4

LUCA

“W- what?”

As I gazed into her eyes, I could see the confusion and disbelief swirling within them. I was aware that the amused look I donned did nothing to help with the situation too, but I couldn't help it.

I could almost see the wheels in her head turn, her mind reeling with questions and doubts. I had expected this reaction, but it didn't make it any easier to see her so lost.

“What do you mean married, that's not possible. I….. I never agreed to this.” She finally stuttered out, her argument weak seeing as her voice was barely audible.

“Oh, but you did, my dear.” I supplied matter-of-factly, my lips curling up into a smirk, “You accepted the mating bond, sealing our union."

Her eyes widened, and she stumbled backward, as if the floor had been pulled out from underneath her. I could tell from the pink tinge of her cheeks and the momentary speechlessness that she'd been flooded with memories of that night, her struggle to reconcile the past with present palpable.

"I don't understand," she muttered, her chest starting to rise and fall in obvious panic as her eyes darted all over the room, confused.

I took a step closer, the need to comfort burning fiercely under my skin as an arm reached over to wrap around her waist, the concealed skin warm and soft to the touch and I couldn't help consciously digging my fingers into it, a spark of desire igniting within me, “You wouldn't mind me jogging your memory then, would you, wife?” I said, enunciating the last word with a hint of teasing and possessiveness.

As one hand remained wrapped around her, keeping her close, the free one raises to trail down her cheek, the touch featherlight as her eyes lifted to meet mine. In them, I could see her tumoil -he moments of our intimacy shared under the moonlight, embellished with whispers of promises and vows exchanged in the heat of passion swirling within them. It was all too raw, too real to be denied.

She suddenly wrenched herself away, heart pounding wildly in her chest. "No, this can't be happening. I would never willingly bond with a stranger. I was drunk! It was all under the influence of alcohol!" She declared and my expression hardened.

“We are bound by the mating bond whether you like it or not, Hilary. You are now my wife, and you will fulfill your duties.” I could feel my frustration from her continuous denial seep into my voice, but before I could start to feel guilty about that, she retorted with clenched fists and shoulders squared, refusing to be intimidated.

"I am not your puppet to be controlled at your whim. I will never submit to you!"

The next turn of events happened in a blur and before I could gather my senses, her father had covered the distance between them and struck her across the face.

"Where are your manners, Hilary? Have you learnt nothing from your days here? You are to obey every word the Alpha says! Be submi- "

His rant was abruptly cut off as I caught his hand that was about to strike her again, my anger flaring at the thought that he would so boldly touch what was mine and with no regard for my presence too.

"Ramsey," I called for my most trusted guard, "Take your Luna to the car and wait for me," I ordered, eyes never leaving her father.

"What are you going to do with my father?" she spoke, now coming between us to partly shield her assailant.

“It was nothing and I am not hurt, so leave him alone.” She added, staring at me in defiance.

"Ramsey!"

"Let me go! If you hurt him, I will kill you!" She threatened as Ramsey finally started to drag her away whilst she kicked and screamed until she was out of sight and earshot.

"Now, Mr. Mattel, I am just going to leave you with a warning because, unfortunately, my Luna doesn't want you dead. If you dare lay your filthy hands on my wife again, I can assure you, fingers would not be the only things broken off your body.” I growled in a low voice, a smirk playing on my features as the smell of his fear permeated the air thickly. My fingers were still wrapped tightly around his wrist and in one final show of contempt, I twisted it in the opposite way, basking in the sound of his pained scream as I sent him a few steps backwards with a slight push.

“And if you think I have no idea of what has been happening in this house, you better think again.” I shot at the rest of the family now, my eyes holding every hint of the threat my voice bore before breaking into a half-assed smile, “I hope we get along well as in-laws.”

I watched as they nodded pathetically before turning on my heels with a scoff.

On getting outside, my eyes found Hilary stubbornly standing rooted in her spot, refusing to get into the car despite Ramsey's struggle. When they laid eyes on me, he hurriedly shuffled to a side and Hilary fixed me with a glare.

"Did you actually think I was going to go with you?"

I stalked closer to her, leaning in until she was pressed against the side of the car, my arms on either side caging her against it. “No. But you will if you don't want to see your family hurt."

She kept her eyes locked unto mine and I watched as her features morphed from irritation at the proximity, to incredulity at the fact that I'd just threatened her so-called family and then resignation as she finally gave in. At the end of our two minute staring contest, I was hanging on by a thread, fighting with every fiber of my being to not lean in and leave a kiss on the angry pout that pulled at her lips.

"Fine! Now get off me so I can get in," she snapped irritably and I bit back a smile as I leaned impossibly closer, deriving too much amusement for it to be normal from watching her fluster and press herself further against the car, breath catching in her throat and freezing as every space between our body almost disappears until the click of the door opening broke the tension and she seemed to snap back to her senses when I pulled the car door open and offered a smug smile.

She scoffed breathlessly, shooting me another glare before getting into the car and scooting until the extreme end as if to put as much distance between us as possible.

I chuckled, amused; did she really think I was going to let her do that? It was cute to see her try though, I'll admit.

As we drove away from the house, Hilary sat beside me in silence, her eyes fixed on the passing landscape. Occasionally, she turned to stare at me, not lingering enough for me to notice -or so she thought.

We finally arrived at my house, a grand structure that served as both my residence and the pack's headquarters. She alighted the car almost immediately and walked briskly ahead of me, making sure to ignore both my hand reaching for her and my words trying to draw her attention to me, but she had no idea how much of a mistake that was on her side as I delighted myself with the unobstructed view of her behind that was more than a welcome sight as her quick movements aided a slight wobble and bounce of the thick flesh. I was definitely having a good day.

My butler offered a curt greeting by the entrance porch before proceeding to lead her through the lobby and into the formal living room.

We were greeted by the rest of my servants, who bowed their heads in respect as we entered and I hummed in acknowledgement before starting on an introduction, my tone firm and commanding.

"This is Hilary, my mate and the new Luna of our pack. I expect you all to show her the same respect and obedience you would show me.”

They all nodded enthusiastically, their eyes flicking to her with a mixture of curiosity and thoughtfulness. I could sense Hilary's unease and uncertainty about this new development. I could understood how sudden everything was, married and then made a Luna on top of it too. Well, I had a lot of things to teach her, but now I had more pressing matters to attend to.

"You can leave us now," I commanded, and the servants shuffled out of the room.

I resumed walking, making my way towards our now shared room only to look behind and find Hilary still rooted in her spot, giving me a blank look.

"Where is my room?" she asked before I could speak.

I turned to her with an amused smile, "Are you going to come with me or not? I don't bite if you don't want it, Hilary."

She blushed a bright rosy color at that, the color slowly spreading across her cheeks and neck, and I distractedly wondered where else. It was evident her mind had followed the exact trail I expected; to our night together where I'd turned quite the beast and left love bites on virtually every inch of her body, especially her breasts.

I muffled a satisfied growl before turning around after gesturing for her to follow me.

We finally reached the bedroom, a huge room with a massive four-poster bed and a sitting area, where I held the door open and shut it as soon as she stepped in.

Her eyes widened as she drank in the sight of the grandiose room, her amusement barely concealed as she walked further in, almost in a daze.

“This is my room?” She finally asked after snapping back to reality, a frown overtaking her features as she turned to me.

“It is." I answered lazily, tugging at the tie around my neck.

"Then why are you undressing in here?"

"Because it is mine too," I replied, starting on unbuttoning my shirt next.

"No!"

"No? What do you mean no?" I asked, irritation licking at my skin as I closed the distance between us, "Let's get one thing straight here, Hilary," I said, my voice low, bordering on threatening. "You are my mate, and you will be treated as such. You will respect me and my authority, and you will fulfill your duties as Luna."

Hilary's eyes flashed with defiance as she looked right back at me.

"You can't force me into whatever it is that you want me to do, Alpha Huntergrove," she retorted, her chin jutting out and lips pressed into a thin line. I could sense her anger and disapproval, but I didn't back down. I had to establish my dominance, my control over her.

"We'll be sharing a room, and that's final," I announced, my voice firm but measured.

"I already told you that I don't want that!” She argued back and I felt my nose flare, stepping into her space whilst she retreated until her back hit the wall, completely cornered. Perfect.

"I'm afraid it's too late to back out now, kitten. We're rightfully mated and what I say, goes.”

“Will you please stop repeating that, I keep pointing out that it was a mistake!" She was almost yelling at this point.

With a noncommittal hum at her words, I reached out to trail a finger down her cheek and she jerked back so violently that I wondered if my touch held an open fire. “Never touch me again!" she spat, her tone venomous, eyes shooting daggers at me.

I did not spare much of a reaction, my brow raising in intrigue and amusement, “You're my mate, Hilary. It's only natural that I-"

"Natural?" she cut in unceremoniously, her voice rising. “Was it fun for you to play with my emotions, to watch me break down and recount every single one of my experiences, including being forced into a marriage when it had always been you? Did it stroke your Alpha ego that you got to lay with me so easily? You think you're all that because of a drunken mistake I made? Well, think again, Alpha-”

"It's Lucas," I growled, growing angry at her words, “And you don't get to speak to me like that, your touch had been nothing special too.”

"Don't be so full of yourself, Alpha Huntergrove," she continued, giving me the illusion that she'd blatantly ignored my words before she added, “And I didn't even feel anything."

Her words stung, but I kept my expression neutral. "Hilary, we need to talk about this." I settled and she shook her head in refusal, her long hair swaying like a curtain of fire.

"No, sir. I won't be manipulated or controlled. I won't be your plaything."

With that declaration, she turned to leave the room, but I quickly grabbed unto her wrist.

"Leave me alone!" She yelled, turning around with unshed tears in her eyes, and I released her like I'd been burnt by the fire that was her rage. She rushed out of the room, leaving me standing alone, my thoughts swirling with a mix of frustration and admiration.

This was not the Hilary I remembered, the one who had been so beat down and resigned, who willingly accepted our mating bond. This was a stranger, a woman who challenged me at every turn. And yet, I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, to the fire that burned within her that threatened to engulf me in it's flames.