002
1153 Words
Sienna Pov
Generally, the mate bond doesn't settle into place until around the age of eighteen. It can be delayed longer, and is different for everyone. We have both surpassed that, and although there is a chance of a mate bond becoming established between us, I've since given up such a dream.
And admittedly, I have dreamed about it.
He holds his hand out. "Here, give me the papers."
"No." I press them against my chest.
"Oh, so suddenly I can't look for my future wife?"
"You're just going to toss them into the fire!" I prop my hands on my hips, glaring at him.
He dips his head back, groaning. "Great, so now I can't find a wife, and I'm predictable?"
I tuck the forms behind my back, stepping away so I'm not within his reach. He's so tall it would only take a single step for him to reach me, and with his strength, there would be no keeping them from him.
Too bad I outsmart him on every occasion. Well, I like to think I do.
"It's that shining personality of yours that will win a woman's heart." I flutter my eyes, like he's irresistible.
He is, I suppose. To most people. Despite the aura of death that shrouds him, he still has hoards of adoring admirers who leave countless letters with staff in hopes he notices them.
I've read some. To this day I carry scars from the raunchy ones.
He gives me a flat look. "Ha ha."
I examine the form again, clearing my throat. "Like I said, Lexa Vale. On the shorter side, with black hair and green eyes. Nothing about birthing hips though."
"Sienna," he says softly.
I pause, looking up at him. It still shocks me that he can be so gentle, even when he's chastising me. It's at odds with how everyone perceives him.
"Onyx," I challenge.
"I'll look at them tomorrow. Okay?"I sigh, but nod. It's late, and he's clearly exasperated.
"Alright." I dump the forms on his desk, falling into the other chair.
I study him quietly as he stands, ruffling a hand through his slightly wavy hair. He's only a couple inches shy of having to bend his head to stand straight in here.
He's burdened with something. It can't be this, because he's made greater sacrifices for his Pack than marrying. But I never push him on his feelings, I just let him come to me first.
"Sometimes I forget the whole world is terrified of you," I breathe.
"They aren't terrified. They are misinformed." He chucks another log on the fire, watching the sparks that spit up from the embers.
Not about his grouchiness, I think to myself.
"Are they though?"
He glances back at me. "You tell me."
"You're prickly with even the most important people who walk through the manor doors. You've beaten people within an inch of their life on a stage in front of your people-"
"They deserved it," he cuts in.
A huff out a breath. I'm inclined to agree that there is more to him than people see, but no one can be blamed for finding him to be a cold, calculated leader.
"You've even killed before," I say quietly.
He just stares into the fire, flexing his fingers. "Like I said, they deserved it."
The glow from the fire has tinted his skin and hair in rich, vibrant shades of red and orange. The light flickers across the strong lines of the jaw to the softness of his mouth, making him look more menacing than usual.
I blink, forcing my gaze to my hands."You scare people, which is why I hardly have friends and am still a virgin," I note.
He sweeps his scorching hot gaze back at me, like it picked up some heat from staring into the fire. "I have nothing to do with your virginity."
I narrow my eyes upon him. Nothing? He acts as though his mere presence isn't enough to scare off even the bravest men.
"Someone once bumped into me at a public event and you struck him round the head so hard he probably has never recovered," I remind him coolly, folding my arms over my chest.
He rubs his jaw, pretending to think. "I don't remember that."
Yes he does.
"A man once stepped in a muddy puddle, splashing a bit onto my hem and you had him on his knees, begging for mercy," I add.
"Hmm."
"And don't forget the time I tripped over and scuffed my knee. When you found out it was because the gardener didn't properly clean up his tools and left them in the garden path, you fired him and told him he was lucky you didn't follow him home and burn his house down while he slept." I shift over to his large bed, sitting on the edge. "I doubt that poor man has had a good night's sleep since."
Onyx shrugs. "So?"
I shake my head in disbelief. Onyx is morally grey at best. Some days he's rigidly strict with how people act, scolding staff who mistreat each other, keeping the laws tight so no one gets harmed. Other days he's hunting down assassins, conspirators and downright criminals for sport.
"So, men are probably too scared to come close enough to me to risk f*****g up and getting in trouble with you," I say, trying to get him to piece it together.
He takes a few steps toward me, hands seated in his pockets which seems too casual for how he's speaking right now."If someone hurts you, Sienna, I will chain them up in the centre of the Pack and bleed them out until every last person vows to never bring you harm." There is nothing but uncompromising will in his eyes.
He's not saying that for no reason. He means it.
"You're so dramatic." I roll my eyes, knowing he's not going to be doing anything to anyone if I'm involved. "Although you are my best friend, you are terrifying."
"I want to protect you." His voice softens.
I gesture at the forms splayed out across the desk. "Find a wife, protect her, and let me move on with my life."
He steps forward, ruffling my hair. "Too bad. I'm going to keep pestering you."
I push him off, muttering under my breath. I hate when he does that. It makes me feel like we are fifteen again and he is making fun of me.
"Now, are you done doing my mothers dirty work, or are you going to sit and lose this game of cards." He picks up the stack from his bedside table, flicking through the cards with his thumb.
He's distracting me, but I'll take the bait.
I slide off the bed and onto the floor, sitting cross-legged, waiting for him to join me. "As if I'm losing to the likes of you."
- Writer
