Chapter 5

Chapter 5

~ARDEN~

Elana’s eyes shot out of their sockets, like they were ready to jump out at any minute.

Maybe because of the matebond, but I could feel her heart race… with a pump that didn't feel normal.

How was it possible for her to feel fear on an entirely different level?

She was so low to the ground and engrossed in fear that if the ground ever opened, she'd probably beg to be swallowed.

I scanned the area with my spirit abilities. It was a murder in one of the rooms here… a wolf was being murdered.

“It's nothing, at least, not who you think it is." I said, brushing over my shoulder.

I'd heard of this Cassian terror who she seemed to terrified of.

Not just her, but everyone.

I just hadn't met him, but now, a part of me was already more than eager to.

Rogues shouldn't be allowed to cause such terror.

At least, the heavenly bodies should grant the permission for us to meddle with physical affairs so we'd get to teach them a lesson or two.

Elana was still on the floor, frozen… and she looked like she was waiting for the worst to happen already.

I moved closer to her, and she almost pulled me to join her on the ground.

I licked my lips and then folded them into a thin line so she wouldn't see how I was trying to mask my reaction to how funny and clow-ny she looked.

"I'm sure I know who that is, Arden. Please, we're already doomed way too much to be unbothered by that scent” She whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

I liked her eyes, but without the tears.

She was such a baby, purely innocent and hairy… like God had crafted her as a special gift.

"You need to relax, because rogues are not allowed in here.”

She was quick to shoot back. It was clearly a drive of the fear she was under. “And how can you prove that?"

I paused, and didn't let my pride stain the impression my face. “Because I own this place, mate" I answered.

Her face dried of warmth and shock spread across every pore on her face.

“You what?" She asked, her lips spread apart as she straightened her back.

The tension in her face slowly dissipated, like she had just opened an ancient mystery box.

“I own here… and I tell you this is the best wofl-tolerant hotel in the country.”

My workers were of course, not wolves… but with a compelling gift and ability, I made sure I compelled each and everyone of them to recognize rogues and deny access.

Damn it. It was a whole stressful process— and my friends back in the spirit realm had assisted in the screening while I handled compelling my workers.

“Why did you do that?”

"I—”

The general speaker in our room let out a shrilling sound before a voice proceeded from it.

“We apologize for the unforseen circumstances that might have happened this evening, but there's clearly a robbery attack in this hotel. And we implore every occupant within the premises, to make use of the lock behind their doors and turn on the CCTV cameras in their rooms."

“A robbery?" She repeated, her chest puffing so evidently.

Fuck.

My hands were still on her bare back and I didn't realize on time, she was wearing nothing but a freaking towel.

Until she adjusted, I didn't notice I was being such a pervert.

I pulled away swiftly, allowing her to adjust the towel on her.

I noticed the slight reaction at her fingertips when she was done changing into the nightwear provided for us.

“We're not done with the introduction, young lady." I murmured, not taking my eyes off the magazine in my hand.

She took the couch rather than the bed, but I didn't stop her.

She was somehow adorably annoying… but humans always had their flaws, right?

After all, we weren't really mates… I needed to just bear all of this until the mission expired.

Remur's lecture about love didn't actually have a purpose, because I needed just one thing: My full powers as the Reaper of the Realm.

Once I had achieved the thing I wanted, it'd be the end.

The end of having to pretend I was in love.

"That's enough for the day.” She said, shutting me off… she seemed angry from the harshness in her tone.

"Are you angry?” I scoffed, leaning forward so I could hear whatever she was murmuring beneath her breath.

She scoffed with a hint of bitter humour.

“Who wouldn't be?" She snapped. "What kind of man lets his mate take the couch instead of the bed?”

Why was I getting worked up over this?

“A man who fought three Lycans for you." I didn't care if that was enough point to counter, but I said it anyways.

She didn't let me rest before she attacked with another sentence.

“Fighting three Lycans doesn't give you a pass for letting your mate who was tied up, sleep on a couch while you take the bed alone."

“Wow! So you're not grateful for—"

“Of course I am grateful, I'm just vexed by how much space you’re inconsiderately occupying on that bed while I have to—"

“Then come share the bed with me."

She folded up at that line—like I killed her sauciness totally with it.

I tsked, waiting for the next thing she was going to say but she quietly raised the blanket and pulled it over her head.

A small laugh slipped from my mouth. Her anger was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.

I shook my head, ready to turn the lights off so she could sleep… but the next thing I heard was her voice.

“Thank you for rescuing me, Arden." She said with a note of restraint.

This was so damn funny to not laugh to. "So you do know how to thank me properly, don't you?”

"I do. I did, but you just provoked me…"

“And how did I provoke my spoilt princ—"

“I'm not spoilt. I've never been a spoilt child—"

“I'm talking of the future, princess. Be ready for a future of being a spoilt princess, Elana." I said, a shade of humour curling my lips at each end.

“But how can you guarantee a future when you haven't even marked me?"

That question unwinded everything. I held every other words back.

I could have lied about marking her, but a part of me just wouldn't lie.

Future. I mentioned it like it didnt mean anything. It truly meant nothing to me, but it meant everything to her.

"You have no intention of marking me, do you?”