I'm not his bride

There was a deafening silence in the grand hall as we stood facing each other. My stomach growled because the food I had last night wasn't even enough.

Still wearing the baggy T-shirt he threw at me the night before, I stood barefoot on the cold marble floor as if I were a stray dog he had brought home.

With my chin cocked in silent defiance and my arms folded, I gazed at the man who believed he owned me.

Del Morino. Alpha of Black Fang pack.

I had bumped into him when I tried to go downstairs in search of Luma, the girl who came up to me yesterday.

I should have shuddered at the name alone but instead it made my stomach turn with a mixture of confusion, rage and something I wouldnt say. He was shirtless and his grey sweatpants hung low on his hips as he leaned casually against the banister. He smirked with his arms folded as if the world owed him gratitude for his existence.

“I told you already that I would be leaving today,” I said firmly my voice calm but steel-sharp. “It's not far to my aunts house. I can't stay here.”

His eyebrow went up and that annoying smirk curled his lip. Its adorable. In fact.

“However regrettably you were purchased and paid for. And I don't offer refunds darling.”

I tightened my mouth. “I am nothing to you and you cannot talk to me as though I were a pair of shoes.”

He moved slowly and deliberately toward me each step echoing in my chest like thunder as he pushed off the railing.

“No, you aren't a pair of shoes. I spent a lot of money on you and you're a pretty little mess. Therefore, no, you cannot simply leave.”

“I didn't asked to be purchasedx I yelled.

“Coolly,” he remarked, “And I didn't ask for a maid who talks back. However here we are.”

I gulped down the lump in my throat. “OK. Then act as if I were one. I will clean. Prepare the food. If I have to sweep your absurd palace floors, I will gladly do it. But I'm not going to marry you.”

His grin momentarily wavered before he burst out laughing loud and reckless. “I'd rather marry a viper than some pathetic little thing Drake threw away. Vipers. At least they know how to bite, not like you. You are just serving me migraine and noise.”

I looked at my feet and sadness washed over me but I had learnt not to dwell in that got far too long. Life with Clarissa and Sofia taught me that.

“I'm relieved that it was clear,” I said quietly as I moved past him. “As your maid I'll earn my keep and then leave once the debt is settled.”

He moved before I could blink, snagging my wrist and drawing me back with a firm but gentle grip that made it clear he wasn't the type of man to be ignored.

He snarled close to my ear, “ I didn't say you could leave.”

I looked up into his midnight eyes and swallowed , forcing myself to speak. “I’m not your prisoner.”

His tone darkened as he leaned in closer. “No. . Not at all. I own you. There is a difference, sweetheart.”

The heat of his breath hit my cheek and I cursed my body for even reacting. My heart was beating too quickly. And too loud. His hand slid to the back of my neck before I could push him away and he planted a kiss on my lips—not tenderly, not like a man courting a woman but like a declaration. Like a fire that destroyed everything in its path and without seeking permission.

I went cold. Then with a slow sly smile he withdrew and then kissed me again.

“You see you don't have a maid's taste.”

I gave him a small shove but he didn't get too far and it was enough to cause pain in my hands because it felt like I had just pushed a rock. He remained unflinching. If anything his smile got bigger.

“I'm quite sure that you are so stubborn that everyone around you got constant migraines.”

With a heaving chest I hissed. “You’re annoying.”

“And you're mine,” he said again unconcerned. “Now go upstairs little wolf. And when you mop the floor I want you to look halfway decent.”

I turned away and whispered “You'll regret this.”

As I rushed to the stairs I could still hear the smirk in his voice as he said, “ I've regretted worse.”

My hands were shaking so I leaned against the door and locked it behind me. How had I gone from loving Drake to finding myself in the lair of a man who kissed like he had just won a game he wasn't even playing, a man who treated people like poker chips? Del Morino possessed more than just strength. He was annoying and it was in an alluring way. unpredictable and dangerous. And he somehow got past me. To my soul, no? But to my weakness. I was more frightened by that.

I lowered my knees to my chest and sank onto the bed. Right now I don't know the direction my life is heading.

From being an Alpha's mate, to watching him go to my cousin and from jail to being bought and now I don't even know if I'm a bride or a maid.