Page 59 of His to Claim
"No."
Hexal tilts his head to the side. "Why not? She's young and beautiful. You could take her if you wanted to."
"I can't do that."
Hexal glances at me. "Why not?"
"Emma was my mate. I love her. No other female will ever be able to replace her."
"But, Aila is a good match for you. She's beautiful and well-behaved."
"I'm sorry, but I'll never be able to love another female the same way I loved Emma."
Hexal sighs. "I understand. But, there is still a part of you that's longing for someone."
I think he may be right on this. "Yes, that's true. There is a huge hole in my life that no female can fill."
"Think about it, Dhakar. A king needs a mate by his side and Aila seems like a good match."
"Maybe, but I need to think about it more."
"Doesn't it bother you that she's not a Bellarian?"
"Of course not. She's beautiful to look at."
"If you change your mind, we'll find her for you."
"Thank you for looking out for me."
Hexal smiles. Maybe he's right. Maybe everyone is right. It's time for me to find a mate even if it breaks my heart thinking about this. Emma didn't care about me so why should I?
Hexal leaves my quarters and I get dressed. I have breakfast and then meet with some of the elders to discuss what happened with the attack by the Valkryans.
The day goes on with meetings and planning.
16
EMMA
My heart thumps in my throat as I think of Dhakar leaving. I know I'm the one who pushed him away but it's only for the best. Anil'ha threatened to kill him if I don't agree to be his mate. I could not live with myself if anything happened to my alien... my Dhakar. A knocking on my door breaks the flow of my thoughts.
"Good... you're awake," Anil'ha says from the doorway. His voice is a deep rumble that makes me shiver. He frowns and steps inside.
"What do you want? Leave me alone," I shout at him. "I hate you more than anything."
He walks up to me slowly, placing his hands on either side of my head, pinning me down. He stares into my eyes intently. "You become my mate this evening!"
I gasp and jerk away from him. "No! I'll never be your mate. You don't own me."
He laughs darkly and moves his hands to my neck, forcing me to look at him. "You will submit to me for the rest of your life or I will take your lover's life."
I jerk again and look away. "You can't do that."
He growls and hisses loudly, but he doesn't touch me again. "I can and I will do it. Prepare for the mating ritual," he says and walks out of my room without another word.
A shiver runs down my spine and I sit up in bed. I can't believe he threatened Dhakar's life to get me to agree to be his mate. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of losing Dhakar forever. I can't let Anil'ha take him away from me.
"Emma, let's get you ready for the mating ritual," a female servant tells me as she enters my room with a bunch of dresses.
