The Gold Queen (Prequel)
The Gold Queen – Chapter 17

***Sofia***

“Are you really going on a date?” I ask, knowing full well I had no right to.

“What’s wrong Princess?” he says, tilting his head to the side innocently. “I thought I didn’t matter to you.”

“I-“

He pulls my hand off of his arm. “Did you and Julian have a good laugh?”

My mouth suddenly feels very dry and I replace it hard to swallow.

“I’m sorry you had to replace out this way,” I whisper, finally replaceing my voice and reminding myself of the plan I had hatched up to push him away. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelin-“

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Princess, you didn’t hurt me. I’ve never liked you from the start,” he laughs cruelly. “In fact, I had my own reasons for befriending you.”

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.

“I was only nice to you so you and your dad could put in a good word in for me so I can get the hell out of this damn house and go home,” he shrugs nonchalantly.

Every word he spews is like bullets, each one painful and getting dangerously close to my heart. Solana fights for control, wanting to take over and explain this whole ordeal, but my will was much stronger and I lock her out, determined to keep this farce up.

“So here’s what I propose, your Highness,” he smiles. “Let’s not pretend anymore, okay? Leave me and my family alone.”

I say nothing, my head threatening to burst as Solana growls and screams.

“Oh and one more thing,” Mateo says he turns to leave. “Don’t ever k**s me again.”

Without another word, he disappears into the hall, leaving me completely alone to my thoughts. Solana whimpers in pain, desiring to be with the mate I had successfully pushed away. I run outside to clear my head, letting my legs carry me for what seemed like hours into the jungle until I replace myself at the river. Making sure no one is around, I finally let Solana out, allowing her to howl her sorrows to the moon.

—

November 6th, 1994

A few weeks crawl by, the numbness settling nicely into my heart. Mateo went out every Sunday afternoon, presumably to meet with the ever so beautiful ‘Renata’. My b***d boiled at the thought of them being together.

It was taking more and more of a toll on me to keep Solana in check whenever he was around and smelled of HER. On more than one occasion, I had to leave the room for fear she might come out and mark him. Being a gold wolf meant Solana would feel the mate bond far stronger than most and I could feel her starting to fall apart the closer we got to the day of the wedding.

After dragging myself out of bed and getting dressed, I head over to the training grounds. On Sunday’s, no one but the royal family and the Royal command line were allowed to train. Mateo was an exception to this rule as he had come to us specifically to train under the King.

I arrive, replaceing my father and Mateo already sparring in their human forms, Beta Guillermo yelling instructions at Mateo. To their left, Mom and her Gamma Roberto are busy training as well.

While Roberto was just an average wolf, he had become one with his Luna, knowing her fighting style and helping her develop her skills through rigorous training. Besides my father, he was my mother’s most trusted companion. He knew all her tells and secret moves.

“Focus, boy. You’re all over the place,” Beta Guillermo snaps at Mateo as he narrowly escapes the icicle racing towards him.

My father switches his attack to water, creating two water whips that he expertly flings in Mateo’s direction. Mateo stops them both with his mind, lifting my fathers hands up high with an invisible force to keep him from whipping him. But my Dad was just getting started.

He opens his mouth and blows out a ray of ice, freezing Mateo’s legs in place. Mateo struggles for a bit before finally breaking free from the ice and lunging at the King who was still immobilized with his hands in the air.

A smirk hangs on my dad’s lips as a ball of water forms behind Mateo. Casting his gaze down, the water follows my father’s command and engulfs Mateo. Shocked and searching for air, Mateo let’s go of my father.

Now free, the King waves his hand, the water evaporating into thin air, leaving Mateo coughing and choking on his hands and knees.

“You are getting better,” my father smiles, patting his back. “But despite your incredible gift, you have one vulnerability. You control what you see, but an attack from behind could easily send you to an early grave. You must be aware of your surroundings.”

“Yes, your majesty,” Mateo mutters, finally catching his breath.

My father turns to me, his face growing stern. “Nice of you to grace us with your presence, your Highness.”

My face reddens and I immediately bow before him. “Apologies, my King. I overslept.”

“I did not ask for your excuses,” my father’s voice booms.

“Yes, father,” I say, sneaking in some puppy eyes.

They work like a charm, his face softening instantly.

“Ay, Sofia what am I going to do with you?”

I shrug, giving him a sheepish smile.

“Willy (common nickname for Guillermo), today Sofia will be under your instruction,” my father says, turning back to Mateo.

“Yes my King-“

The sound of a gunshot breaks the morning silence of the jungle. We grow still, straining to listen for more. Another gunshot goes off, followed by two more. Suddenly, a horn shrieks into the sky.

“Willy get our warriors ready. The village is being attacked,” my Father commands before turning to Roberto and my mother, his face grim. “Ana, I know you are strong-“

“Good,” she says, stretching out her arms. “So then you know I will not be locked away in the safe house.”

“Ana-“

“Juan,” my mother responds coolly, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him. “We are wasting time. Let’s go.”

My father sighs knowing he would not win this argument. My mother was his Queen and as such, had just as much right to lead in battle. He shifts his gaze to Roberto.

My father sighs knowing he would not win this argument. My mother was his Queen and as such, had just as much right to lead in battle. He shifts his gaze to Roberto.

“Roberto-“

“I know, your highness. I’ll protect her with my life,” Roberto responds, bowing slightly.

“I want to come too,” I interject, earning me a glare from my father.

“Absolutely not. You go to the safe house,” my father shakes his head at me.

“But father-“

“No buts, Sofia. You stay in the safe house.”

“Father, need I remind you that I will be Queen one day?” I argue, clenching my fists at my side. “I am well trained-‘

“But I am still King and I said NO!” he snaps, his voice sending a cold shiver down my spine.

I mask my slight fear and return his stare. “How can I be Queen if I cannot lead my people in battle-“

Another set of gun shots go off, the situation seeming to worsen by the second.

“Please Dad. I want to help.”

Dad’s eyes flicker with both pride and fear. He heaves a heavy sigh. “Mateo?”

“Yes your Majesty?”

“Sofia will be your partner in battle. You are not to leave her side.”

“Wait, father-“

My fathers face hardens again. “Everyone has a battle partner who they can trust will have their back. Your mother has Roberto. I have Willy. Who do you have?”

I fall silent. I had yet to pick a gamma for myself and knew few people I could trust I steal at glance at Mateo; his face is emotionless. Sensing I was out of options, my father smiles to himself.

“Then it’s settled. Let’s move!”

With no time to lose, we simply shift, tearing through our clothes and rushing to the village.

While we werewolves kept our identities hidden from the human world, the Village was the exception. It was a small human pueblo that sat along the river in the jungle. Most of its population were of native descent, their families inhabiting the jungle since before the Spanish Conquest. They spoke a dialect amongst themselves, one we could not decipher and unlike modern day Mexicans, they were not catholic but pagan, worshipping the same Moon Goddess we werewolves did.

When my father overthrew my grandfather, it was the human village that had helped him strategize and use the jungle to his advantage. In exchange for their help, my father offers them protection from the local cartels who use the river to transport their illicit merchandise. With werewolves now entering the drug scene, our protection was incredibly valuable to the villagers. The horn we heard was their cry for help, the signal they used to get our attention. Unfortunately, in the past month alone, they’d blown the horn four times. It seems the cartel’s presence was increasing in the area.

We rush through the jungle towards the village, stopping near the outskirts. My father and Willy tread onwards on their own, checking out the situation.

“It’s the Luna Mayor pack,” my father links us. “There are aiding the human cartel. On my mark move!”

I send a silent prayer to Moon Goddess to watch over us when we receive the signal from my father and we launch into attack mood, springing out from our hiding places.

The humans carry heavy weaponry but they were no match for a pack of werewolves. We did not let our guard down, though, the scent of the Luna Mayor wolves lingering in the air. The Luna Mayor Kingdom was our neighbor to the West and we had a less than amiable relationship with them. I was not at all surprised to see them align themselves with a cartel.

We divide and conquer the village, splitting into groups of two and selecting a quadrant to help the frightened villagers. As promised, Mateo sticks to my side like glue, watching my back as we defeat human after human. Before we could obliterate them, the Luna Mayor wolves make their entrance, charging at us at full speed. At the same time, our own reinforcements from our kingdom arrive, launching into attack mode.

Several wolves rush towards Mateo and I, but unfortunately for them, we make a good team. Mateo holds them down telepathically while I set their fur on fire, watching them writhe in pain as they meet their end. We howl with pride at our job well done, the tension between us momentarily forgotten. But our victory did not last long.

As we finish up the last two wolves in front of us, we do not notice the wolves that emerge from the trees directly behind us, three of them leaning on their hind legs in preparation to lunge forward. I turn just in time to see them launch themselves at me. They never land on me though, an invisible force holding them frozen in mid air. I look back to see Mateo staring intently at them, concentrating on his task.

Solana howls with pride that our mate had saved us, but the joy is short lived as a wolf directly behind Mateo sinks its canines into his shoulder, causing Mateo to yelp and lose focus on the wolves. I move out of the way just in time to watch the wolves crash into the spot I had to just been in before rushing at them and setting them on fire. Turning to Mateo’s attacker, I open my snout, a ray of fire bursting from within me. The wolf is instantly engulfed in flames, running towards the river to seek salvation in its cool waters.

After checking my surroundings to ensure there were no more surprise attacks, I quickly rush to Mateo’s side, Solana licking his fur to soothe the pain. A small whimper escapes my lips as I watch him lay on ground, unable to move his shoulder as b***d pours from the wound.

A group of villagers who witnessed the scene creep out from their hiding spot and rush to us.

“We can take him to the healing hut until it’s safe,” one of the villagers says quickly and I nod my approval. Mateo whines in pain as they lift him up and drag him to a nearby hut.

Once in the safety of the small hut, Mateo shifts into his human form while I stand guard at the door. An elderly man, presumably the village curandero (healer), is brought in and he begins to work on Mateo’s wound.

Luckily, it seems the fighting finally starts to slow down, Sol de Oro closing in on its victory. A woman brings me a linen dress and cloak, allowing me to shift back into my human form.

I rush into the hut, eager to see my mate, not caring that we hadn’t spoken in weeks. I just needed to be sure he was safe. My feet come to a halt when I walk in to see a perfectly nude Mateo resting on a bed, a small bed sheet draped across his groin area. My cheeks burn with desire but I quickly compose myself and avert my eyes from his incredible body

The curandero presses several leaves onto Mateo’s wound and hums something under his breath as he works. He then crushes some herbs and pours some water over them, handing the concoction to Mateo and urging him to drink.

Mateo stares at the brown liquid before swallowing it all in one go and gagging. The curandero chuckles slightly when a man rushes into the hut, speaking in a tongue I do not understand.

“A few of your soldiers were injured in combat,” the curandero informs us, his old eyes calm and steady. “I’ve been asked to heal them. I leave this young man in your care, your Highness. In ten minutes remove the leaves and he shall be good as new,” he smiles before stepping out of the hut and leaving us to ourselves.

I fidget with my hands, unsure what to do with myself. Mateo lays back on the bed, covering his eyes with his hands in exhaustion. Mustering up some courage, I walk over to the bed, looking at his wound.

“Thank you for saving me,” I whisper, my voice shy and meek.

“Well I wasn’t about to let you die when the King asked me to watch over you,” he mutters, his eyes still closed.

I wince at the harshness of his words and decide it’s probably best if I wait outside until the time is up. Turning on my heel, I hear the bed creak.

“Just stay,” Mateo g****s as he shifts on the bed. He licks his lips. “Could you get me some water?”

I nearly trip over myself as I race towards the pitcher and pour a glass out for him. Solana purrs as our fingers touch when I hand him the glass. I wring my hands nervously again, pacing back and forth and he sighs.

“Just sit down,” he says moving his legs to make room for me on the bed. “You’re making me nervous with the wringing and the pacing.”

I try hide my blush as I sit down on the bed, keeping my eyes on my hands.

“So….” Mateo winces as he settles back into his pillow. “How’s the fiancé?”

“Fine,” I mutter. “How’s the girlfriend?”

“She’s fine.”

An awkward silence engulfs us as the ten minutes drag by.

“I think I can remove the leaves now,” I say, inching closer to his shoulder

He gives me a nod and makes room for me to work. I peel back one of the leaves, revealing slightly red inflamed skin. The bleeding had stopped and the wound was slowly starting to heal itself. One by one, I gently pluck the leaves, Mateo wincing every once in a while.

A small pile of leaves forms in my lap as I work and my cheeks flush as I feel his stare on me. Ignoring him and the amazing sparks I felt, I remove the last of the leaves. Solana’s urges peak and I do something incredibly stupid. I lean forward and k**s his wound.

“There, all better,” I murmur, wishing with all my might the earth would swallow me.

My entire arms light up with sparks and a small whimper escapes my lips as he wraps his fingers around my wrist, holding me in place.

“Why do you hurt me?” He asks, his voice soft and pain lingering in his eyes.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking ab-“

Before I can finish my sentence, his luscious lips crash onto mine. Tears fill my eyes.

I want him so much…

Then give in, Solana purrs. Please…

Mateo moves his lips gently, his tenderness luring me in.

I put my hands on his chest. “What are you doing?” I whisper, desperately trying to reign in my emotions.

He rests his forehead against mine, our noses touching. “You don’t hate me…”

It wasn’t a question but regardless, I respond. “Yes I do.”

“Then prove it,” he smirks. “K**s me back and tell me you feel nothing.”

My mind goes blank for a second, my eyes traveling to his lips, his perfect lips.

“What about your girlfriend?” I mutter, finally regaining my composure.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he admits, closing his eyes and giving me a tiny k**s on the cheeks. “I didn’t feel anything for her so I broke things off.”

My heart begins to race, my stomach filling with a flutter of butterflies that bounce around with glee.

“K**s me, Sofia,” he says, leaning forward and pecking my lips. “K**s me back.”

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him. My body responds to his touch, sparks tingling down to my core. I gasp as he bites on my lower l*p playfully, the smirk still hanging on his lips. His hands caress my waist and my common sense flies out the window as I surrender myself to his k****s.

My hands cup his cheeks, deepening the k**s as my tongue meets his for a dance. I accidentally bump into his shoulder, making him wince. When I try to pull away, he tightens his grip on me.

“Don’t go,” he says as he once again devours my lips.

I don’t argue, burying my fingers in his hair, careful not to hurt his wound.

Solana howls with joy as Mateo and I move in sync, eagerly pouring our desires for each other into this incredible k**s. I know now no man could ever make me feel the way Mateo did, no k**s would ever make the butterflies dance in my belly.

Our k**s is interrupted by the sudden swing of the door.

“Sofia!”