CHAPTER 4

Nina's POV 

I was filled with desperation.

Then he turned towards Maya. “Leave us.”

“What?” She snapped. “I'm your mate for Goddess sake and I deserve to be here."

Aiden shot her a murderous glare. 

She snatched her bag, eye me down before walking out of the room, her boots hitting the floor sharply.

The moment she slammed the door shut, Aiden stepped closer, his eyes lingering on my chest. “Get into a contract with me.”

My eyes narrowed in disbelief. “Contract?” I repeated, unease creeping in. “What type of contract?”

“A sex contract for two years?” He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You will be my mistress.”

Sex contract? The words left a roaring sound in my ears.

I looked at him, really looked at him to see if he was just pulling my legs or something, but nothing in his expression gave him away; he was dead serious.

I clenched my fists. This bastard is degrading me—again and again.

“Are you crazy?” I spat, my voice louder than intended. 

“No, I'm not,” he responded, smirking. He walked back to the tennis table and sat on it. “Full access to all of you. And I promise to stop Killian's expulsion with just a phone call.”

I didn't say anything; just stood there wondering how I didn't see any of his cocky attitude earlier. How I let myself fall in love with him.

“You're not saying anything, Nina Hayes,” he purred, his eyes never leaving me.

I swallowed past the bile rising in my throat, my thoughts raging. The thought of him, touching me again after everything sent a trail of disgust through me. While the thought of Killian being expelled made me so scared—I won't be able to live with myself if that happens.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked. “And what would your mate think about this?”

“First, I'm doing this because, you have the best pussy I have ever fucked in my entire life. Tight and clean.” His eyes was dark with lust like he was already eye fucking me. 

“Secondly, Maya wouldn't know about this. And if she does, we have an arrangement that doesn't let us interfere into each other's personal life.”

“You both really suit each other,” I say. 

His smirk deepened like I had just complimented him.

Then I asked the one question that has been lingering in my mind since all this charade started. “We've been friends for eight years, so did you ever for once love me?”

“No,” he snapped. “I don't do love. My father said he is going to give the throne to any of his son—the one who deserves it. So, I need a capable mate—someone whose influence I can rely on. And who knows, I might be able to take the throne away from my elder brother.”

I nodded slowly.

“So what do you say? The offer will be leaving the table in the next ten seconds.” Then he started counting. “One. Two….”

My thoughts were tumbling over the other. Mother and Killian would be disappointed if they find out. But they don't have to know, do they?

“Eight. Nine. T—”

“I will do it,” I agreed, cutting him off sharply.

“Good.” He jumped off the table. Then before I knew what was happening, he wrapped his hands around my waist and pressed a kiss to my lips. 

I pushed against his chest, but he didn't even bulge. He kept kissing me, his tongue swirling around my mouth and biting on my lower lip.

And my fucking body did betray me by reacting to his touch. My nipples tightened. Heat pooling between my thighs.

He pulled back. “Look at you. Still not over me yet, huh?”

“You asshole?” I spat through gritted teeth, hating that he was right.

He reached for his phone in his pockets, fingers hovering on the screen as he dialed a number.

“Don't expel Killian Hayes anymore.” He ended the call. “Your brother is free now. But warn him never to mess with me anymore.”

I rolled my eyes so hard that I thought it was going to pull off. “Don't let anyone know about the damn contract.”

“Sure. I will prepare the contract today.”

Then his phone rang. He picked it. “My brother?” He panicked. “I'm coming.“

His brother. Why did he look so scared? Oh… they are rivals to the throne.

At that moment, I was grateful that Killian and I didn't have to go through such unhealthy competition.

He turned back at me. “I need to leave now. Come back and sign the contract. Know that you can not back off. Or else…”

He let the remaining of his threats hang, sending shivers down my spine. 

Of course, I know what he meant. Or else Killian would be expelled.

I didn't say a word; I just turned and walked out of the room.

_________

“I was surprised that the board just changed their mind suddenly,” Killian said as we returned back to the campus after seeing mother off to the gate.

I didn't say anything. The weight of the contract pressing down on my neck, and it was now that I realized what I had just gotten myself into.

“Hope you didn't go and beg that bastard?” Killian asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

“No,” I lied firmly. “Why would I do that?”

His gaze lingered on me briefly as if he wants to deduce the truth from my expression and I made sure I gave nothing away.

“Alright. I'd prefer to be expelled than begging.”

I nodded.

“Take care, baby sister.” He waved me goodbye and turned towards the route to the male dorm.

Just as I turned towards my dorm, my mind still reeling from everything that happened, I bumped into a tall, solid form. Strong hands caught me before I could stumble.

I felt electric shockwaves coursing through my body. 

My glasses fell down. Everything went blurry and dark.

"Please help me with my glasses," I said, panicking.

He handed it over to me and I quickly put it back on.

I looked up… and froze.

Jace Brooks.

Aiden’s older brother. Killian’s best friend. 

He has been away from the kingdom for five years.

His piercing grey eyes meeting mine—unblinking, unreadable, arresting.

And…

“Mate. Mate,” my wolf howled.