Chapter Six

Chapter 6

 MERIS

"We can't get married today."

I brushed hair away from my face, pulse racing.

"And why is that?" He leaned back, completely nonchalant. "Do you have something more important to do than marry me?"

His face showed nothing. Like marrying him was just another business transaction.

"No, it's just…it's so fast." I took a breath. "But I have a question."

The corner of his lips twitched like he found me amusing. Like he found everything amusing. It tore me apart that my wolf thought otherwise. She wanted him.

"Speak."

I swallowed hard. "Why do you want to marry me?” I composed my expression. “I mean there are many elite ladies out there that are dying to marry you even for a day but you chose someone with a disastrous past and nothing to offer you."

My mind flashed back to last night. I'd wanted to ask him then why he'd kissed me, why he'd pinned me against the car but I shook the thought away. I wasn't that pathetic girl crushing on him anymore. 

The Belmont brothers hated each other, but they were still blood. Still Belmonts. And Belmonts crushed hearts without thinking twice. I wouldn't let another one crush mine.

He stood, walking toward me with predatory grace. “In my opinion you have everything to offer Meris.” I stared in surprise, racking my brain thinking what exactly he was talking about. 

He stood in front of me and held my chair both sides towering over me like something dangerous and beautiful. His blue eyes had darkened as he bent toward me, lips a few inches away from mine, he lifted his hand and traced his finger on my lips. I stiffened, quickly turned my face away but he held my chin and turned it back to his. He smiled, dropping his hand back to my side and continued…

"Apart from the fact that I wanted to fuck you last night after getting a taste…" He stopped, watching how his words affected me, smiling when my cheeks burned red. He walked back to his seat and continued…

"My father wants me married within two weeks so I can become Alpha Chairman and take his shares. If I don't, Connor gets everything. That's why he's marrying your sister. With your father's support, he can take my father's shares and maybe the title, which we both know he's not worthy of." He paused…

"He doesn't know I've found a wife. And he definitely doesn't know it's you."

His words left me speechless.

I'd stopped believing in fate when I caught Connor in bed with my sister. But this? This made me question everything.

My heart clenched. Connor had dumped me for my sister because of political power I couldn't give him. Because my father cast me aside. And now I was the reason his ambitions would crumble.

"I can't marry you today." My voice was quiet but firm. "My mother needs surgery. I need to be there when she wakes up. I need to take care of her."

For a second, I wondered if he'd say no. Control me like Connor had. Make decisions for me.

Instead, Rafael pulled out his phone.

"Irina Volkov," he said into it. "Diagnosed with cancer, needs urgent surgery. Prepare all facilities. VIP treatment. Ensure every necessary chemotherapy treatment is available."

"And who is this person to you?" A female voice asked through the speaker.

"My mother-in-law." His eyes stayed on me the entire time.

"I'll send you all the details. She'll be transferred immediately."

He hung up.

I stood there, unable to process what just happened.

"If you want to take care of your mother, that's fine by me." His voice was low, husky. "But we get married in a week."

The words crashed through me.

A week.

"Come." He straightened. "Let's go see my mother-in-law."

And he walked out of the office like that was the end of the discussion.

******

The drive was silent. I realized we were taking a different route.

My mouth dropped open when I saw the building.

Super Elites Hospital.

Not just for the rich. Being wealthy didn't guarantee access here. You needed power. Control. It was limited to only a few supernatural royal families.

"My mother will be operated here?" I couldn't believe it.

Rafael looked at me, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Yes. And I think we should go in now, Meris."

The way he said my name…dragging out the first syllable, making it sound almost seductive…made my skin tingle.

I nodded, about to walk forward, but he pulled me back.

His hand wrapped around mine, warm and massive, making my hand look tiny in comparison.

The hospital smelled nothing like a hospital. It smelled like paradise. Flowers, vanilla, roses—everything blended together perfectly. The interior looked designed by someone with centuries of experience. This wasn't wealth. This was ethereal. Magic.

A lady approached us, stethoscope around her neck. She wasn't wearing a traditional white coat but an elegant silver dress that shimmered like moonlight.

"Alpha, I wasn't expecting you so soon." She bowed slightly. "We've started the procedures for the surgery. It's nothing we can't handle. Trust me, she's in safe hands."

Her eyes darted to our joined hands for a brief second.

"I needed to bring my fiancée." Rafael's voice was calm. "She'll be staying around. I need her comfortable."

The woman's eyes widened, questions clearly brewing, but she just nodded.

"Of course, Alpha Rafael."

She led us to a waiting room that looked more like a luxury lounge.

I could feel fear gnawing inside me. Every time thoughts of my father or Connor tried to surface, I shoved them down.

I didn't know when I dozed off, but I woke up on a bed with a blanket draped over me.

Rafael was gone.

I checked the time. Past eight.

My heart thumped. The surgery should be done by now.

I rushed out of the room and immediately crashed into something solid.

A wall. No… Rafael.

His hands curled around my waist, steadying me as he stared down.

"Are you running away from me?"

"No, no, I just… I fell asleep for more than…"

"Eight hours." His grip tightened slightly. "You needed it. You're a werewolf. You need your strength." His voice dropped lower. "Especially once you're married to me."

We hadn't moved. The heat from his body rushed through mine. My wolf stirred inside, staring.

"Strength?" I asked, confused.

He chuckled. "Yes, Princess. Strength."

I swallowed, still feeling his touch on my lower back. I stepped away quickly, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. His other hand curved around my waist, and I felt the heat radiating from him.

He lifted my hand, eyes focused on my fingers.

"It's time you take that off."

He pulled Connor's ring from my finger and tucked it into his pocket like it was nothing.

For a second, I couldn't breathe. My heart pounded so loud I thought he'd hear it.

He stepped back. "Your mother's surgery was successful. You can see her once everything's settled and we discuss our marital terms."

And with those words, he left.

Leaving me breathless with arousal flooding my senses.