Three
1241 Words
What the actual fuckery just happened?
I stood frozen long after the strange meeting with my mate, his flippant suggestion still hanging in the air. My heart pounded, confusion eating away at my insides.
What the hell was I supposed to do with his offer?
He wanted nothing but s*x.
I had waited my whole life for my mate—a bond that was supposed to bring me joy and purpose. The one meant for me treated it like dirt.
Did he know what he was doing to me?
Did he care?
I let out a frustrated breath. This wasn’t just about pride or self-respect—it was about honor.
I had never had casual s*x because of the bond. Giving in would be a night of passion that would brand me with his scent.
I'd be ruined if he rejected me after s*x and tossed me aside like a used condom.
A superior Lycan would discard me, leaving me a humiliated she-wolf.
Lycans treated us like dirt.
Rejection would have been bearable.
My throat tightened. I was playing with fire.
My dad wasn’t someone I could trust, so I couldn’t go to him for help.
He’d exploit the bond to gain favor with the Lycans, forcing me into Justin's arms without caring about me.
And with the economy collapsing and my pack struggling to keep up, I knew his answer.
I didn’t know what to do.
I lounged around, lost in thought, while my wolf yipped excitedly that we had found our mate. I refused to connect with her. What else could she feel other than pleasure? I was left to carry the burden and confusion.
A light tap on my back made me turn.It was my ex-boyfriend, Alan.
My first reaction was anger, but I suppressed it. Alan was the least of my worries now. I had bigger fish to fry.
"You look good, Rissa," he grinned, still holding onto that boyish charm that had once attracted me. It disgusted me now.
"Go to hell."
He chuckled, leaning closer. "Still holding onto that bitterness, huh? Come on, you didn’t expect me to give up my fated mate for you, did you?"
I tilted my head, looking at him. "Is that what you think? That I’m still heartbroken? That I spend my nights crying over the scum who cheated on me with my best friend?”
He looked surprised, then smirked, his ego boosted his confidence.
"Still, admit it, we had something good." He attempted to hold my hand, but I pulled away.
“You're beautiful and smart. I miss you and want to be with you. We can arrange something secretly.”
I burst into sharp laughter. “I’d rather f**k a cactus. You don’t even deserve to breathe the same air as me.”
I turned to leave, and Alan continued throwing his mocking words at me.
"Keep up with that attitude, Marissa. No man will ever want you.”
“I'd rather be alone than be with someone like you,” I said, and walked away.
---
I drove home, my heart thrashing against my ribcage. Outside my dad's Corinthian mansion were several black luxury cars.
Two Lycan guards stood outside, causing my steps to falter.
My mate was in my home.
I wondered what his reaction would be when he found out I was his host’s daughter.
Taking the back door that led to the kitchen, I snuck into the house, watching from behind the door. My dad's voice boomed through the room, dripping with eagerness.
He and his wife played the perfect hosts, while the Lycan king and his wife inspected our home with disgust, as if we lived in the ghetto. Despite my dad spending months decorating the house for this visit, his guests looked unimpressed.
Justin stepped into the foyer, and females swarmed around him, fawning over him.
Big red flag, yet a burning desire rose in my throat.
He didn't think about me. This bond felt pathetic.
My dad kept up his over-the-top act. “Can I get you something to drink?”
The king looked at him. “Champagne, of course.” His tone clarified that anything else would be unacceptable.
The butler appeared with sparkling glasses. The royals took them. Watching them made my stomach hurt. Justin's parents were arrogant and I couldn't stand them.
My stepmother walked into the kitchen, startled to see me. She crashed to a halt, eyeing me from head to foot.
"What are you doing hiding here, Marissa? This is your chance to seduce the Lycan Prince. You might be old, but at least try—"
"Stop it," I snapped, turning away, hating the sound of her voice. “Don't worry about whether I'm married or not.”
Her eyes held a mock hurt. Then an unkind smile spread slowly across her face.
"The dead can't return to life. You keep acting like I hate you, but I wish you true happiness. Now go try your best to snag him. You don’t have all night."
I remained frozen by the banister, unable to summon the courage to expose her for the manipulative woman she was.
I forced myself into the living room.
A foolish part of me clung to the hope that seeing me again would make Justin drop the act and acknowledge our bond.
But as I stepped into the room, I felt his gaze rake over me, tracing every line of my body with deliberate slowness. It felt as though he was stripping me bare without ever lifting a finger.
My body betrayed me, drawn to him despite my better judgment. The bond pulsed between us, yet he acted as if it didn’t exist.
"We meet again," he muttered, that infuriating smirk stretching across his face.
"Ah, I see you’ve met my daughter,” my dad rushed forward, his tone filled with the pride of a man parading his most prized possession. “She’s the light of my life, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s brilliant, holds a master’s degree in law, and is planning to continue her studies soon.”
I kept my face neutral, though every word made me want to roll my eyes so hard they’d stick.
"And why isn’t she married?" the queen asked, staring at me.
The question tightened my chest, and I glanced at Justin. He said nothing.
My dad puffed out his chest and flashed a proud smile. "I won't give my daughter to just any man.”
Justin smirked at me. He stared slowly, daring me to react, and mocking me at the same time.
The queen looked at me. I wondered if Justin told her about us. Maybe she scolded him for choosing me, wanting him to pick a Lycan instead.
Bitterness filled my chest. The other she-wolves clung to Justin, each chatting nonsense and desperately wanting to be noticed.
Justin winked at me lasciviously. His gaze alone spun me into pleasure’s arms.
I forced myself to walk with my head high, even though my insides felt like they were in knots. I hated the thought of looking desperate, of wanting attention from someone who didn’t seem to care.
Justin must be ashamed of having a werewolf for a mate.
I could confront him. If he rejected me, it would hurt, but I would know for sure. Then everyone would see that I had a mate, even if he left me.
- Writer
