The Gold Queen (Prequel)

***Sofia***

“Sofia!” My mother shrieks, my heart skipping a beat as I scramble off of Mateo’s lap and fall flat on my a*s onto the dirt floor of the hut.

My cheeks burn in embarrassment as I get to my feet and dust off the dirt, keeping my eyes on my feet as I was too afraid to look my mother in the eyes. I can feel her cold glare shift between Mateo and I, the shame slowly consuming me.

“Que diablos significa esto, Sofia? {What the devil is the meaning of this?}” she snarls, pointing at Mateo’s swollen lips.

“I-I…I don’t…” I search for a possible explanation but find none that were suitable.

My mother looks around the room aimlessly, deep in thought when she finally speaks up. “How long has this been going on?” She asks, pacing back and forth. “Does anyone know about you two?”

“There is nothing to know,” I whisper, stealing a glance at Mateo who looks equally as mortified as I did. “We’re not together. We just got caught up in the heat of the moment-“

“Oh thank Moon Goddess,” my mother sighs in relief. “Then let’s keep it that way. No one needs to know the Princess harbors feelings for a man other than her fiancé.”

“I don’t harbor feelings for anyone!” I protest, but she she hears none of it, raising her hand to silence me.

“Callate, Sofia. No me mientas que soy tu Madre. {Shut up. Don’t lie to me for I am your mother},” she snaps, pointing an accusing finger at me.

Her face hardens as she looks at Mateo. “I expect you to keep this little incident a secret, young man as it certainly won’t be happening again, understand?” She asks, the anger pulsating from her aura in powerful waves. “I will speak to my husband and we’ll make the arrangements to send you home-“

“What!” I cry, afraid I might never see him again.

“Silence!” She booms. “Mateo will be going home immediately. We don’t need his presence tempting you any longer. You have an fiancé, Sofia. A great man whom you will be marrying in 4 weeks. A man whom you have disrespected by locking lips with this-this wolf!” She snarls, pointing at Mateo. “Do you have any idea what would have happened had someone else walked in on you two kissing? Any idea of the consequences?”

My mouth hangs open as I hold back tears, unsure what else to say to explain what we had done.

“Your Majesty,” Mateo says quietly. “If I could just explain-“

“Silence! I don’t want to hear it,” my mother cuts him off. “Your parents have been informed of your injury and are on their way as we speak. I suggest you hurry back to the hacienda and pack your things,” she adds with a glare.

Mateo stares blankly ahead, taking deep breaths before climbing off the bed. As he leaves, he turns back to look at me, a thousand unsaid words hanging on his lips.

“How could you do this to Julian?” my mother snaps when Mateo leaves. “He’s been nothing but a good fiancé since the engagement!”

If only she knew what he was really like!

“I don’t love him, Mom-“

“Well it’s too late to back out now!” She huffs, silencing me with her cold glare. “It’s too late to change your mind. We have already signed a treaty with Estrella del Monte, Sofia. You have to be their Queen. If we back out now, we’ll have a war on our hands.”

I can’t hold back my tears any longer. “Mami please-“

She softens her features and cups my cheeks. “I’m sorry Sofia, but you made a promise to Julian and his people,” she whispers, wiping my tears with her thumbs. “And a Princess never backs out from her promises, no matter how much they hurt.”

“Mami-“

“No más, Sofia. I don’t want to hear another word about this,” She says, stepping away from me and smoothing her cloak. “And as for Mateo,” she sighs, rubbing her temples. “He will be leaving-“

“Is that really necessary-“

“Absolutely!” She growls. “Because I know boys like him. Boys like him will steer you off the path you are supposed to take. They’ll fill your head with lies and ideas-“

“It was just a k**s!” I argue.

“It starts with a k**s and before you know it you’re in his bed!”

I stare in shock at her. Did she know me at all?

“Mom, I would never-“

“And you never will,” she huffs. “I’ll make sure this little incident never repeats itself.” She turns on her heel and opens the door. “Let’s go explain this to your father.”

***Mateo***

I pack up my things, the entire time reliving that incredible k**s.

***Mateo***

I pack up my things, the entire time reliving that incredible k**s.

I think about the way her lips taste, the way she moved against me, the way she made me forget that an entire planet of beings existed. Because for that moment, she was the only one I cared about.

Try as I might to hate her, I could not. That first k**s we shared kept me up at night and no matter how many times I had kissed Renata, I could never recreate the feelings that burned inside me whenever I was near Sofia.

She was consuming my very thought and it was getting harder to breathe without her. The thought of her marrying the Prince sent me into a frenzy. She was mine. I wanted her. I needed her.

A strange thought enters my head. Could Sofia be my mate?

Luis says nothing. Our birthday was only 12 days away and until I turned 18, there would be no way to tell.

I quickly discard the thought though. We were too different, too incompatible. She wanted to rule and I wanted freedom. Moon Goddess would never torture us like this. Besides, she would have said something by now, wouldn’t she?

Goddess, why did she have to k**s me and fill my head with so much confusion?! I can’t even think straight anymore!

I lay in bed to rest for a moment when suddenly the King enters my room. I scramble to my feet in an instant, giving him a quick bow.

His face looks grim and I brace myself for his wrath. He was not known to be a short tempered man so I hold onto the hope that he wouldn’t murder me where I stood.

Sensing my uneasiness, he inhales deeply and shakes his head sheepishly.

“There is no need to worry, son. I’m not here to hurt you,” he says and I let out a breath of air I didn’t realize I was holding in.

“I am I being kicked out?” I asked, still uncertain about the King’s intentions.

“No,” he sighs, messaging his temple. “I’m actually here to apologize to you.”

I stare at him, completely floored by his calm demeanor. “Apologize…?”

“My daughter is going through… a lot at the moment,” he says. “She’s about to marry a man she does not care for and I can do little to help her.” He looks less like a king and more like a helpless father. “She’s been acting out a lot lately, including playing with your feelings a bit and I sincerely apologize for her behavior. I want you to know that she will not be doing that again. I also want to clarify that my intention in allowing you to stay here with my family was not a ploy to get your brother into the Royal army. I respect your family enough to let them decide for themselves what to do with the twins. I brought you here to teach you a bit of responsibility as your father asked and I here to let you know that you have exceeded my expectations.”

“So I can go home?” I ask with hope lingering in my voice.

“If that’s what you wish,” he sighs. “But, I do have a favor to ask.”

“Yes?”

“Please stay. I know you must be angry with Sofia but please try to understand that she is very lonely and with the wedding just a few weeks away, she’s desperately trying to make sense of it all.” His eyes fill with sadness. “She needs a friend and I’ve noticed your presence has helped her some. She seems a bit more at ease when you’re around.”

She seems more tense if you ask me…

“I don’t know…”

“Please think about it. I know it’s a lot to ask given how she’s treated you but she could really use your free spirit at a time like this,” he says, walking towards the door. “Regardless, I will respect your decision, so choose freely.”

I stare at the door as he leaves, my heart being torn in two. I had wanted to leave since I first arrived in this golden prison but the thought of leaving her side terrified me for some reason. The suitcase sits on my bed, taunting me with the promise of freedom but the memory of Sofia’s battered face on the night of her birthday fills me with rage.

I weigh my choices and after a lot of back and forth with myself, I make my decision.

When my family arrives, I head down stairs, reigning in my thoughts. Emiliano is the first to greet me, rushing to grab my shoulder and healing what was left of my wound.

“Que pedo, chamaco {What’s up, kid}?” I smile, ruffling up his hair.

Valentina rushes towards me, jumping onto my back, giggling and smiling, and I carry her over to the couches where my parents and the Royal family await.

My father gives me a stern look, but says nothing. We settle down and the King explains the attack on the village.

“We lost four of our men, not to mention the casualties of the villagers,” the King sighs, rubbing his forehead in worry. “The cartels are getting bolder and with Luna Mayor aiding them, this is no longer just a human problem.”

“What do you propose?” My father asks.

“Well it seems I have no choice,” the king sighs once more. “By killing their men, I have declared War on Luna Mayor. The time of peace in Sol De Oro is over. I’ll be holding a meeting soon to inform the other packs and I’ll be getting in touch with King Jose as well. It seems this alliance has come at no better time,” he smiles half heartedly, placing his hand over his daughter’s hand.

She offers him a tiny smile and steals a glance a me, her eyes blank and devoid of any emotion. It frightens me. Her mother glares daggers at me and I avert my eyes, looking instead at my siblings who seem lost in a private conversation amongst themselves.

Suddenly, they both get to their feet, determination on their faces. Realizing what they are about to do, I grab Emi’s hand and shake my head at him.

“Don’t,” I warn, but he just offers me a little smile before facing our King.

They kneel before him, bowing their head in reverence.

“Your majesty, if you would allow it,” he starts, my heart sinking by the second. “Valentina and I would like to enlist in the Royal Army. It would be an honor to serve you and this Kingdom.”

Sofia shifts nervously in her seat, fidgeting with her hands. Emiliano’s voice pulls me back into our current situation.

“And if it pleases your Majesty, we would like to request to train under Captain Mateo.”

The king’s gaze settles on me, questioning my intentions and I give him a nod. I’m staying.

“That will do just fine,” the king smiles. “If, of course, your parents are in agreement.”

The twins turn to our parents and present them with puppy eyes, begging and pleading to stay. A look of worry flashes over my father’s tired eyes.

“I’m sorry, your majesty, but Emiliano is too vulnerable to attacks. If he’s injured, he has no way of healing himself-“

“But Moon Goddess gave me this gift for a reason!” Emi protests, looking seriously at our father. “I am meant to help and I can’t do that from the safety of the pack house.”

My father doesn’t seem convinced so Emi continues.

“I know you’re scared. I’m scared too, but I can’t live my life kept away from danger knowing I could have done more for my pack. I am a werewolf just like you and Teo and it is my responsibility as a child of the Moon to protect my pack. Is that not what you taught us? To be brave in the face of danger and to think of the pack before ourselves? Is that not why Teo was sent here in the first place?”

“Emi-“

“Moon Goddess choose me. I cannot fail her. Let me be the wolf Moon Goddess planned for me to be. Let me be a healer.”

My father stares silently as his youngest son, thinking of over his words carefully. After a few minutes, he shifts his gaze to me. “What do you think?”

I steal a glance at the Princess who looks stiff as a board in her seat, unwilling to give me a clue as to what she’s thinking.

“Emiliano is a healer,” I sigh. “So let him heal. I’ll be here to watch over them.”

My father nods to himself before forcing a smile for his son. “You have my blessing-“

“Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Emiliano cries, jumping his arms in gratitude. “I won’t fail you dad, I promise!” He then embraces me in a hug. “Thank you, Teo! Thank you for believing in me.”

I tighten my grip on him, my eyes wandering to the Princess over his shoulder. Our eyes meet and I notice the corners of her lips tugging into a shadow of a smile. It’s enough to make my heart soar.

You confuse me, Princess, but one way or another, I will figure you out.

“Anytime, Hermano.”