ELLA'S POV
I walk past the wooden entrance of the stately royal stable feeling excited and nervous. King Kian is not here yet, so I must have arrived early.
I know that he doesn't like me much. And that is putting it very, very mildly. At the dinner, I could see it in his eyes that he didn't think so highly of me. I'm just a servant without a wolf, definitely not someone any king would want to be with, especially as their mate. But I am also grateful that he and his brother's are trying their best to love me for who I am.

Today I took the time to curl my thick hair into soft waves after combing it. I also bought a new, elegant dress with the few coins I had saved. I wanted to make sure that my mate won't feel disgusted or ashamed while I am with him. I truly hope he recognizes the effort I am putting in to be the refined partner he and his brothers deserve.
Since I am just a servant, I don't think I am allowed to wander inside the beautiful stables. So, I decide to wait by the entrance.
Moments later, a voice startles me from behind. "Can I help you miss?" I turn around to find a middle aged man standing behind me with a stack of hay in his hands.
"Greetings," I say with a warm smile. " I am waiting for someone." I say and he nods in understanding before carrying the hay inside.
Getting tired of standing, I take a seat on the stone railing outside feeling restless for king kian to show up so I can see how he is going to treat me when we are just the two of us. But when more time pass and he is still a no show my heart sink.
After waiting for a few more moments, I sigh and get up, smoothening my dress and that's when my nose pick a familiar enticing scent from behind.

“Worried I wasn’t going to show?”
My heart just about leaps out of my throat, and my body does this weird, excited spasm thing as king Kian steps forward pulling the hood of his black coat off of his head.
He is wearing a black shirt underneath, the sleeves of the shirt and coat pushed up to his elbows. He looks good. He always looks good. Just like his brothers.
"No... not worried," I lie, fidgeting nervously with the hem of my dress.

"Bring me two horses," King Kian orders abruptly.
"What?" I start to question, but then realize he is not addressing me as he is looking past my shoulder.
I turn around to see the horse keeper standing just behind me. "Yes, your majesty," he responds with a bow.
Two horses? I had thought we were meeting here just to talk. Or are we going somewhere? I have no experience riding horses. It will be embarrassing to admit, but I know staying silent will only lead to more embarrassments later. Clearing my throat, I speak up, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I don't know how to ride a horse," I confess, feeling a flush of embarrassment as I avoid meeting his eyes.
"We never had horses back at home, so I never learned," I mumble, and then quickly bite down on my tongue to stop myself from saying anything else. Why did I always feel the need to explain myself so much?
To my surprise, King Kian gives me a gentle, understanding look. "It's alright," he reassures me softly. Then, turning back to the stableman, he instructs, "Bring only one horse."
The keeper soon returns with a beautiful majestic white horse, its coat shining in the sunlight. I extend my hand to stroke its neck and white mane, and it affectionately nuzzles my hair.
"Careful, they bite.” King Kian warns taking the reins from the keeper and begin to saddle up the horse himself.
His fingers are long, elegant and strong, he is not wearing gloves today.
As much as I don't want to admit it,  he and his brothers are gorgeous. Dark grey eyes, dark hair and  perfect lips. He senses my stare and a crooked smile creeps up on his face as he turns his head toward me. “You are staring.”
I whip my head back away, feeling like a total idiot. “No, I wasn’t.”
He laughs but says nothing.
"So where exactly are we going?” I ask after a while breaking the unbearable silence that has suddenly devoped. I know deep down that I would follow him anywhere, no matter where he may lead me.
Yep, I know, I’m pathetic.
"It's a surprise," King Kian replies, mounting the horse with effortless grace. His movements are so refined, making me feel even more awkward in his presence. He glances back at me and extends his hand. "Come here, Ella," he says softly.
For a moment I get lost in the way he has just, for the first time said my name in a normal, anti-hating voice.
"Ella!" He repeats and my cheeks flush with color. I make my way to him and offer him my left hand. With his assistance, I lift myself off the ground, and with a firm hand on my right hip, he hosts me up fully.
I suck in a startled breath as he perches me just in front of him, Our bodies don't touch like I thought they would, but they are close.
He moves closer to get the hoarse reigns and his muscular chest presses onto my back. I freeze, knowing I should probably lean forward and give him some room, but I can't seem to find the motivation to do so. Instead, I sit there, inhaling his intoxicating scent.
He leads the hoarse past the palace gates and into the outside. I watch as the palace slip farther and farther away behind us as we go through a winding path to a woody forest with the barest hint of a trail guiding our way. Where is he taking us?
I try to make myself relax and admire the scenery. It is so peaceful and calm here. The trees covers us in a cool shade, and it is early enough that the weather is perfect.
The forest always makes me feel that I had been transported to another world, another time. The pine trees are incredibly tall here, and the thick and little wild flowers are everywhere.
It is almost heartbreaking when we leave the woody forest and enter a broader trail that resembles a small road.
Few moment later we emerge into a clearing with a dusty old looking building ahead. The wind blows softly, carrying dust particles in the air. King Kian brings the hoarse to a halt outside the large worn-out gates.
I Look around in confusion. "Where are we?" I thought he was bringing me out to a romantic picnic or something like that! or maybe this is romantic to him.
"It's an ancient temple, built by my father."
My eyes widen with curiosity. "Your father built this temple?
Kian nods. "Yes, but it has been abandoned for many years now."
"I'll help you down," he offers his left hand encircling my belly. My heart stops. Infact, everything stops at his warm touch. He presses me against him and with practiced ease, he guides us both off the horse and sets me on unsteady feet, his grip shifting to my arm when I sway.
"Come." He gestures for me to follow as he steps away. The space makes me feel empty inside. I fall behind him.
As we walk past the gates, I notice several guards stationed inside the temple grounds. The guards bow respectfully as we pass.
"What are they guarding? This place looks deserted and lifeless," I whisper to Kian.
"You'll see, Ella." he simply says staring ahead, eyes focused on the small road.
We walk through the overgrown courtyard and past the old entrance. The halls are covered in dust and cobwebs, giving an eerie feel to the surroundings that makes me even edgier than had already been, and I cant help but wonder if he has some kind of hidden agenda for bringing me out here.
Yes, he is being nice to me today, but I haven't forgotten how he’d treated me in the beginning.
He lifts an eyebrow at me. “Is something wrong? You look scared.”
“What?” I shake my head. “No. I’m not scared.”
“Really? Because you sure look like you are.”
We come across a massive stone door, covered in intricate carvings. Kian turns to me with a smile. "This is what they are guarding, Ella."
He pushes open the heavy door, revealing a first clean chamber bathed in dull light.
"What is this place?" I ask following him inside.
He gestures towards something shiny resting on a pedestal in the center of the chamber. I approach it slowly.
" Is that...?"
Kian nods quietly, confirming it is indeed the crown of the king of all alpha kings.
I immediately step forward curiously to get a closer look.
It is a breathtaking masterpiece, full of the most precious jewels and intricate designs. It sparkles in the faint light, with diamonds, golden stars, pearls, and a blue orb on top. It is a true work of art!
I want to touch it but hesitate, unsure if it is safe. "It's so beautiful... How did it end up here?" I ask.
Kian sighs deeply. "A long time ago, many kingdoms joined forces to attack Goldcrest. They caused great destruction until our father sought help from the ancient priests of Goldcrest. Together, they crafted the powerful crown of the king of alpha kings," he says, pointing to the crown. "This crown held such immense power that all alphas had to bow before the one who wore it. The war finally ended, but the alphas were not done fighting. A while later, our father was betrayed by someone from the inside, the crown was stolen and he was killed in the war that broke after."
My eyes widen in sympathy. "I'm so sorry about your father. I had no idea," I say softly.
He nods.
"How did you manage to recover the crown if it was lost... and why aren't you and your brothers using it?" I question curiously. Offcourse I have heard the rumors that he and his brothers raided a rouge village to retrieve the crown but it seems like there is a lot that people leave out or add to spice up story, I have never heard about their father before.
Kian hesitates, a flicker of panic crossing his face briefly. "The crown was unearthed five years ago in a rouge pack, but we cannot wear it because it's cursed, just like we are," he reveals, confirming that the rumors are actually true.
"So, does that mean the crown will never be worn until the curse is lifted?" I question already loosing interest in the crown and glancing around the room at the other artifacts.
There are several dusty paintings hanged around the room but one catches my eye. It is barely visible through the layer of dust but it depicts a very good looking man and a woman holding hands, both adorned with crowns on their heads. They have a striking resemblance to Kian and his brothers.
"Who are they?"
Kian steps forward, his eyes fixed on the painting.
"That's my father and mother." he says.
I wipe away the dust, revealing the faces of his parents.
His mother is a dark haired, dark eyed, ravishing beauty with golden skin and pretty mouth. His father must also have been devastatingly handsome and blond, with beautiful turquoise eyes. I can see how such a combination of people could create a masterpiece like Kian and his brothers.
"Your mother must be so beautiful." I say with a sincere smile. "Maybe you should take the painting with you."
"She was indeed a beautiful woman." he says and my smile immediately falls at his statement. What does he mean by "was"? Is she no longer alive?
"What happened to her?" I ask curiously.
"When father was killed she couldn't bear... loosing her mate. She became detached from everyone, including me and my brothers. Until one day... she took her own life." he reveals and I involuntarily gasp.
Acting on instinct, I step forward and wrap my arm around him in a comforting embrace.
He initially stiffens at the unexpected gesture, but after a moment, his hand slowly circles my wrist, drawing me closer to him.
He and his brothers must have went through some really tough times when they were growing up. Their dad getting betrayed and killed, their mom tragically killing herself, and then getting cursed in their search for their father's crown. They sure have had a lot of sad things happen to them in the past. At least I can offer them healing from the curse's afflictions. But that's all I am capable of doing to help them.
"As your mate, I will always be there to heal you and your brothers whenever you need." I reassure him, hoping to bring some comfort.
Kian looks at me with gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Ella. But we need more than just healing. We need to figure out how to break this curse once and for all. Our enemies could come back anytime," he says firmly.
I nod in understanding. Without the crown and a curse haunting them of course they are an easy targets for other kingdoms. It's even a miracle some alpha hasn't already tried to attack them by now. "I would do anything to help, your majesty. If there was a way..." I trail off, unsure of what else to say.
Kian looks at me with a spark of hope in his eyes. "What if we try lifting the curse with your blood?" he suggests hesitantly.
"My blood?" I ask, shocked by his suggestion. Is he asking me to sacrifice myself and die to lift their curse?
"Are you sure that's even possible?" I question unsure of how else to react.
"Just a few drops," he reassures me. "If your touch can heal us. I believe a few drops of your blood can lift the curse," he adds.
A few drops, that seems more reasonable.
I hesitate, suddenly unsure. I'm I out of my mind? Agreeing to help them like this after everything that has happened between us?
But then he dazzles me with the most beautiful, heart-melting, pleading smile. The kind of smile I have wanted him to give me since the first day I laid eyes on him and that is that. The rational part of my brain quits working. Without a second thought I nod my head.
"We can try ," I say and in a split second, I think I see his eyes widen in shock. I am sure he wasn't expecting me to agree to that too.
He immediately pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I love you, Ella."