THREE

KIARA

The stranger crouched in front of me. With his big hand, he cupped my face. Wide eyed, I stared at him, mesmerised by how beautiful he was.

A pair of dimples popped out on his cheeks when he smiled. He smelt of roses and vanilla. It was strange. I'd never met a man who smelt like that. But, again, I had only met a few men.

"Where's your friend?" The stranger asked softly. I couldn't look away.

"Cassy... she's down there..." I stuttered, pointing towards the direction I'd come from.

"Sit tight for me, okay?"

I found myself nodding like a little child. There was something about him that made me lower my guard. But, a part of me disliked this because it reminded me of Lucas.

The moment he began to walk away from me, the Lycan's appeared, carrying an unconscious Cassy with them. There were so many of them, I couldn't help but worry that the stranger would fail to take them down all on his own.

Struggling to my knees, I reached out for Cassy. Exhaustion hit me and I collapsed to the ground, vaguely aware of the cries of pain and the cracking of bones filling in the air.

"Please, be safe... Cassy" I muttered, feeling myself slip into darkness.

...

I was warm. Comfortably so. Peeling my eyes open, my gaze rested on the high ceilings of an unfamiliar room. A pleasant scent hit me. It made me sit up on the bed with curiosity.

"You're awake."

I blinked, startled by the sight of the man standing by the window, his arms folded across his chest.

It was him.

For some reason, his scent was stronger. I felt the urge to touch him. To bury myself in his scent.

I shook my head to get rid of the thought.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked, approaching me. He sat down on the chair beside the bed.

I stared at him, my lips parted. Up close, his features were gorgeous.

With a swoon worthy face, killer dimples, mesmerizing eyes and a hair full of raven hair, this man was such a beauty.

"What's wrong? You're not saying anything" he said, bringing a hand to my forehead.

My breath caught in my throat at the feeling of the heady sparks that I felt when he made contact with me.

'Our mate. Ours' Allure whined in my head and I froze.

"No...how is this possible?"

The words slipped out of my lips before I could stop them.

He furrowed his brows, confusion stirring up in his golden eyes.

"You don't have a fever..."

I cut him off, glancing around the room.

"Where am I? Who are you? What is this place?" My anxiety had peaked.

All I could think was that this man could hurt me. He could've saved me for a selfish purpose.

"Calm down. I won't hurt you..." His voice trailed off as he stared at me, his frown deepening.

The word I'd intended to say was probably written all over my face.

Liar.

"Look, the last thing I would do is take advantage of anybody."

I refused to believe him. No matter how much I wanted to.

He rose to his feet, an expression of hurt spreading over his features.

"You must be aware that you're my mate. I do not know why you feel uncomfortable around me. But, I want you to know that you can trust me," he said to me.

I lowered my gaze, gripping the bedclothes tightly.

"Where's my friend? Did you...did you save her?" I asked, unable to look him in the eye.

"She's safe. She will come to you soon. Until then, try to get some rest. Lunch will be brought to you soon"

I kept my head lowered as he walked towards the door.

"Let me know your name, at least" his sudden statement startled me into looking up.

He watched me from the door with a warm gaze.

I hesitated a little. Notwithstanding, I knew I owed him that much. Considering the fact that he'd rescued Cassy and I.

"Kiara."

He inhaled sharply.

"Kiara," my name rolled off his tongue in a way that sent butterflies swarming in the pit of my stomach.

Once he was out of the door, I groaned in annoyance.

Just when I'd decided that I was better off without a mate-

"My lady!" Cassy breezed into the room and swept me into her embrace.

Her shoulders shook as she broke down into sobs.

"I'm so glad you're okay" she breathed.

"I was afraid that I was going to lose you" I confessed, a lump forming in my throat.

"That man...he saved us. I heard he's the king of the rogues."

My eyes widened.

"What?!"

"That's right. He's a demon werewolf. A very powerful one. There are rumours that he was originally the heir to the throne of the northern werewolves."

I gaped at her, shocked.

Was this my fate? From a Lycan King to a Rogue King?

What about my child?

What does the future hold for us?

"Wait, what's wrong?" Cassy asked, her brows knitted into a frown.

"He's my mate."

"Good goddess, what?!"

"He probably isn't aware that I'm pregnant. But, he knows that I'm his mate. What do I do, Cassy?"

The knock on the door caught my attention. A tall brunette stood there, a tray of food in her arms.

She had an inviting smile on her face. She walked in, shutting the door behind her.

I watched her as she placed the tray of food on the nightstand.

"Wow, you're even prettier than I'd imagined" she said.

"Sorry...who are you?" I said.

"My bad. My name's Wren. I'm Denzel's little sis" she responded.

I raised a brow, confused.

"Oh... you don't know? It's his name... I'm talking about the man who rescued you."

'Denzel, so that's his name' I thought.

His name suited him.

"He didn't want to tell me about you. But, I have my ways. I made him talk. I'm so happy for him, you know. Ever since he lost his first mate-"

Cassy interrupted her.

"He had a mate before now?"

Wren nodded, a sad look in her eyes.

"He did. She was really pretty and nice. It was sad. He's been struggling ever since. They say when your mate dies, a part of you dies with them" she said.

I gulped, my heart sinking.

He must have been happy to meet me.

Yet, I had treated him with such distrust.

"How did she die?" Cassy suddenly asked.

I nudged her, shaking my head.

"She was murdered" Wren said and I stiffened.

"What?!" Cassy and I echoed.

"Denzel-" Wren started to say.

"That's enough."

A cold voice interrupted her and we all turned to look at the figure standing by the door.

It was Denzel. His stormy eyes were filled with rage. Wren had gone pale.

"Denzel, I-I can e-explain" she stuttered, rising to her feet.

"Get out," he ordered frigidly.

She scampered out of the room and he stormed in, grabbing the tray of food on the nightstand.

"You didn't touch the food, did you?" He asked, calmly.

"I-I didn't" I stammered.

"Good" he stated and started to leave.

"Is she really your sister?" I asked and his feet came to a halt.

He turned around, his eyes clouded by hostility. I held my breath, waiting for his next statement.

"She's no sister of mine."

"Is it true? Was your mate murdered?" Cassy blurted out and he stiffened.