Chapter 5.

Skylar.

The alluring sandalwood scent from Conrad's t-shirt filled my nose as I put it on. I got a cosy feeling, it felt as though he was wrapped around me.

I'd almost forgotten about the crisis that I'd just set loose.

Stepping out of the dressing room, I watched Conrad, sitting at the edge of his king-sized bed with his chin resting on his palm.

My heart skipped seeing him like that, knowing I was the cause of his distress.

I walked up to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me.

“You haven't said anything.” I pointed out, sounding more worried than I wanted to.

Conrad sighed and just shrugged. His eyes avoided mine.

“At first I thought I was mistaken, that's why I didn't tell you at first. But I've been feeling it all day and believe me when I say it's strong.” I said, pacing to and fro, clad only in Conrad's oversized shirt and my panties.

He said nothing still.

“But why didn't you sense it? That's what we need to find out?” I asked, standing before him.

I watched his demeanor shift uncomfortably, his fingers scratching his dirty blond hair.

“Conrad,” I called and he looked at me, “are you hiding something from me?” I asked.

He shook his head and sprang to his feet. “Look, there's something I need to tell you. Something I've never told anyone before. It's more like a pack top secret that even my pack members don't know of.”

My heart began to race. Why was he talking like that all of a sudden?

His lips trembled as he looked me in the eye. “I have partial wolf dormancy.” He dropped, his mouth hanging open and I'm sure he was holding his breath, waiting for my reaction.

“I…don't know what the hell that means, Con…”

“I can't sense my mate!” He blurted and walked away, raking his fingers through his hair in exasperation.

I frowned. “What do you mean? You can't sense your mate bond? As in you can't feel any connection between our wolves?” I asked, walking after him but he kept pacing around.

“Yes yes, Skylar, that's what I mean. I've been that way since I was eighteen and only my grandparents know about this.” He said.

I paused, lowering my head. “So you weren't pretending not to feel our bond.” I said in realization, feeling a little bud of happiness in my heart.

“Why would I pretend that? I'd give anything to be mated to you and…” he paused, glancing at me before turning away sharply.

My face flushed and a wide grin spread across my lips. Gosh, why was I acting like a sixteen year old?

“You would?” I asked in a soft tone.

Conrad faced me, looking straight into my eyes. He walked up to me and cupped my face in his hands. I sighed.

“You were never just a sex mate to me, Skylar. I don't know why it took me so long to realise it, or maybe I did but I was just too scared to admit it but…I think I love you…”

I didn't let him finish before planting my lips on his. I wrapped my arms over his shoulders and leapt, wrapping my legs around his waist.

He held me tightly, returning the kiss with equal passion. The way our mouths moved together, it was like a fierce battle and a choreographed dance all together. Rough yet harmonious.

A knock sounded on the door. We broke our kiss with a wet smack and my eyes widened in shock.

I scrambled around the room and hid inside his massive wardrobe. I was immediately covered with his million array of clothes.

I held my breath and tried to listen.

“Master Reign, Miss Donna has arrived, everyone is waiting for you to meet your mate.” I heard a man say and my heart clenched at the mention of the word mate.

Who was this mate?

“I'll be right there, thank you.” Conrad said and I heard the door close.

I stepped out of the wardrobe and folded my arms and frowned.

“I know, I know. She's the one my grandparents arranged for me to marry since I wasn't able to get a mate. They had to cover up the suspicions of the pack members.” Conrad said quickly and I relaxed.

“Then why don't we just tell them? Your grandparents, they can still cancel this mating ceremony right?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

To my surprise, Conrad just laughed. “My grandparents aren’t to be reasoned with, Skylar. Telling them shouldn't even be an option.” He said, walking towards his balcony.

“Why?”

“They'll kill you.” 

My heart skipped, “What?” I asked with eyes like saucers.

“I'm not being dramatic, Skylar. My grandparents would do anything to protect their reputation even at the cost of my happiness or anyone's lives. Once they make things public, especially something as big as this, they'll never come back from it. Nothing can change that.” 

The way he spoke about his grandparents…like they weren't even his grandparents to begin with.

I gulped, feeling uneasy.

“Then what…do we do?” I asked, hoping it wouldn't have to come to a rejection.

Conrad remained silent, allowing me to wallow in anxiety.

“There's only one thing we can do now. Run.” He said.

Just then, the door flew open and a man identical to Conrad walkedi n.

“Brother what…” he voice trailed off, he glanced at me and turned back to Conrad.

Shit.