Chapter 2 :Athena

Athena 

“I should be the one asking that.” His eyes narrowed,

I racked my brains for answers, my brain felt foggy, but bits and pieces of last night's encounter came back. 

I shot up from the bed instantly, a whimper escaped my lips, I hadn't felt it cause the bed supported me but now I did. 

My back ached, my entire body felt sore and incredibly tender, heat crept up my cheeks. 

“I won't blame you for what happened last night, considering I pounced on you. Name your price.” I mumbled the words out, my heart sinking with each word. 

Oh the scandal this could turn out to be, to think I sacrificed my precious gift to my mate on a whim.

Hold on, my eyes glimmered as they locked on him, I took a step forward, limping slightly, “bastard” I cursed under my breath. 

“Sorry” he replied with a sheepish grin, 

I rested once more on the bed, focusing my strength and waiting to feel that energy or even the scent from last night. I needed a confirmation that it wasn't merely a figment of my imagination. 

He propped himself upwards, just staring, maybe for a reaction or something but he was quiet, lost in thought. 

“Not much of a talker huh?” I laughed nervously, the air was already awkward enough.

He sighed, then without a word stood in all his glory, walking into the restroom to freshen up I presume.

“You're not a pervert, you're not a pervert” I chanted like a mantra, leaving my eyes shut before my eyes wandered to unwanted places. 

Just I felt his presence cross by, his skin brushing against mine, the spark, the electricity, it all cracked to life, roaring fiercely against my heart. 

My eyelid flung open, I watched his retreating back, traced it down to his spine, his skin was ridiculously flawless, except for the snake-like tattoos that covered his back and the one that filled his biceps down to his forearm.

Something warm bloomed in my chest. Finally, I had my mate. I can prove them all wrong. Someone would finally want me. Oh, I can't wait to see that smug smiles freeze from all their faces when I finally present my mate to the court. 

The shower stopped, then he stepped out, a white towel wrapped around his waist, I trailed his movement with my eyes, he threw on briefs and a handless black singlets, flexing his features. 

“Done drooling?” His tone sounded bored, flat, a smirk tugged on his lips.

I snapped out of it, “I wasn't drooling” I scoffed. 

“Yeah right” he eyed me, his expression screaming, I'll be a fool to believe that. 

“Take a shower, then come out, let's talk,” the broody expression on his face was back. 

It dimmed his features, my eyes which were locked on his face, trailed down, from his thick lashes to his silver eyes, perfect jawline, nose straight and pointed out, to his red plushy lips. 

Was he even real? I wondered. 

“And yet she's not drooling.” Amusement flickered past his eyes, he looked like he was withholding a chuckle. 

“I wasn't” I snapped. 

“Of course princess. Whatever you say.” 

My heart skipped, how did he know? 

“Take a shower, wear one of my clothes from the rack back there. Then come out to the outer room. We should talk about this.” He said and walked out before I could throw a comeback.

I rolled my eyes, limping to the bathroom, he put me in this position and couldn't even be bothered to help me.

Wait?

I took a look at my surroundings, everything was foreign but familiar, I was in one of the guest rooms. How come I didn't notice? I would have loved to see the expression on Sara's face once she realized I wasn't available. 

The bath had already been prepared, the water warm, with a fragrant scent drifting into the air. 

I smiled, “okay. I take it back, he's not a bastard. Maybe has a little difficulty with showing care, but at least he's nice.” I mumbled. 

It wouldn't be so bad to have a mate that cared about me after all and not one that was bothered with how I look. 

I went through my business quickly, feeling fresh once I stepped out, an outfit was surprisingly laid out for me. 

I picked up the shorts, a quiet giggle slipping through my lips, “life with Mr grumpy doesn't seem so bad after all.” 

I stopped just at the door, the shorts hugging my waist perfectly, a muffled sound came through the door. 

Curious I placed my ears on it, straining to hear what was going on, 

“Is she your mate?” A foreign voice asked. 

“Yes.” My mate replied bluntly. 

I smirked, “take that stranger” I did a short victory dance, I have had a million ways of meeting my mate play out in my head, but none played out like this. With him accepting me and declaring me his mate. 

“You can't possibly accept her, Rowan, aside from the fact that she's on the bigger side you're already engaged. It's bad enough you cheated right under the King's nose, this could destroy everything we've worked for” the strange voice was slightly high pitched now, with panic at its edge. 

“Just say it out Lake, she's fat. I know,” my mate who I now identify as Rowan said flatly, seems like that was just a default setting. 

“You can't seriously be thinking of completing the mate bond with her, what of the engagement.” 

“Let me think, Lake,” he groaned. I could hear the frustration in his voice. 

“Well you have to make your decision now, I'm sorry, but we're out of time and options, this needs to be dealt with and under wraps before the meeting with the king.” 

Why were they talking about dealing with what happened between my mate and I as if it were something shameful. 

My hands flew to my neck, my brows furrowed, he didn't complete the mating. 

“I never said anything about having her as my partner. I'll pay her off to go leave somewhere with someone more her class.” He replied coldly. 

Something hard cracked in my chest, as the words dropped. 

“He can't be serious right?”