Chapter 2

Carter

I don't want a mate and I want nothing to do with her. I don't know why nobody could respect my wishes when I told them I didn't want her in my life but how they continuously kept making sure that I would never be on my own. I don't need a mate to run this kingdom but due to the feuding kingdoms, they thought it would be a smart idea to allow her into my life. I don't give two shits about her, and I honestly wouldn't care if she disappeared because I don't need her.

My ex-mate destroyed me, broke my heart into a million little pieces like I never did anything right by her. I know that I did put this kingdom first, but I loved her, and I cherished her the best way that I could. I made sure that she was happy, and I tried to do everything that she wanted. I was never perfect, I will admit that, but I did everything in my power to make sure that she knew I would be by her side.

Of course, things did not work out the way that I had expected them to, and I kind of wondered if maybe I had made a mistake when it came to her. I know how she felt about the situation, and I know that I wasn't always perfect, but I did what I could. I told her to always come to me if she had an issue because I would make it right. I wouldn't be able to fix something if I didn't know about it.

Unfortunately for me, it became more and more clear that I was on the short end of the stick. She ended up getting pregnant by her bodyguard, someone that I thought I could trust, and I had to banish them to back to where they came from. She didn't even try to tell me that she was sorry. She just told me that this was my fault because I didn't give her what she needed. That didn't make much sense to me at all, and I made sure that she knew that as well.

I wish that she would have done the right thing and made sure to tell me what to do. I could have done something if she would have just told me, but she left me in the dark so how was that my fault? After what she did to me, I swore that I would never allow someone in my life again like that? Unfortunately, though, it became more and more clear that I was going to have a fight on my hands.

Penelope is doing everything in her power to just piss me off. I don't want her getting into my business and bugging me, but it seems like she wants to do precisely that. She continuously comes around me and makes sure that I know she is there and that makes me even more mad. I'm planning to do everything in my power to get rid of her, but I know it's not going to be easy. I just wish that I could do something about it.

"Are you okay, Carter?" My best friend and second-in-command, Rowan, asks me as he raises an eyebrow at me, "You seem to be a bit on edge."

"I'm waiting for her to show up and annoy me again." I tell him, grinding my teeth together as I feel like I'm getting more and more frustrated, "I don't know what it is about this insane woman, but she keeps driving me crazy. I honestly think I'm going to be at the point I'm going to murder her and just get away with it."

His lips purse as he narrows his eyes, giving me a look of anger, "Now, don't you dare talk like that, Carter. You know this Princess is not the bad guy in this situation and she's just doing what she has to. I understand how you're feeling, it's probably not easy, but please give her the benefit of the doubt."

I hate him right now because he's right.

I shouldn't be letting my anger get the best of me right now when this is not her fault. A part of it is her fault, I know this, but I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that she doesn't get hurt. She's lucky she has even protected her because she could easily be killed, let me remind her of that. I don't need to be so generous; doesn't she realize that? Everything that I have done has been for the sake of my kingdom. I didn't marry her because she was everything that I wanted. That idea just makes me laugh to even think about.

Everything that I have strived to do has been for the sake of peace. I hated seeing so many of my men dying because of a stupid war that just needed to end. I don't know why marriage had to be the reason it ended but I think that someone had to make a barter and make sure that they came out on top. I hated it and I made sure it was known to the Council that I didn't agree with this. I didn't want to get married just because I had to. I wanted to marry someone because they were it for me and I wanted to continue to love them. But due to this process, I've ended up getting everything thrown in my face and I don't think that I was ever going to come back from it. I wish that it wasn't the case and I wish that I could have changed my mind, but I know there is no going back.

"I don't care what she does, just make sure that she is protected." I explain to Rowan, knowing that he has been personally guarding her the majority of the time because I trust him not to do anything, "I know that you might not see it as your job description, but I trust you more than anyone else. I know that you won't touch her even if you're tempted to and I know that you'll do everything in your power to keep her safe."

"I didn't think you would care so much if she was safe." Rowan disagrees with me, folding his arms across his chest, "Just tell me the truth, Carter, you're worried about actually falling for her."

I just scoff because how can he even say that to me, "You know that I have absolutely NO intention of ever falling in love with someone. If it were up to me, she would already be gone but unfortunately, I have had to live with the fact that it's not going to turn out that way. I hate that it has turned out this way but everything that I have done has been for this kingdom. She's here, she's married to me. That's all that is needed."

I don't care if I sound bitter or anything. I'm not even bitter, I'm just tired of having to do what everyone else tells me to do. I want to fall in love out of my own accord and I want to do everything in my power to make sure that I'm not going to get my heart broken in the process once more.

That's why it is just easier to push her aside and let her do her own thing.