After Bennett left I got out of bed, unable to force myself back to sleep, my mind full of the events that had just taken place. I leapt into the shower, washing off the feeling the heat left. My skin was sweaty and I felt odd. I knew Bennett was my mate and therefore we were going to mate at some point, but I still felt dirty for practically throwing myself at him. If I had had it my way I wouldn't be a virgin anymore and it was astonishing that he hadn't taken advantage of that.

I let the hot water melt away my thoughts and it stripped my skin of the sweat and dirt. I washed my hair with the products I could find, all of which made me smell like a man. I sighed a little bit at the thought of walking around smelling like Bennett, but it wouldn't matter anyway, no one was in the house and it was clear that I was still not allowed to go outside.

I got out of the shower and carefully brushed my wet hair before I scrubbed the morning breath out of my mouth with an unused toothbrush I found. I felt better after that, but my mood dropped again when I had to pick out clothes for the day. I had so many gorgeous items, but I felt odd wearing clothes that cost hundreds of dollars around the house and I had nothing baggy or old to laze around in.

I ended up settling for a pair of black jeans, a white tee shirt and a cashmere cardigan. The outfit is not something I would've worn at home, but it was far more comfortable than the cocktail dresses and the pencil skirts that lined my side of the closet.

I went downstairs to the main floor to grab breakfast which was nothing more than an apple today. It was difficult to work up an appetite when I was under house arrest, but lying around all day meant I didn't need that much energy to begin with.

But I chose to push my limits today, though it was for a good reason. I knew that if I stayed in this house for another full day I would definitely tear the wallpaper off the walls like Bennett had suggested, so I flung open the front door. And, as I expected, two guards immediately appeared, looking panicked but still professional.

"You must remain inside, Princess, it's the Prince's orders." One of the guards announced.

"And why is that?" I questioned, leaning against the door frame with my arms folded. I knew Bennett would have lied to them, in their minds I had already been broken by the collar. The guards all thought I had been turned into an obedient mate.

"He said it was for your protection." The guard replied.

I smirked a little, a plan forming in my brain right away, "Well, if it's for my own protection than why can't I have one of you guard accompany me for a walk around the grounds, it won't be long?"

"We aren't able to leave our posts, your Highness." The guard denied, shaking his head.

"Well, find me someone who can, like Anderson. I'm sure he would be able to accompany me for a walk and I'm certain that Bennett won't mind if I get a little exercise." And I truly hoped he wouldn't mind, but knowing him, he would explode with rage. Part of me already wanted to back out, but I held strong.

"I will fetch Anderson." One of the guards murmured, bowing deeply before he walked off.

I tried to strike up a conversation with the remaining guard but he was having none of it. He answered with one word and then refused to continue talking. I felt like I was attempting to baptise a cat and eventually gave up, just standing with him quietly until the guard returned with Donovan in tow.

"You called for me, Princess?" Donovan asked, bowing slightly.

"Yes, I would like you to take me to a nearby grocery store." I ordered, trying to sound stern and royal in front of the other guards.

"And the Prince approves of this?"

"Yes, why wouldn't he? I'm free to do whatever I like as long as I have protection with me." I stated. I knew that if I told Donovan the truth he would usher me back in the house and call Bennett immediately, ruining my entire plan.

"Alright, then I will get a car." Donovan answered, leaving me with the guards again.

Donovan returned a while later with a car that made my jaw drop. I was so flabbergasted by the sight of the car I had to remind myself to actually climb into it.

"Is everything alright, Brooklyn?" Donovan asked, watching me intently from the driver's seat.

"Yes, oh my god, this car is incredible." I gasped, "Wow, I mean this car probably cost as much as my house in my old pack." I said, running my hands over the leather seat, "Seven speed automatic, all wheel drive, and 621 horsepower." I nearly moaned.

"You're a bit of a car fanatic I see." Donovan chuckled, putting the SUV into drive.

"My dad is, so I kind of picked it up from him. He would absolutely die if he knew I got to be in a Mercedes AMG before he even touched one." I laughed.

Donovan smiled a little, "So how are you adjusting to the royal life? Aside from loving the cars you get to drive around in."

I sighed, "Well, being locked up in a house isn't all that lavish, now is it? Even if it is a palace. There's not much to do, Bennett is gone all day, and I haven't even been able to find a television in the damn place so I'll probably have to read until I go completely insane."

"There's a whole games room, what on earth are you talking about?" Donovan asked, astonished, "Have you not found the basement?"

"There's a basement?"

Donovan laughed, "Yes Brooklyn, there is a basement with thousands of things for you to do. Maybe that will keep you sane a little longer, yeah?"

I chuckled, "Well, now I feel like a fool."

Donovan and I talked the rest of the way to the grocery store. I found out that he was just shy of turning twenty five and he had yet to find his mate, but he didn't sound horrendously worried about it. His whole family worked for the royals, in fact, his sister was my seamstress.

The warm, kind way he spoke about his family made me miss my own and I confessed that I would love to see my family, but told him nothing more. I was not in the mood for the pity party that I usually received when I talked about the true dynamics about my life back home. But my heart was aching in my chest when I thought of my father and sister trying to cope without me. I tried to shake the idea out of my head, I'm sure they were doing fine on their own.

Donovan got us to the nearest grocery store safety and he came into the store with me, reminding me that I had brought him for protection. And he was a pretty good shopping companion. He made faces at the weird things I bought and looked disgusted when I told them how I would use them together. I couldn't entirely blame him.

"Pineapple rice sounds weird." He said as we climbed back into the car.

"It is, but it's really good with Thai prawns, trust me." I giggled back, "I'll have to convince Bennett to let you stay over for supper one day and I'll blow your mind with the food I can cook." I teased.

We got back to the palace in no time and I quickly began preparing the meal. It wasn't terribly hard, I wasn't an incredible chef, but it was decent. At the end out of it I was proud of my Thai fried prawns on pineapple rice and the dessert, a chocolate cake, looked lovely. I was just finishing plating up the food when I heard the front door open and close. I grinned to myself and walked out of the kitchen, into the living room.

Bennett was less than thrilled to see me. His hands were clenched into tight fists and his face was slightly red with anger.

"Bennett?" I asked timidly, the thoughts of the collar flashing through my mind.

"You disobeyed me." he seethed, lurking closer to me, "You disobeyed me and you tricked my guards!"

"Bennett, please, listen to me." I begged, slowly stepping backwards.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice that my own mate was missing?" he demanded.

"No, I knew you would find out." I admitted, ducking my head down.

"And you did it anyway! You had the audacity to disobey me and you didn't even try to keep it a secret! I should have kept you chained up to that damn collar until you learned to behave like a normal woman!" he shouted.

"You don't understand!" I shouted back, feeling close to tears. I worried he would drag me outside and put that wretched collar on, leaving me for days this time.

"No?" Bennett snarled, "Then explain it!"

I stared at him, watching his amber eyes scan me over in disgust. I was stunned. I knew that Bennett could be brutal, I had learned that early on, but I had started to see a more tame side. A side that didn't yell and bark orders. This came as quite a shock.

"I made you supper." I said softly, staring at my feet. "I guess it was kind of a thank you for what you did last night. You could have taken advantage of me in my heat but you didn't because you knew I didn't want it. I wanted to do something nice in return." I admitted. "I'm sorry."

Bennett was suddenly at a loss for words, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. Finally, he found words, "You made dinner for me?"

"Yes." I mumbled, walking towards the grand staircase, "I know it's probably not as good as what you're used to, it was silly for me to even try." I watched him for a second, then I just walked up the stairs and into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

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