Chapter Two

What have I done?

I stare transfixed as everyone in the room files out, leaving behind only Draaven and I. He's still staring at me, a look of amusement on his face. When the door closes behind the last person, I finally bring myself to look at him and the longer I stare at his face, the more furious I become.

"Why?". I ask quietly, my voice thick with emotions. I take a step closer, my fists clenching at my sides. "Why did you do that?".

"You are going to have to clarify what you are talking about, kitten".

I suck in air sharply. "Do not….call me that". I hiss. The smirk widens on his lips and he pushes to his feet suddenly, taking bold strides towards me till he's standing in front of me. Our bodies are only a few inches apart and as angry as I am, I still feel the sudden urge to lean into him. I take a step back. "Why did you ask me to marry you?".

He thrusts his hands into his pockets and cocks his head at me. "To be clear….i wasn't asking. And what's wrong with me wanting to wed my mate?".

I shake my head at him. "No….we both know this bond must have been a mistake. You and I can't be together. We are two different people from two different worlds who aren't even particularly fond of each other. Look….". I'm getting desperate now. My throat tightens at the thought of being here, living with him here, in this strange land with these strange people who obviously despise me. I can't live that kind of life. ".....I'm sorry for approaching this badly. We'll fulfill the first condition, let's just call off the second one huh? You can reject me in front of your whole pack. Let's just…..call it off. Please".

He looks like he's contemplating it for a second and I hold my breath anxiously. Finally, he takes another step closer towards me, standing so close now that I can feel his breath on my face. He leans in, bringing his head down and for one second, I think he's going to kiss me. But he doesn't. He only brings his lips to my ears. His breath fans against my skin, sending little, delicate shivers down my spine. When his hand snakes around my waist, I let out a little gasp of surprise but he pays no heed to that.

Every fiber of sense screams at me to push him away but I keep standing. I don't know what I'm waiting for exactly…..but I keep standing…waiting for it. His tongue darts across the sensitive skin of my neck and my spine jerks in reflex, amazed by the delightful sensation of it all. How can someone like him make me feel like this….I think to myself. And yet, I keep standing there in his arms. His tongue traces my skin a second time and before that's even done, I feel the sharp sensation of fangs sinking to me. I yelp loudly and that's when I finally push away, my hand coming up to my neck in fear. What has he done?

"There". He says, bringing his hand up to wipe his mouth with his finger. I hate that I acknowledge how sexy he does it. "With that, everyone will know you are a taken woman. And I'll know if anyone else touches you. You are mine now, Valeria".

The bite didn't draw blood, but the skin is sore and should definitely be red. "What the hell is wrong with you?". I snap.

"Do you hate me that much?". He asks matter of factly. I only glare at him in answer. He chuckles and runs his hand through his hair, his eyes twinkling in delight. "You just made this ten times more fun, kitten". 

What does that even mean? I stare at him intensely, hoping to decipher what he could possibly be talking about. Nothing comes to me. There's something he knows that I don't….and I have a bad feeling about it. 

The door opens and I glance over to see a man walk in, a thin file in hand. He's almost as tall as Draaven and nearly as goodlooking if I dare say. He halts abruptly when he sees us and I suddenly realize what we must look like right now, our bodies in such close proximity. I quickly take another step back and the man shuts the door behind himself, his face an expressionless mask. He walks over and hands the document to Draaven.

"Here". Draaven hands the file to me. I stare at the two men tentatively before reaching out to pluck it out of his hands. Taking out the single paper inside, I read the header. This is the file containing the terms and conditions of this agreement. 

"You'll sign that". Draaven says, jerking his head at the paper in my hands. I deflate visibly as my eyes bore into the second condition written. He's really not calling it off. The tears prickle my eyes sharply. It's too late, there's nothing I can do now. I eject a claw and pierce my thumb, and a bright, bubble of red wells up automatically. My hand trembles visibly as I bring my finger down to the paper. With much effort, I finally press down, my thumbprint etching into the document in blood. And that's when the first tear finally slips down my face. 

Draaven doesn't wait for me to collect myself as he reaches down and yanks the piece of paper out of my hand, putting it back into the file and handing it back to the man who brought it.

"An army is already on its way and I expect to have you back here in five days". He gives me a smile that sends chills down my spine. "We are going to have a lifetime of fun together….wife. Don't be late". And that's all he says before turning around and leaving the room, the other man right behind him. I collapse into the nearest chair as their backs disappear round the door. I'm pretty sure I just sold my life away.