(Dimitri POV)

"Your majesty."

I looked up at my assistant. He was tall and dark-haired. "What is it, Foster?" Isaiah Foster had served my father before me and his father before him. He'd served the royal family for the past 500 years. He was an invaluable asset to the kingdom.

Foster bowed low. "I am merely here to inform you that your mate is en route."

My wolf perked up at that. I, however, scowled at the man. "I don't suppose you have a photo of her?"

Foster raised an eyebrow. "I'm glad you're taking an interest." He reached into a folder and took out a photo.

I took it from him. I was interested, but not for the reason, he thought. The moment my eyes landed on the photo, my wolf howled. 'Mate!' His excitement radiated through our link.

Disgusted, I flipped the photo over so I wouldn't have to look at her. No way in the nine hells would I accept any woman as my mate. I would never be so weak or so foolish. I wouldn't be like my father. Even after my mother betrayed him to his enemies, he refused to execute her.

I had no such compulsions. My first order as King was to execute the traitor. I did it quietly. I didn't want a further scandal. My father, however, couldn't live without her and ended his life soon after. Good riddance. A king had to be strong. I was strong.

"Be sure to alert me the moment she arrives," I commanded him.

Foster bowed low. "As you wish, your Majesty."

My wolf growled in my head. Unhappy with my thoughts. I didn't care. When this female arrived, I'd reject her and be on my way.

'You are a fool!' My wolf snarled in my head.

'And you're weak,' I snarled right back.

'She is out, mate. She will make us strong.'

I snorted. 'She's just another female. She'll make us weak, then betray us.'

My wolf made a sound of disgust and turned away from me, receding into the more primal recesses of my mind. That was good. I had work to do, and I didn't want to argue with him.

I finished up the last of my paperwork and left my office. I lived in the palace where my family had ruled for the past thousand years. It was a masterpiece of stone and glass. As opulent as any of the human palaces. My family legacy was the source of my pride. If I couldn't reject her, then I would keep her for the pups. She was royalty, after all. At least our pups would have a pure bloodline.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

As I strode down the polished marble corridor, I felt restless. Agitated. One maid knelt on all fours, scrubbing the floor. Her uniform barely covered her rump as she work. Yes. That's what I needed. To show my fool of a wolf what females were for. He might recognize the female in the photo as our mate, but I never would. Now I'd prove it.

I felt my wolf stir as I loomed over the maid. She noticed me at once and stood. She curtsied. "How may I serve your Majesty?"

I lifted her up and threw her over my shoulder. She squeaked but didn't struggle. Good girl.

"Your Majesty?" Her voice quivered with apprehension.

"Quiet. I'll show you how you can serve me." I walked with a purposeful stride down the corridor to my chambers. I entered my rooms and deposited the maid on the wide four-poster bed. I could smell her fear and her arousal, and both gratified me. She enjoyed being handled roughly. Good, because I wasn't a gentle lover.

"Remove your clothes or I'll rip them off," I ordered.

She quickly stripped her uniform off. She faced away from me on all fours. A good little bitch. Walking towards the bed, I slid two fingers into her. Her pussy was sopping wet. There were females who joined the staff for the chance to sleep with me. She must be one of my groupies. I think that's what the humans. Called them.

She moaned but kept still, waiting for me to tell her what to do. A good submissive. I slapped her clit, and she cried out. Her breathing was harder now. I grabbed her by her throat and pulled her back against my front. She wiggled her ass against my erection. Good bitch. I pinched and twisted her clit until she came. A reward. I pressed her face into the mattress and unzipped my pants. My wolf was snarling and spitting at me. I took pleasure knowing I was tormenting him. I was in charge, not the animal. Me. Dimitri.

I plunged my cock into the little maid. She screamed in pleasure and no doubt pain. I wasn't small. There was an ongoing bet by the females in my pack to find a male who was bigger than me. The winner would win the pot. They'd yet to find him. The pit as I understood it had risen to several million.

I smiled as I plowed into the maid, knowing that wouldn't happen. That pot would go untouched for a long while. She cried out with my every thrust. I smiled savagely as I pounded into her over and over.

Her cries grew louder as I plunged harder and harder, growing closer to my orgasm. With a howl, I pulled out of her and came on her ass. She was an obedient bitch, but she wasn't worthy of having my pups. My pups would be pure-blooded.

I slapped her ass and ordered her out. She quickly dressed and scurried from the room, her face red. Maybe with embarrassment or anger, I didn't care which. My wolf was howling mournfully in my head. His pain and guilt made me smile.

'I told you. I will never accept this female you call mate. She can be my breeding bitch, but as soon as she arrives, I will make sure she knows her place.'

He growled, and I could see the look of malevolence in his eyes. 'You will not harm our mate. I am not separate from you, fool. We are one. I am you! You are me! Idiot, you aren't tormenting me. You're tormenting yourself!'

He severed our link and retreated into the depths of my soul. His words trouble me, but I refused to give them credence. If my father had used his logic instead of letting his beast rule him, he might not have lost his life and nearly lost his kingdom.

I would be the stronger ruler. I wouldn't let my wild nature dictate who I bred with and what I decide for the good of my kingdom.