The Princess’s Broken Alpha
Chapter 75

Zion had dragged Samuel to Grove Park from seven in the morning. He would have been there earlier if Samuel hadn't grumbled and dragged his foot all the way. Samuel had practically screamed at him that he was fucking crazy and he was probably right. At this

point anything was possible.

Now all he had to do was wait. He couldn't believe it, he had started to consider the fact that he could be waiting out there all day and she would never show up. They sat there watching a lone duck paddle around on the water. It seemed it didn't get the memo to migrate once the harsh colder temperatures started creeping in.

"We could have at least left at nine," Samuel grumbled, his breathing harsh. The sleep was very evident on his face and he had bags under his eyes.

"You needed the fresh air anyway, Grandpa." Zion responded absentmindedly.

"Not even breakfast?"

"Nope, we can't risk it."

Samuel was very close to losing his shit. Their breaths were coming out as puffs and it was getting colder with each passing day.

"Christmas has already gone and we didn't even notice," Samuel noted.

"Yeah, it's too bad we didn't celebrate it this year". He'd forgotten all about the holiday even with all the flashing lights around him, everything was just chaotic. This was supposed to be his first Christmas with her. "Yeah, Daniel said the Christmas party just wasn't the same this year." Samuel replied, stomping his leg to fight off the sleep and the cold.

Zion could care less about a Christmas party but he didn't think it could be that bad.

"Mom has been asking no demanding to speak with you. She is furious to say the least, saying she's being left out of the loop and you know how she is."

"I can't deal with her right now. Did you say anything to her about me passing out the other day?"

"Not a chance"

"Good, let's just keep it between us for our sakes."

The old woman needed to mind her business. He couldn't imagine having her here on top of everything. She would without hesitation drag their father halfway across the map here.

"It would be nice once in a while if you spoke to her though, or anyone for that matter. Everyone is worried about you and I'm basically the damn receptionist."

"I'm fine. I'll speak to people when I feel like it."

He just wanted to hear Kiarra's voice and hers alone. That's all. He was counting off the time in his mind and every second that was passing by felt like an eternity.

"I'm fine" he repeated again, more to himself and Samuel flared up at him.

"Zion, we're sitting in the middle of the park at seven in the morning because you spoke to your mate in your dreams. You are not alright. You are losing your grip on reality." his voice started to rise with an annoyed edge. "If you didn't believe me then why did you come?"

"Because I promised I'd follow you anywhere and unfortunately it's in the middle of this park early in the morning. I want her to come back to you too, but I don't know Zion." Samuel sighed, "It's looking bleak right now. Maybe if you came out here you'll finally accept it that maybe you're losing it just a little bit. Also there is also the possibility that she probably doesn't remember you based on whatever you felt happened to her when we were on our way here. She might not have been trying to hurt your feelings though she deserves the right."

They had also had a long talk about that for the past few days. What if she really didn't remember? What if they did something to her? This was what he was grasping at for now.

He didn't want a finger laid on her much less. His head would snap up everytime he saw someone head in their direction.

They sat there talking about any and everything until they just sat there watching people walk their dogs and the weather, waiting for the time to pass. When it reached around ten and the sun came out brighter making the place a little less dim, they headed to the entrance. They waited there until half an hour had passed and Samuel didn't want to say it. He could see the disappointment on his face and didn't want to say I told you so. There was no one coming. The park was mostly empty today and besides the few people already inside their section it was deathly quiet.

"I'm sorry Zion."

"I guess I'm crazy then", Zion ran a hand over his head and breathed out deeply. Fucking hell, he felt like he was going crazy without her.

"No you're not. Definitely not." Samuel said barely above a whisper in disbelief and Zion was confused. Samuel's voice made his head snap up fast.

"Oh my God you're not crazy!"

Samuel stared wide eyed at Kiarra who was heading towards them. He couldn't believe it. Zion wasn't losing his marbles after all.

When Zion followed his direction he saw her coming up the walkway. She was dressed comfortably in black boots and a green knit sweater dress. His stomach tightened and he could feel his heart race. It was a feeling he got every time he saw her. "Give it your best shot. I'll be in the car." Samuel patted him on the back to leave and give them some space.

Kiarra didn't have to look for him. Her feet led her to him like a magnet. When their eyes met her heart skipped a beat and she lost her breath for a second. Neither was able to break the connection until she was standing right before him. Her face was blank and he could feel the coldness radiating off of her. There was nothing warm about her.

"Alpha Zion"

"Princess"

It was a bit awkward because he wasn't used to them being on formal terms.

He didn't know what to say. He had planned all the words he would use and all the things he would say but right in this moment. Right now and here he had no words for her.

"It's nice to see you."

It got even more awkward because she didn't respond to him. She was looking at him like he was a stranger and it was breaking his heart. He missed when her eyes would light up for him, when her smiles would make his entire day. He was fighting the overwhelming urge to touch her, his wolf was raging.

"Why are you in my dreams?"

"I needed to talk to you. I have something important I want to discuss with you."

Kiarra tilted her head while studying him.

"I'm listening." she replied bitingly.

He didn't like how she was so far away from him. He couldn't reach out his hands and touch her. Her long,thick brown hair was framed around her face slightly moving with the breeze and he was trying not to focus on her lips.

"Do you want to go somewhere, probably where we can sit?" he tried to think of a way to not make this last for only five minutes if she had her way.

"So this is your poor attempt at a date?"

Zion smiled briefly, especially in memory of the first time they went shopping. He still owed her one but this wasn't it.

"No this isn't a date but I think I owe you one if you change your mind."

"Change my mind?" Kiarra replied incrdulously. " Alpha Zion I'm practically mated. There's no chance you are going to change my mind."

He felt she must have the slightest inkling or believe there was something about him why she showed up.

"Then you have nothing to lose. All I'm asking is for a fair chance to explain myself, preferably in a more comfortable setting where you aren't standing over me like you're going to murder me at any moment."

Kiarra stared at him as she tapped her foot.

"Okay fine." she relented. "There's a local coffee shop across the road it's just a little walk from here."

She didn't remember anything that could impede his wheelchair but she hoped there wasn't.

He followed after her loving how the light hit her hair, making it glow golden brown and the way she walked confidently. They finally arrived at a white-painted little shop and went inside. It was a cozy little place and they chose to sit in the seats outside despite the barista trying to caution them against the cold.

He was a short friendly middle-aged man that was balding from front to back. Kiarra ordered a frappucino and he ordered a straight black that he knew he probably wasn't going to drink anyway. They took their seats and he was outright staring at her the entire time but he didn't care.

She fiddled with the menu placed on the table ignoring him and he studied her.

"Oh! They have added some new breakfast items." she leaned in to the menu that had some blue and white persian inspired designs around the edges. She called for the waiter and fired off her order. To not be creepy just sitting there watching her eat and staring at her all the time, he made her choose whatever she wanted for him feigning he wasn't sure what to get.

Zion was skeptical when he saw her study the menu and look up at him but he was happy just being there with her. This was the happiest he'd been in the longest while. He'd try whatever she picked. He also noticed that she had some light in her eyes that had looked cold and dull. She closed the menu to push her hair behind her ears.

"How do you like London and how long have you been here?" Kiarra asked off topic.

"It's actually pretty nice, it's comforting in a sense and I've only been here for a couple of days,"replied Zion. His deep voice and searing gaze made her insides a mess.

"Comforting in a sense how?"

"In the sense that I once knew someone who lives here so it makes me feel connected to them in a sense. Always wondering what they like or do on a regular. To know this is their home."

"That's kinda sweet and sad at the same time. What happened to them?"

He only answered with a brief smile. Zion tried his hardest not to stare at her chest when she leaned forward.

She took a sip of her coffee and she stared at him. She was being patient but he was glad to stretch the time out as much as he could. He didn't want her to leave. He wanted her to stay, he wished they could sit right here in this spot forever. "You actually have a really nice smile," she noted.

"I do ?"

"Yeah it's breathtaking," Kiarra replied.

Zion wondered if the mate bond was working.

"You said you wanted to talk about something?" Kiarra asked seriously getting to why they were there, pinning him again with her hard stare.

"You really don't remember me?"

"No I don't." she shut him down quickly.

Zion took out the photo from his pocket and handed it to her. She looked at it with astonishment, her features lighting up. She looked back and forth between him and the picture.

"That's me? And you?!"

"Yeah"

"I don't understand how?" she asked puzzled.

"See I'm not crazy."

Kiarra rewarded him with a smile at his statement and he felt his heart leap.

"This is beautiful. This is us?" she asked again and looked up at him.

"Yes and it isn't just a coincidence Kiarra that we are in each other's dreams."

The server then brought the food and Zion paused. He looked down at eggs, baked beans, sausage, mushroom and toast.

"You eat baked beans first thing in the morning," he stated.

"You have to try an English breakfast, it's only fair," she shrugged.

"What's this?" Zion inquired at the circular-looking dark sausage on his plate.

"That's black pudding," she replied.

"Blood sausage?"

Now he knew why she was eyeing him over the menu.

"Yeah it's made of pork blood, fat and oatmeal."

"You guys also eat blood for breakfast."

"It's good you should try it." she tried to coerce him.

"You didn't order any."

"I'm on a diet," quipped Kiarra.

He cut the sausage, the dark insides looking even more unappealing now that he knew what it was made of and decided to go for it. He could see her in his peripheral vision squinting up her nose as she watched him slice into it and he wanted to laugh. He was surprised it actually didn't taste like blood. It was dry, chewy and had a strange spicy taste.

"It's actually delicious." he continued to look at it, toying it around on his plate.

"

So I've heard." she confessed.

"You should try it." Zion challenged her.

"No, I can't get over eating blood."

"If I did it, I think you can do it too, Princess." he shrugged.

Everytime he called her Princess a shiver went through her. It was a challenge and he knew she would take the bait. She stared determinedly at it on the plate and then reached over to take a small piece of the blood sausage with her fork.

Kiarra hesitated for a few seconds as his green eyes watched her and placed it her mouth chewing quickly before she swallowed. Her eyes widened.

"It's actually good," she remarked, unbelievably." It really doesn't even taste like blood."

"I told you."

They both decided that even though it tasted good they weren't going to eat anymore of it. Zion couldn't help but marvel at how normal and natural it felt sitting out there with her. This was what he had envisioned when he had visited London. That this was how it was supposed to be. Except they would be on much better terms.

He reached for her hand on the table and she jumped back like he was the plague. Zion was hurt she was reacting to him like that.

"You were explaining why we were in each other's dreams." she prodded him.

"We're mates. I don't know what happened to you but you don't seem to remember me somehow. I know something happened to you. I felt it, so I'm thinking it led to you not remembering me. Do you feel strange?"

"No"

"Okay. Do you believe me?"

"I'm listening to you. How did we end up meeting?"

Zion nodded. Kiarra glanced at the photo again that was placed at the centre of the table..

"You visited my pack as a huntress. You never said otherwise.You were there looking for a missing Lycan. Apparently you knew somehow that I was your mate and we met from there. Things started out a bit rocky mostly from my end and then we fell in love." "In love?" she asked like it was unheard of.

"Yes, I'm in love with you, every inch of you." he breathed out.

She didn't say anything as she went back to cut into her egg neither did anything in her reaction change.

"Why was it rocky before we fell in love Alpha?" she scrunched up her brows.

This was harder than he'd ever thought. Saying it out loud made him feel selfish and terrible as a mate to her.

"I didn't want a mate because I was hurt before so I was rude and did some other things."

"Like having other women?"

Zion shifted uncomfortably.

"No but I may have flirted and entertained them. Like I said I didn't want a mate but you were determined otherwise. I guess you saw beyond that. I was broken. I didn't know how to handle someone loving me for me."

"What happened after that?"

"We were together and then we had a fight."

"What did we fight about?" she asked.

"You lied to me about who you were, about being the king's daughter."

"Well, I can understand that for safety reasons and you don't seem like a man who wants to be king. You certainly didn't want a mate so telling you that you were about to be king couldn't have been an easy job." "Yeah, but it also hurts when you trust someone and they lie to you especially when you ask for the truth."

"Maybe she was scared to lose you."

"You said something like that. You said you were scared but that's the part where you trust the person as your mate no matter what."

Kiarra's brows rose and she nodded in agreement.

"That's a heavy fear for someone to carry around. Did you ask her why I was scared?"

"No I didn't."

"So my feelings didn't matter at all?" Kiarra tilted her head.

Zion felt it hit him hard.

"Yes it matters."

Kiarra folded her arms and looked at the happy couple picture.

"How does Castor fit in? You said you knew him at the ceremony."

"This all came to light because Castor came and claimed you as his mate before Christmas in front of our pack. I said some things that I should have never said to you and you left." "What did you say?"

He felt like he was under direct attack from her simple questions. This was getting worse after each question.

"You have to understand I was hurt. I had a trust problem and I felt like you disregarded it along with my pack's safety. It hurt that you couldn't be truthful to me who is your mate." Kiarra nodded in understanding.

"So what did you say?"

Zion ran a hand over his beard.

Her eyes held his waiting for the truth.

"I didn't give you the same patience or understanding you often times gave me. It was cruel. I told you were a mistake, to leave and that we were over in harsher terms."

He couldn't repeat the exact words he had told her. He was too ashamed to say it out loud. There was away she was looking at him that made him feel terrible.

"So you just threw her out like garbage. You told your mate, someone that you loved that?"

"Yes"

He could feel the disappointing look she was giving him and Zion felt like shit.