Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 492: Aldric’s Mate Was Missing

Chapter 492: Aldric’s Mate Was Missing

"You betrayed me," Aldric accused, his eyes glowing with turbulent emotions.

"I did not betray you, I only interfered. You were acting like an asshole and I had to stop you from losing Islinda," she replied, tilting her head. "Surely, you don’t want that, do you?"

Aldric growled, reluctant to admit it, but guilt flickered in his eyes before disappearing.

"Release me," he demanded, pulling at his restraints.

"I have already made it clear that I won’t let you go until Islinda has some freedom without your threat looming over her," Maxi stated annoyed by his incessant demand.

"You have no idea what you’ve done. Islinda is not safe out there," Aldric told her, still testing the restraints. He had constructed this prison knowing it would hold a Fae, but he didn’t anticipate being held captive in it himself. It was beginning to get on his nerve being helpless.

"I sent Issac after her. He will help her during the time you are down here. There is nothing for you to worry about," Maxi replied calmly.

But her words were wasted on Aldric, whose voice rumbled with anger as he confronted Maxi, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You wouldn’t leave me down here like some criminal, nor would you prevent me from going after her. Islinda is safer by my side."

"That’s exactly why I’m glad I have you chained up. Do you even hear yourself? You sound like a lunatic. No wonder she’s scared of you. She needs space, Aldric," Maxi retorted.

"And you have no right to keep me hostage, Maxi. I am your prince! You are beneath me! You dare not defy me," Aldric said, asserting his authority.

"The last time I checked, we were partners. Or have you forgotten our reason for working together and wanting to create a new world for our kind, your reputable highness, the undefeated dark Fae prince Aldric?" Maxi responded sarcastically.

"And once that goal is achieved, what am I to you? Will you reject me as your king and ruler and go against me?" Aldric challenged, questioning her loyalty.

"I will serve you wholeheartedly when you become king of Astaria, but until then, you are the insufferable prince Aldric, who I will spank and correct when he veer off course," Maxi retorted.

Aldric growled a warning, "Let me go, Maxi."

But she pinned him with a steady gaze.

"Will you promise not to go after Islinda once I release you?" she asked.

Aldric looked away, making a strangled noise in his throat.

"And there’s our answer," Maxi sighed. "Take all the time you need down here, Aldric. A few days might help you realize how wrong it was to try to harm Islinda. Trust me, it will be enlightening."

Maxi turned to leave, her determination radiating from her posture. But before she could take another step, Aldric’s commanding voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait," he commanded.

Maxi froze, her movements halted as she turned to face him, a flicker of surprise crossing her features.

Aldric’s gaze pierced hers as he spoke. "You need to know something," he declared, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "Islinda is my mate."

The words hung heavy in the air, carrying great significance. Maxi’s expression shifted from determination to disbelief, her features contorting in shock. She struggled to comprehend the gravity of Aldric’s revelation, her mind racing to process the implications.

For a moment, silence enveloped them, the weight of Aldric’s confession hanging between them. Then, slowly, realization dawned on Maxi, her eyes widening in astonishment at the revelation.

"Fuck," Maxi blurted out without realizing.

The implications of Aldric’s words overwhelmed her. Islinda, his mate? The revelation shook her to the core, leaving her in utter disbelief.

If Maxi hadn’t already been mated to Issac and hiding it from Aldric, she would have doubted his words, thinking it was a ploy to manipulate her into letting him go.

As the truth settled over her, Maxi stood frozen, grappling with the shock of this unexpected revelation. The knowledge that Islinda was meant to be with Aldric sent a shiver down her spine, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future.

Aldric spoke again, "That is why you must let me go. If others find out what she is... if others discover she is my mate...." He swallowed, the thought clearly disturbing him. "Islinda will become a pawn. And would you dare keep mates away from each other? That is an offense against the gods." He smiled slyly, knowing he had Maxi trapped.

"And is trying to kill your mate any better?" Maxi retorted, seeing through his game. "You know what, stay down here for a while and clear your head."

This time, Maxi didn’t look back as she left. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rushed down the corridors, ignoring Aldric’s screams to not leave him there.

The situation was dire. Islinda was Aldric’s mate? Maxi didn’t know whether to feel dread or hope at the thought.

Issac appeared at that moment, bringing a sense of relief. Maxi quickly asked him, "How is Islinda? Did you help her settle down? Where is she?"

But the anxious look on Issac’s face made her stomach drop. This couldn’t be good.

"I couldn’t find her," Issac nervously replied, his gaze flickering towards where Aldric was being held.

"Please tell me you’re joking," Maxi said, fear creeping into her voice.

She had to look down the hall to check if Aldric hadn’t magically freed himself, because if he heard this, the gods help her, the entire realm was doomed. His fucking mate was missing!

"I tracked her as best as I could, but there was no sign of her. It’s as if she vanished from the realm. However, I did catch another scent," Issac whispered.

"Another scent?" Maxi’s brows furrowed. "Who does it belong to?"

Issac leaned in closer to whisper into her ear, his words causing Maxi’s face to pale.

"Oh, shit. This is bad," Maxi muttered, a feeling of foreboding filling the air.

Aldric was not going to like this at all.