BONDED TO THE ROYAL LYCAN KING

6

Ellie's Point Of View

I swallowed hard. My mouth felt dry as I forced myself to respond. “You found me what?”

“It took quite a bit of work on my end. It almost cost me my life and our pack, but thank the goddess the arrangement has been finalized. He has agreed to this mating alliance,” His cold eyes glowed with a pride I couldn't understand. He seemed utterly pleased with himself.

The fragments from his words blasted through my chest and nearly cleaved my outward composure in half.

“Father… I…”

He lifted a hand to silence me. “It's too late to say anything, Ellie. Everyone has a part to play in this family. A sacrifice for the sake of everyone. Bridgett has done hers. And now it's your turn. Don't make me remind you of everything we've done for you. Every little thing you've been privileged to have,” My father's voice was as cold as ever.

The familiar darkness in his eyes rose to the surface as his words struck me like a physical blow. It always did every time he reminded me of my place. Of who I truly was. An outsider, not a daughter he raised for twenty-four years.

I was truly grateful for the life I'd lived. For every privilege being the daughter of Alpha Cross has gotten me. And the goddess knew I'd done my hardest to deserve their love until I realized they'd never truly love me like they did Bridget, their real daughter. Even then, that hadn't stopped me from trying to be the perfect daughter they wished I were.

“Trust us when you see him tonight you'll thank your father for this,” Mother mother smoothed a hand over her expensive tweed dress.

A bitter blend of shock, dread, and horror pressed down on me. “Tonight?”

“Yes, tonight. He'll be joining us for dinner. It'll be in our best interest if we move things along as quickly as possible. That way our pack—”

I mentally rolled my eyes. It has always been about the pack for my father. He was a self-made Alpha. He'd been an Alpha son among several and wasn't directly in line for the Alpha position. I wasn't naive as to the kind of man my father was. I'd heard stories and seen enough to know that how my father got to this position was never a lie. Andrew Cross was a man who should never be crossed. He'd done unimaginable things, spilled enough innocent blood on his hands to become who he was now.

My voice sounded strange and my heartbeat spiked. “Why didn't you tell me earlier? That I'd be meeting my soon-to-be mate today,”

My father picked up his teacup and leaned into his chair. “I wasn't sure he'd make it. He hadn't confirmed his attendance on time,” There was an almost invisible note to his voice that made me believe something was wrong.

“This man… he isn't too thrilled about this alliance, is he?” My question simmered in low as I glanced between my father's stoic expression and my mother's noncontagious happiness. I hadn't seen her this animated since Bridgett got sold off to marry an Alpha with a royal bloodline.

Bridgett hadn't liked the idea either, but the moon goddess was by her side, and despite not being fated mates, she and her Alpha had fallen in love.

“This mating alliance is a done deal, Ellie. It doesn't matter how anyone feels about it. It will happen. He's perfect for this family,” My father voiced.

I knew without a doubt my father had done something for this alliance to happen. He wasn't above dining with the devil to get what he wanted.

I took a deep breath, wishing Nina could lend me a little support to get through the night. It wasn't like I could say no to this alliance. If I did, my parents would disown me.

I wiped a palm against my thigh. My head felt dizzy but I clung to the mask I always wore at home. Cool. Calm. Respectable.

“So,” I forced a light smile. “When does Mr Perfect show up because it's a little past dinnertime—” I was interrupted by the clearing of throats behind us.

I hadn't even heard anyone enter.

My father's gaze slid from me to the man no doubt standing behind me. His gaze searched for a second before his brows pulled into a displeased frown. “Where's he?”

At the question I turned around, and the face that greeted me was quite unexpected. But very much familiar, though I couldn't quite place where I'd seen him.

“Apologies, he can't make it today. Perhaps another time. He'll let you know when he'll be chanced to meet your lovely daughter,” The familiar man flicked an impassive glance at me.

I caught on to the hint of mockery that tainted the word lovely and instantly a rush of recognition hit me at where I'd seen him before.

It was a week ago. At the Night Moon Pack. During the Council meeting. He'd come with the Lycan King himself. But there was no way this man would be here… unless…

My eyes widened out of their corners as they stared in disbelief at my father. He couldn't have… There was no way the perfect match he'd been going on about was King Killian himself, right?

No, it was Impossible. There was no way King Killian could be my arranged mate. This has to be a joke.

The sound of whatever exchange was going on between my father and the familiar man was muffled by the sound of my blood rushing so loudly and fast in my ears.

My father banged his fist in uncontrollable fury as the familiar man exited our home. The sound was loud enough to jerk me out of my thoughts and my gaze met my father's. “He's pushing me. Does he not understand that I am the one pulling the strings now? It takes only one word from me to destroy everything he holds dear,”

“Stay calm my love,” Mother was by father's side in an instant, running her hand in a circular motion on his chest. “Remember, he's not used to not being in control. He'll reconsider and realize he has much to lose than we do,”

“Who's he?” I couldn't keep silent anymore, I just had to know and by the moon, I prayed it wasn't who I thought it was. It couldn't be.

“King Killian,”

My body tensed immediately, freezing in place. “Why would the King want an arranged marriage?”

He was the king for the goddess’s sake. Killian Riordan Russo.

CEO of Russo Corp. He wasn't just the King of beasts, he was the elusive billionaire every woman wanted but no one could get even before he found his first mate.

He was thirty-six years old. Even after the unknown situation with his previous mate,

Why then would Killian Russo of all people agree to an arranged marriage?

Father's eyes darkened dangerously. I could feel the air temperature drop dangerously. I shivered at the coldness. “Listen carefully, Ellie. For your sake, I hope the King comes to his senses and continues with the marriage, otherwise, prepare yourself to get married to Alpha Giovanni,”

I swallowed hard. My mouth felt dry and I couldn't even force myself to respond. Alpha Giovanni was one of my father's closest friends and he was thrice my age. An old bastard who'd always been interested in me. But I knew my father too well to know he meant it.

*****

The weight of my father's threat followed me all the way through the drive to Kira and my apartment. We bought the place a few years back when we just started Floral Homes. It was close to our office and most times saved us the stress of going back and forth to the pack, especially on days we had important appointments with clients the next day. Floral home was both Kira's and my idea. Right from our days in the academy, we discovered our mutual interest in flowers and everything event planning, so after I joined Leonardo's pack, it made more sense to start our small company.

“Thanks,” I mumbled as the taxi pulled up right in front of the building. I paid my fare, got out of the car, and walked through the narrow pathway to the entrance of the building. That was when I felt it. The subtle presence shadowing me in the darkness.

Nina stirred within me, charging to the surface as the hairs on my skin rose in alarm.

I was being followed.

And whoever it was was damned good at it.

I quickened my steps, taking a right turn, and just as quick as I did, I turned around and lunged at the figure who'd been stalking me. It was a male. He dodged swiftly… too easily. My claws extended as I aimed for his throat, but my impact never hit him because right from behind me, a handkerchief covered my nose, and within minutes I was out.

I woke up from the familiar disturbing dream. One that has always haunted me where I always found myself being chased. It was so weird.

I blinked at the bright lights blinding my vision, and the unfamiliar surroundings. I was a bit disoriented but I understood what had happened. I had just been kidnapped.

“You're awake,” A deep voice said.

I froze because I knew that voice. His voice sounded so close that I could feel the rumble of his words on my back. They slid over me like sun-warmed honey. It was rich and sensual that made every part of me tingle with pleasure. Even Nina was hit with the electrifying sensation. There was only one person who could cause my body to react that way.

My suspicion was confirmed when I glanced sideways to find deep brown eyes staring at me without a hint of emotion in them.

Ice doused the heat in my veins.

“K-king Killian?”

I stood. And turned my body to his direction.

King Killian stood against the tall windows for a moment, before he took a couple strides closer. The bright light illuminating his every feature.

And all the air whooshed out of my lungs.

Thick brown hair. Smooth olive skin. A slightly crooked nose that enhanced rather than detracted from his ruggedly masculine charm.

I didn't know how a man was capable of looking more handsome than the last time I'd seen him. My ex-mate was beyond handsome. He was so powerful and compelling that his presence swallowed every molecule of oxygen like a black hole consuming a newborn star.

There were generically good-looking men, and there was him.

His sharp assessing gaze pierced through me as if wanting to take a peek at every secret, every lie, every fear I had buried.

“Sit down,”

I shook myself out of my stupor and summoned a stiff polite smile despite the low dose of anger boiling to its peak. “You kidnapped me,” I had hoped my voice had done a much better job of sounding neutral. But it didn't.

Killian’s eyes flashed with something for a fleeting moment— I wasn't sure what it was, but just as quickly as it appeared it was gone, replaced by a detached indifference.

“Sit down,” The command was soft, almost too soft but the power behind it was undeniable, almost forcing me into submission.

“Not before you tell me why you have kidnapped me,”

My heart pounded in my chest, a wild, uncontrollable rhythm as his gaze shifted back to me, trailing down my body with a leisurely indifference that made me feel vulnerable under his scrutiny.

The moment passed then after what felt like an eternity, he spoke again. “You attacked first. My men didn't have a choice but to take you unconscious,”

“That’s because, instead of approaching me like any normal person would, they had creeped up on me,”

A beat passed before he sighed, almost helplessly bored and irritated. “Sit down, Ellie,”

The command came again. But this time, I could feel the trace of something dark dangling in his tone, which made it impossible to refuse.

He strode over and sat behind his mahogany desk, his brown eyes piercing into mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before I calmly complied and settled into the chair opposite his.

“Why am I here? What do you plan on doing with me?”

“Don't worry, I don't make a habit of murdering just anyone,” The deep timber of his voice dripped with a disturbing darkness as he leaned into his chair, his posture relaxed yet intimidating while I took a deep breath and tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “I needed to see you tonight. I have a proposal for you Ellie Cross,”

My brows pulled into an instant v. He seemed to sense my confusion as he gently leaned against his table and the scent that hit me the moment was a sweet blend of warm creamy and earthy notes. Pine and sandalwood. It was masculine, rich, and intoxicating. It stirred something primal within me. Something that made Nina perk up to the surface to get a glimpse of him. I ignored her. Weirdly she was still enchanted by him even though we'd broken our bond.

And that was a problem. This man was dangerous. More dangerous than I could ever imagine.

He picked up a loaded file from the piles of files on his imposing table, sliding it to me. I didn't move to touch it, even though a strange sudden curiosity shot through me.

“What's this?”

“A proposal Ellie Cross,”

My name had never sounded so perfect in my ears. I relished every second my name rolled off his lips.

“A contract mating,”

I stiffened involuntarily. “A what?” It took all my willpower to keep my expression neutral. And even with that, I still had the slightest feeling Killian could see through my mask.

“I do detest repeating myself. You heard me right,” His deep eyes bored into mine. “I want you to become my contract luna,”