Chapter 4

Ashina’s POV

“Behold the beast.” Alpha Warrick opened his arms with a lazy smirk on.

Was this the reason Leonard agreed to bring me here? Because Alpha Warrick wasn’t the old beast everyone thought he was? 

“Your name.” He signed after I stayed mute, assuming I was dumb.

“My name is Ashina Grey. My brother, Alpha Leonard Grey, brought me here.”

He stepped back, taking a closer look at me. “Leonard never said he had such a beautiful sister.” He raised his hand, gesturing for Brooks to leave. 

Warrick pinched my chin and lifted my head. “You’re different. I can’t sense your wolf, yet You—”

I blinked at him, as his brows raised as though he was shocked, letting go of me. “Are you sure?” he asked himself. 

I figured he was talking to his wolf.

“She’s my mate?” 

I gasped and stumbled back as I felt the bond igniting like wild fire in harmattan. My knees buckled. Warrick caught me by the arm before I lost balance. 

“You’re mine.” he growled as the mischievous light in his eyes disappeared with his smirk. “Ashina Grey.” He sniffed the back of my hand and kissed it. “You’re mine.”

“No,” I pushed him back sharply. “I'm not.”

“I’m not asking you to be mine. I’m telling you, you're mine.” He turned sharply and grabbed his glass of wine and downed it all in one go. “Come, I’ll show you our room.”

“Our room?” I asked, glued to my spot as he passed by, his cologne whipping my nostril. 

He paused. “Don’t get crazy ideas. I’m only pressured by my kins to get an official mate. I don’t expect anything from you. I can get a harem full of my type anytime I want.”

I nodded and clenched my fist as I followed him.

We reached the room. He started, “You’ll make a public appearance with me as my mate after our mating ceremony, but here we remain strangers, am I clear?” 

I shrugged. “So there’s no point sharing a room then.”

He paused, running his eyes over me, then he nodded. “Fine. Come with me to a separate room.” 

I heaved a sigh as I followed him. A smile crossed my lips. 

Everything was going quite well for now. My steps faltered slightly as I thought of what would happen from here on. He’d said he didn’t want anything from me. At least, that was good— for now. 

He opened a room and stepped in. “Do you like this?” 

I entered and my jaw dropped, the tender scent of roses brushing my nostrils. 

I admired the king sized bed in the white themed room with high ceilings and a sparkly chandelier. 

“Yes,” I muttered.

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll be in my study, only come if you have something important to talk about.” 

That was it. He turned and left.

“Oh Moon goddess, what is this now? How is Leo my mate and he is also my mate.” 

I sighed, taking off the tight corset, suffocating me. Then I let the dress drop to the ground and laid on the bed with just my inner garment on.

Then, my eyes flashed to the door, as I felt a pull towards it. “What is that?” I asked as my heart picked up pace as I moved closer to the door.

I placed my ears against them and heard footsteps that synced with my heartbeat somehow. Someone was passing.

As if torn out of chains, I felt my wolf roar from within me for the first time, growling, “Mate.” I yanked the door open, and saw someone slip into a room in the distance. 

“Who could it be?” I thought out loud. I would have assumed it was Warrick if I hadn't seen his black hair and different outfit. 

Whoever that was just made my wolf come alive, gravelling for him and I had to see who it was.

Following my senses, I entered the room. “Hey?” I called out softly inside the  gray themed room, it oozed masculinity and somehow– Warrick. 

This was his room. His portrait was on the wall, above his bed.

A sound came from behind the grey suede curtains. My eyes flicked to it. So did my heart. 

“Who are you and why are you hiding behind the curtains?” I asked from a safe distance.

“Shit, I didn't come here for a mate, goddess. Why now?” he grumbled from behind the curtain. 

I felt a bond knot in place, stronger than what I had with Leo. 

Intrigued, I made for the curtain. “Hey—”

“What the actual fuck are you doing in my room?” Warrick thundered behind me.

I swallowed hard, fear gripping me. “I erm—” 

“You said you didn't want us to share a room, right? So what are you doing here dressed like that?” Light flashed through his eyes as he scanned me.

I looked down, realizing I was half naked. The fabric of the dress I was in was so light, he could see my nipples and red panties.

“Maybe you want something from me?” he asked, prancing closer.

I hugged myself, backing away. “No. I—” I bumped against the foot of the bed, lost my balance, and fell on the bed, making my situation worse as my dress drew up my thighs, my cleavage deeply exposed.

“Can you stop saying one thing and doing the other?” He gritted his teeth, locking eyes with me. “Are you trying to seduce me, Ashina?” 

I went red.