Locked With The Wrong Lockwood

Chapter No. 2

Calista Blackstone:-



“By the power invested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The minister announced the next morning as I stood at the altar with Artemis, after exchanging the wedding vows and saying the two words ‘I do’ that bound me to him for life.

"You may now kiss the bride."

“My f*****g best part.” my husband, and my ex’s-uncle growled before removing my veil and giving me a wink. “Better kiss me back, Mrs. Artemis Lockwood,” he murmurs and smashed his lips on mine like a starving man on my lips.

The kiss was wild, uncontrollably powerful, and definitely something you won’t get to see at a church wedding full of relatives and guests. He held my jaw with his hand, thinking I might try to escape, and some part of me didn’t mind. I held onto his jacket tightly with my fingers so I wouldn’t move, and when he pulled away, I found myself breathless and shocked.

People were clapping and cheering throughout the event. Flashes snapped. However, only the hotness of his kisses, the feeling of being held tight, and the pressure of my actions mattered to me at that moment. I became the wife of Artemis Lockwood—my ex-fiancé’s uncle.

As soon as we walked out of the church, everyone seemed to be in a good mood while I silent and looked inward, and polite. While I was intensely stressed, my face looked easygoing and open. I intended to go ahead with things being polite, contract-based, and with no feelings involved. I had to adjust, take a deep breath, and find out where I stood in such a whirlwind relationship.

But Artemis made other plans.

As soon as we were in the limo by ourselves, he pushed up his sleeves and faced me with a cold sounding finality. “Tomorrow, I am leaving early in the morning,” he said. “ An urgent meeting of the board is scheduled in London at the very last minute and I need to be there.”

I stopped breathing for a moment, surprised by what happened. “Tomorrow?”

He nodded. “At dawn.”

I opened my mouth, but I did not say anything. I kept staring, still and remote. I need to keep reminding myself that I can’t get emotional or feel hurt as I am nobody but the contract wife. The bride who signed the commitments, wore a wedding band, and was reserved throughout to look after my husband’s needs and demands like a trophy wife.

As he looked at me, his eyes got more focused. “You hardly say anything.”

“Being quiet seemed better than making a mistake,” I answered in a gentle tone.

His voice was strong yet softly said as he spoke. “Listen, Calista. It may have started as marriage defined by a contract however, you have to get this in mind that this is real by all means. By name; by law; by duty. So, I want you to behave like my wife, rather than as someone simply giving me a company as a guest. You’re not my guest, my girlfriend, my anything, but my wife. So act like one.”

I looked at him slowly, my jaw getting tense.

“I do not expect you to love me. I’m not asking you to do anything that you don’t like,” he told me, staring deeply into my eyes. “However, there will be no tolerance for weakness. You can do more than you realize. So, try not to show me weakness, as I hate being around weak people. I chose you because I know you aren’t as weak and simple as you show the world. As my wife, make sure to keep your head held high with nothing but pride.”

It had a bigger effect on me than I wanted to admit to myself. Because his points were accurate. I had come through even tougher experiences than being in an arranged marriage. I had managed to get through betrayal. Heartbreak. Loneliness. Now, the task before me was surviving this marriage and this incredibly charming man, who makes me feel things inside of me that are truly unknown to me.

“I understand,” I whispered, managing to push down the lump that was growing. I am ready to take on my responsibilities. Starting tonight.”

His gaze at me was hard to interpret. Part pride. Part satisfaction. More sinister on the whole.

“Good girl,” he said quietly to her.

The car reached the Lockwood estate around the time the sky started to turn orange and violet. The mansion appeared grand and tall, its windows bathing the place in warm and golden light, just like a palace ready for its King and Queen. On the other hand, it didn’t seem to me like I was a queen. I felt like I was put together to be an attractive bargaining tool.

As we went halfway up, he paused and looked at me in a serious and calm voice. “Seeing as I have to go early tomorrow, we should take care of one thing tonight.”

My heart started to beat faster as I stopped for a moment. “What?”

“That night of our wedding,” he answered plainly. This marriage will be consummated tonight, Calista. We will begin working on creating my heir as described in the contract. The contract you signed.”

My mouth felt parched. For a moment, I was speechless as the words he said sank in. He drew closer and spoke more gently, yet with confidence.

“Our marriage is not meant to be fake. After signing the contract, one of the stipulations was granting the Lockwood name to the next heir. My heir.”

“I know exactly what I signed up for.” I found myself snap. “No need to remind me. As I mentioned earlier, I will fulfill my duties as wife, starting tonight. I meant it.”

“Then you shouldn’t be pretending this is a surprise to you.” Artemis snapped back, “I’m not going to put any pressure on you. But I won’t let you act like a stranger when you’re here. We are married now in all possible ways.”

I felt like shouting at him and shoving him away, to let him know this wasn’t a marriage out of love or anything. That I was nothing but his replaced bride. But I didn’t say anything. I kept my shoulders stiff and just gave a nod.

“Good,” he replied, and kept walking as if nothing further had to be said.

My heart pounded and my stomach was uneasy as I went after him. I had given my consent to this. My freedom was taken from me by signing the documents. I became married to a man with a risky background and eyes as cold as the winter sky.

I convinced myself that I was gaining control. Power. Safety and Revenge out of this marriage. But the moment I entered the bedroom, I stood in the center, staring at the bed. I realized that I had signed up for more than that. Something that is truly unspoken and unknown to me.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize that Artemis Lockwood, my husband, had already stripped off and was standing stark naked in front of me with his huge member standing at attention, and I gulped until I heard him speak.

“Strip for me, Mrs. Artemis Lockwood.” He ordered huskily as he rounded me like his prey, and reached for the zipper of my dress. “We have got a baby to make.”