CHAPTER 7: A Deal
1311 Words
I stayed as still as possible, hiding my face in the crook of his neck as I heard the Lycan King walk casually past the festivities.
But even though I wasn't looking, I heard the whispers as we walked.
“Who's she?”
“Isn't that the cursed mate?”
“What is the King doing with a lowly thing like her?!”
“How did such scum manage to ensnare the King's gaze?”
I tried not to let their words get to me but it did. It seems years of constant abuse didn't make me tough as I’d like.
Tears started to roll down my cheeks and my body started to shake, both from their insults and hunger.
The Lycan King picked up on it, his steps faltering slightly before he picked up the pace.
Soon, the harsh words and noise of the festivities faded, leaving blissful silence.
“You can look up now,” he said softly, his voice like warm silk wrapping around my body. “There's no one here to hurt you.”
Daring to believe him, I pulled away from his neck- which smelled amazing- and looked up.
My mouth fell open when I realized where we were and how opulent the area was.
We were in the King's cottage where he was staying for the duration of the festival and each wall was decorated in gold, with expensive and high end furniture strewn about every surface.
A stuffed lion's head was mounted up on the wall and next to it were golden cups, rings and a treasure chest spilling over with coins.
There was a couch at the extreme end of the room and just by looking at it, I could tell it was softer and more comfortable than the bed I had.
A lump grew in my throat as I stared, not quite sure what to do. Thankfully, the King stepped in.
“Come, you need something for that feet of yours.” His voice was gentle as he walked over to a basin but it held a thread of command.
Usually, I would obey but there's been so much change in my life the past few weeks that I felt like I was drowning in quicksand.
I have been manipulated, betrayed, lied to and used by people I thought cared about me.
I won't let it happen again.
“Why me?” I blurted out, my hands turning into fists. “Why did you chose to save me?”
He raised his head to look at me and once again, I was struck by the unnatural color of his eyes.
“Because I wanted to. Now, come here.” He ordered more strongly this time.
I held back, tired of being obedient and used.
“But why?” I pressed, wanting to know my fate. “Am I just a plaything for you? One to be used and tossed aside when you get bored?”
In a flash, he moved and he was standing in front of me, his mouth a harsh line. “Do you think so low of me?”
I hold his gaze even though I felt fear coiling about my muscle. “I’ve heard stories about you and I would be foolish to think that I was different.” I jutted my chin, feeling more brave with every passing minute. “I want to propose a deal… one that would benefit us both.”
“A deal?” A white eyebrow went up, his eyes sparking with some form of amusement. “Shouldn't I be the one offering you that, considering I just saved your life..?”
My cheeks heated and I looked away.
“Fine. What do you propose happens now? You just paraded me in front of the entire wolf community so it's not like I can just go back.”
His mouth tightens. “I don't want you to go back but I also don't want you to mistake this to be something it's not.”
“Which is?” I pressed.
“A Love match.” He declared, turning to face me fully. “I have a… bit of a situation currently and I think the goddess just provided me with a solution.”
The roguish smile on his lips made my mind fly elsewhere. “I'm not going to be your s*x slave or mistress!” I bite out harsher than I meant to.
“s*x slave?” This time he couldn't hold back the chuckle that escaped. “Wow, you do have a vivid imagination!”
“I was going to table a proposition. My Council has been hounding me for a Luna and if I don't secure and stabilise my home, the consequences might be heavy.”
“So how do I come in?” I c****d my head to the side.
“You become my Luna!” He announced, shrugging like that was the most natural thing to say. “In exchange, I will keep you safe, give you status and the freedom you so desire.”
My heart began to beat fast as I mulled his words over.
Everything he said sounded good but I'm not so naive to think that he would offer me all this on a platter of gold.
He'll want something in return.
“What's the catch? Something tells me you're not helping me from the goodness of your heart?”
“And you're right.” He nods, appearing somber. “If we'll do this then there will be no emotional involvement, no feelings or attachments. My heart already belongs to another and while I haven't found her yet, I cannot love another.”
It took everything I had not to collaspe with relief.
Is that all?
I was half expecting him to say something cruel and demeaning but if not falling in love with him was the only clause to this deal, then I'm so lucky!
Or am I?
Why was he throwing this offer to me… was it because I was the only one available or because I was his last hope?
“So, what do you say?” He pressed when I had been silent for a full minute.
“Why me?” I blurted out, watching his brows come together in confusion.
“You could have had any woman you wanted, hell… you do have any woman you want so why would you choose me? A lowly, rejected Omega who's been cast out and shunned by her mate and her pack?”
His eyes held mine did the longest time before he broke the silence. “You want the truth?”
“Only the truth.”
“Because I find everyone else boring.” He admits, those sharp eyes of his taking down my body.
“Aside from my assistant, you're the only person I know that engages me and takes back. If I'm going to be taking a Luna, however temporary, I need someone who's smart and can contribute to my home… even if it means going against me sometimes.”
My throat went dry at his speech as it eradicated any negative thoughts that night be residing at the back of my mind.
“So…do we have a deal?” He asked again, his eyes sharp.
This time, I didn't hesitate to answer. “Yes. Yes, I will be your Luna.”
A few seconds had barely passed after I agreed when the door opened and a tall, lanky man with shrewd eyes and shaggy hair confidently strolled in, stopping short when he spotted me and the Lycan King.
“Damian, wh-what is…?” The man stammered, his eyes bouncing from me to Damian.
The Lycan King casually slid up next to me, placing a hand on my waist and grinned. “Lucas, this is Aviana, my Luna!”
- Writer
