CHAPTER 4: Forced proposal

“Going somewhere?” the lycan king asked, emerging from the trees. His voice was smooth but laced with an underlying tension.

His gaze locked onto me, and a mix of fear and exhilaration sparked within me. His face was now covered but his glowing eyes were visible.

"How... how did you find me?" I stammered, attempting to compose myself.

He narrowed his gaze at me and stated, "I'm the lycan king.”

That's it! As if that explains everything. Wait, well it kind of does; a lycan king is the most powerful werewolf.

Looking around he asked, “What are you doing out here?"

"Uh nothing, just needed to relieve myself," I said, endeavoring to maintain an appearance of indifference to his presence.

"Really, so far away from the camp?" he asked, his tone filled with doubt.

I chuckled awkwardly and said, “I felt shy with all the guys around.”

“Really, a slave like you shouldn't care about that; you should be used to being unclothed in front of people.”

I gasped, what audacity. What does he take me for? A stripper?

“I hate to break it to you, but I like my own privacy.”

He studied me for a moment, “You are brave, I'll give you that,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling.

He approached me, and yanked my hair back. I yelped due to the pain.

Indifferent to my distress, he leaned in towards my ear and spoke in a chilling whisper, "Know this carefully: no one, and I mean no one, gets away from me. So any thought of escaping should be erased completely from your mind.”

I struggled to break free, yet he dragged me back. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir,” I answered, then he thrust me aside.

Regaining my composure, I turned to face him. Despite being covered, he still emanates a strong masculine allure which was messing with my equilibrium.

“Now, go and relieve yourself,” he said to me.

I went to a secluded spot and thank goodness I was able to discharge something. 

As I glanced over my shoulder, I noticed him facing away from me. I tried to sneak away, knowing I might not get this chance again.

As I tiptoed, I heard him clear his throat, turning around, I found him staring at me.

I flashed a smile and bolted forward; it's better to make a break from it.

But suddenly, he materialized out of nowhere right in front of me, causing me to stumble back. 

As he lunged to grab me, I kicked and clawed at him, yet he managed to overpower me.

"What a wildcat!" he remarked, tossing me over his shoulder and striding back to the camp.

Once the camp came into view, a fresh wave of panic hit me, and I struggled to break free again. 

Then, to my astonishment,he suddenly delivered a swift smack to my backside, which left me stunned—nobody had ever done that.

It was a sensation that intertwined pleasure with agony, igniting a fire within me.

“You tyrant,” I yelled, scared of what his action was igniting.

"You'll receive another one if you don't behave," he threatened. Taking caution, I behaved; that hand on my back was affecting my body.

“You should be grateful you're not dead, I'm not a very patient man.”

“What do you want with me?” I asked dejectedly.

“Patience, you will know in due time.”

Once we got to the campsite, the rest of the group awoke.

"Your Majesty, what happened?" they were asking.

“Got our little run away,” he replied as he dropped me and bound my hands and feet; “this ought to keep you in place.”

"Tyrant! You can't hold me captive like this. I will... " and he pulled the rope tighter, causing me to cry out.

“That's more like it,” he remarked with a smile and went away. I'll get him back for this when I have the chance.

When I woke up the next morning, my whole body ached; being restrained for so long is quite an uncomfortable experience.

"Get up," one of the guards barked at me.

I attempted to, but was unsuccessful, so they freed my legs and hands. After the morning routine we carried on with our journey. 

Fortunately, it wasn't long before we arrived at a human settlement.

Upon our arrival, an individual greeted us on our way.

“My king,” he bowed.

"Jerome," the king acknowledged, "is everything ready?" he asked.

“A room has been reserved, and the cars will arrive later in the day.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

We reached an opulent hotel that likely costs a fortune. We were shown to an impressive suite, but when I attempted to step inside, I was stopped.

"What do you think you're doing?" Cauldron the Beta asked.

“Entering inside,” I replied.

“Your room is downstairs. You are banned from entering this room and should be punished for daring to do so.”

"Let's not make a scene; we are in human territory, remember?" the king cautioned.

So I was led downstairs to a room that was lacking and cramped.

The guard shoved me inside and warned, “You move out …” then he made a sign with his thumb crossing his neck, then left.

I recoiled from that gesture. Once I had my shower and got dressed, I began to devise my escape plan.

I gently opened the door and peered outside. I saw two wolves guarding me. Oh, this is not going to be easy, I thought to myself.

I closed it, paced back and forth, racking my brain for an escape plan starting with those two outside.

It wasn't long before I heard a knock at the door. When I opened it, they brought in some food that smelled quite appetizing.

The sight of the food made my stomach grumble; the moment they were gone, I eagerly consumed it.

I felt as though I hadn't had a meal in forever; after eating, I was completely satisfied and lay down to relax.

I heard footsteps descending the stairs and decided to look through the keyhole. 

I spotted the lycan and his beta making their way out, but suddenly he glanced in my direction. Our eyes locked in an intense gaze that made my heart skip a beat.

Behave! I literally heard that in my mind, was that a mind link. How possible is that.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and sleepy. Oh no, they must have drugged my food, and I dozed off.

The sound of knocking and the thumping in my room roused me.

Thinking it was robbers, I let out a scream, but someone quickly clamped their hand over my mouth.

“Zip it, wench,” Cauldron warned.

Oh, it's the wolves. Looking around, I could make out their faces now and calmed down.

"She's quiet, Your Majesty," he said before releasing me.

The king gave a nod and told everyone, “You can leave now.’

They obeyed and went out, leaving me alone with him.

He walked to a table and propped himself up on it. The heat radiating from him was intoxicating, and despite my protests, my body betrayed me. 

I could feel the tension crackling in the air, the undeniable chemistry that pulled me to him.

"Reena, right?" he began.

Ignoring that, I narrowed my eyes on him and said, "You had your men drug my food.”

"For you to sleep soundly," he said matter-of-factly.

“What? Why would you do that?” He didn't even refute it, what a despicable person he is!

"Knowing you, I'm pretty sure you're not going to get any sleep, plotting your escape, of course, and I need you to look good this morning," he replied.

“Look good? What for?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

My curiosity was piqued, prompting me to ask, “What proposition?”

“I need you to pretend to be my wife.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief.