CHAPTER FOUR

MERILYN

I silently followed the men as they led me away from the airport into one of their very luxurious cars. “Please,” the man gestured, and I got in. 

Fear oozed from me like an open dam. My hands clutched my bag tightly, and my eyes kept darting to the man seated next to me. 

How on earth had I gotten on the Lycan King’s radar? 

My thoughts scattered as I tried to think of anyone I might have offended in the past, but nothing came to mind. 

Could… Could Warren have reached out to him for help? 

I quickly shut down the thought. That was impossible. Everyone with a thinking brain knew not to approach the Lycan King. Warren would never risk his life in such a way, not even for me. 

Confusion mixed with fear as they pulled up to the hotel I’d checked out from. 

Was the Lycan King waiting for me here? Was he someone I’d offended here? Oh goddess, save my soul. 

As we walked in, everyone stopped to bow to the man before me. The same one from the airport. 

And each time, their gaze would drift towards me with a pitying look, the kind you give to someone on death row, knowing it would be the last time you saw them. 

I’m going to die. I’m going to die. 

I refuse to go down without a fight. This Lycan King would have to catch me first.

“I advise you not to run. You’ll only worsen it.” I flinched, staring at the man before me. 

How did he know?! Did he have eyes at the back of his head? 

My shoulders slumped in defeat as the elevator door opened. It wasn’t until it started moving that I realized this was a different elevator, and it felt somewhat familiar. 

The doors opened, leading to…

What was I doing back here?

I was still deep in thought when I heard the man say, “Alpha, she’s here.” 

I turned and saw him bowing to…

Oh, my goddess! Oh, my goddess! 

The man I had a one-night stand with was the Alpha King. 

“Hello.” The Alpha King leaned down, and I jumped with a squeak. 

His brow arched, and I instantly fell to the floor. 

“Please forgive me! I didn’t know you were the Lycan King! I’m so sorry! I never would have dared to come close to you! Please spare my life! Don’t kill me, please!”

“Kill you?” He asked, and my stomach dropped. 

Oh goodness! He’s going to torture me first. 

I think I’m going to be sick. 

“Flinn, what is she saying?” 

The man from the airport chuckled. “She thinks you’re going to kill her. The entire ride here, the car was thick with the smell of her fear. Enticing, I tell you.” 

“You stupid…” The rest of his words trailed off as someone walked into my view. 

I flinched as I felt hands grip my arm. I looked up, staring at a different man. I hadn’t even noticed he was in the room. 

“Relax, miss. I assure you, no one is going to kill you.” 

I spared a glance at the Lycan King. “And him?” 

“He won’t hurt you.” 

Why did it feel like he didn’t believe what he said? 

***

“Sit properly.” The Lycan King ordered, and I shook my head. 

“I’m okay like this.” 

“You’re hanging off the chair. You could fall.” The gentle-looking man with green eyes said, “She’s getting ready to bolt at the slightest hint of attack.” The one from the airport—Flinn—chuckled. 

“Sit. Properly.” 

He didn’t have to tell me again. I firmly planted my backside in the middle of the sofa. 

“Kairen, stop scaring her.” 

My jaw dropped. Did he just call the king by his name? Why is his head still intact?

All the stories I’ve heard of the King, I’ve only ever pictured him as a blood-drinking, flesh-eating monster with three heads. 

What I didn’t expect was that he would be this ripped, this gorgeous—so gorgeous I wish I could keep him locked in a jar forever. 

A man with crazy sexual stamina. The thought made my cheeks flush. 

Well, I guess he was a flesh-eating monster based on the way he feasted on me—

For the love of all things holy! How can you be having such thoughts while looking death in the face?! 

I winced. It would be so embarrassing if these people could smell my arousal. I wouldn’t wait for the floor to open up; I’d bury myself in it instead. 

“Is no one going to speak, or are we going to keep staring at the poor girl all day?” 

Girl? I’m a thirty-year-old wo—

A growl filled the air, and I scooted closer to the chair. 

I’m a girl! In fact, you can call me anything you want. A ruler, a chair, a pencil. Whatever. I don’t mind. 

“Hm, looks like you’re no longer in heat.”

I didn’t dare nod.

“Last night, you took advantage of me.” 

Huh?! 

“You forced yourself onto me and made me lose control. I need you to take responsibility for it.” 

How did he manage to make me look like the villain here? I mean, if it means I won’t end up dead, I’ll gladly accept my fault. 

“I—I apologize for my mistake, Your Majesty. H-how do I take responsibility?” 

“Simple. Become my mate.” 

The air went silent; I could hear my heart pounding inside my chest. 

There’s no way I heard him correctly. 

“M-mate?” 

He nodded. “A fake mate. You’ll pretend to be my mate in public, and in private you and I will share a bed.”

Every single time I think this can’t get any worse, it gets worse. 

“Sh-share a bed?” I swallowed, hating how my heart raced with excitement. 

Was the sex that good? 

“Unfortunately, no. You were the lamest lay I’ve had in a very long time. You weren't that good in bed.” 

Ouch! 

I had no idea I’d even said it out loud. 

I cleared my throat, “Th-thank you for the kind consideration, Your Majesty. But I… I can’t. I’ve been claimed.” 

His head tilted. “That wasn’t what you said last night. Plus, the missing mark of a wedding band proves it.” 

Of course, how could I forget? 

“B-But your Majesty—”

“You have a month to decide. And you better not think of leaving the country during that time.” 

“Think carefully. Or I might kill you if I don’t like your answer.”