FIVE

_AVA_

"You don't need to stand being in my presence when you have my arms, where you can be even closer to me." he returned.

My eyes widened.

What was he doing?!

"Hayes, what the hell are you doing?" I shrieked, "Put me down!!"

"Nuh-uh. I'll take us to your room; like you said, I know the way there already." He replied straightforwardly, leaving no room at all for any arguments.

Subconsciously, I relaxed into his hold. Maybe this was what I wanted all along— to  be held by him and feel like he wanted me, half as much as I liked him at least.

The way he had swiftly picked me off of my feet was mind-blowing... And kinda scary. He had done that in a matter of seconds, carrying me like a light sack of feathers that weighed nothing.

That showed how much strength he had, compared to mine. If he doesn't hold me correctly, he could easily snap me into two and break me from his sheer strength alone.

I guess this is one of the perks of being a Lycan King. Ultimate strength and power.

My eyes wandered to his face, taking note of every fine cut, shape, and edge of his facial features. He looked just the same as he had looked when I first saw him, and I felt the same emotions I had felt then.

How funny a game the moon goddess had decided to play with me. Sending Hayes my way and making me meet him days before we were to be mated, causing me to go through an existential crisis on why I had felt something for a total stranger when I was to be mated soon.

Little did I know that the stranger was the person I was to be mated to, and already am, and that the reason I had felt a bit of an emotion for him was because he was my destined mate.

Hayes's eyes met mine.

"What are you looking at?" 

I quickly looked away, realising that he had just caught me checking his god-like self out. "Nothing," I muttered under my breath.

I thought I heard him chuckle, but when I looked at him, he was back to wearing that stoic expression in his face.

"We're here," he announced. I heard a knob turn, and he pushed the door open before walking in.

I wonder how I was going to come down from his arms, I have gotten a bit too comfortable in his hold I must admit. Maybe he was going to throw me down.

He put me down softly, quite contrary to my previous thought. I had expected the worst, because it was safer than assuming the best.

I noticed Jenna standing by the corner, her head bowed extremely low. It felt like she had contemplated bowing on her knees to show her deepest respects for Hayes, before deciding to not overdo it.

"Welcome, and congratulations on the success of your mating ceremony, Your Highnesses." She spoke, showing reverence to Hayes and I.

Hayes seemed to notice her just now, right after she spoke, and he did nothing but nod. He sat on the couch, grabbing a book from the stack of books on the shelf.

"I have a bath drawn for you already, your highness." Jenna announced, her head still bowed.

Who was she referring to?

Hayes? Or I??

"I think she's referring to you, you can go right ahead and shower. I'll go in after you." Hayes said, not once raising his head from the book he was reading.

"Oh, alright."

I fiddled with the material of my dress, not sure of how I was to undress in front of Hayes. I put my hand behind me, trying to reach for the rope on my corset in order to undo it, but I found it difficult to do. Usually, Jenna helped me do this.

"I think my bride needs a little help from you." Hayes said yet again.

Was he reading my mind or what? There's no way, right? I heard mind reading between mates only happened after mating and being marked.

None of that has happened yet, so he couldn't possibly be reading my mind.

Then, how was he reading my thoughts so well?! Well. I guess I'll never know.

Jenna helped me undo the ropes on my corset- fitted bodice, and helped me get out of the fluffy dress. I was left only in my inner wear and Jenna quickly wrapped me in a bath robe.

Hayes didn't even look up from the book he was readingand I don't know why, but I felt disappointed, so Jenna's quick thinking wasn't even needed but it was smart though.

Jenna led me into the bathroom to wash up in the petal- filled bath tub she had prepared, with a scented candle lit up.

She helped me disrobe and as I bathed, she did her best to inform and prepare me for what usually happens on the night after being mated to someone in a hushed tone.

"And that's what's expected of him to do while you lay on the bed receiving him, my lady." She sounded so excited. "But it's going to hurt a tad bit at first."

Her excitement was good... To an extent.

I wasn't half as excited she was, being scared, and I wished that Hayes wouldn't touch me.

No amount of last minute information sharing could prepare me for what Jenna had described. 

After getting out of the bath tub, Jenna got me ready for bed, giving me a piece of sexy lingerie to put on. It was her last gift to me, she said.

Under normal circumstances I'd be excited to wear it considering I had the man of my dreams, but in this situation? I'm not too sure. I thanked her for it anyway, and she bowed in courtesy before leaving the bathroom.

I slid my legs into the G-string and wore the bra that grabbed and held my boobs in place on my chest, before proceeding to wear the silk night robe, tying the ropes tightly so they wouldn't come undone easily.

Jenna's absence made the already stifling silence even more deafening. I stepped out from the bathroom, heading back to the room. I looked everywhere, but Jenna was nowhere around. Did she leave already?

It was silent as hell and there seemed to be some sort of crackling tension between Hayes and I. I fiddled with my fingers, unsure of what to do next. Do I sit on the bed or what?

Hayes looked up from the book, and my throat got caught and suddenly tight with the way his eyes was brushing up and down my body. 

He stood up from the couch, tucking the book back into the stack he took it out from, and I held my breath. Was he coming towards me? He won't touch me, will he?

Contrary to what I thought, he walked past me and went straight to the bathroom instead. 

Hmmm...

Hayes? Silent? And he even left?

Without teasing me?!

I felt a bit settled by him leaving and I sat at my vanity, brushing my hair, and even doing my skincare. Once I was done with that, I sat on my bed, a bit more comfortable now.

Just as I was settled, he came back, freshly out of the shower. He looked... Unreal. 

He had just a towel tied around his waist, and his upper body was out in the open... And wet... And sexy.

He was muscular, and his abs were toned— almost chiseled like. His hair was damp, some strands falling to his face, highlighting those sea green eyes of his that were in contrast to his dark hair.

He looked so surreal, and I couldn't help but gawk and stare at him. I hate to admit it, but I was insanely attracted to him and found him sexy asf.

"Enjoying the view?" His voice rung out, and my cheeks flushed pink as I looked away.

He had caught me staring at him.

Well, from the way I got lost and had stared hard at his body, my eyes tracing every line, it would be more strange if he hadn't noticed me looking at him.

He came forward, towards me, and I shifted away from him till there was no more space at the edge of the bed. I stood up, trying to go somewhere else, but he caught my wrist and pulled me back, yanking me back to the bed.

He had me where he wanted; right on the bed, my back pressing against the soft mattress underneath. He hovered over me, each hand at my sides, as if caging me.

His fingers worked expertly, trying to undo the rope I had tied securely on my robe. My breath hitched at the instant realization of what he was trying to do, and I tried to push him off me. But it was fruitless.

My strength compared to his was nothing, and he didn't even budge. He held both of my hands with one of his and placed it above my head, against the bed, giving him the freedom to do what he wanted.

He leaned in, his face getting incredibly closer to mine. Just when I thought he was going to stop midway, he continued and I turned my face to the side, away from him.

"Shy now, are we?" He chuckled, as if mocking me. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

Eww.

Of course not, dummy!

He laughed.

"Don't worry, I will never touch you. I'm not in the least attracted to you." He said, his tone sounding almost like he felt he was doing me a favour.

What the heck?

If he wasn't insane, why would he say that to me? I felt hurt, and from the way my wolf winced inside, I could tell that she was hurt as well.

I forced back the tears that were threatening to fall and looked straight into his eyes.

"Well, I don't want you, so I won't be touching you either." I lied, refusing to be the only hurt one here tonight.

"That's settled, then." He sighed, releasing his hold on me and giving me the space I needed.

He changed into the night robe already laid out for him, and slept on the farthest end of the bed, and I turned to the other side as well. 

My wolf howled, and I winced from the pain. My mate was right beside me, but he didn't even want me. It hurts just as bad as him rejecting me would have.

Silently I let my tears flow, crying myself to sleep.