Royal shuffle: Vampire's mate

ANDREA

I sat still, holding the cup of hair butter up for my mother as she carefully and lovingly brushed through my waist-length hair. Detangling my mane with a wide toothcomb.

We lived quite simple lives in a small 2 bedroom bungalow, with a tiny garden to the side of the house, and a picket fence surrounding it.

Things haven't been the same since we lost my father to an accident in the mine where he worked, but my mother and my two sisters have managed to move on from having one of us taken away untimely. There was also the financial repercussions of losing my dad. Now, I had to also work to pick up the slack. We were just keeping our heads out of water.

I winced a little as my mother pulled at my strands and wrestled my hair into a high ponytail on top of my head.

"There you go, my love." She said, kissing me loudly on my forehead. "All done."

I smiled and handed her the hair butter, while I stood and dusted my faded jeans. "Thank you," I said.

She nodded and left the room.

I sighed and picked up my bag which had an apple in it and a bottle of water, as well as a change of clothes. Barely enough to take me through the day, but I had to make sure that my sisters had enough to take to school. Besides, I worked in the palace, there was a high chance of me sneaking a little bit of food into my stomach. Standing at 5'7, and having a slightly curvy, petite figure, I knew that I should be eating more to be healthy.

I waved goodbye to my mother, and mounted my bicycle, beginning the 30-minute ride to the palace.

At 20, one could say that I've seen quite a lot. I witnessed the last war between Vampires, werewolves, and witches over territory. I was 13 at the time and it was so bloody that the population of the country that it was fought on was reduced to half its original population. That included humans, witches, werewolves, and vampires. Hence, a treaty was proposed by humans. The treaty proposed that all parties remain in control of the land they own, and be satisfied with it. No one of the other species was allowed to trespass into the other's territory, death was the punishment, with humans having regional governments to cater to the rights and needs of their dwindling race.

Surprisingly, they agreed to it and brought an end to a 3-year war. I sighed as I approached the palace, another day of strenuous work, but at least it was worth it. The pay was good enough, and on the plus side, my siblings could attend school for free. It was a win-win situation in my books...even though there were several other things I would rather be doing with my life right now.

For example, searching for my mate. But then again, I was an omega wolf, and the chances of my getting a fated mate were quite rare. So rare that the last time an omega wolf got a fated wolf was during the time of the First World War. So, it was hopeless to look for him. But a girl could only dream.

I waved to the guards and was grandly ignored, as per the usual. Everyone looked down on omega wolves, even the higher-ranking omega wolves, and that was somewhat funny.

I parked my bike in the garden, next to the fountain, and headed right for the situation room where the housekeeper would assign chores to every one of us. I changed into the uniform and took note of my task. I was to clean the royal library today. I smiled in excitement, I loved books. It was just sad that the nature of my job didn't allow me much time or freedom for reading. I particularly loved history, and the royal library was filled with history books.

I took the necessary equipment and headed for the library, humming an old, jolly tune as I skipped all the way there. I smiled and closed the door securely behind me, quickly going to work. I was almost done with work when a book caught my eye. 'The history of werewolves and vampires' was the name, it looked like an old text.

I carefully picked up the book, and placed it on the reading table at the window, slowing browsing through the pages. I was so engrossed in the book, that I didn't hear the door open and close, and so when hands wrapped around my waist, my heart jumped into my chest. I quickly turned around, eyes wide with panic to see that it was the Prince. Shit, I was in trouble.

"Good afternoon, Prince William," I greeted.

He shook his head and smiled down at me. "None of that Prince nonsense. Call me Will," he said, with a wry smile on his face.

I laughed nervously and shook my head. "That would be disrespectful to the crown, sir."

"I am the crown, Andrea." He ran his index finger across my forehead and down the side of my face. "You look so beautiful, Andrea."

"Thank you, my prince. I need to get to work, sir."

"A beauty such as yourself shouldn't be working so hard, let me take care of you."

He lowered his head, attempting a kiss but I quickly moved my head to the side, the kiss landing on my cheek instead.

I knew very well what he was proposing, his reputation preceded him. Everyone knew the charming, drop-dead-gorgeous prince who had a thing for beautiful women. I refused to be part of his harem.

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"My apologies, my Prince."

"Don't apologize..." he said.

I tried wiggling out of his grasp but he only held on tighter, not doing anything else, just holding me and looking down at me. I was very uncomfortable. This has been going on for a while, but I needed the job, and if I left, the free education was gone.

The reprieve I was looking for finally presented itself in a bittersweet way when Savannah opened the doors and walked in with a tray containing tea, biscuits, and fruits. She froze when her eyes fell on us, and I didn't miss the pure hate that was displayed in her fiery orbs when she looked at me.

I used the distraction as an opportunity to finally escape from his grasp, quickly hurrying to the side, and quickly finishing whatever work I had left.

"Come in," Prince William said in a somewhat angry tone, walking over to the rather large table positioned at the very center of the library and taking a seat.

Savannah pushed the cart forward with a huge smile on her face. I watched as she began to serve him, bending unnecessarily low when she poured the tea and served the biscuits and fruits. The top buttons of her uniform were undone, giving him an unhindered view of her assets. I scoffed and quickly packed up all my cleaning equipment.

I hurried down to the situation room, keeping the equipment in the store, I took a few moments to breathe, and think about what happened. I definitely couldn't report to anyone. The only option was to leave, and it wasn't a very good one. Another would be to find a mate, but I wasn't that desperate. I shook my head and headed out of the store.

"You stupid, fucking bitch!!!" Savannah hissed at me.

I sighed and ran my hand over my face. I didn't trace the strength for this. "What is it, Savannah?"

"What were you doing with the Prince in the library?"

"Aren't you just coming from the library? Why didn't you ask him?"

I saw her eye twitch and derived some weird satisfaction from it.

"The prince is mine..." She stepped closer to me, pointing at her chest. I sighed and folded my hands.

"He isn't yours, Savannah. He has a mate somewhere, and even if he doesn't find her, do you think he would settle for you? For any of us?"

"He is mine," She said again.

I raised my hands in surrender. "Whatever you say, Savannah."

She huffed and walked away, her wide hips swaying side to side as she walked.

Sometimes, I felt like Savannah and I would have been great friends in another life. We both come from humble backgrounds, although her family wasn't Omega.

I sighed and found the housekeeper. She handed me a list of things to get from the store in the next town.

"Would you like me to get you a driver, or you would like to go on your bicycle?"

"My bicycle," I answered.

She nodded with a smile and sent me on my way. I was sentimentally attached toy bicycle. It was my father's, and it felt like it was the only tangible thing I had from him. I don't have many memories of him as a child. He was away most of the time, and the few times he was home, we didn't spend much time together. I sighed and began my journey into town.