Rebecca’s POV
I couldn’t believe I was returning to Kaden’s palace, not as his prisoner or breeder this time, but as his wife.
His fucking wife!
Even thinking about it made me want to scream. Of all the men in the world, why did it have to be Kaden? Why couldn’t whoever cast that stupid spell have chosen someone else? Someone I had never met before? At least that would have been easier to accept than being forced to spend three months with the man who had once rejected me.
I turned toward the window as the private jet began its descent. Below us, the familiar territory of Kaden’s kingdom stretched as far as I could see. It had been a long time since I’d last seen this place, and I had honestly believed I would never have to return. Yet here I was, returning to the very place I had sworn to leave behind forever.
I glanced at Kaden, who was sitting across from me, staring out of his own window. He hadn’t said a single word to me since we boarded the jet. Not one. He had spent most of the journey either looking outside or checking his phone, acting as though I wasn’t even there.
Not that I wanted to talk to him. The feeling was mutual, and I preferred it that way.
A few minutes later, the jet finally landed. Kaden immediately unfastened his seat belt and stood up without bothering to look at me. Logan, who had been sitting a few seats away, approached us.
"We’ve arrived, Alpha. The cars are waiting outside."
Kaden nodded and headed toward the exit. I stared after him in disbelief. Seriously? Not even a word to tell me we had arrived?
Rolling my eyes, I unfastened my seat belt and followed them out of the jet.
Several black cars were waiting on the private airstrip, along with a few royal guards. The moment Kaden appeared, they bowed respectfully and greeted him. He barely acknowledged them before heading toward the first car.
I followed reluctantly, wishing I could turn around, board the jet again, and fly straight back to Melvin. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
One of the guards opened the back door for me, and I climbed inside. Kaden was already seated at the other end, looking through something on his phone. I settled as far away from him as possible, leaving a large space between us.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Logan climbed into the front passenger seat and glanced at us through the rearview mirror. His eyes moved from Kaden to me before he shook his head.
"Honestly, you two are acting like children."
I immediately frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Nothing, Rebecca," he replied quickly, although I could have sworn I saw a small smile on his face.
Kaden didn’t even look up from his phone.
"Logan, I don’t want any unnecessary talking," he said coldly.
"Understood, Alpha."
I folded my arms and turned toward the window. Wonderful. We hadn’t even arrived at the palace, and Kaden was already behaving like the arrogant bastard I remembered.
The car pulled away from the airstrip, followed by the other vehicles. Barely five minutes later, we approached the palace, and my stomach tightened at the sight of the familiar building.
Nothing seemed to have changed. The tall gates, the beautiful gardens, and the enormous palace were exactly as I remembered them. Memories of my time here immediately came rushing back. I remembered the humiliation, the arguments, and the countless nights I had cried myself to sleep. But I also remembered the few good moments when Kaden had treated me kindly and I had foolishly believed things between us could be different.
I swallowed hard and looked away. I wasn’t going to allow those memories to affect me again. I wasn’t the same weak Rebecca who had once lived here, and Kaden no longer had that kind of power over me.
The car stopped in front of the palace entrance, and a guard opened the door for me. I stepped out and noticed several servants waiting to welcome Kaden. Most of them were familiar faces, although there were a few new ones.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," they greeted, bowing respectfully.
Their eyes then shifted toward me, and I noticed the surprise on some of their faces. I couldn’t blame them. The last time most of these people had seen me, I certainly hadn’t been Kaden’s wife.
"Welcome back, Lady Rebecca," one of the older maids greeted politely.
"Thank you," I replied with a small smile.
Kaden turned toward Logan. "Have someone show Rebecca to her room. Make sure she has everything she needs."
Without even glancing in my direction, he walked into the palace.
I rolled my eyes. "Arrogant bastard," I muttered.
Unfortunately, Logan heard me.
"Rebecca," he said, sounding amused.
"What?"
"Nothing." He quickly turned toward one of the older servants. "Mrs. Agnes, please have someone escort Lady Rebecca to her room."
"Of course, Beta." Mrs. Agnes gestured toward a younger maid. "Isabella, please show Lady Rebecca upstairs."
"Yes, ma’am."
I followed Isabella into the palace and up the familiar staircase. Everything looked almost exactly as it had before, from the expensive furniture to the large chandeliers hanging above the entrance hall.
Isabella eventually stopped in front of a spacious bedroom and opened the door.
"This will be your room, my lady."
I stepped inside and looked around. The room was beautifully furnished, with a large bed, a dressing table, and tall windows overlooking the gardens.
At least Kaden hadn’t decided to force me into the same bedroom as him. That would have been the final insult.
"Is there anything you need, my lady?" Isabella asked.
"No, thank you. I just want to be alone for a while."
"Of course. If you need anything, please call for me."
I nodded, and she bowed before leaving the room.
The moment the door closed, I dropped onto the bed with a frustrated sigh.
Three months. Ninety whole days.
How was I supposed to survive living under the same roof as Kaden for that long?
Just yesterday, I had been looking forward to waking up beside Melvin every morning. I had imagined the life we would build together and all the wonderful memories we would create. Now Melvin was returning to his kingdom with Rola, while I was lying on a bed in Kaden’s palace.
What a fucking nightmare.
Just then, I felt a familiar presence reaching out to me through the mind link.
"Rebecca, sweetheart, have you arrived?" Mom asked.
"Yes, Mom. We just got here," I replied through the link.
"Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been worried about you. How was the journey?"
"The journey was fine."
"Rebecca, what’s wrong? You don’t sound happy."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Happy? Mom, what exactly am I supposed to be happy about? I’m back in Kaden’s palace! The same place I promised myself I would never return to!"
"I know, sweetheart."
"No, Mom, you don’t understand. I don’t want to be here. Everything about this place reminds me of things I’ve spent so long trying to forget."
My mother sighed softly through the link. "Rebecca, I know how much you’ve suffered in the past, but it’s only three months. Before you know it, the ninety days will be over."
"Only three months?" I repeated in disbelief. "Mom, do you know how long ninety days are when you’re living with someone you can’t stand?"
"Sweetheart, time moves very quickly. One moment, you’ll be counting the days, and before you realize it, you’ll be back with Melvin."
I shook my head. "That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to see Kaden’s annoying face every single day."
My mother chuckled softly. "Come on, Rebecca. You once loved that annoying man, remember?"
I rolled my eyes. "Mom! Seriously? Do you really have to remind me of that?"
"What?" she asked innocently. "Am I lying?"
"Exactly!" my wolf scoffed in my head.
Oh, great! Now even my wolf was taking her side.
I ignored them both.
"Anyway, sweetheart," Mom continued, still sounding amused, "remember what the seer said. You don’t have to share a bedroom with Kaden or pretend to be a loving couple. All you have to do is stay in the same palace until the spell can be broken."
"I know, Mom. But I was supposed to be with Melvin. We should be enjoying our honeymoon right now, not living in different kingdoms with people we never intended to marry."
"I know, my darling. But don’t allow this situation to destroy your peace. You’ve survived worse things than this, and you’re much stronger now."
I remained silent for a moment, thinking about her words. She was right about one thing. I had survived worse.
"Just take things one day at a time," Mom continued. "Focus on yourself, keep in touch with Melvin, and before you know it, you’ll be back with him."
I took a deep breath. "Okay, Mom. I’ll try."
"That’s my girl. Now get some rest. You must be exhausted after everything that’s happened."
"I am," I admitted.
"Then rest, sweetheart. We’ll talk later."
"Okay, Mom. I love you."
"I love you too, Rebecca," Mom replied before closing the mind link.
I sighed and leaned back against the pillows, thinking about everything Mom had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe ninety days would pass faster than I expected.
I was about to get up and take a shower when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," I called.
The door opened, and Isabella stepped inside.
"Excuse me, my lady. His Majesty has requested to see you."
I frowned. "Kaden?"
"Yes, my lady. He asked me to bring you to his study."
I stared at her for a moment before letting out an irritated sigh. What the hell did he want now? We had barely arrived at the palace, and he was already disturbing my peace.
"Did he tell you what he wants?"
"No, my lady. He only said you should come immediately."
Of course he did. That arrogant bastard still thought everyone had to drop whatever they were doing whenever he called.
"Fine. I’ll be there in a minute."
Isabella bowed and left the room. I reluctantly got off the bed, straightened my clothes, and headed downstairs.
I knew the way to Kaden’s study without needing anyone to show me. Unfortunately, there were very few places in this palace that I wasn’t familiar with.
When I reached his study, I knocked twice.
"Come in."
I opened the door and stepped inside. Kaden was sitting behind his large desk, looking through some documents. He didn’t even bother to look up when I entered.
"You wanted to see me?" I asked, folding my arms.
"Sit down, Rebecca."
"I’d rather stand. What do you want?"
Kaden finally raised his head and looked at me. For a moment, he seemed annoyed by my response, but he simply placed the documents aside.
"Since we’re going to be living under the same roof for the next ninety days, there are certain things we need to discuss."
I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Rules," he answered. "There have to be rules concerning how we’re going to live together, and I expect you to follow them."
I stared at him before letting out a disbelieving laugh.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
Kaden frowned. "What’s funny?"
"You!" I exclaimed. "We’ve barely arrived, and you’re already talking about rules? Listen to me, Kaden. I’m not here because I want to be. I’m here because some lunatic decided to ruin our weddings, and now we’re stuck in this ridiculous marriage for three months."
"I’m well aware of that, Rebecca."
"Then you should also be aware that I’m not interested in taking any fucking rules from you!"
Kaden’s expression hardened. He pushed his chair back and slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on mine.
"Well, unfortunately for you, Rebecca, you’re in my house," he said coldly, walking around his desk. "And whether you like it or not, you’re also my wife."
I opened my mouth to respond, but he continued before I could say anything.
"So those rules I’m about to give you? You will abide by every single one of them."