Melody
"Do not threaten me, otherwise...."
Dorian never liked to be threatened. All he wanted was to leave, but Derek was making it difficult.
I wonder why he won't just let me go.
He hated the sight of me before. But now he's hell-bent on having me, why?
What changed?
He used to despise me, but now he wants me?
Why do I find that unbelievable?
Could it be because he figured out that he's the father of my pups?
The fact that I have two kids with Derek still seems surreal to me. I still can't believe it.
Why did it have to be him?
Why did it have to be Derek?
I wish things didn't turn out this way, but I guess it's the will of the goddess. Because even though I hate Derek so much, I love my pups too much.
I want them nowhere close to Derek. I just want my life back. I want to go back.
Even after all that's happened, Derek is still so full of himself. He thinks he will get me to forgive him just by asking me to marry him.
I mean, what does the guy think of himself?
How in goddess' name will I agree to a charity marriage?
"Don't make this harder than it already is," Derek clutched his belly as he moved towards us. Looks like he's been Injured.
I felt a strange kind of pain hit my belly with each movement Derek made towards us.
What is that?
Am I feeling his pain too?
"Dorian, let Melody go. She's mine."
Dorian had me protected in his arms and continued moving, ignoring Derek's threat.
"Stop him!" Donovan screamed.
Several soldiers surrounded us as soon as he gave the order.
Dorian remained unfazed and had his gaze focused on the door.
"Hold tight," he muttered.
I was trying to figure out what he was up to when I noticed that Lex, the guard assigned to me, arrived with a few others. They snarled upon seeing that Derek had us surrounded.
"Is there a problem, Alpha?" Lex was in his attacking stance.
Dorian didn't speak, but I could tell that they were communicating through the link.
"Don't try to be a hero, Dorian." Derek was getting closer to us.
"Look around and you'll see that you're outnumbered."
Dorian smirked and resumed moving.
"It's simple, Dorian. Just let Melody go and you can walk free."
"I can't even breathe without her. How do I walk?"
Dorian slowly set me down as we arrived at the doorway.
"Then, I don't mind killing you," Derek stood upright and threw a fist at Dorian.
"Stop!"
King Arthur finally snapped out of his trance and yelled before both men would begin a war.
"Father...." Derek called out in protest, but King Arthur stopped him with a raise of his hand.
"Don't take them," he spoke again.
However, he wasn't talking to Derek, but to me.
"Please do not take my grandkids away."
I have never heard King Arthur plead before anyone before, but right now, he was pleading before me.
I was tongue-tied. I didn't know what to say.
If I agreed, then that means I would either have to stay back a little longer or I would have to leave my pups to stay longer.
I would rather do the latter than the former, but I doubt Dorian would want that. He also has his pack's responsibility to deal with. He shouldn't be kept back here just because of me.
"Melody, please stay back," Queen Rosanne added.
She had been a spectacle to all that was happening until now. She has always supported Derek in everything he did. He is her favourite child anyway.
Looking into her eyes, I just couldn't say no. I turned to look at Dorian and he nodded, signaling that I could stay.
Dorian understands even my unsaid words. I wonder how he does that.
"I'll stay, but...."
I looked at my father before directing my gaze to the others. Finally, I settled my eyes on Derek.
"I want Derek to stay away from me and my pups."
I know that I might sound unreasonable, but I didn't care. Even if Derek is their father, I want him nowhere close to my pups. Not even his shadow.
"Agreed," King Arthur replied swiftly.
"Father...." Derek snarled.
"They are the Princes and need to....."
Queen Rosanne's words were cut short by her husband's words as he made his decision clear to Derek.
"You will stay away from them until you have your issues settled with Melody."
Settled with me?
I have no issue with Derek, so there's nothing to settle. I do not want him close to my kids and that's final.
"And his issues with me?" Miranda asked as she stepped out from behind her father. "Will His Majesty put my feelings aside just to...."
"I have no explanation for you," Derek spoke through his teeth.
He had his eyes on me, his fist clenched and his breath hitched.
"Our marriage?" Miranda paused and hurried towards Derek. "I can give you as many pups as you want. Let's just get married."
Really?
Is Miranda so desperate that she'd beg for Derek to marry her?
I shook my head and thanked the goddess that I didn't have to live with such toxicity.
"Get married?" Derek took his hand off his belly which was now fully healed. He stood upright and turned his face slightly as he looked at her.
His gaze on her was fierce. He looked like he couldn't stand the sight of her.
"Will I get married to you?" Derek demanded, his voice laced with pure irritation. "Stop dreaming, Miranda."
Ouch. That was savage.
Derek sure is an asshole. He is an expert at shattering hopes and he just did that to Miranda right now.
She turned pale from shock at his response. Her eyes were immediately laced with tears.
"Derek, it's me, Miranda." She reminded him.
I bet she can't believe her ears right now.
Seeing her state right now, reminded me of my young teenage self. Similarly, Derek has crushed my hopes just to be with Miranda. And now he's crushed her.
Unfazed, Derek walked past her and came towards me.
"If I'm marrying anyone, then it will only be Melody."