"Dad, I've told you a hundred times. I don't need a bodyguard." I groaned, flopping down on my bed. My dad was quiet for awhile, but I could still sense his presence in my room.
"You know he's only trying to keep you safe." My wolf Aela, scolded me.
"Arabella." My dad's stern voice called out and I reluctantly sat up and met his silver eyes. I could feel the power of the Alpha King fill my bedroom and I resisted the urge to shudder.
Aela grumbled, "We'll you've done it now."
His Alpha power didn't affect me quite the same, being his daughter had some perks. Nonetheless, I resisted the urge to cringe under his intense gaze.
I sighed, knowing this conversation was going nowhere. "Yes dad?"
"You will behave and let your body guard protect you." His commanding voice filled my ears and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
All of the training I had endured wouldn't change his mind. He insisted I was no match for his enemies, not without becoming Queen. He refused to relinquish his title while I was mate—less and had more motivation than ever to assign me an unwanted body guard.
"Fine." I snapped, "But you know I'll never behave." I crossed my arms and looked out of my bedroom window, letting my eyes roam the massive garden out back.
My dad gave me a sympathetic smile and sat on the bed, "Arabella, you know this is the last thing I want. We have enemies everywhere. I have to make sure you're safe."
I huffed and kept my gaze trained on the gardens. There was no way I planned on playing nice, not while what little freedom I had was being taken away.
"I can't lose you too Bella." I could hear my dad's empty voice and my heart squeezed. My green eyes met his own as I looked at how broken hearted he truly was.
I had lost my mother only a year ago, and my father had lost his mate. My dad had an image that he put on for the world to see. A firm and borderline cruel Alpha King who would keep his people safe. Only I and my mother were allowed to see this side of him, the side with feelings.
Unable to hold onto my anger, I frowned at him. "When will he be here?"
I rolled my eyes when my dad's face broke out into a relieved grin, and I couldn't hold back the small smile that played on my lips.
"Tomorrow morning." My dad nodded, giving his phone a quick glance. He hardly had any time these days, with the war going on and the assassinations, he was up to his neck in work.
I sighed, "Very well. Will he be staying in my room as well?" I smirked.
My dad's face turned an interesting shade of red, "Absolutely not." He sputtered, "You'll be moving to one of the adjoining rooms and he will take the other."
"Good. I'd rather see him as little as possible." I huffed, leaning into my dad's outstretched arm.
"Just do me a favor, Bella. Don't leave the grounds today. You can tomorrow, but not without your body guard. I'll send the maids up later to move your stuff." I sighed and nodded my head, determined to enjoy these few moment's alone with my dad.
As always, they never lasted long.
"I have to go, Bella." My dad sighed, running his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. I looked closely at his face and realized how tired he truly looked after losing Mom. They both had me when they were only twenty years old. I'll be turning eighteen in a month, which made him only thirty seven.
I sighed and wrapped my arms around him tightly, my stomach clenching at the thought of losing him. "Just be safe for me."
"I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. Not when I have you constantly getting into trouble." He smirked, and that familiar twinkle filled his silver eyes.
I scoffed at him, "I'll deal with the body guard, but I don't plan on behaving!" I called out as he was leaving my room. I could hear his deep chuckle fading down the hallway.
I pulled myself out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and an off—shoulder blouse. Everytime I looked in the mirror, I was reminded of my mom. My raven colored hair ran down my back in silky waves, and my curvy body almost mirrored her own. The only thing I got from my father were his luscious eyelashes and his temper.
I pulled out my cellphone and sent my two best friends a quick text. Caroline and Shannon were my two closest friends. Both were the daughter's of our cleaning ladies, but that never changed how I felt about them. For the longest time, I was raised along side them.
They kept me company through the many years of being an only child. Typically, the first born son would take over the position of Alpha or in my case, Alpha King. While my Mom and Dad continued trying for another child, that simply wasn't their fate. My Dad, being the stubborn man he is, declared I would be named Alpha Queen when he resigned. The first Alpha Queen in history.
I glanced down at my phone as the screen lit up. Caroline was out of town visiting family, but Shannon would be waiting for me in the gardens. I sent back a quick message, thankful we were well into the modern world.
Things had changed from the days of brick castles and tiny villages. While our house was the same size as a castle, it was more of a glorified mansion. We still had cooks, maid's and the Royal Guard. The many cities and towns that surrounded our home were all under my Dad's command. He ran the biggest Kingdom in the world, and someday I would do the same.
I spent countless years learning etiquette, training and history. Each lesson had been simple, but I struggled with following the rules of others. Blame it on my Alpha blood or the fact that I'm stubborn, but I often make and follow my own rules.
I skipped from my room and down the main corridor. I dodged maid's and cook's as I ran down the stairs, heading for the garden. My favorite place in the entire house was either the garden or the massive library. My Mom would get lost for hours in the thousands of books we had. Anytime she was missing for too long, my Dad and I would sneak off to the library to find her.
To get to the gardens, I had to walk through the bustling kitchens. The kitchen was easily the size of a restaurant, able to host feasts and gala's at a moment's notice. I ducked under upraised trays of muffins and pastries, letting the seductively sweet aroma fill my nose.
At all hours of the day the kitchen was absolutely hectic. My Mom would have food sent to the less fortunate in town and she always demanded they be fed the same quality of food as us Royals. My Dad kept the rule in place after her death, and each day he made sure the food made it to the less fortunate.
I crept through the kitchen and when I noticed nobody's eyes on me, I let my fingers wrap around a warm chocolate chip muffin.
Just as I was about to bring the warm muffin to my lips I heard my name called, "Arabella, drop that muffin!"
I noticed Shannon's mom, Sheila, coming after me, a dirty rag held up as a weapon. Giving her a sheepish smile, I set the muffin down and took off running through the kitchen.
Sheila had always been a second mom to me, and quickly stepped up to the plate when my real mom had passed. They were close friends, and her death hit her hard. Even as Royal's, my family never looked down on anyone else. We commanded respect due to our Alpha blood, but we never needlessly abused or tormented anyone. I knew some of the other Kingdom's in the world weren't so friendly.
I jogged out the massive patio doors and breathed the fresh air outside. Spring had just begun and I enjoyed every moment. Spring was my favorite season. The flowers in the garden began to bloom with their sweet scents mingling into something exotic and exquisite.
