Chapter Fourteen: A Friend.

My mind went blank for a moment as astonishment overtook me at the sensation of Stark's lips against mine. My wolf yipped in my head and melted at his proximity, but I was too astonished to respond.

This was not my first kiss, but I had not expected him to kiss me.

He made it obvious today that I meant nothing to him and that he did not want me, so why is he kissing me now? Why?

At that idea, I pressed my palms into his shoulders, shoving him away. He scarcely moved, instead pulling closer and letting out a low growl, and my shoulders dropped as I gave in to the kiss. I parted my lips, and he kissed me harder, sending sparks up my body from my toes.

My eyes flutter shut, and my hands wrap around his neck, feeling his muscular body crush against mine. A little gasp leaves my lips as his fangs bite my bottom lip before inserting his tongue into my mouth. He deepens the kiss, leaving me breathless by the time he pulls away and glides lower. My body shivered as I felt his lips caress the region between my ear and neck, and I drew in closer, my head tilted. When I feel his touch on my skin, I shudder and place my hands on his shoulders to prevent myself from falling.

It was ecstatic, and the sensation was unlike anything I had ever felt. Nobody has ever kissed me like that before. He pulls away after a short time and places his lips back on mine, and my body shudders, my center heating up with a dull throb as I feel the hand on my waist brush my exposed skin, perilously close to my chest. My wolf was purring at his touch, and our skin was illuminated with pleasure.

When he pulled away again, I regained my senses and shoved him away even harder this time. He stumbles back, eyes clouded and cheeks heated, as he looks at me, confused.

"What… what was that for?" I demanded breathlessness as I hurried away from the spot and crossed my arms. He chuckled and began to approach me, but I scowled and stopped him.

I took a deep breath to slow down my pounding heart.

"P-please. Please, don't come closer."

He wrinkled his brow and gritted his teeth before aggressively raking his fingers through his hair. "What's the deal? It's not like you didn't kiss me back." He snapped fiercely, and I took a step back, my gaze drawn to the door for a few seconds before returning to him.

I sent him an angry glance and swallowed hard. "You kissed me first. You said you didn't want me, but you kissed me."

I wasn't sure if it was the boiling fury inside of me or the intimate moment we'd just had. I was shivering, and my body ached for an answer. I couldn't understand why he was messing with my emotions like that.

He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, then opened them again. His face is suddenly devoid of expression.

"You are right. It shouldn't have happened, and I completely lost my mind. Let's just pretend none of this occurred." He muttered this and moved to the bed, lying down with his back to it. As I gazed at him, tears welled up in my eyes, and the familiar ache in my chest returned.

"What topic did you want to discuss? It's getting late. You should go to bed." He spoke, clearly averting my gaze as he stared at the ceiling.

I squint my eyes and wipe the few tears that have fallen down my cheeks before taking a deep breath.

"I'm ready to sign the papers." I replied quietly. His eyes shifted to mine, and he sat up.

"Why? Did you change your mind after we kissed? I thought you stated you did not want it. You should not let your emotions impair your sense of logical thinking."

I grimaced and shook my head. "It has nothing to do with what happened between us, and I did not just decide on it. It's what I planned to discuss with you when I entered this room."

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, whatever you say. We will finalize the contract tomorrow. It is already late." He stated this and stood up. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes widened as he took off his shirt and put it on the bed. Before he could return his gaze to me, I hastily closed my eyes and turned away.

A deep chuckle echoed behind me, and I tensed as I felt his breath on my neck.

I waited. I wasn't sure what for, but I was expecting something. Maybe a movement or a touch, but when nothing came, I opened my eyes and looked around to see his eyes fixed on me. As I saw his hazel eyes, something flashed over them, knocking away the oxygen from my lungs. Concern? Wait, Fear? I didn't know what it was, but as he blinked, it was gone.

I stayed mute and watched him with wide eyes. He eventually turned aside and cleared his throat.

"Meet me downstairs as early as 7 a.m. If that is all, you may leave." He said as he stepped aside and walked to what I assumed was the restroom door.

"Oh, okay," I reply quietly as I stand there, watching him go away, Rex whinnying at the sight of his well-sculpted shoulders and back.

I arrived at my room and slumped on my bed, lost in thinking.

I know he said he wasn't ready for a mate, but I can't help but think there's a reason he doesn't want me. But then again, he kissed me, and I'm not sure why.

When the picture of his body pushed against mine comes to mind, I groan and roll over on the bed, clutching a pillow to hide my face.

"Huh."

The place was driving me insane, and I couldn't explain why I felt like there was a stab in my chest. I'm confused, and it's killing me.

'How cute. Don't you believe you're falling for someone?' Rex chipped into my skull, and I snorted.

'Please, I am not. I just hate being left in the dark.'

It's true, and I'd only now realized it.

****

I'd been training for three days now, and hell, I wasn't making any progress. My body was damaged and suffered tremendously. I groaned in pain as I was slapped to the ground. Again. The fifth time today.

I'm not even sure why I was doing this. My muscles are feeble, and I don't see why I have to go through the suffering of being beaten continually in the name of training.

I signed the marriage contract two days ago and have not seen the particular person who put me through this nightmare since.

"That's enough!" Jackson, the Gamma and pack trainer, commanded from the sidelines.

"Hey. Here, let me help." The girl who had held me down extended her hand, and I pushed my weak hand out for her to grab it. Then she drew me up from my lying posture in the dirt.

"Thank you." I whispered to the girl, who grinned and gave me a thumbs-up.

"You keep making the same mistake, Amelia." Jackson approached, and I lowered my head to the ground. He was scary with his huge physique and glistening gray eyes.

"I told you it was either you first attack or you would defend, but you are doing neither. What would it take for you to raise your hands and deliver punches or even kicks at your opponent?" He crosses his fists in front of me and glowers.

"I'm sorry." I exhaled while keeping my eyes on the ground.

"I'm afraid we'll have to start from the basis as instructed." He exhaled, and I puffed.

Oh, finally.

"I want you to arrive as early as six a.m. every day. I'll set up a personal session with you. So I'd want to meet you here." He demanded, and I nodded.

"Y-yes, sir."

He groaned and turned to face the others. "That's it for today, everybody. You all are dismissed." He said, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

It was almost six o'clock in the evening, which meant dinner was about to be served, so I turned to walk inside when someone tapped me from behind. I turned around to see the female who had just pinned me down.

"Hello, my name is Lily, short for Linda. Aren't you the female that Alpha Stark brought in a few days ago? Nice to meet you." She remarked with a broad smile and extended her hand to me. Her mid-length black hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her large blue eyes met mine.

She was medium-height, like me, but slightly shorter, and her baby face was covered with freckles. I don't want to classify her, but she was a little size, and I can't help but wonder how she managed to throw me down.

I shook her hand while inspecting it. "Amelia. Nice to meet you, too, and yes, I am... I am new here."

She smiled with delight, her eyes slightly enlarging. "That's great; we can be friends. I'm also new, having joined a week ago. I was sort of forced. Being part of a Royal Empire pack requires you to learn to become one as well, especially if you have yet to mate. Did you know I aspired to be an air hostess after graduating from college? Look at me. Do I appear to be physically capable of being a warrior? Okay, I can be harsh if someone steals my last chocolate bar, but come on! Look at me. I wouldn't survive for long on a battlefield!"

I giggled, putting my palm over my lips. "I understand since I feel the same way, but you're not so horrible. You literally had pinned me down moments ago."

She giggled and surprised me by connecting her arm with mine. "Please, you were the only one I had the capacity to drop. My training here has been hell. What were we going to become before coming here?"

I sucked on my lips and considered the question. "An artist."

She gasped and stopped walking, letting me know we were already on our way to the home.

"Cool, what kind?" Lily inquired, staring at me with her huge blue eyes, and I blushed, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

"I love to sketch and paint. It's more of a pastime, but I planned to pursue painting in college."

She nodded and smiled sadly. "I bet you're amazing at it, and I'd love to see you paint one day. Maybe you should teach me how to paint; I suck badly at it. Come on, let us get inside before Grumpy Jack sees us."

I broke out laughing as she reconnected her arm with mine, bringing me inside the house. Aren't you the girl Alpha Stark brought in a few days ago? Nice to meet you.“ She said with a wide smile and held out her hand to me. Her mid-length dark hair was pulled in a ponytail, and her big blue eyes stared at me.

She was of medium height, like me, but a bit shorter, and freckles were scattered on her baby face. I don't want to put a label on her, but then she had a small size, and I can't help but wonder how the hell she managed to hurl me down.

Eyeing her hand, I shook it. “Amelia. Nice meeting you too, and yes, I'm... I'm new here.“

She beamed with joy, her eyes slightly widening. “That's perfect; we can be friends. I'm also new; I joined a week ago. I was forced, kind of. Being in a family who are members of the Royal Empire pack means you have to train to also become one, especially those who are yet to be mated. Did you know I wanted to be an air hostess after graduating college? I mean, look at me. Do I look like someone who has the body to become a warrior? Well, I can be mean when someone steals my last chocolate bar, but come on! Look at me. I wouldn't last long on a battlefield!“

I giggled, using my hand to cover my mouth. “I get you because I also feel the same, but you are not that bad. You pinned me down minutes ago.“

She laughed and surprised me by linking her arm to mine. “Please, you were the only person I got the strength to drop. My training here has been terrible. What did you want to become before coming here?“

I sucked on my lips and pondered the question. ”Uhh.. An artist.“

She gasped and stopped walking, making me realize we were already heading toward the house.

“Cool, what kind?“ Lily asked, staring at me with her big blue eyes, and I blushed, tucking a strand of hair from my face.

“Well, I love to draw and paint. It's more like a hobby, but I was thinking of studying art when I got to college.“

She nodded and smiled sadly. "I bet you are good at it, and I would love to watch you paint one day. Maybe you should teach me how to paint; I whack at it also. Come on, let's go inside before grumpy Max sees us.“

I burst out into laughter as she linked her arm back into mine, pulling me into the house.