The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

He stands there with my phone in his hand and a sharp expression in his eyes. "The firewall, I've not seen its kind before. What's the reason for such security, princesa?"

I feel uncomfortable. I had heard how he had shouted at Jose regarding my phone. I didn't like it... it was almost as if he was extremely angry with him.

"For my privacy," I reply, looking at my phone that he's holding. There's a high chance he is going to destroy it, but I am hoping he doesn't.

I wasn't expecting him to even realise the level of encryption it has, as there are pictures and some messages that you can see if you simply unlock it. But extra security, emails, past conversations, and restorations that are all blocked. My Alpha is smart, even if he clearly failed in getting through the security.

"What do you have to hide?" he asks as he advances towards me.

My heart pounds and I remember the moment from the dressing room. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on . Visit to read the complete chapters for free. That feeling... he had left me with an ache that I can't seem to forget and even now, even with his eyes full of irritation, his proximity does things to me that I've never experienced before.

"Not much, but I am the daughter of the Alpha King of the United Kingdom. My security is paramount."

"Remove it." He commands, holding the phone out to me. I shake my head.

"No, if you wish to do so then you're on your own to figure out how," I say, turning my back on him.

He growls and grabs my arm, yanking me around to face him. "Stop showing me fucking sass." He snarls as our chests collide, making my breath hitch. His gaze dips to my breasts, glimmering gold before he glares into my eyes again. Was I showing him sass? I didn't mean to be rude.

So I simply nod, not wanting to anger him further.

"I'll try," I say softly. I can't promise him something I'm not sure I'll be able to uphold, especially since I have no idea what triggers him. He glares at me before tossing the phone onto the bed behind us.

"Keep it. I'm sure your family must be missing you."

"Thank you," I respond, slightly surprised.

He simply looks me in the eye before he turns away. "I'm leaving. There's been some strange shit going on near the shore, don't try anything funny whilst I'm gone."

"I won't. Can I at least have some dessert?" I ask.

He frowns, but glances at me before pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'll have the cook bring you some up. Don't go walking around like that."

I glance down, confused. I'm wearing a dress I purchased today. What does he mean by 'like that'?

"I'm dre-" The door slams shut and I'm suddenly alone in his bedroom.

I plop onto the bed, staring at the door in confusion before I close my eyes, taking a deep, steady breath.

The bad news upon our return from the shopping trip has worried me and also Jose...

Enrique had gotten into an argument with him, although it was mostly through the mind-link. The rage in Enrique's eyes and the way he had shoved him had given me enough of an idea that things between them weren't good.

I know it's because of me, but the fact he doesn't trust Jose anymore - that worries me. Jose is loyal to him and wants the best for him, he needs him as his Beta.

I sigh again as I pick up my phone and unlock it, deciding to video call, Zu and Sky. We're four hours behind England, so it'll be near twelve for Azura and it will be afternoon for Skyla since she's in Alaska.

Is it the best time to call? I don't want to disturb Leo and Azura, but I know they'd want to hear from me. I also need to call Dad and Mama.

I'll call Dad first. Taking a deep breath, I click on Mama's number, feeling a little nervous. The phone rings a few times before it's answered.

"Kat, you finally called!" Mama's voice comes, but I can't see anything, just hear the rustling of fabric.

"I'm sorry I didn't have access to my phone for a few days, but it's all sorted now," I answer.

"I'm glad it is, we've been worried," Mama answers before Dad comes into view, he's lighting a cigarette, but from the state of his hair, and the fact he's in bed, I'm sure I interrupted them.

I spot the scratch marks on his shoulders before Mama comes into view wearing a gown that she's tying up.

Oh goddess, I shouldn't have called. I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole!Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"How have you been and how's it all going?" Dad asks, his face serious.

He's still upset. I can see it from the way his eyes are shifting from black to red and back to black. He never wanted me to come...

"Well..." I say, looking down.

"Have you given it to him?" he asks, a small frown on his face.

The prosthetic.

"Not yet. He doesn't really want it." I admit softly.

"Then forget the fucker and come home," Dad growls.

"Al..." Mama murmurs, placing a hand on his chest.

"I can't do that," I say softly. I wish I could say why, but I'm not sure if this room isn't bugged. Why else would he just give me the phone and leave? Unless he wants me to tell Mama and Dad stuff. I really don't know. "If he hurts you, I will not forgive him." Dad's eyes flash and Mama turns to him.

"Trust her, she knows what she's doing," she reassures him, although when she looks at me I can see the worry in her eyes too.

Nodding, I play with a strand of my hair. "I do, and I am going to be ok... but Dad... there's something I wanted to tell you." My cheeks burn and I'm dreading this conversation.

"What is it," he asks sharply as he sits up, his eyes burning into me.

I gulp. I'm a little scared of Dad.

"I wanted to tell you before you hear it from somewhere else, but first, I want to just ask you both to believe in me. Please." I whisper with uncertainty.

"We will always believe in you Kataleya, both of us," Mama says firmly.

"Well... this is a little complicated, but Enrique has decided to make me his Luna," I say and no matter how honest I want to be, I realise I won't be able to tell them the full truth.

Dad scoffs coldly. "I find that hard to believe. There is no way he would agree to that unless he has ulterior motives," he snarls.

"Or our beautiful girl won him over," Mama adds.

I wish that was the case, but although I want to, I realise I can't bring myself to tell them his intentions. There's no way Dad would allow me to stay here.

"I don't trust him. I know you feel like you owe him, Kataleya, but you fucking don't. You were a goddamn child who suffered as well. If he hurts you, I will rip him to shreds." His eyes blaze and I shake my head, his threat making my heart thump. "He won't hurt me," I say firmly, fighting back my tears. "I'm ok, please Dad. I need to do this. Please... Mama! You understand, don't you?"

I can take anything but causing my parents' pain. I don't want my parents to be upset with me. I hate lying to them; I hate hurting them, and above all, I hate betraying them, and right now it feels like I'm betraying them.

"I do, and sometimes the most cold-hearted alpha simply needs a guiding hand to be shown to the right path," she murmurs softly. There's a knowing look in her eyes as she looks at me.

She knows.

She knows that I'm not at a good place with Enrique, but she has faith in me.

I smile at her, silently thanking her for understanding.

Dad scoffs, taking a drag on his cigarette. "Fucker." He grumbles. For a moment, he reminds me of Enrique, and I giggle.

"What's fucking funny?" he growls.

"You remind me of someone."

"Leo? Yeah, I get that, although the fucker won't admit it. I'm definitely his role model." Dad smirks.

I simply nod.

No Dad, someone else... someone who says he hates you, but I promise one day, he's going to see that you are incredible. A great King, a protective Alpha, a caring person and above all, the best Dad ever. "Hey, angel, don't cry," Mama says, concern in her eyes.

I wipe my tears away. "I'm sorry, I just miss you both. I promise I'm ok. I love you."

"I love you too," Mama replies.

"Yeah we fucking do, you're my girl and let that fucker know if I find he's hurt you..."

He leaves his threat hanging, and I nod.

"I'm your girl, Dad, then you should have faith in me."

He nods but even if he knows that it won't stop him from worrying. Leaning back, he observes me. "So, is he going to the summit at Pretty Boy's place?"

"Alejandro." Mama scolds as I smile.

"I'm not sure, but I'll try to get him to. Things have been interesting here... I'm sure it'll benefit him if he does decide to."

"And it'll be good to f*****g see you again. Besides, how long do you plan to be there for?"

"He said she's going to be his Luna, that means..." Mama trails off as Dad's eyes widen slightly. No, he didn't realise what that meant.

"I will always visit," I say, this conversation is hurting my heart. "Is Dante around?"

I change the topic. I don't want to think about it, not wanting to think about being away from them.

Yes, it crossed my mind when I delved into a fantasy where not only does Enrique get past his trauma but also falls in love with me, or the even crazier dreams and wishes that we would turn out to be mates. As I grew older, I also realised what that meant. It meant being far away from my family and loved ones...

"Dante is not, I'm afraid." Mama sighs. She worries for him as she does us all. But with him, it's worse. Sometimes he comes home and is bedridden for days. We don't know where he goes, what he does or why, but he's often in pain...

It hurts us all, and I just wish we could help him, but we can't. We're helpless, taking help from him, letting him be there for us all, but we can't be there for him...

I nod. "Well, tell him I said hi. I'm going to go now. I was going to call the girls but I'm not sure if now is a good time..." I mumble.

"It's a good fucking time. They should be sleeping or working, anyway." Dad growls.

"Like you and Mama?" I add cheekily. "Goodbye!"

"Did she fucking say that?"

That's the last thing I hear and Mama's laugh before I cut the call, grabbing a cushion and hiding my face in it.

Yes, I did say that. I think I'm getting a little bolder being around Enrique since he's forcing me to say what I think. Giggling, I enter the group chat I have with Zu and Sky and hit the video call button, I miss them.