but it’s not quite right. I don’t know how I know that, it’s just an instinct my wolf and I have. I slump back into my chair, confusion settling over me. There’s definitelysomethingthere. Whatever it is, it’s more than I’ve felt for anyone who has walked through that door tonight or any other night.
“Long day?” the woman asks, taking the seat across from me. She looks a little lost and slightly overwhelmed in a way that makes me want to give her a hug, yet her first thought was to ask about me. That definitely wins her some points in my book.
“Yeah, and it’s not over yet.”
She smiles at that, her dimples making her look sweet and innocent. I watch as she gets comfortable in the chair, a protective streak rising up the longer I’m around her.
Another wave of confusion hits me. I’m an Alpha and a King, so I’m naturally protective of those around me. But something about this curvy woman and her bright blonde hair makes me feel… possessive. I shouldn’t have these feelings for someone who isn’t my mate.
“So, you don’t like the ceremony then?” the woman asks, her green eyes locking on mine.
