Mated To The Enemy Alpha

Words And Bruises

ELARA'S POV

Two weeks had passed since that night.

Two weeks since I woke up naked in Draven's bed and him dismissing me like us having s*x meant nothing. Like I was some tramp.

I felt humiliated. I hurriedly dressed and ran out.

He hadn’t spoken to me since. Not a word, not a glance in my direction. It was like he was avoiding me on purpose, and every day, that silence gnawed at me.

Thankfully, Karl had been the one handling my work schedule now. He wasn't nice to me either but at least he wasn't sending me to feed beasts that could rip me apart.

I'd heard of the Diremanes before but never seen one. The moment I went close—one lunged at me and cut me but luckily it was grazed but I bled for a while. Their claws were extremely sharp but I got through to them. I wasn't expecting Draven and when he cleaned my wounds and held me—my entire body burned for his touch.

The bond flared and we seized the moment but a certain Alpha would disagree.

Zuri passed by the infirmary and if eyes could kill I'd be dead because she was giving me a death glare. She's been watching me lately with that sharp, glittering hatred of a woman who couldn’t stand me.

She's been giving me dirty looks and making snarky remarks that I've pretended not to notice over the past couple of days. I keep my head low, my hands busy, and my heart quieter than my thoughts but I long to see Draven—even from afar.

It was getting darker and I'm sure I still smelled of wolfsbane and thyme because I'd prepared herbs all day. I was able about to close for the day when Zuri walked in—

“Well, well… hiding from me, are you?” She said, a smirk evident in her speech.

I froze.

I hated her but Zuri was a beauty to behold— blonde hair, golden eyes, smooth olive skin and a well built feminine frame of a warrior.

I said with a jaw tight. “I’m not hiding.”

“l see that.” Her eyes flicked to Draven's quarters. “You’ve been peeking. I heard he's gotten bored of you,” she chuckles and walks close to me. “You should see him tonight…he looks magnificent.”

Silence.

“You should know… he always looks magnificent, even in my bed.”

My heart instantly twists painfully. She saw the look that crossed my face and laughed. “Oh, Darling, don't tell me you thought you ever stood a chance with him?”

“You mean…you and him—”

“Still do darling,” she said smoothly, flicking a strand of my hair. I could smell her perfume. “Awwn, such a poor rejected mate. Wake up...he wouldn't look at you, Elara. He never will. He's already bored and you’re just another game to keep him busy.”

Something hot and sharp snapped inside me.

Jealousy. Anger. Pain. Well, two can play this game.

“Funny,” I said quietly, “because I know how his lips taste, I also happen to know just how glorious he can be.”

She laughed really hard this time. Like I was some joke.

“Oh please, stop it. Draven will never—” She said laughing.

“Never you say?” I chuckle. “If Draven will never...like you say, then how come I know of the scar on his middle back—the one shaped like a crescent moon?”

Zuri blinked, her smirk fading. “You’re lying.”

My lips curved. “You can believe whatever you want. But I didn’t imagine how it felt beneath my palms. How each thrust felt powerful. Maybe you should send me to the Diremanes pen again. I mean he looked divine on top—

I couldn't finish what I was saying as Zuri's eyes flashed amber golden, and her wolf rose to the surface, snarling, lunging at me.

I didn't have time to move as her claws sliced through the air catching me on my left hip. Falling to the ground as she raged at me—her growl loud enough to attract others.

She wants to fight. Fine! I've been in a shitty mood all week so…perfect opportunity.

My wolf surged to meet the challenge, power flooding my limbs. The sound of bones cracking and fur splitting skin filling the night as I shifted, landing hard on all fours.

We came at each other, crashing through tables, through shelves and breaking stuff. She tried to bite me but my wolf dodged and hit her. She bit my arm and my wolf bit her shoulders. Our snarls echoing through the hall.

Until a deep, commanding roar shattered through everything—

“ENOUGH!”

Draven’s voice.

Shift back,” he ordered. His voice was low. Neither of us moved. So he took a step forward. “Now.”

Zuri shifted first, chest heaving, eyes wild and bleeding from her shoulders and shaking with rage.

I followed suit, my white fur dissolving into pale skin, scratches streaking my face and my arm bleeding from Zuri's bite. My chest heaving as my hair clung to damp temples.

“What in the goddess’ name is wrong with you two?” he demanded.

Zuri pointed at me. “She provoked me! She—she said—”

Her words faltered when she caught Draven's expression.

He turned to me. “Really? Why?”

I bowed my head at first as my vision blurs for a moment, then I lift my chin. “Maybe it's because your people don’t like hearing truths spoken aloud.”

He smirks, strolling towards me until my breath hitches. My chest rose faster now, his scent filling my head, “You just can’t stop testing me, can you, little wolf?” he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.

“I really didn’t start this fight, but I've never backed down from one… so I’ll finish it if I have to.” I answered quietly

“Get clean, Zuri.” He ordered.

Karl who's been standing there drags Zuri away, muttering about cooling her temper.

“Do you enjoy chaos this much?” he asked quietly.

“Do I look like I do?” I countered. “This is your fault anyway.”

“This sharp mouth of yours will get you nowhere other than trouble. You should be grateful I don’t lock you back in the cells.”

I said the words before I could stop myself, “That’s better than pretending I don't exist. Like that night didn't happen.”

His nose flared. I could feel the anger coming from him.

“What night?” He asked in a stern voice.

I scoff. “Wow.”

“Elara, that night never happened.”

“It did!” I shot back, my voice trembling. “Don’t stand there and act like it didn't mean anything.”

He laughed. But it sounded cruel and hollow. “It didn’t. It meant nothing, Elara.”

I froze. My throat suddenly became tight. “You—You don’t mean that.”

“I do.” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Whatever happened that night was a freaking mistake. One that would never repeat itself again. You were a mistake, Elara. I wasn't thinking right.”

Something broke inside me. I couldn't breathe for a moment. I tried to hold my ground, but the tears came anyway.

Don't cry in front of him, Elara.

I roughly wipe my face. His face holds no emotions.

My lips quivered. “You really are a heartless man.”

I turned to leave, but my knees buckled and my vision blurs. A wave of nausea hit me and before everything turned dark, I heard Draven's voice…

“Elara!”