*Danika*
Dismayed? I wasn’t. Apprehensive? I thought I was going to be. After all, he might be here to punish me after such a long time, however, I wasn’t. Instead, I stood there midway to the room, the aftermath of the amazement at seeing him washing away.
I thought he was going to lash out at me instantly and ask me to strip, grab me to him and deliver those humiliating pelt across my butt. Still, he shocked me further by just sitting there watching me calculatingly, as if gauging my reaction, seeing through me, and knowing what was hiking on in my head.
That was when the alarm set in. I swallowed, took another step into the room, another, and then like that until I was no longer far from him. Then I saw the teasing smirk stretched across his face. His face lifted like the arrogant prick he was, those spellbinding eyes eating off the remaining of my dress, leaving me naked to him.
“What do you want?” I decided to break the ice once and for all. If he was here to be the usual arsehole just because he caught me with his brother, then he should go ahead and make it fast. I said it; my happiness is fleeting. It’s more like the goddess was using me as a funhouse. This minute she is giving me candy to satiate my taste and pet me, the next, she snatches it away and lands me a bigger blow that leaves a greater scar.
“I see you are not happy to see me,” he said, sitting up, his two huge hands on his lap. “Am I not allowed to visit my mate?”
My heart somersaults with stupid delights at his words. Did he call me his mate for real? Or is he trying to play me? He is supposed to be angry, isn’t he? Or is he trying to deceive me into thinking he is over it, then when I least expect it, he strikes?
I blinked, stirring to the wardrobe to pick up my robe which I flung back to wear but paused when I felt him beside me, his hand holding onto mine midair to stop me. “I came because… I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
My treacherous cheap heart was starting to leap for joy. Okay, if he isn’t mad at me, I am supposed to be mad at him. He insulted me in front of his brother by calling me disobedient. Very degrading. He thinks I don’t have a choice. So what if he isn’t here to whip me like his slave? Then I’m supposed to forget what he did an hour ago and melt into his arm?
I pushed away, sucking in a laborious breath that was leaking off me at his closeness. Gad, he smelt like sweat. Sweat he got from training, he must have come here from the gym. Enticing. “What did you do to your brother?” I asked in his kind of voice-a cold one, rapidly tying the pink robe around me tightly as if that could deter him. Not when my stupid body is already starting to tremble in need of him.
Curse this bond.
“I made him pay for touching what is mine. I told you, Danika, don’t test me. I can go to any extent to make anyone, just anyone pay for touching a strand of hair of what is mine…” He yanked me with full force to smack flush on his body, a hiss sound escaping my lips from the abrupt contact.
I lifted my hands and placed them on his hard chest for protection, my eyes going to his scowling face. He didn’t blink, just casting a spell on me once more.
I shook off the mounting sensation and pushed harder. I can’t be this loose. I had to retain some strength against him. “You shouldn’t have done that. What if he begins to suspect? Do you hate me so much you don’t care what fate would befall me when your people find out I am nothing but your strengthener? Your slave?” I spat at his face, watching his eyes twitch, awed at my bravery.
“No one would know, which is why you have to stay away from him. He is a snake, I told you. He sniffs out stuff and might go as far as getting into your head if he suspects anything. If only you would listen to me.”
“He believes I am Lance’s mate. He won’t do that.”
“But he kissed you even though he thinks you are Lance’s mate. How about that?” He cocked his brow, one side of his lip quirked as he awaits my comeback. My eyes squirm, knowing he was correct but refusing to yield to him.
“He… he was carried away, he said it himself. He will never try it again. I will take the right measures to prevent that.”
“Why are you concerned about him? So you still want to meet with him?” I hear the irritation behind his tone yet ignored it.
“He trains me. Something you don’t care to do. I want to be better. For me,” I quickly added so he doesn’t get stupid ideas.
He chuckled darkly as if mocking my response. “Indeed for yourself. If that makes you feel better.” Then his eyes narrowed at me and said, “If you are looking for a trainer, I can give you one. I have better people with better tactics that can do that without wanting to sniff your pants.” I flinched away in disgust from his blunt assertions.
How dare he? I pushed very hard at him, which didn’t seem to do much-judging from how unaffected he was. “Get the fuck away from me. You have no respect for me. Every day you give me a reason to hate you so much no matter how understanding I am trying to be with you. I am not your plaything. I am a person!”
I caught it. I caught the flicker of something that looked like guilt passed over his face before he smartly masked it, his blue eyes glinting off under the bright light whose intensity has increased due to it being dark outside.
“You are mine, Danika. Remember that when you go disobeying me. I can fuck up everything and tell them, then we will see who would be most affected.” I choked on my breath. Did he just say that to me? How mean can this man get? He’s a real monster!
I was about to do something grave when a knock sounded at the door, making him release me shortly and step away from me.
Nadia appeared, her eyes widening when she saw him. I donned my most expensive spur of the moment almost-caught-in-the-act-smile, and waved her in.
“I… Good evening, Alpha King. Ms. Danika. I came to tell you that dinner is ready.”
I nodded, going to meet her at the door. “I will be done in a minute. I and the King are talking about a message from my mate.” Sweat dripped down my spine. I entwined my fingers, hoping by Gad, she doesn’t smell my fear.
“Oh, okay. Later then. I was scared at first that you were in trouble…”
I let out a frantic chuckle, waving off her worry. “It’s okay. I’ll be down in a minute.” I shut the door, relaxing into it with my eyes closed in relief of scoring this one. When I opened my eyes, the King was standing before me, his hand shut out, grabbing me around the waist, kissing my forehead, and before I could react, the door opened and he was gone. Just like that. Like the wind.
Dinner that evening was mostly quiet, with everyone minding their business, which to me was a good thing. The only sound audible was the occasional clattering of the lathe food dispensing plates, maybe when an Omega was serving, then of course the cluttering sound of our utensils on our ceramic plates.
I enjoyed the dinner so much that I had a second plate. I was ravenous. Who wouldn’t be? After having that tough round with the Alpha King- who as usual flicked his eyes at me from time to time. Then, my eyes met Alfred’s giving me puppy eyes which I know had to do with him thinking I am still mad at him.
Once dinner was over, I was grateful for the quiet dinner void of drama and was about to call it a night, but of course, it is impossible to ever think normalcy can exist in this house even for a day.
“So, since we are all here, apart from Lancelot who you are representing anyways, Danika. We talked about this and we have come to an agreement that the Luna ceremony should be hastened. Alonso needs to have his Luna Queen soon beside him to run the affairs of this Kingdom, a role I am tired of doing for him when he has a woman hanging on to his boot.”
My hands started fiddling underneath the table, without meaning to, my eyes went to Alonso. He wasn’t looking at me, instead, for the first time, I saw him focus his attention on his mother, while Paisley twirled beside him, apparently overjoyed with the notion of becoming the next Queen.
Anger, repulsion, and resentment all ravaged inside me but never had I presumed I was going to go insane than I felt from the next word that came from Theresa.
“So Danika, while you are here, you are going to help me and Paisley plan the occasion that would be coming up anytime soon, hope you don’t mind?”
…