The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 103

Stefan POV

I was missing Amber terribly and getting sick of these so-called Council meetings with a bunch of interfering elders. Why could they not see the beauty in having a shifter for a mate? The doors it could open up for us? The relationships we might be able to forge with another species? Why was it considered so taboo to them? I didn't understand it at all. Just because my parents had been killed by shifters didn't mean we should hate them all and consider them to be the same. That was the very height of foolishness. Elder Mathias spoke "we are concerned about you having a shifter for a mate, that is the truth. How can we know that we can trust her? What do you know about this woman other than that you are mates?"

I glowered at him. Out of all the elders who seemed to be against the union between Amber and me, elder Mathias was certainly the most vocal. Then again, he was also Elaine's father and was pushing her as the better candidate to be queen.

"I know that Amber would never harm a vampire, no matter what. That she's one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. She's kind, gentle, loving, a real asset to our people if you would just give her a chance."

Elder Thomas was the next to speak and seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Our people require a ruler, King Stefan, one who will offer aid when we need it and who can prove to be a valuable asset. What do you think of Amber being the queen? Is she up for that position? Being a ruler can be quite stressful, as you well know, and the girl is heavily pregnant on top of that. Do you think she's up for the task?"

"Who cares if she's up for the task" snarled Elder Mathias "our people will never accept a queen that is a shifter. She could be a bloody unicorn and she still wouldn't be accepted."

"That's enough" snapped Alpha Gerald, looking quite annoyed "let him speak. You forget your place, Elder Mathias."

I rolled my eyes. Sometimes dealing with the elders was like dealing with petulant children who were squabbling amongst themselves.

"Well" prodded Elder Thomas "what do you think Stefan? Is she willing to marry you?"

I opened my mouth and then closed it. I couldn't say whether or not Amber was willing to be married to me. She hadn't indicated otherwise and both of us were still getting to know each other. I couldn't very well say she was and then replace out she wasn't prepared to marry me at all. That would be embarrassing. Elder Mathias's eyes glinted as he saw me contemplate what to say.

"Amber is up to the task of being queen but as to the marriage situation, I can't quite comment on that yet. We are still in the early stages of our relationship" I argued, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Yet you have a candidate who is willing to marry you and whom you know very well. Why not marry her?" asked Elder Mathias, cutting in.

I gritted my teeth. "Because I don't love your daughter Elder Mathias and I never did. I won't look at anyone besides my mate for the role of queen, regardless of what anyone might think."

There was silence in the room. Thank heavens for that. I was fighting the urge to scream at them all. Instead, my hands clenched into fists and I began to pace slightly, back and forth, listening to the elders mutter amongst themselves and ignoring the urge to shout at them all. Dylan came sauntering into the throne room and I greeted him eagerly.

"How's it going?" he asked me drily, seeing the furious look on my face.

I huffed at him in response. "They're being stubborn jackasses as usual" I sneered "but what else is new?"

Dylan just shook his head. "You've been in here for hours man and poor Amber's been left alone. Thought you should know that she went for a walk in the forest all by her lonesome."

"She did what" I almost exploded. The room went still and then the elders looked at me with raised eyebrows and narrowed eyes at the disruption to their muttering.

"It's dangerous in the forest," I told Dylan anxiously "there are rogue shifters out there. Did you bring her back in?"

He shook his head. "I was going to but she came back on her own, she's back in her room safe and sound" he added with an exclamation, as the elders began to chat amongst themselves again.

I sighed. At least I knew she was safe but what could have possibly possessed her to go into the forest heavily pregnant like she was? I knew she was growing bored of being alone all the time, but I hadn't realized just how bored she might be. I began to feel guilty. Dylan grimaced. "I gotta go, just thought you should know," he said, glowering at the elders and then turning on his heel and walking away.

"Alright, enough already" I exploded on the council who went wide-eyed and silent "I refuse to continually bring this matter up to you. I am the king and if my word isn't good enough or you think that I can no longer do the job anymore, then by all means make me abdicate the throne."

"Now child, there's no need for something like that" began Elder Thomas, glancing at the others nervously.

"Precisely" Elder Gerald agreed.

I sighed in relief, but Elder Mathias looked seriously put out by his comrades as they rushed to support me. I gave him a scorching look and then turned around.

"Where are you going?" spluttered Elder Mathias as I glanced over my shoulder "the meeting isn't over yet?"

"I'm cutting this meeting short" I called back over my shoulder "you know cause I can, being the king and all."

I strode through the throne room doors and slowly made my way upstairs, seeing Amber lying on her bed with her nose buried in a book. I took a minute to study her, the way her red gorgeous hair gleamed beneath the lighting, the way her green eyes twinkled while she read, the relaxing way she was lying there, with a dress on that was crumpled up to her knees. She looked to be at peace, enjoying herself immensely and she looked beautiful. There was no other way to describe her. She was a virtual goddess, at least to

me.

"Good book?" I commented, startling her.

She whipped her head around and then relaxed, giving me a small gentle smile. "It is," she said showing me the cover which was pride and prejudice. I shuddered. I had never liked Jane Austen's novels but it was a particular taste and not everyone did. I sat beside Amber on the bed and she rolled over and sat upright, placing the book away on the nightstand.

"I hear you went for a walk today?" I asked her quietly, trying not to convey my displeasure.

She gave a small nod. "Teresa was needed in the kitchen and it was such a beautiful day outside" she gushed "that I couldn't resist. I hope you don't mind" she added with a frown, looking a little nervously at me.

I sighed. Then reached over and took her hand. "I'm not upset just a little worried. It's not safe in the forest, there are rogues out there, and not just the shifter kind. Some of my kind don't take well to shifters and the last thing I need is you hurt."

"I wasn't hurt and Lilac would have informed me if there were shifters or rogues," Amber said hotly "and I can't just sit around and wait for you all the time."

Her voice was pained and it brought a pang of sympathy to my heart. She was lonely, and I hadn't realized it until now. Some mate I was. I had an idea though, one that would hopefully bring us closer in the relationship.

"I don't expect you to wait around for me all the time," I told her gently, squeezing her hand "and I know that it must be tedious that I'm gone all the time."

"It can get rather boring" she admitted, "and I miss you when you're not with me."

I was touched. There were tears in the corner of her eyes. "I miss you too whenever you aren't around. I'm sorry Amber I should have been a bit more in tune with what you want and need."

She shook her head. "I don't need anything, just you," she said as she leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. I inhaled her intoxicating scent. God, she smelt divine. My mouth watered and before I knew it, she had turned her head and pressed her lips gently against mine.

Her lips were soft and gentle as they kissed me and I kissed back, harder, deeper, demanding access to her mouth which she willingly gave. I caressed her tongue, feeling my heart beat fast in my chest. She slowly fell back against the bed and I followed her down, on top of her, my hands grabbing both sides of her face as I continued to kiss her. Sparks flew between us and she moaned into my mouth. Her hair was soft and silky, cascading over the pillows. My hand crept towards her b****t and I gently massaged it as she began to pant loudly and writhe slightly on the bed. I smiled to myself. She definitely enjoyed being touched, I noted, and then I began to skim her breast with my hand.

"Oh god," she panted "Stefan."

My hand crept towards the hem of her dress and disappeared underneath it, my fingers lightly trailing up her leg as she wriggled, still continuing to kiss her. She was so smooth, her skin so creamy as I felt her, my hand going beneath her bra and then I cupped her b****t fully in one hand.

"Stefan" she moaned and I reveled in her saying my name. It sent a shock to my soul every time she uttered my name.

I gave her breast a gentle squeeze, feeling myself becoming highly aroused. My c**k was slowly becoming rock hard, and I wriggled experimentally against her, making her cry out, careful to avoid squishing her stomach.

Then we both felt it and I stopped, halted in my tracks by something wondrous. Amber put a hand against her stomach and looked at me wide-eyed, grabbing hold of my hand and pushing it against her stomach. A kick, and then another one, each more powerful than the last. We could see the baby's foot and we were stunned. "My god" I murmured, "how beautiful."

Amber was sobbing as she held her stomach. She had felt kicks before but never had she been able to share the experience with me until now. Neither of us could speak for a minute, we were that emotional. I couldn't believe this little boy, would be born soon and I would be holding him in my arms, with Amber beside me. I could picture it in my mind and it brought tears to my eyes that I hastily blinked away.

I was missing out on so much I realized and I aimed to rectify that slightly. Ever since she had come to the castle with me, Amber had been situated in her own room. But my arms longed to hold her at night, to feel her body next to mine. I just wanted to be with her at night and not necessarily for s*x. I took a deep breath. "Amber?" I asked "would you be willing to sleep in the same room as me? Not for s*x" I added hastily as her eyes grew wide "but so I can hold you and feel you next to me."

I waited on tenterhooks for her answer and could have jumped for joy when she finally spoke, her voice barely above a hushed whisper "Yes."