Chapter Eleven: Marriage Contract

As I sat in the dining room chair, I took a moment to digest what was in front of me. This is mostly because of the powerful, masculine scent of Stark, which flooded my senses.

Shaking my head, I unwillingly grabbed for the handout for the file of papers on the table, which had words printed on it, and looked at it suspiciously. Stark scoffed beside me, and I frowned at him.

"It won't bite, you know?" He says, pointing to the paperwork in my hand.

I roll my eyes, ignoring him, and cast a peek across the table at Lorena, his mother, who appears to be rather concerned.

"Honey, you don't need to do this right now. You might just wait till your father returns, and then we'll finish everything in his presence." She says, and I watch her bite her lower lip while avoiding meeting my gaze.

Stark shrugged and leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped together on the table.

"It has to be done regardless." He says, tilting his head sideways to face me.

I quickly move my gaze away from him and back to the file in my hands.

"Can you be snappy about it and sign them already?" He responds in an angry tone, slumping back in his seat and raking a hand across his face.

Could you please be polite for once?

I want to say it aloud, but instead I bite my lip and pull out the papers, mentally reading them.

A DEED OF AGREEMENT: MARRIAGE CONTRACT BETWEEN STARK GRAYSON AND AMELIA LUCAS RELATING TO EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.

What?

This contract is dated October 2, 2025.

Section 1: Its purpose is to guarantee that the partners are lawfully married and understand the rights and duties associated with marriage.

Surprised, I dropped the papers back on the table and pulled my chair back to stand up, walking away from it.

"This does not make sense. You told me we wouldn't be getting married. What's the meaning of this?" I stuttered as I faced him and pointed to the papers. I could feel rage engulfing me.

The jerk actually chuckled and turned his chair around to stare at me.

What the heck is funny? Why is he staring at me like that?

'Don't ask me since I don't know. I just know he is sexy.' Lux coos, and I grumble.

This wolf, not the man standing in front of me, would be the reason for my death.

"You think I have a choice?" He eventually asked, breaking the lengthy awkward pause, and went to stand up.

"Stark…" I hear his mother call, but he ignores her and moves closer to me. I hid the way my heart began to rush and tried not to break his enthralling eye contact.

"Amelia, sweetie, you got everything wrong. When I said I wasn't marrying you, I meant you shouldn't expect marriage ceremonies or any stupid, flashy arrangements."

I sneered and took a step back. "You should have explained to me what you meant by it. Either way, I will not marry you." I mumbled before turning away from him. I'm suddenly fatigued and in desperate need of falling on my bed.

I was going to walk away when I heard Stark snicker and noticed him pacing around the little room. He paused and took a deep breath before violently raking his fingers through his thick, long hair.

"Are you saying I should have told you? So, you can run away again?" He says this as he confronts me again.

I narrow my gaze at him. "Could you please quit bringing that up? You don't have to rub it in my face. I was supposed to marry against my will. Which, sadly, I am. What was I supposed to do?" I asked, folding my exhausted arms.

"You think it's in my will to marry you?" He spat violently and stepped forward towards me. This time, his pupils were significantly darker, and he looked at me with scorn. Frightened, I take a step back and look across at Lorena, who is already approaching us.

"Amelia." Stark says in a low, serious, deep voice, and I return my attention to him. "I was on my own until your stupid stepmother offered marriage to pay off your father's obligations to my firm. I didn't want to bring you home when I first found you because you mean nothing to me. See, I am just marrying you because everyone keeps telling me to, even though I am not ready. So, just because I have a mate does not imply that I am ready to mate or marry anyone. I already have enough duties, and you've merely added to them. You are..."

"Stark, that's enough!" His mother yelled and raced over to us, placing a hand on his chest before pulling him back. I attempt to take a deep breath to settle my anxiety, but I stumble back as I realize I can't keep a steady breath. I end up choking on extra air in my lungs, forcing me to clutch at the tight chest. I couldn't breathe, and my head was starting to hurt from the lack of air. I reach for the table to keep my unsteady knees from collapsing, but I startle as a warm, electrified hand grabs them instead.

"Amelia!! What's the matter? Please talk to me."

Stark's deep voice fills my ear, so I try to open my eyes, not realizing I'd closed them to scowl at him, but I draw away quickly as an unexpected impulse to vomit hits me.

"She's about to throw up; give her a bowl." He directed someone, and I hurled as soon as a bowl was placed in front of me. I clutch at the churning sensation in my gut.

I could hear distant conversations around me, but all I could think of was the comforting hand caressing my back while I gagged from what I had just consumed. I backed away, running a palm across my mouth before opening my eyes again. Then, despite the blurred vision, I look around and drag my feet to a neighboring wall. Then I sink to the floor, my back against the wall. As I begin to feel lightheaded, I raise my knees up to my hurting chest and bring my head to it. I moan as I experience dizziness.

"Can Amelia hear me? It's Lorena. Would you kindly take a look at me?"

I raise my head and give Lorena a tired look as she sits on the floor in front of me. She grinned slightly.

"You are doing well." She says and extends her hands forward, as if she were ready to touch me, but then lifts them and grins again.

"Just focus on me and describe what you see. How many fingers do I have up?

I try to focus on the hand.

"Three." I silently gasp out and close my eyes, taking a long breath.

My throat stung like hell.

"That is good. Now, attempt to name three items you observe around you."

I open my eyes and turn to gaze around the room. I am pleased that I only saw Lorena and Stark present.

"Only focus on the objects and tell me what they are."

I ignore his presence and take another look around the room.

"A table... Chairs... A counter with a coffee maker."

"You're doing fantastic. Now, move three areas of your body for me.

I nod, blink my eyes, and raise both hands.

She grins and claps her hands enthusiastically, like a child. "You did it. Well done."

I nod. "Thank you."

"It is fine. You did it yourself. Come on, you need to relax more." She replies, and I smile shyly, running my hand over my sticky, tangled hair.

Lorena rises up, and I try to force myself up, only to yelp in surprise when I am lifted. I was being carried in a bridal manner, and the not-so-pleasant scent refilled my aching lungs.

"Don't complain. I am carrying you, and that is final."

I huff and turn to glare at Stark, who is already looking down at me. He scoffed and glanced away, and I wrapped my hands over his shoulders. I'm still upset with him, but I don't have the strength to argue or even walk. Right now, all I want to do is flop on my bed and sleep.

Thankfully, he didn't say anything further and simply turned to walk out of the dining room, up the stairs, leaving his mother behind. Shortly after he enters my room, my body meets the soft bed. I ignore his presence and sink further into the warm, comfy bedsheets, breathing deeply and exhaling a contented sigh. Sooner or later, I find myself drifting off into a pleasant sleep.

"I'm sorry."

A voice whispers in my ear, but I'm already deep asleep.