Chapter four.

Kiara's POV.

Throughout the drive to Hyde's surprisingly distant kingdom, no one said a word to anyone. The silence could be sliced effortlessly with a butter knife. 

We had left immediately after the rites were completed. Aside the elders, none of the pack members showed up. 

The smile on my father's face as Hyde led me to his carriage was unexplainable. He really wanted me out so badly. I hope that one day, his resentment towards me will be backed up with a tangible clue, there has to be more to it that meets the eye. 

Strangely, it was beginning to seem as though Hyde and I suffered the same faith, how could he travel such long distance to wed yet no one came with him, not even a single member of his family, or the elders of his clan, His father who had agreed to the marriage wasn't in attendance too. It was just him and few of his servants and guards. 

Well, his situation was understandable anyway being that there was a recent rumor about him killing his brother. Who would accompany someone who embodies such numerous rumors to wed?

As much as I was scared to my teeth for the scandalous marriage I was venturing into, I was also curious to know why he turned out the way he was. I have heard that the rest of his brothers were completely the opposite of him. 

Slowly, I felt my head begin to swirl slightly and my eyelids were becoming heavy, I felt a strong wave of drowsiness hit me hard, and before I knew it, my eyes squeezed shut and I drifted into darkness.

*

I felt a soft tap on my cheeks as I slept deeply. I stirred slightly and peeked through heavy sleepy eyes.

Right beside me, Hyde was sitting, staring into my face.

My eyes quickly flew open and I jerked up in a high speed, attempting to flee from whatever situation that have gotten me in a carriage with the demon king. 

I was only a step away when a quick rush of events of the previous hours of the day surged through my head and I collapsed back on my seat.

I had dozed off during the journey back to Hyde's kingdom and totally forgot about the marriage. 

"We are here," he muttered and I quickly stared out through the carriage door. The sky was already dark and only shone under the merciful moon

"Oh... Uhm... Okay." I stuttered, the realization of my situation dawning on me for the umpteenth time. 

I was really here, in a strange land, with a strange man as my husband. 

Could this be a journey to an entirely different existence? What if it's one that I can't be able to see the end?

It's way more scary because I don't even have anywhere to run to if it becomes too much for me to bear, going back to my pack is not an option in any way. 

"Do you enjoy the comfort of my carriage so much Kiara?" His cold voice jolted me out of my chain of thoughts. 

He really doesn't doesn't speak a lot, most of his speeches seemed calculated. 

"I.. I'm sorry, I was carried away a bit," 

Hold on, why am I apologizing? 

Slowly and steadily, I climbed down from the carriage, and so did he. 

While I waited for him to lead the way towards his chamber, he surprisingly walked up to me instead, and stretched forth his hand towards me. 

Wait, what am I supposed to do now? Hold his hand?

"C'mon Kiara, we can't stay out here all night, can we?" His eyes traveled to my face, piercing into mine. 

I couldn't hold his gaze for a second before quickly dragging my eyes to the floor. How could I possibly stare into those strangely dark bullet-like eyeballs that is capable of piercing through the skin. 

In a swift move, I quickly placed my hands on his and he began to lead the way into the hugely erect mansion. 

This was the third time that I'd be making physical touch with him, but each time, it feels as new as the first. 

All through the walk towards his chamber, I shivered uncontrollably as his hand held mine. I couldn't explain how I felt, but one thing is sure, I'm scared of this man. 

But should I though? He's my husband right? Okay well, that sounded a little bit weird. 

We walked into the house, it was as empty and silent as a graveyard. 

Does he live alone? Even if he doesn't live with his family, how about his house workers? 

Is he deserted this much?

"The house workers have all retired for the night," he suddenly blurted as though he could hear my thoughts. 

I nodded frantically, scared to make the wrong move and incur his anger.        

He proceeded to lead the way up the stairs, we took different turns and finally halted before a door which I already assumed to be his room. 

Only then, did he let go of my hand and pushed the door open. 

I immediately felt a sense of calmness wash over me, the atmosphere surprisingly pleasant.

His room was huge, obviously made for someone of his statue, his bed was made with the finest fabric, the floor covered in a deep black furs that was so soft and smooth that it practically massaged my feet as I walked.

Aside the decoration, the room itself was finely scented, laced with a mixture of fragrance and sweat. Strangely, I found the combination quite intriguing to my sense. I felt so drawn to it. 

"Your father, he was in a hurry with the rites," I heard him suddenly speak up and I turned around swiftly towards him, my gaze everywhere but his face.  "Any idea why?"

My fingers fiddled with the edge of my dress as I fought for the right words to say, how could I possibly tell him that my father sold me out to him because I brought only ridicule to his name? Or do I tell him that I was brutally rejected by my fated mate because I do not have a wolf? Isn't that enough to raise his disgust against me too? 

"The maids were rude to you, and no one in your pack was in attendance of your marriage, not even your friends, have you no friends?" 

Why is he bringing this all up? It's been only a couple of hours with me and he could already smell my misfortunes? Am I really that bad?

I dragged my gaze to the floor, unable to utter a word. 

Almost immediately, my eyes flew back towards him as I heard a krunch sound, he was biting down hard on his palm and when blood began to spill, he stretched forth his hand towards me. 

What? 

"C'mon, take a lick," he nodded at me. 

I was completely frightened, deeply confused about what he was doing, but the fear of getting on his nerves was bigger than my confusion and in a steady move, I bent over and licked off the spill of blood on a part of his palm.

Somehow, it wasn't awful like I had thought, it was surprisingly savory. Unconsciously, I grabbed his hand and sank my lips down on his blood stained palm. 

"You're linked with me now," I heard his voice resound in my head. 

"Nobody holds the right to step on you anymore, not even your father." 

"You're safe now," those were the last words my ears grabbed before a heavy wave of dizziness washed through me and darkness enveloped me.