CHAPTER 2

Valeria POV

That night, I dreamt about my client and the way his eyes dimmed under the light, almost turning golden and we almost kissed. He was in my room when all these happen. The alarm rang, which brought me out of my daydreaming world.

I stretched my body and I heard the sound coming from downstairs. It must be my mother. I sat up on the bed and yawned softly; then a realization dawned on me. I would be meeting the Lycan king today, and this would be my last time with my parents.

"Val. You need to get ready because the car will soon be here," I heard Mother say. She was already close to my door.

The door was pushed open, and Mother came in. I can't believe I didn't even lock the door.

"Mama, good morning," I greet, still trying to get rid of the sleep in my eyes.

"You don't look so well this morning. Are you alright?" Mother asked and I nodded my head with a smile.

"Yes, I am fine. I think I am just a little bit surprised that I will be getting married to the Lycan king." I said, trying to come up with an excuse even though that was not the case.

I only know his name and the rumors I have heard about him should make me have a second thought, but I do not feel any of that.

"I told you your father has a great relationship with the Lycan king Xyrus and the elders had to bring you out because they believed you two would work together." Mother said as she held my hand in hers.

"Getting married to him will profit us but I know you will realize soon that it's also profitable for you." Mother explained, and I know she was right about that, but no one must know about my identity. It will cause them a huge loss, which was why I was against this marriage in the first place.

Arranged marriage is actually common here and that was even how Father and Mother knew each other.

"I agree with you, Mother. You are the best," I told her with a big smile on my face.

"I will miss you," I added and hugged her tight.

"Me too," she whispered back. We actually hugged tight as if that was going to be our last time.

***

After bidding mum goodbye, I followed the Lycan king's guards to the car and they drove out to the castle. It took us more than two hours before we got to the castle. Of course, I know it was supposed to take longer.

Not many people have been there and not everyone knows what the Lycan king actually looks like.

However, few snaps were taken of him with a side profile, which is why I am sure he is a very handsome man.

The car stopped in front of the castle and I had to stop myself from opening my eyes in shock because I didn't expect the place to be this beautiful. The guards came down and opened the door for me while I stepped down elegantly. My dress swept the floor as I took a step forward.

"The Lycan king is not around right now, but he will be back before the ball party begins." The guards inform me and lead the way to the castle.

Talk about being irresponsible; he is the definition of it. I mean, who gets a bride and decides to leave the castle upon her arrival?

I decided to ignore the issue because it seemed we were both forced into this marriage. I followed the guards closely while my eyes wandered around. I had to blink twice and pinch myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming.

I thought Father's house was actually pretty, but seeing this place, I knew I made a terrible mistake. The moment we stepped inside the castle which happens to be where the king is staying, my jaw dropped.

The maids flooded the room and when they saw me, they stopped whatever they were doing to bow their heads.

I decided to take a look around later because I actually needed to see who my groom was. The Lycan king of the Moonblade Pack, but that will be at the ball, which I wasn't even informed about.

The maid will attend to you, the guard said and left the room, leaving me all alone in the spacious sitting room.

"Your Grace" The maid bowed and raised her head. I looked at her attire and noticed she was the only one with a different uniform.

"I am Alicia, and I will be showing you a room to stay in until the Lycan king comes back." The maid informed me and I nodded my head.

She led the way and stopped when she got to one of the rooms. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. "The dress for the ball has been prepared and will be sent to your room, your grace." She explained and I was too stunned to even talk.

If this happens to be my room, I will be glad. It's just the perfect size I want.

"Thank you, Alicia. I would like to take a rest for now," I said and she obeyed me by stepping out of the room.

I knew today was going to be a long day but I was too tired to take a tour around the castle. I just need to sleep and think about my whole future from now.

***

The knock on the door woke me up from my deep slumber. For the second time within 24 hours, I dreamt about the guy in the silver mask again.

"Your Grace, you need to change into the dress for the ball party," Alicia said in a calm voice, and I can't believe I almost forgot the ball party.

I sat up on the bed and went ahead to take my bath alone even though the maid insisted that they help me out. I am not used to the life of a princess which was why I had to do it myself and I miss my maid back at home.

When I was done, the dress was laid out and the maid helped me wear the dress. To my astonishment, it was the perfect size. An onion coloured dress with off shoulder sleeves and a large slit which stops at my upper thigh.

"Who got this dress for me?" I asked in curiosity.

"The king must have chosen it himself," Alicia answered and helped me with the heel.

"Hmmm… not bad. He actually has a good sense of fashion," I thought aloud.

Wait!

Does that mean that the lycan king is back in the castle?

Did he come in and meet me while sleeping?

No.

I must try to look my best in front of him; maybe it won't be bad to give this marriage a chance. I left the room and arrived at the ball with the guards. The room was actually stuffed with people of high rank, which I believe the Lycan king was part of.

Each person has a partner, with only a few people like me, who were left with none. How would I recognize him among these people?

Even as I was walking, few men actually cast their glances at me. While some also try to approach me. Of course, people have always praised my beauty, which wasn't something new.

My favourite song was being played, and I moved to it slowly, getting lost in it. Suddenly, a powerful hand caught my waist from behind and my back was pressed into a firm chest.

The first thing that kicked in my head was to remove his hand and slap him for trying to harass me, but instead, I breathed in his addictive, expensive cologne.

"Didn't know you were here looking for me." I heard the faint whisper of a thick voice in the shell of my ear, and goosebumps dotted my skin.

It's him!

I didn't have to ask him.

There was no point in trying to figure him out when his voice held so much command.

"Lycan king Xyrus," I replied, and I swear, I never expected my voice to come out as a whisper, but it did.

I blame it on my stupid hormone messing up. Maybe I still need a good sleep because of travelling.

"Can you waltz?" He asked, and before I could reply, he let me go, only to spin me to face him while his hand circled my waist again. I placed my hand on his chest to stop myself from falling and look up.

That was my first mistake.

"I was curious to know what you look like, but it seems the rumours aren't true." He said with a proud smirk on his face, but I was too stunned to speak.

He is undeniably beautiful compared to most of the females I have come across, including me. His eyebrows are thick with long eyelashes that will kiss his upper cheek if his eyes were closed.

He took the first step and I had no choice but to snap out of my daze. "Am I that handsome that you can't take your eyes off?" He asked and I swallowed hard.

One. He is one cocky bastard who is actually good at throwing words that will leave you speechless.

"I wasn't looking at you, my king," I said, and he twirled me around only to have me back in his arms.

I could feel the eyes of the people on us. They were watching us, and I couldn't believe we were already at the centre.

"Relax your shoulder and follow my leads." He whispered, and I tried not to look at his sinful lips.

6'2 feet tall with a muscular build.' He doesn't have to do anything to have girls crawling at his feet.

"And lying doesn't look good on you, Valeria," he said, and the next thing I knew, we were already moving in sync with one another.

When the song finally stopped, a round of applause followed. They looked at us with admiration while the girls gave me a scornful look. I wouldn't blame them; I would be jealous, too, if I were one of them. A random girl getting married to the Lycan king must have shocked them when I was not even his mate.

"Follow me," he said, and only then did he let go of my waist. I followed him outside, trying to walk past the people. We walked back to the castle and the door was pushed open. It was his bedroom. I sat down on the couch, making myself comfortable.

"I know what girls like you are after. Fame, money

and love," he said, and I wanted to argue, but he wasn't done talking.

"Congratulations because I will give you everything you want except love."

It was just three words but it made me freeze inside.

He is rude!

"I never said I wanted to be loved and I was also forced into this marriage like you..."

"Language" He said in a commanding tone shutting me up.

"I was trying to clear the misunderstanding, my king?" I responded because he was clearly trying to paint me as if I agreed to the marriage. Mother would be shocked if he knew about this.

Ignoring me, he took a wine bottle from the cellar and dropped it on the glass table.

"Like I said earlier, I will give you what you want but this union will be void of love, which is why I drafted a contract for you." He said and crossed his arm across his chest.

"We will be in an open marriage, which means you are free to date any man of your choice while I will do the same. I do not need to know who you meet and you don't have to ask me the same question. Once it's annulled, a sum of thirty million dollars will be sent to you as compensation and if you wish, you will remain as my mistress.”