Chapter 5: Their bet

Raizel's POV

The timid and quiet girl's transformation into a brave, fighter, and arrogant girl caught me off guard. I wonder if it's because she has someone to protect. She even threatened me and Eleanor.

I recall my family's warning from last night, after her family left us in my office. They made it clear that there would be consequences for my actions.

Despite being the king now, I realize that I'm not in control of everything. "Bullshit!"

I couldn't help but curse. I'm torn about what choice to make. I know Eleanor will despise me if I abandon her and follow my family's decision.

"I've given you an option. Don't be foolish and reject me!" she demanded.

In a moment of anger, I grabbed her neck and pinned her against the wall. Ynez didn't flinch or show any sign of fear.

"I've already died in your hands, your majesty. Do you really think you can scare me? Don't give me a damn. Kill me. Let's see if your mistress will even survive," Ynez asserted fiercely. She looks at me with no fear in her eyes.

I clenched my palm into a fist, feeling like I had no other option but to let her go. I had to stay true to myself, even though it had always seemed like the odds were against me.

For seven long years, my family never supported my plans to marry Eleanor. "I'm not your enemy, King Raizel. You know that," she insisted.

My wife ran her hand over her face, showing how stressed she was. She paced back and forth, clearly deep in thought.

I knew she was considering running away, just like she did seven years ago when she left the country and hid because of her pregnancy from a one-night stand. I never expected to become a father in that way. She let out a long sigh.

"What did they want?" she asked coldly, still leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

I wondered what challenges she had faced that had made her so brave. What had happened to them in Bhutan? Ynez snapped her fingers in front of my face. I glared.

"Do you really think your question is unreasonable? Both our families adore each other and are thrilled to meet our sweet and smart child," she murmured. I look at him as well and sigh.

Ynez glanced at our son with a look of sadness on her face and asked softly, "Did you go out to see your mistress? Did you tell her about our son?" she asks. Her tone was filled with concern and coldness. She looked back at me and continued.

"My life has completely changed. I have no intention of telling you the truth, and all I want is to live with my son alone. I feel deceived by my mom, and it's even worse that fate has brought us together. Why did it have to be you of all people?! This mating rule of werewolves is insane!" she exclaimed once more.

She appeared frustrated and seemed to despise the fact that we are destined mates. While other women, like my fiancée Eleanor, envy her, Ynez feels the opposite.

"Do you really hate me, huh? Is it because of that night when I got you pregnant at age of 16?"

Ynez's expression suddenly turns sour as she firmly declares, "No, I will never regret that night or being pregnant. Yes, Raizen came into my life early, but he made me mature and brave. He's the reason I choose to live," she mumbles.

The way she gazes at her son reflects a mother's deep love. My dad is threatening me, and everyone is taking her side. They demand one thing from me:

I must never divorce or reject Ynez, or else Eleanor will become my mother's slave. I know my mother too well. She will only bring hell to Eleanor.

But what about us? Eleanor is the only woman I love. She's my first love. I don't want to break up with her or leave her alone.

"Are you afraid of Eleanor or your family? Which one, Raizel," Ynez questions me directly. I lift my head, surprised by her direct question. "Which one? What are you trying to imply, Ynez?" I ask.

She scoffs and looks at me seriously. Ynez speaks with seriousness as she says, "I have a proposal to make."

This makes me feel nervous all of a sudden. She then suggests, "Let's make a bet. If I lose, I will reject and divorce you immediately."

I wonder what kind of proposal she is referring to. Is it in my favor or hers? As I look at her intently, she avoids my gaze and walks towards the porch, leaning against it.

I'm unsure of what to say. "What kind of bet or proposal is that? Make sure you're not hiding any ulterior motives, or else I'll make you suffer," I respond.

Ynez laughs mockingly and gazes down at me. "I've been suffering because of you. Do you really think my body and mind will be surprised by your threats? You, king Raizel, were my hell," Ynez asserts angrily.

The depth of her hatred towards me is palpable through our connection, making my palm clench into a fist. What kind of emotion is this? I feel like I was offended. There's no way I'll feel that way.

Ynez firmly asserted, "Pay close attention to what I'm about to say. I believe in your ability to fulfill our one-year deal and convince our family. However, if you break any of the rules, our marriage will be permanent. You must fulfill your end of the deal if you want to be with your fiancé." Her serious demeanor convinced me of her determination to escape.

She suggested discussing the rules in my office and printing out copies to serve as our contract. As she typed, she presented me with ten precise and simple rules.

Upon reading them, I expressed my concern about the impossibility of rule number 1, stating that Eleanor would inevitably try to contact me or meet up with me.

In response, she raised her hand and gave me a stern look. "You are allowed to exchange messages with her, and you can only meet her once on Saturday night. If you dare to have sex with her, you will jeopardize your future with her. I'm serious, King Raizel. Don't make me mad," Ynez asserted.

Her eyes, tone, and expression were cold and emotionless, but she had demonstrated her seriousness about the rules she established for our deal.

My jaw tightened as I realized that I couldn't persuade our family on my own. This woman understood that I needed her assistance. My palm turned into a fist and my jaw clenched. If I had to pretend and just go through with it, then so be it!

I was prepared to argue when my heart started racing and I began breathing heavily. She let out a soft gasp. It was her. I thought she was the one struggling to breathe.

"What's wrong with you?!" I roared.

My wife leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, massaging her forehead. I felt like she was in distress. Ynez scoffed and opened her eyes.

"Seriously? You even wish for my death, huh?" she said angrily.

"If you did, then I'd be the happiest man in the world," I responded, not hiding my true feelings. She glared at me and taps the table while groaning in pain, which I could also feel.

"Hey!" I shouted as I got up and moved to the other side of the table to check on her. I grabbed her wrist and felt her pulse racing.

"Leave me alone," she whispered, but I couldn't obey.

Although I had previously mentioned that it would be better if she were dead, I knew that Raizen would be the one to suffer the most if that were to happen.

Despite our efforts with potions, elixirs, and other remedies, it seemed that nothing had helped her at all. As I was about to lift her up, she falls to the floor.

Instinctively, I shielded Ynez's head, but I knew it was a risky move. Suddenly, we heard two knocks on the door. "Hello?" Romaine called out. I saw when the door opens. I held her closer and rolled in a blind spot corner to hide from my big sister.