Mine

NOREEN

For a moment, the world seemed to disappear, leaving just Elion and I.

He was just as I remembered, six foot five, tanned skin and the same hardened gaze that always seemed to appear only when I'm in the room.

He's grown his hair longer now, making him look even scarier.

His eyes scanned my body, stopping on my fingers, and a deep frown replaced his scowl for a fleeting second before it disappeared.

"What are you doing?" He gave me a point blank stare, "Stand up and pack your things."

I laid frozen, staring at him.

"Now," he growled, his voice filled with malice. 

That got me moving, I jumped to my feet.

"No!" The mistress yelled and threw herself in front of me.

"No?" Elion echoed, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"B... but she's for sale, your Majesty." The mistress stammered. 

Elion rose an eyebrow, "How much is she going for?"

The mistress glanced around, her eyes landing on me with disdain, then back at the Lycan King, "Five thousand."

"I'll give you one million," Elion said in a tone of finality, then snapped his fingers. 

A guard disappeared from behind him and came back with a black box.

The mistress eyes grew wide as saucers as she opened the box and saw it was indeed filled with money.

My stomach dropped to my feet as I witnessed the entire exchange, feeling more as an object than a person. 

I collapsed to the floor, my knees feeling like jelly. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I shivered inwardly even though the room was hot as hell.

What was going on? Why would he pay that ridiculous amount of money just for me? Would he kill me now that he technically owned my life?

More importantly, what was he doing here of all places?!

"Grab her when she's done," Elion ordered the guard closest to him and left without missing a beat.

Even though he was gone, I could still feel his presence room, suffocating me.

The mistress eyes gleamed with mania as she stared at the box filled with money, 

"You were useful after all." She grinned at me, "I'll give you a clue about the Lycan King. Nobody can survive him during his rut season."

She grabbed the box and dashed out of the room.

I almost scoffed. The rut season was the time the Lycan had an uncontrollable sexual drive, which could cause them to be a literal beast or descend into madness if their needs aren't satisfied. It usually spans for seven to ten days, depending on the Lycan.

Elion wouldn't, right?? That's not why he bought me, right?

Right?

A sense on dread crawled up my spine as the thought settled deeply on my mind. 

"Do you have anything to pack?" The guard left in charge of me asked, "We can't keep His Majesty waiting."

Right, Elion was waiting.

I glanced at the entrance, then at the window, weighing my chances. 

I doubt I'd barely make it to the gate before he finds me, and something tells me I don't want to anger him further. 

Running, —trying to run away would be a terrible mistake. 

I shook my head, I had nothing to pack anyway aside from the picture of my sister and a necklace I always had on me.

"Okay, follow me." The guard added.

I forced my jitters down and stood, following his lead to my new fate. 

I bet the universe was laughing at me and having fun with my life.

I had just one job, borrow some money from the mistress' office and run away, yet I couldn't do that right.

I was no doubt moving from frypan to fire with my fate sealed. 

The ladies from the brothel all stared at me with pity in their eyes as I was escorted to one of the carriages outside. 

I was gently pushed into the backseat, sharing the same car as Elion. 

I couldn't stop my body from shaking even as I settled down in the car, and it drove out of my home for the past three months.

My wolf stirred, but I blocked it out and focused on my feet instead, it was better than staring at anywhere else. Elion's presence was overwhelming enough as it is. 

"Why aren't you wearing your ring?" He asked, am edge to his voice.

I stiffened. 

How did he know about the ring?

How did he even know I wore or had a ring?

Before I could voice out my question, he interrupted. 

"It doesn't matter," he scoffed 

My wolf stirred again. 

I sat stiffly, not daring to move a muscle or do anything that might trigger him.

A gentle waft of cedar mixed with citrus and cinnamon drifted to my nose. The scent was so calming and relaxing that a small sigh escaped from my lips in content.

"Mate," my wolf purred in content.

A flash of fear jolted through me as I realized what had just happened. 

Elion froze, an angry growl emanating from him. 

"Mate," he glowered at me, the word rolling off his tongue like it was bitter.

I lifted my eyes to meet his, my pulse thrumming loudly in my ears.

The word echoed in my ears repeatedly.

What does this mean for us, for me? 

If we're mates, he'd have no choice but to protect me and guarantee my safety.

"Don't even think about it." Elion snapped, not sparing me a glance, "I'll never accept you as my mate."

I swallowed and nodded meekly.

The idea of me as his mate must have been really appalling, or maybe he was still angry and would rather have me as his slave rather than his mate.

 So much for looking forward to my second chance mate. 

"The primary reason I brought you here is because I need an heir, and no woman has successfully survived past the first trimester." Elion announced, breaking the uncomfortable silence in the car.

As my mate, your body should be able to accommodate the pregnancy.

My face turned white, I paled, darting my eyes away from him and holding the hem of my tattered shirt tightly. 

But I don't have a womb

I can't tell him that, —I won't tell him that because if I do, and that's what he truly needs me for, it would mean he wouldn't need me again and he would kill me.

Because then, he would have no use for me.

My breaths came in short, I clenched my shirt tighter, and tears stung the corner of my eyes.

How would I find my sister?

Scratch that. How would I survive him?

Elion wouldn't just let me go, not even hell freezing over would change his mind.

His phone rang,

He answered it on the first ring, saying coldly into the phone, "It better be important,"

I shuddered at his tone. 

"Damon is at the mansion?!" He roared with anger, his fingernails turning to long pointed talons, "What is he doing there? If he doesn't leave before I get back, I'd be sure to feed his heart to my pets."

Silence. 

"Tell him I said that."

Pieces of the person's response reached my ears.

"He said....information..... would like,"

Elion took a deep breath and sighed, his talons were still out.

I glanced up, my gaze landing on him.

I found all red eyes, staring back at me.

I flinched and retracted my gaze instantly, withdrawing to myself. 

My body was shaking badly again. 

If this was how he was when angry, only heavens knew what he planned to do to me, especially when he finds out I never had a womb.

Now, I needed no confirmation.

This was my hell on earth. 

*

The carriage finally came to a stop, and I came down, glancing around..

What am I supposed to do now? Where do I go to?

A soft whimpers escaped my lips when Elion got down, standing a few feet away from me.

"Where's Damon?" He asked the butler, the gray in his eyes turning red.

"In the garden, " the butler answered, "What do we do with the new girl you brought, sir?"

Elion turned to me as if just realizing I was there. His eyes roamed over my body in distaste or maybe disgust, I couldn't tell.

"Prepare her for what's to come." Elion spat and left.

The butler eyed me, nudging me towards the side of the palace, "You're the newest victim then."

Newest victim? –I swallowed, the action not easing the tightness I felt in my chest. 

"Who's she?" A shrill loud voice rang out. 

"That's the King's concubine ." The butler whispered, "Pay your respects."

I was turned around in confusion, lowering my gaze as a woman walked closer to us, dressed in an expensive embroidered gown.

A hard jab came at my calf, forcing me on my knees in front of the woman.

"I'm sorry, mistress," the butler apologized, "I'm still teaching her some manners."

The woman gave me a once-over and scoffed as I stood.

"So you're the new breeding sheep." She pointed out with so much hated in her voice, then came closer and placed her lips few inches from mine, "Know your place else I'll make sure the next time you leave this grounds would be in a coffin."

She pulled back and smiled sweetly before heading towards the direction Elion went. 

"Except His Majesty sends for you, you are not allowed anywhere near the King's room or his wing," the butler said to me as we entered the mansion. 

Calling it beautiful would be an understatement. It was breathtaking. 

"Do you understand me?" The butler snapped irritatedly.

I nodded, not like I had plans on going there anyway, I'm going to do my best to avoid him as much as I can.

"Since you were brought for breeding," the butler continued, throwing me a glare, "We don't have to be nice to you. The King doesn't like you either way, and you have to earn your keep."

I nodded again, following the butler as he led me through different corridors of rooms. 

"Let's see how long you'll last," he added snarkily and paused, "This is your room. Be ready in five, I'll bring you a change of clothes."

He eyed me and left. 

I opened the room and entered, expecting the worst.

It was surprisingly good and big, compared to the places I've lived since I was on the run. 

I rushed to the shower to wash up. I had less than five minutes before the butler got back.

Just as I came out of the bathroom, I heard a knock. 

Talk about timing. 

I tightened the towel around my body and opened the door.

A six foot two demigod with the bluest eyes I've ever seen stood at the door in place of the butler, a crease appeared on his forehead when he saw me, his eyes lingering on me.

"Mate," he whispered. 

What the heck?!

I took an involuntary step backward, away from him.

"W.. who are you?" I spluttered out as my wolf stirred again. 

He stepped in fully, advancing on me.

I took two steps back, and he took five steps forward until my back hit the wall, and I had nowhere to run.

"W.. what are you doing?" I stammered, my heart beating wildly in my chest, "Are you perhaps in the wrong room?"

He leaned in closer, taking a sniff at the crook of my neck whispering again, "Mate,"

"What?" I gasped out, unable to fully form words, "That's not possible. There has to be a misunderstanding somewhere." I argued even as my wolf reacted to him differently like it did to Elion earlier.

Suddenly, the stranger was thrown off me.

"What did you just say, Damon?" Elion growled, towering over him easily.

"She's my—" The stranger —Damon started but was cut off abruptly.

Elion punched him on the face, causing him to stagger back.

"Don't you dare claim what is mine," Elion growled, his eyes red and his talons out.