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Acela POV

Blinking my eyes repeatedly as I force myself awake and shut off the alarm on my phone. I'm feeling a lot better after this nap, who knew all you needed was sleep after not sleeping.

God, I'm so stupid. Why did I think I would be fired for having an awkward moment with the Prince?

It was really weird and I noticed the Queen had noticed too. Is it that odd for him to not speak? Lisla seemed really friendly. Perhaps I just annoyed him in a way, I understand it must be hard for him being Prince and all and having people fuss over you..

I get out of bed and quickly turn the shower on and have the fastest shower on earth as I rush to get ready. The ball would've started an hour ago and I really don't want Elizabeth to handle it all on her own, a deal is a deal and I feel guilty sleeping while everyone else is working hard.

Slipping the uniform on we were instructed to wear for the lavish event, it's a beautiful black dress with white lining around the collar, a beautiful zip-up dress.. I never got to wear stuff like this.. I had no reason to when I looked after my mom.. but now that I look at myself in the mirror, I feel pretty and light even in my work uniform I feel myself again.

A knock at the door startles me. I'm not even ready yet, I still need to put on my tights, shoes and I need to tie my hair up. "Just a second!" I call out as I quickly put my tights on and hop to the door as I pull them up.

Please don't be anyone important.

I open the door and freeze.

"Hey." Prince Caelan says casually while dressed in a tailored black suit with royal shoulder pads and some military badges pinned into his blazer.

I try not to stare and gape at him like a trout while he stands there looking absolutely amazing.

"P-prince, can I help you with something?" I say seriously as I subconsciously hide my feet without shoes on. I don't know if it's rude or now, I'm panicking inside.

He leans against the wall opposite my door as he looks at me with an expression I don't understand. Longing? Yeah right. "I came to get you." He says, his eyes never leaving mine.

Get me? "Oh, Elizabeth must need my help." I laugh nervously breaking the tension.

Amusement flickers in his eyes as he shakes his head. "No, I do." He says as he moves off from the wall and walks in front of me, putting his hands on either side of my door frame.

I watch as his eyes flicker to a dominant yellow as he stares down at me with a hard gaze. "Do you feel it?" He asks me, searching my eyes for an answer.

I feel a lot of things right now. I breathe in his scent and it's intoxicating and distracting me from his question. "Feel w-what?" I ask as the air around us gets thick.

He reaches out and grabs my hand and I feel a sharp electric spark go up to my arm like I just got electrocuted. I try to pull my hand back in shock but he holds onto my hand and the sparks are coming off in waves. It feels incredibly uncomfortable but wonderful at the same time.

"How are you doing that?" I ask staring at our hands, he walks forward until he is in my room. He closes the door with his other hand as he keeps his eyes on me the whole time and I'm afraid my heart is about to leap from my ribcage from the pace it's beating right now.

He walks forward until my back is against the wall in the entrance and I'm comfortable frozen with confusion as to what the hell is happening right now.

He brings his head into my shoulder and groans quietly as he inhales my scent, bringing his body closer to mine until we are body to body, I can smell everything coming off from his to his cologne to the shampoo he uses. "I crave your scent." He moans out as he laces our hands together while the other is in my long curly hair.

I feel as if I might faint from his touch alone, I'm breathing but if feels as if his scent has clouded my lungs, I feel consumed by him. He pulls back slightly to see my face and he looks at me lovingly.

Wait, why is he looking at me like that?

What the hell is going on. We are both breathing heavily staring at each other, we haven't even kissed but it feels like we've done nothing else but that.

He closes him as if he is in pain. "Fuck." He says quietly. Opening his eyes I notice they are no longer glowing and are completely dark black.

"Your eyes.." I say staring at them as he stills still holding me.

He breathes deeply then looks at me. "You're my mate." He says breathlessly staring at me waiting for my reaction.

My eyes go wide as I process what he just said, mate? As in a friend or...

No. I don't understand.

I move away as I go under his arms and out of his grasp. I'm pacing my small bedroom without looking at him. How is this possible? I really don't understand.

"Does this upset you?" He asks and I freeze from pacing to look at him. He looks anxious and gorgeous.. no just anxious.

"I don't even know you!" I mutter out. "Maybe it's a mistake?" I say nervously looking at his face.

He frowns. "Its no mistake Acela, I knew instantly when I got home last night." He stays stiffly looking mad.

Oh my god but I'm not ready for this. I'm a nobody and he is... Damn, he is royalty.

I sit ok my bed and tub my forehead, please don't be a headache. "You need to leave." I say quietly.

He doesn't say anything so I look at him nervously to see him taking off his jacket and putting it behind the desk chair. What is he doing now?

"Prince Caelan you can't be here.." I say quietly in the dark-lit room.

He sits on the bed near me and I'm so close to passing out from having him this close to me.

"Do you not want me?"

I look at him shocked to see he looks sad and slightly annoyed that I want him to leave.. it's his birthday, people are here to see him.. and being mated to me has to be a mistake.. has to be.

"Prince Cae-"

He interrupts me. "It's Caelan." He snaps standing up pissed off.

I feel the blood drain from my face as he turns around and looks angrier. "What do I need to do?" He asks seriously with a hard voice as he kneels in front of me sitting on the bed.

My eyes go wide as I feel my face get hot. What what what? Do?

"What do you mean?" I ask confused.

He growls out annoyed. "I want this, I want you so what do I need to do to make you want me?"

My stomach does flips and I'm a puddle on my bed.

Why does he want me? Why, how.. what is going on.

I gape at him as he is looking deadly serious as he looks at me. "But you don't even know me." I say dumbfounded.

He shrugs then takes my hand in his. "So let me get to know you." He says staring into my eyes with hope.

My heart is screaming yes but my head is telling me to think about this, this is going way too fast, I've only known him for a day!

"My father is calling me, will you come with me?" He asks me hopeful with a half-smile.