CHAPTER 5: A new beginning

Coming out of the shock of his proposition, “You don't mean that,” I said in denial.

"Unfortunately, I do," he continued.

“I'm in need of a wife to keep the pressure of mating off my back, "he clarified.

“What about a mate, because I know every werewolf has one.”

“I still haven't met her, and honestly, the whole mate thing doesn't interest me; it's just pointless,” he said dismissively.

"You don't believe in love," I asked. 

"Do you?" he shot back, and I was at a loss for words.

“I haven't experienced it personally, but I truly believe that having someone by your side forever is a beautiful thing.”

“More like a cage,” he scoffed.

“But I have no feelings for you whatsoever.” 

“I'm aware of that, you're only going to pretend," he remarked with an exaggerated eye roll.

"I'm not going to do it," I said finally. It's a deceitful act, I won't succumb, no matter how powerful or attractive he was, which he definitely was. I thought, almost drooling, Get your act together, Reena!

He scoffed and crossed his arms, saying, “It's not as if you have a choice.”

“What do you mean?”

“It's either you agree to my proposition, or I will mete out the punishment given to spies, which you definitely are.”

“You wouldn't.”

"Try me," he dared me, as his eyes sparked with a fiery red.

Fear seized me and i distanced myself from him. The memory of his actions toward that wolf in the woods sent a chill down my spine.

"So, what's it going to be?" he asked, rising from the table.

In a moment of desperation, I asked, “What if I happen to meet my mate someday?”

With a chuckle, he confidently remarked, “Oh, you won't!”

“You can't predict that.”

“Oh I can,”

Something in his eyes unsettles me. Suddenly, my eyes widened. Oh no, don't tell me…

“Yes, I am aware that you're human,” he declared.

"Do you read minds?" I asked in astonishment.

He laughed, “What do you think?”

There's no escaping this monster. Is there a limit to his abilities? “When did you find out?”

“The moment I saw you, others may not pick up on your scent amidst the floral aroma, but you seem to overlook that I'm not merely an alpha; as a lycan, my senses are far more acute.”

I questioned him, a hint of anger in my voice, "If you knew all of this back then, why did you make me walk such a long journey?" It frustrated me to think he had been toying with me all this while.

"I was curious to test how tenacious you could be in concealing your identity. Your efforts were impressive, which makes you a perfect candidate for this job," he finished.

He approached the window and peered outside. However, I persisted, “What if…”

The door opened and a woman walked in.

"My king," she greeted with a bow.

He acknowledged her with a nod, then turned to me and said, “Reena, this is Joy. She'll help you get dressed. Follow her instructions, and we will continue this conversation later.” With that, he departed.

Immediately we kicked off; she was such a chatterbox, trying to know what was between the king and I.

She certainly worked her magic on me; I barely recognized myself before we set off in a stylish limousine.

Sitting beside the king in the back seat, I wondered how this would work. I didn't even know anything about him, including his name.

“How do you propose we could pull this off? Everyone will definitely know I'm human,” I asked, starting the conversation.

No they won't, you'll continue using the xixa leave till then.

On another note, I viewed this as a significant chance to break free from servitude, even if he has his own ulterior motives. I really don't have any other options.

Oh, I'm so done. I can't help but wonder what's in store for me. I kept quiet during the entire trip while he focused on his computer.

We arrived at a grand mansion that was nothing short of magnificent. We were welcomed by everyone.

“Your majesty! My king!” They all greeted him, some expressing their reverence by kissing the ring he wore on his hand.

I saw the respect they show him and couldn’t help but question how this is possible, given his ruthlessness.

All of them regarded me with curious eyes, but I brushed them off and followed the king inside.

Inside, a lot more came to greet him, and I stood aside, watching him interacte with his people. Suddenly, the moment was disrupted.

Ashton? Ashton! The piercing sound caused me to turn towards the exit

And the owner of this voice was a strikingly gorgeous and voluptuous brunette.

She ran to the king and wrapped her arms around him in a full embrace with all her packages.

Seeing this, I felt it was inappropriate, yet everyone else seemed fine with it.

"I missed you, my Lycan king," the brunette was saying.

“Really, I've only been gone for two days,” he replied with a smile.

"But it felt like ages," she expressed affectionately to him. He untangled her hands from his neck while keeping her near.

Her gaze landed on me, and the intensity of her look was lethal; I mean, I don't even know her.

“BETA, please escort her upstairs so she can rest; it has been quite a hectic day,” the king instructed his beta.

I don't want to back down; I need to understand her issue. I thought about saying no, but the king's intense gaze compelled me to comply.

As I ascended the stairs to my room, I was consumed by fury. Sitting on the bed, I seethed, convinced she must be his mistress; that's why he was down there while I remained up here.

Soon after, he came into the room and stood beside the door.

"That took a while," I said sarcastically.y

"What's that supposed to mean?" he questioned, frowning slightly.

“I assumed you had trouble finding someone willing to role-play as your mate, yet she appeared ready to go to any lengths for you.”

He arched an eyebrow. "You mean Linda? She's definitely open to it, but I prefer to avoid any complications later," he said with a faint smile.

“What complications?”

She's the kind of person who becomes overly attached and doesn’t let go easily.

How do you know that

Caused I've dated her, I gasped

"Also, she would probably claw my eyes out if I call it quits, whereas you can't," he remarked.

”How fortunate she is that you value her emotions more than you value mine,” she said almost angrily.

"Are you jealous?" he asked suspiciously.

"Wha... what?" I faltered, caught off guard by the abrupt question.

“You heard me.”

With a scoff, I replied, “I’m not. I have no feelings whatsoever for you, and you can't make me love you.”

“Love doesn't matter to me; achieving pleasure is what truly counts." He paused and said boldly, "And I'm confident I can make your body sing.”

Sing? I didn't get it at first, but oh… sing. “You can't," I said dismissively.

“Really?” Then he started advancing towards me like a predator after its prey.

“What are you doing?” I nervously asked, taking a step back.

"Oh, to prove you wrong, of course," his gaze fixed on me.

“No! stop right there!” I cried out wanting to get away, but he kept coming at me. 

When my back hit the wall, I attempted to break free, but he held me in place, preventing my escape.

Clasping both of my hands with one of his, he pinned them above my head against the wall.

He leaned in close and whispered, “what were you saying again?”

The warmth of his breath against my cheek sent shivers down my spine, and his captivating eyes had me spellbound.

I felt helpless and exposed in this position. "Please let me go," I pleaded, because my body was about to betray me.

“Where did all that bravado go?” he teased, nudging his leg in between mine with a sly grin.

Oh my God! His hand grazed my nipple just a bit, and it felt like an electric jolt coursing through me.

For god's sake, I hope he doesn't do that again. “Please," I whispered breathlessly.

“Please, what exactly?" he asked teasingly, his eyes fixed on me. "Please stop or please more.”

“You can't do this, you have no right,” I accused, on the verge of losing myself to his sexual onslaught. 

“Oh, but I truly do, you're my property and I can treat you however I please, he declared with a smirk.” I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to suppress the emotions stirred by his words and his hand.

But with the slow ascent of his leg between mine, I felt my concentration slipping away like sand through my fingers, caught between bliss and panic.

Oh dear God! Would I survive this? My thoughts ran wildly until the warm pressure of his thigh finally pressed against my core.