Contract Marriage

~ Emilia ~

I regained consciousness to find myself in a dark room. The room was pitch black with no trace of light.

I strained my eyes to see where I was, but still I couldn’t see anything. I was relieved when I was hit with a ray of light from an opening, that was when I realized I was lying on a mattress.

I then sprang up from the bed, ignoring the bang I felt on my head.

I crept down the wooden bed and tiptoed towards the door. I reached for the bolt and tried to force it open when I heard the clattering of glass.

I turned in the direction of the sound and froze.

A man was sitting at the far end of the room, on a high chair.

The chair swung and turned in my direction.

My heart hammered within my chest. 

I looked closely to see his face, but I could only see his silver pinky ring glisten in the dark as the pink ruby winked at me. 

I felt his attention on my body. His gaze pressed on me like he was accessing my every curve.

He switched on the light above his desk, revealing his face.

“Alpha Adrian. " I whispered shakily.

What was he doing in here, and how come I didn’t see him earlier?

“Trying to escape?" He chuckled. 

My throat bubbled. His voice tastes like honey in my tongue. It was sweet just like sugar.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no word came out of it. My palm lay flat on the door, resting on it so tightly.

“Emilia Grayson." He called my name for the first time with so much gentleness.

I stood still, staring at him. I didn’t know what to do or say at this point. 

Does it mean I had another punishment for trying to escape?

His gaze left my body and dropped at the wine glass he held. He chuckled lightly and sipped on his liquor; the sipping sound sent shivers down my spine, making my blood rush to my head. 

He stood up and walked on to the front of the desk. He moved like a predator, his steps slow and calculating, and that was when I registered how tall he was, atleast—6'2.

“Come." He signaled. 

I took a few steps forward and stood still.

He watched my every movement and laughed, then set his glass down on the table.

“Human mate." He laughed and pointed towards the bed, "Come sit."

I hesitated for a while before stepping closer. I stood at the bedside, refusing to sit. He stretched his hands, pulling me closer, and I stood in front of him.

He pushed his body forward, his face close to mine, his minty breath fanned my tensed face, and I could hear the increase of my heartbeat.

His mouth curved slightly. “I haven’t registered how beautiful you look, Emilia; just found out now." 

I swallowed hard and brought my face down, staring at the floor and wishing it could open and swallow me. I took a few steps backwards to avoid getting any closer to him.

He moved his hand to my chin, forcing my head up and looking into my face. 

He let out a sly smile as his gaze slowly dropped to my chest.

He sucked on his bottom lip in satisfaction and nodded.

“Nice boobs," he said, eyeing me sultrily.

My face flushed in total embarrassment, and I wrapped my hands around my chest.

He smiled, crossed his arms behind his back, and made his way close to me again. His hands dropped to my face, pulling a strand of my hair backwards. 

My body responded to his touch, and I could feel my nipples standing firm, poking out of the white robe I wore.

“Human Mate." He said again and laughed loudly.

“Wh…..at… do you mean?” I stuttered heavily. I didn’t know where I got the courage to speak, but I did.

And he burst out in laughter.

“I love to hear you speak. He purred, cleared his throat, and then backed away.

He headed to his desk and picked up a big brown envelope that lay on it. 

“Here," he said, handing me the envelope. 

"Open it and read what’s inside.”

My gaze dropped at the envelope and back at him without moving. 

He nodded his head in a ‘go ahead’ gesture, and I collected the paper.

I pulled out neat stacks of white papers and read through the first few lines, and my breath hitched. I paused to look at his face.

“What is this?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion.

"What would become of you once you sign them?" he stated.

I took my eyes back to the paper, and yes, it was what it was.

My eyes widened in utter confusion.

“Was this some sort of joke?" Alpha Adrain isn’t into jokes. The most dreaded being in the whole of Lycaonia and out of the city, too.

What exactly was he up to?

“So, should I sign them? " I muttered. 

Adrain stepped closer, his blue eyes fixed on me.

“You obviously have no choice; go on and sign them." 

I suddenly burst into laughter, enraged at what he said.

"Well, Alpha, I am not going to sign whatever this is because I don't have a business with a wolf and am not one, so a contract marriage should be out of it," I scoffed.

He clenched his fist tightly so that his fingers dug into his palm and blood slowly dripped from it.

My mouth curved into an ‘ooo’ shape, and I sharply used my palms to cover it. The reality of what I just said slammed into me. He was visibly pissed by my rejection.

He raised an eyebrow. “You got it wrong, Emilis; you will sign those papers now.” He roared fiercely, trying so hard to suppress his anger. 

I shook but tried to remain still. "And what if I don’t?” 

He bit down on his lower lips. “I advise you to sign those papers now. Besides, it isn't a real marriage. Just for paper's sake. I wouldn’t be needing a human mate after all if not for fate.”

His words felt heavy inside me. He was seeing humans less again.

"Here," I handed the papers back to him. "I can’t do the

marriage. You can take me to your prison or dungeons or wherever you feel like. I can’t do it," I declared.