Fanged Deception, A dark bond

3

Kaya.

I gasp in a loud voice. It was a dream. It was a dream, right? I say, my heart is pounding in my chest as I struggle to make sense of my surroundings. I am laying upon a sumptuous bed, surrounded by luxurious pillows, draped in swathes of silk and satin at the centerpiece of the room. Pillows piled high with down feathers and I know this is not the servant’s quarters of Marilyn’s household.

My memories were at firs hazy and indistinct, like fragments of a dream slipping through my fingers but I didn’t need to search too much. I remember exactly what happened and how I got here, I gasp, placing a hand upon my chest and the mark is there. I grunt in frustration, wishing this was a dream and I never said yes to Marilyn to take her place in the king’s choosing.

I get up, looking at the walls which are adorned in royal tapestries which signify that I am in the castle, in the king’s abode. The Alpha king, Wulfgard—the same one who is holding my brother in the dungeons, the one who…who took everything from my family. And now, he has me too? I look over at the tall windows draped in velvet curtains and I run towards it. I push it open and I look down, it is so high that looking down grips me with fear already.

How high up in the castle am I? I think, looking from one side to the other, unsure of what to do. I need to get out of here, why did he choose me? I heard the Ornyo in him doesn’t care for mates. So, why, why did he choose me? I am not even a noble’s daughter, not anymore. Could that be my defence? But he already marked me. What do I do? Lying to the king is seen as treason, if I do this, I will pull Marilyn’s family down with me. I may have lived in their household as a servant but a roof over my head is still better than nothing.

I rush back to the windows. Perhaps, I can still jump these windows, using the curtains to roll off and see where it lands me. It is a stupid plan; it would probably kill me but it’s better than to wait for him to come back here. As soon as I get to the window, the door ominously swings open, and I turn back. My heart skips a beat as I watched his figure step into the room, his presence casting a shadow over everything it touched.

King Wulfgard is in a regal attire, adorned with jewels and intricate embroidery, a stark reminder of his status as ruler of this realm. Now that there is no veil obstructing me view, I can attest to the rumours that people spread. There is truly no spark of warmth or humanity in his eyes, no glimmer of joy or sorrow either. His brow are furrowed with deep-set creases, drawn together in a perpetual scowl that spoke of a king who is only good at commanding.

Hands tucked into his pockets, his broad shoulders are honed from years of wielding, of killing, of cutting. When he moves closer, I shrink back against the wall, my breath caught in my throat. More than anyone, I have heard tales of his cruelty to his enemies an now, as he stands before me, I feel like he is passing a silent judgment of my worthiness to stand in his presence.

The silence hangs heavy in the air like a suffocating blanket. Then, with a voice like thunder, he breaks the stillness.

"You are the daughter of the minister of finance, Marilyn?” he says, and as he takes his hands from his pocket, I come across the arcane tattoos on his hands.

“They call me Kara.” I say, unable to let myself to go by Marilyn’s name and identity.

“Your parents have agreed to our bond.” He says, and I grip my hands on the fabric of the dress that I am wearing. Marilyn’s parent will have found out that I went instead of her, of course, they are going to pretend and play along because they want to save their heads. I am done for.

“You marked me.” I seethe, placing a hand on the spot and it stings, why hasn’t it healed?

“You are my mate.” He responds, taking a seat, nearby, a few steps away from and crossing his legs. His focus is upon me like I am a circus animal, one he is getting to know.

“No.” I simply respond because that is a lie.

“if you tell me no one more time. I’ll kill you and your entire family.” King Wulfgard says in a murmur but the threats contained in the sentence is evil.

“Your parents have practically sold you to me. I have sent your bride price to Minister Caleb’s household while you were asleep from my claim. Gold, silver, lands, farms, estates…a relation with the king of Akkadian. I wanted to introduce myself to you at least…” He says in a nonchalant manner, a needless manner.

I shook my head, unable to accept it but I’m afraid to say ‘no’ one more time.

“Any questions?” He asks, rising from the chair and that tenses me once again.

“Why me?” I ask.

I am not asking this because I think he can answer, I am asking those who are in charge of my fate. Why is the man who destroyed my family saying he is my mate? Why has my wolf not confirmed it to me? If he wasn’t, she would have rejected it or at least said something. Her silence is making me wonder if this is really true?

“Ask your moon goddess…” He replies, and a snarl escapes from his throat which is a warning to not question him further. He turns his back…ready to leave but I utter another word.

“What can I offer you? You don’t need me. Please, let me go.” I say, and he stops.

I had expected him to say something but he meets up to me in a matter of second and pushes me to the wall, he towers over me like a roof, his shadow has consumed my figure and I gasp.

“What else can you offer me? Pups….and silence. We will get married in the morning; you will perform your duties as Luna which involves following my command. You will adhere to the rules of the castle as my wife and your job is to give me heirs.”

“Do not question me. Do not anger me. Do not complain to me.” King Wulfgar utters and his lips are so close to my face. Subtly, I feel his lips at the edge of my ears and when that happens, he stops speaking. We look at each other, and I feel a connection at our close contact, like a string, pulling me to look into his eyes. As soon as I stare into those dark orbs, I hear my wolf.

“Mate.”

I shudder in defeat. No. No.

In this moment, I felt small and insignificant, a mere pawn in the game of power that he and destiny plays so effortlessly.

“That is all you are to me. Do not think the word ‘mate’ holds any significance to me!” He says, parting from me and walking out of the room. I fall to the ground as soon as he steps out and I am filled with anger. Two things…first, I have always wondered when I would find my mate. Second, I have always wondered when I would kill the man who killed my father. Isn’t this the opportunity? I have found my mate and now, I have to kill him.

I will do it when he doesn’t expect it and I will not tarry.