Chapter5
1002 Words
^CHARLOTTE^
As soon as his name left my lips, the atmosphere shifted. His glowing gold eyes darkened, burning with something primal. A low growl rumbled deep in his chest, but this time, it wasn’t from anger—it was something far more dangerous. His grip on my chin vanished, only for his strong hands to slide down, gripping my hips and pulling me flush against him.
The heat of his body seeped into mine, igniting a fire that spread through my veins, burning away every rational thought. My breath hitched, my heart slamming against my ribs like a caged animal. My wolf surged forward, clawing at my mind, desperate to take control, to claim what was hers. My eyes glowed in response to his, my instincts screaming at me to surrender, to let him take me.
I gasped when he buried his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. The rough scrape of his stubble sent a delicious shiver down my spine. His lips brushed the sensitive spot where his mark belonged, teasing, torturing me. My body betrayed me, arching into his touch, craving more. A desperate whimper left my lips as his teeth grazed the spot, not quite biting, just enough to send molten heat pooling in my stomach.
I had never felt like this before.
Kisses? I’d had those. Flirtations? Sure. But nothing—nothing—compared to this. This was raw. This was madness. This was the mate bond in its most primal form, and I was drowning in it.
Before I could think, he lifted me effortlessly, his strong hands gripping my thighs as he laid me back onto the bed. My dress slid up my legs, leaving me almost bare beneath him. His weight caged me in, his muscled arms braced on either side of my head. The heat in his gaze scorched me, devoured me.
A shuddering breath left me as he tangled his fingers in my hair, tilting my head back. His lips inched closer, teasing, testing my resolve. My fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt, my nails digging into his solid chest.
I was drowning.
I pulled him down the last inch, crashing my lips against his in a feverish, desperate kiss. A groan vibrated from his chest as his mouth moved against mine, claiming me, owning me. My fingers slid into his hair, tugging hard. He growled in approval, his body pressing me deeper into the mattress.
I nipped at his bottom lip, drawing a deep, guttural sound from him. His tongue swept into my mouth, dominating, demanding, sending sparks of pleasure racing through my body. He tasted like power and fire, like sin wrapped in divinity.
Everything blurred.
His lips trailed down my jaw, to my neck, where his teeth scraped against my skin. My breath hitched, my back arching as he sucked at the sensitive spot, leaving a claim even without marking me. My body trembled beneath him, heat coiling, anticipation thrumming through every nerve.
And then—
Sharp canines pressed against my skin.
My whole body stiffened in shock.
A second of silence. A heartbeat of hesitation.
Then—he was gone.
I gasped as the warmth of his body vanished. My eyes snapped open to find him on the other side of the room, his back turned to me.
He was shaking. Visibly shaking.
Deep, ragged breaths filled the space between us, his fists clenched at his sides. A low, rumbling growl vibrated from his chest, his muscles coiled so tightly that I thought he might snap.
I sat up slowly, adjusting my dress with trembling hands. My body was still on fire, still aching for him. But something was wrong.
The haze of lust faded, replaced by a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Why had he stopped?
Why was he fighting this?
Minutes passed, but they felt like hours.
Finally, he turned.
A slow, deliberate movement.
For a moment, I thought I saw regret in his stormy blue eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by something cold. Detached.
A stranger stood before me now, not my mate, not the man who had just kissed me like I was the air he breathed.
And then he spoke.
“Dinner will be served in twenty minutes, Char-- Miss Moreau. Clean yourself up. Don’t be late.” His voice was emotionless.
And just like that, my heart shattered.
I stared at him, unblinking, my chest tightening with something foreign and unfamiliar. Hurt.
Why?
Why was he acting like this? Like I was nothing? Like we were nothing?
A lump formed in my throat, but I forced it down, straightening my shoulders. He wanted to pretend? Fine. Two could play this game.
He didn’t want me?
I didn’t want him either.
I forced a smirk onto my lips, tilting my chin up. “Of course, Your Majesty.” The words dripped with mockery, a challenge hidden beneath the respect.
His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
“And for your own good, this stays between us.”
Without another word, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
The moment he was gone, I let out a shaky breath. My fingers dug into the sheets, my body still trembling from the aftershocks of his touch.
My wolf howled in protest, but I shoved her down, locking her away in the depths of my mind.
I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’t let him break me.
If he thought I was going to sit around and wait for him to accept me, he had another thing coming.
I stood, walked into the bathroom, and looked at my reflection. My lips were swollen, my neck slightly red from his touch. A stranger stared back at me—one who had felt the pull of fate, only to be rejected without a second thought.
Fine.
I’d show him. King or not, Arthur Draven was going to regret ever making me feel like a nobody.
And that was a f*****g promise.
- Writer
