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1798 Words
That's when my brain connected the dots. I knew this man... Damn it, I was half-naked in front of the Werewolf King, James, and Nathalia's father!
“King James... I didn't mean to,” I stammered, backing away.
He didn't back away. He took a slow step toward me, like a predator stalking very interesting prey.
“So you always knew who I was?” he asked, the corners of his lips curving into a smile.
“Yes,” I replied. James took a step toward me.
When I tried to turn away, I realized the distance between us was closing. I watched him take a couple of slow steps, as if he were stalking me.
I didn't even have time to speak when he reached out and caressed my lower lip with his thumb.
His eyes reflected the flickering light from some decoration, and for a moment, I saw not danger, but curiosity.
“Well? What do you know about me?” he asked.
“I know you're a powerful man and... the most secretive. That no one sees you unless you allow them to...” I added.
“Anything else?” His lips were only inches from mine, while my heart felt like it was about to explode at any moment.
His words were pure defiance, and I was ready to burn. I wanted to forget about Liam and my own uselessness. For a moment, I was just my wolf responding to authority, my hands caressing his hot, tattooed muscles, forgetting that he was the father of the woman my mate had discarded me for.
"I've also heard that you usually sleep with any girl in the pack and then discard them like trash..."
What the hell? James was the father of the woman my mate had rejected me for! How could I find myself in this situation with him? Outside, Christmas carols played in the distance, like a mockery of the normal life I would never have.
I had no idea how to react. However, what tormented me most was knowing that he was a dangerous man, and yet I had agreed to go up to the suite with him.
For some reason, I felt a little uncomfortable in this situation with James, but at the same time, an idea was running through my head. Why couldn't I enjoy it? The man was powerful and had nothing to lose, so I could afford to be daring with him.
I thought he would respond, but instead, he remained silent, staring at me.
“I've also heard that you're a demon in bed and that your tongue is...”
I couldn't finish speaking when he squeezed my chin with his hand, and in a matter of seconds, his lips collided with mine.
I froze as I felt his delicious lips on mine in a wild and possessive kiss. He was so voracious that for a moment I forgot it was Christmas Eve, that it was snowing outside, and that my heart was broken.
His hand moved down from my chin to my neck and squeezed, causing a muffled moan to escape my throat.
Instinctively, my lips reacted and opened to his tongue, which explored my mouth as if claiming me for himself.
Meanwhile, his free hand rested on my buttock and, as if I weighed nothing, he lifted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist.
For a moment, I thought he was going to throw me on the bed, but instead, he pushed me hard against the wall and, without giving me time to process what was happening, kissed me from my lips to my neck.
Damn, he sucked my skin like a demon. I lost control of my body as soon as he released my neck and, with the same abruptness, began to remove his tie and then his shirt, throwing them on the floor.
Fuck, f**k, f**k, all his hot, excited skin was pressed against my chest, exuding that sweet scent of lust.
I didn't hesitate to run my hands over his abdomen to feel his muscles and tattooed arms.
“Are you sure about this?” he murmured, his lips moving along the edge of my n*****s, which protruded from my bra.
“Mmm... yes,” I moaned with a cry when he bit one of my n*****s.
Not a second passed before a smile spread across his lips and, with one tug, he pulled down my bra.
I eagerly waited to feel him suck my breasts, but just as his mouth covered my breast, a loud cry echoed through the mental link. "Bridge! Bridge! They're taking him! They're taking Dad!"
My little sister's sudden desperate cry echoed in my head like a bucket of cold water.
All the lust that had overcome me disappeared immediately.
“Stop! Enough! I have to go!” I started screaming, releasing my legs from James's torso.
James immediately opened his eyes wide, but when I thought he would refute me, he just took his tuxedo jacket and placed it over my shoulders. “Wear this.”
I didn't have time to think about whether I should take it or not; I grabbed it and wanted to run away, but before I could take a step, I felt a grip on my arm. “At least tell me your name.”
I heard his words and turned slowly. “I'm nobody,” I said, remembering how Liam had ended up telling me that he would never let a nobody, the daughter of a traitor like me, be his wife.
"I don't believe that. I think you are someone. I want to know who that someone is," he said.
But, unable to respond, Amanda's screams grew louder in my head. I quickly managed to break free from James' grip and ran downstairs, driven by fear. My mind registered only one thing: it was Christmas Eve and my father was in danger.
When I got home, the devastation was total. The front door was smashed. My mother and sister, Amanda, were crying on the floor, surrounded by my small, overturned Christmas tree.
“Mom!” I shouted, kneeling down.
“They... They took your father,” my mother said, her words barely intelligible.
“Those damn warriors dragged him out of the house like he was trash! They accuse him of stealing five million dollars from the kingdom!” Amanda cried, her face red from crying.
“Steal from the kingdom? What are they talking about?” I asked, not understanding what was going on.
“Daughter, your father... did bad things, but he would never steal money from the kingdom,” said my mother, very sure of her words.
“They said they would take him to the dungeon if he didn't return the money he had stolen. But I know Dad didn't do anything!” growled my sister, clenching her fists.
The reality was that the kingdom's warriors were led by Liam, which made me shake my head in confusion. My fiancé, my mate, not only ruined my Christmas Eve, but now he was about to ruin my life in the most definitive and cruel way possible.
My father had never stolen anything in his life. Why were they blaming him for something like that?
However, just as I was trying to find some kind of answer, I noticed my phone vibrating in my pocket.
At first, I didn't want to answer, but the bond compelled me to.
“What do you want, Liam? Are you coming to laugh at me?” I replied, my voice trembling.
“Bridge, your father is in trouble,” I heard him say in that same cynical voice he used to reject me and stay with James's daughter.
Damn it, I hated that bastard so much. But I couldn't help feeling my heart beating fast, guided by that stupid bond; after all, the rejection hadn't been made official.
“Not at all. I'm calling to make you an offer...” His voice was cynical, with no trace of the emotion we had shared.
Before he could finish speaking, I interrupted him: “Do you think I'm interested in your stupid offers? You'd better go away with your wife and leave me alone!” I said.
But just then, his voice came back on the line. “Really? Maybe my proposal will get your father out of trouble, so if you want that, come to the park.”
What the hell? Was it true?
I quickly got up off the floor, without giving any explanation to my mother and sister, and left the house straight for the park.
The snow crunched under my feet, and in the distance I could hear the church bells ringing a Christmas hymn, a sound completely foreign to the misery that surrounded me. Liam was leaning against his car with a cigarette in his hand.
I couldn't deny it, Liam looked gorgeous in the same suit he wore when he got engaged to that b***h. The light from a nearby streetlamp highlighted the elegant cut of the fabric and the cynical gleam in his eyes.
However, I put those thoughts aside and looked at him, forcing an expression of disinterest.
“I see you're interested in my help,” he hinted with a slight smile.
I stared at him, watching as he slowly brought the cigarette to his lips, inhaled, and exhaled the smoke through the corner of his mouth.
Damn it, that simple gesture made my legs tremble, so I quickly looked down.
“If you don't say anything interesting, I'm leaving,” I announced.
But just as I was about to take a step back and return to my house, Liam's voice stopped me. “Your father is in the dungeon, accused of manipulating the kingdom's funds. I can make the debt disappear and keep your family safe. But I need something in return...”
Obviously, he wouldn't pay five million without asking for something in return, so I wasn't surprised at all.
“In exchange for what?” I asked, almost certain I wouldn't like the answer.
My question amused him, and he smiled before taking a step toward me. I could see how this jerk was enjoying my desperation.
"The price is simple. I'll pay your debt and save your father from the royal prison if you become my personal servant in my new home. You will stay there in Nathalia's service until the debt is paid or I decide otherwise"
As soon as I heard this, my eyes widened. Had I heard him wrong? Was this a joke?
“What? You want me to be the maid of the woman you left me for?” I asked, hoping it was a joke.
- Writer
