My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

22 Is the King Your True Mate

Jasmine POV

Could this be real? Is this young woman really Drake's mate? "I know this is a lot and I

promise to answer any questions you may have, but can I ask you a question first," Lily asks. "Of course, you can." "Is the king your fated mate" she asks. My chest aches just like it always does when I think about Michael. I look at Myra knowing this will be just as painful for her as it is for me. She takes my hand, offering it a reassuring squeeze.

I take a deep breath before looking back at Lily. "No, David is not my fated beloved. I was born

in the royal kingdom as a servant. Myra was in charge of all the servants back then. Her son Michael and I grew up together. He worked maintaining the castle grounds. When I turned eighteen, we discovered that we were fated to each other. Michael was so sweet, and I was thrilled that the goddess chose him to be mine."

I fight the tears but lose the battle. "Allistar had just become king. David had been away at schooling at the time. Three months after Michael and I had completed our bond, David walked into the kitchen. The minute I felt his eyes on me, my heart sank. Myra tried to keep him away from me, but David is nothing if not persistent."

Flashback

"There is my beautiful girl. Do I smell my favorite apple pie," Michael says from behind me. I turn smiling from ear to ear. "What are you doing here? You can't be done with your work already." "Can't an elf just want to kiss his girl" he says, stepping closer to me. He pulls me into his arms and presses a soft kiss on my lips. A throat clearing startles us both. Michael releases my waist but takes my hand in his.

"I didn't know it was acceptable for grounds workers to be in the kitchen groping the other

servants," David says. "I believe there is a misunderstanding, my lord. Jasmine is my beloved.

We are bonded. I was simply stealing a kiss before I returned to my work," Michael says. David's eyes sweep down my body, making my skin crawl. Michael steps in front of me and David's eyes darken.

"I believe the goddess made a mistake. A creature as beautiful as Jasmine should be a queen

not bonded to a worthless servant," David says. Michael's body stiffens and his fists ball at his

side, I grip his arm, needing to keep him close. "I agree that Jasmine deserves to be a queen, but she is my queen, not yours, my lord. I'm sure your brother would agree," Michael says. Before I can even scream, Drake moves with speed that is unnatural for even elves. His hand wraps around Michael's throat. "She is mine now. You don't deserve to have such a beautiful 1/4

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22 Is the King Your True Mate

woman, you pathetic slave." He turns his eyes to me with an evil smirk. "Do you want him to live" he asks. "Of course, please let him go. I love him" plead.

"Don't let those words pass your lips again while you're speaking of him, or I'll drain his life force before you can blink" he says. "Fine, I won't say it again. Please just let him go." "If you want him to live you have to agree to reject him and become mine," David says. "Jasmine, look at me. I would rather die as your beloved, then have you accept him," Michael says. My eyes turn to him, and I'm sure he can see my decision in my eyes. I can't let Michael die because of me. I love him. I would rather know he is alive and live in misery with this ba**ard. "Fine, I'll reject him." "No, Jazzy, please" he starts to say, but David's hand starts to glow. "I'll do it please stop." The glow subsides and I look at Michael hoping my eyes convey all the things I can't say. How much I will always love him.

"I, Jasmine Peters, reject you, Michael Jones, and break our bondl' say, sobbing. The pain in my chest takes me to my knees. By the time I catch my breath, Michael falls next to me. When he doesn't move, I start to panic. I crawl toward him and, despite his eyes being open, there is no light in them. I look back at David, who has a triumphant smile on his face. "What have you done," I finally scream.

He bends down, grabbing me by the throat, giving it a warning squeeze. "Quiet my queen. I couldn't let him live. He would tell my brother what I've done. He is better off dead after you just ripped his heart out, don't you think? I showed him mercy, my queen, for you," he says before running his tongue up my cheek where my tears won't stop.

"Now, you will go to your little home and gather your things. You will return to me. If you think about telling anyone, including my brother, about what just happened, I'll make sure his mother suffers the same fate. Do you understand what will happen if you disobey me, Jasmine?" I can't even speak. I simply nod. I feel broken. If he thinks that I'll live with him, he's crazy. I'd rather die and join Michael with the goddess than live the rest of my life with him. "I don't even need to be able to read your mind to know what you're thinking, beautiful. Just remember that your parents, your sister, and Myra will all suffer if you do anything that makes me unhappy. I won't just kill them like I did to him, I'll torture them" he says. Flashback EndsText property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I don't even realize how hard I'm crying until Myra pulls me into her arms. "Now you stop with that guilt. You tried to save my son. He loved you, and he wouldn't want you carrying all this

guilt around with you. You did what you had to in order to protect the people you love and that included Michael," Myra says.

When I look back at Lily I'm shocked to see the pure rage on her face. I'm just about to open

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22 Is the King Your True Mate

my mouth when a loud knock sounds on Myra's front door. I look at her and she shrugs. She stands heading toward the foyer. Lily reaches out for my hand. "I promise you" she starts to say, but is cut off by Myra's loud voice. "My king, I'm honored to have you visit my humble home. I'm sure you are here looking for the queen" she says.

My eyes get big and I quickly stand. Why the hell is he here? When David steps into the room, he takes in my appearance. "Love, why do you look like you've been crying," he says as he pulls me into his arms. To anyone who didn't know better, he looks like a loving partner, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

"I'm fine my king. Myra's new friend Lily was telling me her story and I got a bit emotional."For the first time, he realizes we are not alone. His eyes move to Lily and I fight the urge to shudder as he takes her in. I quickly bring his attention back to me. "Why are you here, my King? Is everything alright back at the castle?" "Of course, my queen. I just missed you, and it's been some time since I've visited Myra," he says. He never visits Myra, but I don't say that.

He releases me and moves to take the seat across from Lily. I roll my eyes and move to sit next to her. "Lily, that's a beautiful name. I assume you aren't from the royal pack because I

would definitely remember a young woman as beautiful as you" he says. I want to gouge his

eyes out for the way he is looking at her. He is old enough to be her father. If she is Drake's

beloved, she will be my daughter. I will not allow him to hurt her.

"No, King David, I am from the Black Feather Tribe. My father, brother and I came here after my beloved rejected me. I couldn't bare to stay in our tribe and watch him with her every day," Lily says. "What a fool for throwing away such a jewel" he says. "Well, thank you for the compliment, King David. Myra was kind enough to allow us to stay until we could meet with

you or one of the ranked elves about staying here or being placed in another tribe," Lily says.

"We would be honored to allow you to join the royal tribe, wouldn't we, my love," he says to me. "Of course, we would.""I think we can even find better accommodation," he says. Myra glares even though he can't see her and I fight the urge to laugh. "Honestly, this place is lovely, but

we wouldn't want to impose on Myra if we are going to stay here permanently," Lily says.

"Nonsense, I could use the help. There are a lot of things that need fixing, and I'm too old to be

trying to do it myself. I would love to have you stay for at least a little while," Myra says. David scowls, but before he can say more, Lily smiles warmly at Myra. "We would like that, Myra. My dad, Grant, and I would love to help in any way we can" Lily says.

"That's a wonderful idea. Isn't it my king?" "Yes, wonderful. I do insist though that you come to

the castle for dinner soon. We can officially bring you into the tribe," he says. "That would be amazing, King David." Lust flashes in his eyes when she says his title, but he quickly pushes it

away.

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22 Is the King Your True Mate

"Well, I should be getting back" David says as he stands. I stand to see him to the door. The sound of banging catches all our attention. I turn just in time to see two men step into the room. David pulls me into his arms and presses a hard kiss on my lips. A claiming kiss, so the two men know I am his. I swear I hear a growl, but Lily begins to cough harshly.

I quickly pull away from him, rushing over to her. "Are you alright, Lily' I ask. "Yes, my throat is dry. I just need a drink" she says. Myra stands moving toward the kitchen. "I will see you back at the castle in an hour my queen." I turn just in time to see him glaring at the two men. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Now is not the time to provoke him.