CHAPTER 3

ILYANA’S POV.

This must be a dream. One I didn’t want to wake up from.

I don’t know what I was expecting when he placed his lips on mine, but not something this soft and warm. He bit down on my lower lips, a gasp escaping my mouth only for me to feel his tongue and everything inside. It was messy, but it was good.

Like the kind of thing that completed someone. His hand found its way to the back of my head, pulling me closer as he kissed me—soft and rough at the same time, moving slowly, then deeper, like he was making sure I followed his pace.

Everything disappeared.

My entire soul was lost in this one kiss.

I shut my eyes, letting him use my lips, something new blooming inside of my body. His hand trailed forward to my throat, running a finger down it and down to my chest as a moan involuntarily escaped my mouth.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat and he immediately pulled away from me. I opened my eyes to meet his own. For a second, he looked… surprised. Almost unsure. Then it disappeared.

A small crease formed between his brows, and in a moment, his cold expression was back.

Why?

He cleared his throat and turned to a man that was trying so hard not to grin, “Carius, take her to the car.”

“Of course, your highness.”

The man stepped forward, his grin still dancing on his lips as he bowed a little, “this way, my lady.”

My eyes widened as I stuttered, “I’m…I’m no…lady..…I’m just…”

His grin further widened and he turned, walking away. I didn’t want to embarrass myself further so I just clamped my mouth shut, my head bowed as I followed him outside. I ignored the shocked looks from everyone present, my mind still reeling from the kiss and the sudden change of the Alpha king’s mood.

I couldn’t help but think this was too good to be true.

The man, Carius, opened the car door and pointed for me to enter, “Just wait here, we’ll be back soon.”

I bowed cringely back, pasting a smile I had no idea where I pulled from before entering the car. The moment I sat on it, every taut muscle in me lessened, the softness and perfectness of it warming my body up. The insides smelled like luxury, like it was meant for just greatness and people that deserved it.

Not exactly for people like me.

What had I done my entire life besides being rejected?

“Suffered, Ilyana. You’ve suffered. We deserve this,” my wolf Elara mumbled happily.

The door opened, jolting me out of my thoughts as the alpha King entered, his aura menacing and oozing from every part of his body. His glare was harsh and cold, and he flicked his eyes to mine just a bit before looking away.

My heart was racing in my chest, not knowing what to make of this. Didn’t he just call me his? And also kiss me? Why was he also acting so cold like I was Alpha Theo?

“Take that off.” He suddenly said,

I looked at him, only to see his eyes drop briefly to my chest before returning to my face.

“What…what do you mean?”

“Your clothes. They’re wet.” His gaze lingered this time, slower. “Take it off.”

My eyes widened. I was only wearing a bra under and I had no other thing to wear. If I take it off now, I’ll practically be half-naked.

“Your….your highness…”

“Are you shy?”

I swallowed, my fingers trembling a little on my laps, different emotions racing in me, “no….

In a flash, he moved, seated now in front of me. He leaned forward, close. Too close. With a slight moment from either of us, our lips could touch again. The thought made something pool down inside of me,

“We’re mates now, Ilyana.” He said quietly,

His hand lifted slightly, hovering near my collarbone for a brief second, not touching.

“Do you think your lips are the only thing I’ll be touching?”

My heart skipped.

The air in the room suddenly felt hot, stifling. I could hear my heartbeat, the sound so loud.

My heart stopped as he leaned back and immediately removed his shirt and dropped it to my lap.

My mouth watered at the sight of his chest. A necklace with a wolf head pendant sat on his neck, the wolf head tattoo covering half of it. His ribs, his muscles…

I darted my traitorous eyes away quickly, unconsciously clenching my thighs.

“I’ll let it go tonight. Change into that.” He said and suddenly closed his eyes.

I hesitated for a minute, making sure his eyes were closed before unbuttoning my top and removing it, and placing it beside me.

I picked up his shirt and wore it, and the moment it touched my skin, his scent was back and my wolf yearned inside of me, to feel him again, to smell it directly from his body.

“You whore,” I mindlinked her, “stop it.”

She purred sadly before shutting it down. He opened his eyes and checked me out,

“Good. Now get some rest, it’s going to be a long ride,” he said flatly, spreading more into his chair and shutting his eyes.

There was something different in his voice. Something distant.

Something that made me feel like this was not the fairytale of my mate choosing me like I wanted. But if this was a fairytale that might come to an end, then I better enjoy it.

The car.

His scent.

That kiss.

Even this.

I leaned back slowly, pulling his shirt tighter around me and drinking in more of his scent.

He was my mate, and I’ll be lying if I didn’t feel something for him. And I’ve vowed, this would be my last rejection.

So I’ll take whatever part of him he was willing to give before he rejects me just like the others do.