The Mountain Tigers Million Dollar Marriage

Let me refresh your memory Incase you've forgotten. So today was my wedding, the day every woman supposedly dreams about from girlhood. I get married and head home thinking I would eat, shower, count some pretty pennies and go sleep, right? Wrong. I get home and before my takeout even reach me my newly wed husband is snuggling on the couch with another woman with no regard for me whatsoever. Can you believe the audacity? "I have something to say" "Go right ahead, I'm all ears honey" I say as I bite into my fat juicy drumstick and moan in pleasure. Both jade and Zion frown imperceptibly. "You might be my wife on paper but jade is the mistress of this house, the only..." "Wait, hold up. If my memory serves me right, the mistress of the house should be your legal wife correct?" "I do care what should be I'm..." "You didn't answer my question" I interrupt blinking innocently at him. He inhales sharply but responds either way "Yes. But like I was saying..." "Then

The sun was already high, warm, and practically daring me to storm out and make someone miserable. Perfect. I left the mansion with one goal: coffee first, chaos later.The breakfast café was small but cozy, the kind of place that served proper coffee and toast without any judgment. I slid into a corner seat, pulled out my phone, and let myself relax for the first time all morning. The barista brought my cappuccino with a delicate swirl of foam and a slice of toast with butter melting just so. I savored every bite, feeling the caffeine and carbs resurrect me from the wedding-day hangover of etiquette and forced smiles.By the time I was done, I was buzzing with energy, the kind of energy that comes when you realize you’re about to do exactly what you want, consequences be damned. I slipped my shades on and made my way to the mall, where my best friend was waiting, practically bouncing in place.“Finally!” she cried. “I thought I’d have to come storm the mansion and drag you out myself

Mina woke up at the crack of dawn to the certainty which was represented by the screeching sound of Jade's voice that the end of the calm and peaceful moment she'd enjoyed the previous day had arrived. On the up side though, she'd forgotten to wash the dishes she'd used the previous night which meant the house was currently saturated with the stench that both jade and Zion couldn't stand, what this translated to was that she just might have earned herself a couple more days alone in this sprawling mansion. Mina slowly sat up from her sleeping position and looked in their direction, on one hand Zion stood by the door mortified with his hand to his nose in an attempt to block out the smell, on the other hand was Jade looking up at Zion and intermittently turning to throw glares her way, one hand pinching her nose and the other pointing at her indignantly. Mina absolutely didn't care though, she yawned and wiped the drool off her face and said, "Oh you're back?" ~ Zion woke before

Zion prepared and left for work after giving instructions to the housekeeper to get Mina out of his room, but the frustration and irritation he felt was nowhere near subsiding.He disliked that Mina was unruly and kept challenging his authority.When he'd decided to marry Mina it was solely because she was strong and volatile which meant she could handle his man eating relatives, he never considered the fact that the things he'd chosen her for would be used against him.He was both disappointed in himself for not thinking that far and annoyed at the sheer audacity she had to act that way towards.For Zion growing up under his father and in the Hawthorne mansion as an heir no less, He was constantly thought and reminded that power and authority were absolutely if he was to protect himself and the People he cared about. He'd become ruthless and calculating in other to maintain that control, men feared him and women fawned over him. Mina on the other hand neither feared, fawned or respe

Breakfast is quiet, but not awkward. There is a difference. Nothing is spoken, yet nothing is openly avoided either. Jade does not ask questions. She does not need to. Her gaze shifts once between Mina and me, sharp but controlled, and then she resumes eating as though whatever conclusion she has reached is sufficient for her.Good.I have no intention of clarifying anything.Mina behaves as if last night never occurred. She thanks Mrs Stratsowe for the food, asks for more juice, even hums softly while cutting into her toast. If someone walked into the dining room now, they would see nothing unusual. No tension. No scandal. No trace of rope or restraint or the fact that I, Zion Rothwell, had been carried across my own room like luggage.Reckless.That is what she is.Reckless enough to tie me up without hesitation. Reckless enough to silence me with her hand while someone knocked at the door. Reckless enough to sleep beside me afterward as if the entire situation had been perfectly no