Chapter 7

Penelope

I don't know how many times we went last night but I know I did pass out. I didn't expect to wake up alone, but I wasn't technically alone. Rowan was here but he wasn't looking at me, probably well aware of the state that I am in. It's kind of embarrassing to see the shredded clothing thrown across the room but I'm not going to say much about it. Licking my bottom lip, I just look around curiously and hope for the best because I have absolutely no clue what's about the happen. I wish that he would just open his mouth and tell me what I want to hear but the other part of me is worried because I don't know if Carter just ran off. But when I looked down, I saw that he had cleaned me up which made my cheeks flush.

"Did he leave?" I ask Rowan curiously, grabbing my robe and putting it on, "I kind of thought that he would have stayed."

"He didn't leave because he wanted to, he left because he had something to deal with." Rowan assures me, shaking his head, "honestly I have no idea what he was thinking because he should have known that others would see you looking like that."

I reach up and gingerly touch my neck which is hurting a little bit, "yeah, I know. I'm sorry that it turned out this way, but I can't say I regret it. What I am surprised about is the fact of him marking me."

"I know, I wouldn't have expected that either." He agrees with me, shaking his head, "Honestly, I don't know what is going through his head sometimes. He can be hot and cold, and just does things his own way without really thinking about anyone else. I keep wondering if it might be a good idea to think about the processes of our relationship but the other part of me can't be certain either. I hope you understand what I mean."

"Where is he now though?" I ask him curiously at this point, "Did something happen?"

He looks like he isn't going to tell me until he sighs, "Honestly, your parents are here, and they are demanding that he gives you back and dissolves the marriage."

My jaw drops now because I almost don't want to believe it, "what? Why are they doing that? I married him to protect the kingdom and I know that there is no way we would be able to win! Are they crazy?"

"They might be." Rowan chuckles, "Because he was not happy when he went to meet them."

I know I can't just stand back and do anything at this point, so I rush out of my chambers with Rowan in my tail. I don't care how I look, seeing the workers looking at me with surprise because I probably reek of Carter. I'm okay with smelling like that though because I know there's just nothing that I can do about it. I get how they feel about this situation, and I understand that they might worry about Carter hurting me, but they should have come to me. They shouldn't be here demanding stuff of him.

They don't know what kind of jerk he can be and how his temper flares. As much as I do like him, I know that he is just not someone to mess with. Although he did make me angry in the beginning, I see what he does for his people and how he has to remain strong for them. If he doesn't, this would end up screwing everything because other kingdoms would deem him weak and then they would try to attack.

I feel bad for him in that sense because it's pretty obvious what he has been through. He keeps making it very known how he feels about a situation, and I know I have pushed it a little bit. I know where I stand in this relationship, and I know how he feels about me. I know that this could very well turn around and bite me in the butt, but I don't even want to think about that either. I know that this could screw everything up, but I am not sure how I even want it to go.

When I reach the throne room, I notice how Carter is seething and looks like he wants to kill my parents. I immediately rush over, ignoring my parents as I latch onto Carter's arm. He looks down at me with surprise like he didn't expect me to be there. I just smile at my parents, and I notice them looking at the marks on my neck. I don't try to hide it because I have to make this very clear to them.

"Hi mom and dad, I wasn't expecting you to be here." I murmur softly, holding onto Carter, "I heard that you want to dissolve my marriage to Carter and I'm going to have to politely decline. He has been kind to me, and I know that you might not see it that way, but this is what is best for our kingdom. We need him and I'm not disappointed with him as a mate."

Mom's jaw drops as she looks at me like I am crazy, "Honey, you can't be serious. He is…"

"My husband." I cut her off, giving her the look that tells her I'm done with this conversation, "And I expect you to respect him as much. He has already agreed to be my mate and I'm not going to be happy if you try to force him to break our bond. It's not right. So please do the proper thing and not allow this to happen."

They are staring at me like I am crazy and so is Carter. I know how I feel and I'm going to stand by it because I'm not going to allow anyone to force me out. I know where I stand with Carter, and I know that he probably sees me as nothing short of a pest but I'm going to do everything in my power to prove to him that I'm good enough to be by his side. I won't allow anything to stand in my way and I will make sure that he knows it as well. I mean, what's honestly the worst thing that could happen?

I guess there's only one way to find out.