Chapter4 I really want her to like us

Rhydian's POV

The moment I approached the restaurant, I saw her through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She was across the dining room, carrying a tray with practiced grace, her silver hair tucked beneath the standard server's cap—but even that couldn't hide her completely. A few silvery strands had escaped, catching the light like moonbeams.

Even in the plain black server's uniform, she was breathtaking—the kind of beauty that made every head turn, every conversation pause.

A table of businessmen watched her pass, their gazes lingering too long, and my wolf snarled in instant fury.

OURS! Silo roared, his voice bouncing around my skull like an overexcited puppy who'd just spotted a threat. They're LOOKING at her! Our mate! Make them STOP!

I forced myself to breathe, to stay still, to not make a scene that would terrify her.

Boss, boss, BOSS! Silo whined, scratching at my control. Go get her! Right now! She's RIGHT THERE, and you're just STANDING here like a statue! What are you DOING?

Not yet, I shot back, even as my hands clenched into fists. Not like this.

But I wanna see her up close again, he pouted. I wanna smell her. Touch her. Tell her she's pretty and—

Callum appeared at my elbow, voice low and urgent. "My king. The private room is ready."

I tore my gaze away from her, every muscle screaming in protest. "Lead the way."

I'd felt her gaze on me the moment I entered, but I kept my eyes forward, refusing to look back at her even though every fiber of my being wanted to. By the time we reached the private room tucked away in the back, I felt like I'd run a marathon.

The door clicked shut behind us, and Callum's posture relaxed slightly.

"My king."

The formal address in private—he only used it when we were alone, when the masks could come off.

I crossed to the sidebar and poured myself a whiskey, more for something to do with my hands than any real desire for alcohol. "Tell me."

"She's managing." Callum's voice was measured. "Working double shifts, trying to prove herself. But the other servers aren't making it easy—there's jealousy, subtle exclusion. And the manager has been watching her with entirely too much interest."

My hand tightened around the glass. "Handle him. I want him gone by tomorrow."

"My king," Callum continued carefully, "what are your plans for her?"

"I'm bringing her to the estate." I set the glass down, meeting his gaze. "Tonight."

TONIGHT?! Silo's excitement exploded. She's coming HOME?! To OUR place?! Can I show her the garden and—

"Understood." Callum paused. "The Council contacted me again. Aurora's family is demanding answers, threatening to escalate."

"Let them threaten." My voice was flat, absolute. "I'm not bonding with Aurora Luna."

Damn RIGHT we're not! Silo chimed in enthusiastically. Aurora smells like old ice and fake flowers, and I don't LIKE her. She's all cold and mean and—

"My king, the political ramifications—"

"I don't give a fuck about the political ramifications." The words came out harsher than intended, and I forced myself to breathe, to center. "I found my true mate, Callum."

Silence stretched between us, heavy with implications.

"I didn't think it was possible," I continued quietly, staring into the amber liquid. "Thirty years, and I'd accepted that my true mate either didn't exist or had died. The arrangement with the Luna family made sense—strategic alliance, strong bloodlines, political stability."

"And now?"

"Now she's here." The admission felt like something breaking open in my chest. "She walked into my life in the most unexpected, impossible way. And everything changed."

Callum studied me for a long moment. "Does she know?"

"No." I met his gaze. "And you're not to tell her."

Wait, WHAT? Silo's excitement screeched to a halt. We're not telling her? But... but why NOT? She should KNOW! She's ours, and we're hers and—

His eyebrows rose slightly. "My king—"

"She doesn't want a true mate. She told me herself that day in the car, very clearly, very firmly, that she wants nothing to do with destiny or bonds or claiming."

I raked a hand through my hair. "She just escaped one alpha who tried to force a bond on her. If I tell her now that I'm her true mate, she'll see me as another cage. She'll run."

But we're not like that bad alpha! Silo protested, genuinely hurt. We'd never hurt her! We'd be SO NICE to her! We'd give her anything she wants! Why would she run from us?

"So your plan is...?"

"Give her a choice. A real one." I straightened, decision crystallizing. "I'm going to show her what her life could be like—safety, respect, independence. And when she's ready, when she trusts me, I'll tell her the truth."

Ohhh... Silo processed this slowly. So... we're being sneaky? Like... surprise mate reveal later?

Exactly.

Okay, okay, I get it! His mood bounced back instantly. We'll be super nice and patient and show her we're the BEST, and then when she loves us, we tell her, and she'll be so HAPPY and—

If she ever trusts us enough, I corrected grimly.

She will! Silo insisted with absolute confidence. Because we're gonna take such good care of her! She's gonna be SO happy at the estate! I can't wait to—

"The Council won't accept this easily," Callum warned. "Aurora's family has significant influence. They'll push back, hard."

He paused, then added carefully, "And my king... she's a wolfless mixed-blood. An omega. Even as your true mate, the gap between your positions is... immense. The challenges ahead will be brutal."

"I've made my decision." My voice was steel, carrying the full weight of my authority. "I'm not bonding with anyone except my true mate. And anyone who thinks her bloodline makes her unworthy of standing beside me can take it up with Silo personally."

YEAH! Silo snarled viciously. I'll rip apart anyone who disrespects our mate!

Then his fury melted into worry. Wait... people are gonna be mean to her? Can we just keep her safe at home?

Enough, I cut him off. You're giving me a headache with all the chatter.

But—

I'll handle everything concerning our mate. You just need to trust me.

Fine, fine, Silo huffed.

"And Callum," I continued, voice dropping lower, "Keep the mate bond secret. For now."

His eyebrows rose slightly. "My king?"

"She's too vulnerable right now. Too young, too new to this world." I met his gaze steadily.

"If word gets out that she's my true mate, the elders will mobilize, Aurora's family will see her as a threat to eliminate, and the public scrutiny alone would crush her. She needs time to grow stronger before facing that storm."

Understanding flickered across Callum's face. "You're protecting her from your own world."

"From everything," I said quietly. "Until she's ready."

"Should I tell her about your position?" Callum asked quietly. "That you're not just a wealthy alpha, but—"

"No." The answer was immediate. "She doesn't need that pressure. Let her think I'm just another rich bastard with more money than sense. She's been through enough without adding the weight of the Alpha King to her shoulders."

Callum inclined his head. "As you wish, my king. I'll bring her to you."

After he left, I stood alone in the private room, staring out at the Manhattan skyline.

Hey... boss? Silo's voice was softer now, almost vulnerable. We're really bringing her home today?

Yes.

And... and she's gonna stay? With us?

If she agrees.

She'll agree! His confidence returned in a rush.

But really though... Silo continued, quieter now. I just... I really want her to like us. She's special. And I want her to be happy.

I know, I said softly. So do I.