The audacious stranger

NYMERA POV

The stranger lifted me up as if I weighed nothing. My legs wrapped around his waist.

Suddenly he dropped me onto the bed and tore my gown. The cool breeze grazed my bare skin.

Goosebumps crept onto my skin. Shivers coursed down my spine. His dangerous yet alluring scent overwhelmed me.

His face was blurred. My head was woozy and my eyes heavy. He leaned closer and crushed his lips on mine.

I tried to fight for dominance, but he wouldn't let me. I closed my mouth in defiance. He let out a low groan that made my core ache.

He spanked me and bit my lower lip, and I opened up immediately. He thrust his tongue into my mouth. His hands explored the curves of my body.

Then his lips broke it off. His hot breath fanned my neck as he sucked on my neck.

Then he moved down, licking the crack between my bosoms.

My heartbeat quickened. My pulse raced.

The surrounding air was intoxicating. The mixture of his scent, my arousal, wine and desire thickened the air.

He tasted of danger. His touch - sinful. A temptation in disguise.

BANG!

I shot upright, gasping, but regretted it almost immediately as a loud wince escaped my lips.

The terrible migraine that hit my head, the searing pain between my thighs. My heart raced. 

I closed my eyes for a while as I steadied my breath.

A minute had passed before I opened my eyes. Everywhere was blurry at first, but it soon got clear.

I scanned the room, and it wasn't mine. Wait.. where am I? My heart thundered.

I looked around, and my shredded gown lay on the floor. No, no... It can't be!

Quickly, I lifted the duvet, and I was stark naked. My eyes widened. My heart pounded against my chest and my breath hitched.

Maybe I'm overthinking it. Maybe nothing happened.

Despite the sourness, I shifted on the bed, and then there was a confirmation of my doubt.

A red spot on the bedsheet - blood. My blood.

I dug my fingers into my thighs as I shook my head, not wanting to believe a stranger had slept with me.

What happened? Then it clicked. The dream - too vivid to be a dream.

I suddenly felt a sting on the nape of my neck. I traced my finger on it, and my eyes widened.

The bastard had marked me..

I gripped my hair and screamed into the pillow as my heart shattered. Tears rolled down my face.

A stranger had marked me against my will. But again, I was drunk. Did I agree to have sex with whoever it was? Who is he?

Dorian would prefer to touch another woman than to touch me. He doesn't love me. 

Although we are fated mates, he only has one woman in his heart - Ophelia Voss.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard someone bark. "Search the entire place properly for Lady Nymera!" 

Footsteps pattered down onto the floor.

Hurriedly, I pushed myself off the bed and landed on the ground with a loud thud. Pressing my hand to my mouth to muffle the scream that tore from my throat.

I wrapped the duvet around my body and crawled to the door as I couldn't afford the luxury of walking.

I twisted the doorknob and locked the door and leaned against it. I expected knocking and kicking on the door, but there was nothing.

Although confused, I felt relieved.

My gaze drifted to the wall clock, and it was almost noon. The earlier I get back to my chambers, the better.

I struggled and stood up before limping to the restroom. I stared at my pathetic reflection in the mirror and splashed water on my face.

How did I get into this mess? Why today? I'm to marry Dorian today.

I remember I had gotten drunk last night because I had found my mate and soon to be husband having sex with my rival in love, his best friend.

I felt disgusted with myself that I had done exactly the same thing I despise. The betrayal of cheating.

It would be better to call off the wedding. For my sanity, to preserve my self-respect and free Dorian and I from this unnecessary entanglement and shackles of commitment.

I searched for something to wear. Thankfully, I found a big black shirt, with a familiar scent lingering on it.

As for the bloodstained sheet, I put it in a laundry bag and headed back to the bedroom.

Just as I was about to leave, I caught a glimpse of an envelope on the lampstand.

I tilted my head and hesitantly worked towards it, not knowing if it's meant for me or not. Still, my legs acted faster.

I opened it and took out the paper. My eyes scanned the content, and my pulse thudded. It read,

"You're mine. You may not recognize me, but when our paths cross, your body will."

I gritted my teeth and squeezed the paper as my vision got blurry. Those words were from the man who had the guts to defile me. 

The man whose face I can't remember, yet his memory latched onto my brain.

The man whose sinful touch feels so right. I wonder who paid him to smear my reputation.

I angrily wiped the tears off my face and walked out of the room after ensuring no one was in sight.

I sneaked through the paths and corners that led up to my chamber.

"Where have you been?" Aunt Carrie's voice boomed as I entered the room. Her presence startled me, that I dropped the bag on the floor.

Her blazing eyes roamed my body, eyeing me suspiciously.

I ignored her question and squared my shoulders and raised my chin to mask the chaos going on inside of me.

"What are you doing here, Aunt Carrie?" I asked as I poured myself a glass of water.

"You're to get married to Dorian, the Alpha, and you shouldn't keep him waiting," she snickered.

Right. It had always been about Dorian. No one truly cared about me since mama died.

I took a deep breath and turned around to face her. I bit my inner cheek until I tasted blood.

This is the perfect time to put an end to this torture.

I locked eyes with her, and her countenance wasn't soft either. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I do not wish to marry Alpha Dorian any longer," I declared.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as we both stared at each other.

She turned to walk out. "The attendants will come in to get you ready," she announced.

"Didn't you hear what I said? I want to call off the wedding. I can't compete, nor can I compare to the Alpha's sweetheart!" I shouted.

She stopped dead on her tracks and faced me. "You don't have a choice. The alliance between both families has been for thousands of years, and it won't stop in your time," she hissed .

Tears flowed down my cheeks. "What if I insist?"

Her lips curved into a smug smirk as she approached me. "Then the family will kill your mother."

I staggered. Several thoughts spiraled through my head. "But mother is dead. She died when I was 11," I said in a low voice.

Aunt Carrie burst out in laughter. "Poor child. Clarrise is confined in a hidden prison. Disobey the family order, and you shall forever part with her." She shrugged.

"So be a good girl and prepare to wed Dorian," she added and walked off.

I clenched my hands, my teeth gritted. Angry tears poured, but I'm too weak to fight back.

My mama has been alive all this while, and I had believed she died years ago. I mean, I saw them bury her.

My chest tightened. My mother is alive. Now, whether she dies or lives, depends on me.