7.

Elena woke with a start and frantically looked around at her surroundings. She looked around her room with new eyes trying to place that one thing that didn't belong. Her heart was racing too fast in her chest causing her to breathe heavily.

Grey eyes.

Those grey eyes haunted her dreams. They were filled so much regret as she ran towards them but she couldn't reach them. They always disappear when she got into arm's length. The owner of those eyes corrupted her mind. Pulling her legs to her chest she took a deep breath and placed her forehead on her knees.

'Tara?'

'Yes?' Even her wolf had the same dejected tone.

'It wasn't a dream was it?' she asked trying to stop the tears. Her wolf couldn't answer, Elena didn't blame her. Other questions came to the forefront of her mind but she chose to ignore it. Her heart ached but her mind was being logical as always. No use mourning for a mate who didn't want you right? That statement pained her to say, Tara whimpered. The vision of the large black wolf sitting on the beach filled her mind. The way his golden eyes were focused on her with so much excitement initially. The way he played with her, for a moment she believed she was about to get her fairytale mating but how wrong was she.

"Why?" she asked softly. He said he had no other but he still wanted to sever the bond. Not one to dwell over spilled milk but prefer to clean up the mess, she was determined to find her mate. But how? Shaking her head at it all Elena burrowed deeper into the covers and prayed to forget the night before. She didn't care to find out how she returned home or how she was dressed in her night clothes, she simply wanted to forget. Maybe when they meet again he will go through with it and they will both move on.

"Love isn't in our cards Tara," she whispered out loud allowing sleep and sadness take over.

The banging on the door woke her up, becoming alert instantly. Taking a glance at the clock on the night table she decided that the persistent person had a right to be banging. Tumbling out of bed she made way to the front of the house but the knocking started again. Brows furrowed she turned around and headed for the back door. Who in the world will be knocking on her back door? Peering through the blinds, a shocked gasp escaped her causing her to stumble backward. Elena said nothing, her hands were trembling, tears she didn't know she held rolled down her face.

He's here. What is he doing here?

"Elena?" The low accented voice that she remembered so clearly filtered through the barrier between them. She didn't answer. Her knees got weak from the stress of it all. This wasn't what she waited for. To be rejected at her own home. In her mind, she didn't expect to be rejected. Every she-wolf expected the perfect mating. "An illusion," she scoffed softly.

"Elena? I... I wish to explain last night," he said. The crack in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

Crawling towards the door, she took a seat on the floor with her back leaning against it. His presence was so dominant, though he was on the other side she still felt his protective aura around her.

"Before you.... before you reject me. What's your name?" No more crying, she had to be mature about this. The quicker they move on the better. The remaining two weeks before she started her career will be over soon.

"No!"

Elena flinched at the anger and the force that shook the door. "I can't do it, Lena. Please! J-just let us talk princess," he pleaded. His shortening of her name caught her attention. Slowly she got up and timidly opened the door. Her mate stepped into her kitchen and silently stood to look at her. Dark circles framed his grey eyes. Dressed in cotton shorts and hoodie, his tall frame made him look intimidating. Dark hair fell in his face while the sides looked like it was growing out from his last haircut. He was handsome but not cockily so, she can feel how humble he was just by the way he stood. Wrapping her arms around her t-shirt clad body, she nervously looked everywhere but him. "My name is Da-Dimitri," he said softly. Elena nodded and shifted nervously on her feet. He made a step towards her with his arm stretched out but she flinched away from his touch. Hurt flashed across his eyes before he covered it up with a soft smile.

"I thought if I do it then you will be kept safe,"

"Safe? I live in the safest mix breed town, how am I in danger?" she asked in disbelief. Shaking her head at his reason she decided to do something to distract herself. Still, her trembling hands were doing a great job in making a pot of coffee.

"If I may, how well are you taught in your wolf history?" he asked. Elena turned when she heard the underlying tones of nervousness.

"Everything," she whispered going closer to him.

"Even the Royals?"

"My favorite part," she countered. Dimitri held her gaze, his grey eyes now brimming with wariness and uncertainty.

"Dimitri." By the sound of his name, he instantly grew alert, a small smile on his, it somewhat pleased Elena to see that.

"I'm not one to beat around the bush so please tell me why you're here and why your instant change on our mating status. I can't take it anymore. My composure is hanging by a thread at the moment. Just talk to me." She was on edge and getting frustrated by the minute. His presence and not knowing what was going on was bothering her.

"I'm trying love. This can go so many ways but all I want is for you to understand why I wanted to push you away," he said stepping closer to her.

"Just talk Dimitri," Elena pressed going closer to him. She can see the internal struggle in his eyes. "I understand I am asking much of you but please put my mind at ease. Seeing the regret in your eyes last night felt like you were piercing my heart with a silver knife. Why is our mating wrong at this present time? Tell me." The heart-wrenching sob she was trying so hard to suppress was threatening to escape. Her mind was telling her to be strong but her heart wants nothing of it. It longed for the wolf before her.

Dimitri's hand slowly reached out to caress her cheek, she flinched lightly by the unexpected soreness. Her brows furrowed thinking where she hurt herself.

"My fault. I wanted you to stop and built a barrier but I panicked and conjured up the wrong one. I didn't mean to hurt you, princess. I just wanted you to stop," he said softly. Tears that were held back released themselves down her cheeks. Dimitri lightly brushed them away as his own escaped.

"I just wanted you to explain. Give me a chance," She cried. He closed the little distance between them and placed his head against hers.

"Can you live the life of a Royal, my beautiful Lena?" His question was soft but it registered quickly to Elena. A shocked gasp escaped her, pulling back she looked at the dejected man before her. His grey eyes showing her every emotion he was feeling, his broad shoulders slumped in tiredness and defeat.

"I can not lie to my mate. My blessed name is King Dimitri Mikael Vincent Romano, the last of the Royal bloodline of the wolf kingdom."

"But... You can't be. We've had notices of the Royal family being no more. A neighboring Alpha told my father so months ago," Elena's eyes perused her mate in confusion then what he explained about her healed injury and remembering his wolf, she knew he was telling the truth. His accent and proper use of English sort of placed him at the level of extent education level.

"They were ordered to say so. My... My father's death is the reason for it. I am to stay here until the threat is dissolved," he explained. Unable to stand anymore she moved to one of the chairs and eyed Dimitri carefully.

"Your father died months ago," she said aloud trying to piece together the information her father told her. As a past alpha and authoritative figure in the town, nearby packs always kept him in the loop. Always having her versed in her history she was also invited to meet with them since she became eighteen.

"Yes." His answer was quiet and filled with grief. "Counsel hasn't been called in fourteen years. Why is that? Plus you're a long way from home," she stated. Dimitri smiled at her deduction, chuckling softly.

"You are taking this quite calmly my Lena."

"Oh, I'm freaking out inside at the moment. My mind just wants the facts sorted out," she returned.

His smile got bigger making Elena blush by his attention. "To answer your inquiry, Counsel has been dissolved since my mother's death. My father and I have been in hiding ever since using various spells to protect our people and ourselves," he explained taking a seat also.

Elena nodded in understanding, she read about the Royals being gifted with magic from the Goddess to protect her children from the dangers of hunters and themselves. For a moment she asked herself why in the world she wasn't freaking out.

"Three years ago I joined my father at his birth pack after several instances of close to being caught. It was a theory of mine that we have a traitor in our ranks but our utmost trust in our people caused me to discard of that theory,"

"But you haven't dismissed it thoroughly have you?" she asked.

Dimitri's eyes widen at her question, she was right but he kept the notion to himself. Seeing his shock she gave him a sad smile, "You were ready to reject me so you can protect me. I would have done the same," she clarified.

"You understand my dilemma now, don't you. Dante and I formed the plan yesterday but didn't expect to find you so soon. We thought time will help us learn to resist the bond but seeing you running towards us so excited and so beautiful, threw the plan out of the window." Dimitri reached across the table and took her hand in his. Sighs of relief and contentment escaped them both, Elena shifted her hand to intertwine her fingers with his. Dimitri kept his gaze on her with a sad smile now on his lips.

"They will come after you, Lena,"

"But I just found you after years of waiting." Elena's mind caught up with her internal panic. Wanting him to stay she went before him on her knees holding onto his hands. "We-we will take precautions. Um... keep this mating between us anything to keep both of us. Just don't go," she begged. All her composure and logical understanding dissolved for her heart wants and needs. This was her soul mate. Her chosen. Tara was calling out to his wolf. They both looked on as both man and wolf's resolve was breaking, their heart in their eyes. Dimitri pulled her up from her knees, placing her on his lap then gently held her face in his large hands.

"Elena. My Lena, my queen," he whispered against her lips before gently pressing his against hers. The electrifying connection books both fictional and historical couldn't dare compare to the exploding feeling she now felt. From the touch of his hands on her skin to the feel of supple lips against hers sent a heat through her body that she didn't wish to quench. Turning slightly to capture him more she wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. His kiss became more desperate and passion filled. His hold tightened around her body, a lust-filled growl reached her eyes causing her to clutch onto him tighter. Slowly the kiss ended with both trying to regulate their breathing. "I don't want you hurt but I can't forsake you now that I've met you. Are you sure about this my queen?" he asked.

It still hasn't registered to Elena that she was now the queen of her kind, she only saw her mate before her. A simple wolf with fears for her and his people. She did decide, along with Tara, that they will both stay at his side through it all.

"I, Elena Illiana Monroe accept you Dimitri Mikael Vincent Romano as my chosen. Through it all, I will be yours." Her declaration made her feel lighter and contented. Dimitri's eyes brighten at her words without hesitation he claimed her lips in a bruising kiss holding her tightly.

"I, Dimitri Mikael Vincent Romano accept you Elena Illiana as my mate, my equal, my queen. Through it all I will be yours," He said all this with his gaze locked with hers, the fear in his heart was no more what he felt was an uplifting of his heart as his Lena smiled at him.

"Mine," Her whisper was loud to his ears. Dante submitted to Tara just as Dimitri placed Elena on her feet and lowered himself to one knee. As mated royals in the past, Dimitri followed in his ancestors' footsteps. He knew with this decree it will make their future uncertain but he will do anything for this green-eyed beauty. She had his heart and clueless about it. Whoever is hunting him will be after her also but he felt her confidence. The confidence he lacked since his father's death. She was needed after all. Let the threat come. They won't have her blood on their hands and neither his.

"They all bow to me but here. Now. I bow to you. My queen."

His wolf queen.