Mated with a human

chapter 16

**Morning of the Fifth

Milan’s POV**

Warm light hit my eyelids.

I opened my eyes slowly… and froze.

Above me hung a massive chandelier—glowing softly, lighting up a ceiling covered in beautiful rose designs.

Not my ceiling.

Not my apartment.

My eyes flew open.

I jerked upright, breathing hard.

The room was huge.

Elegant.

Expensive.

Like something from a royal palace.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains.

Silk couches.

White marble floors.

Even the wallpaper had intricate roses like the ceiling.

“What the hell…” I whispered.

Then I noticed my clothes.

Silk pajamas. Not mine.

I shot off the bed immediately.

Panic tightening my chest, I rushed to the curtains and yanked them open.

Sunlight blasted my eyes. I blinked, adjusting, then saw a sliding door leading to a breathtaking balcony.

I stepped outside.

A massive garden stretched out below—rows of exotic flowers in every colour, fountains, stone paths…

A royal garden.

Beautiful.

But terrifying.

“Where am I?” I whispered.

A voice behind me made me jump.

“Good morning, my princess.”

I spun around.

A young girl in a maid uniform stood there, bowing.

I looked left, right, behind me.

“…Who are you calling princess?”

She looked confused, lifting her head.

“You, my princess. The prince sent me to prepare you for breakfast.”

“What prince?” I snapped.

“Where am I? And why am I here?”

She blinked rapidly.

“My princess… you are home. You were missing, but now you’ve been found. Please, I must prepare you.”

She gently took my arm, pulling me inside.

There was a rack of long dresses waiting—flowing gowns, embroidered, glittering—wedding-dress type of luxury.

She guided me toward the massive bathroom.

“Would you like me to help you undress? Your bath is ready.”

I stared at her.

“Help me undress—for WHAT?”

“To bathe you, my princess.”

I almost laughed from shock.

“No. I can bathe myself. Get out.”

She bowed quickly and left.

I locked the door, heart racing.

I needed to bathe fast and get out of here.

Work. My phone. My clothes. My life.

After a rushed bath, I came out wrapped in a towel.

She was still by the dresses, smiling.

“Which dress would you like?”

She lifted a green flowing gown with a low neckline.

I frowned and pushed past her, flipping through the dresses myself.

I grabbed the one that caught my eye—peach, soft, covered in delicate flowers.

“Look away. I’m changing.”

She obeyed.

When I put it on, it fit perfectly, like it was made for me.

She tied the back, did my hair, makeup, and handed me heels.

I stared at my reflection.

…A stranger.

A princess.

A prisoner.

“Where’s my phone?” I asked.

She answered sweetly,

“I haven’t seen it. You should ask the King.”

My jaw clenched.

“What time is it?”

“Twelve o’clock, my princess.”

“Twelve!?”

I nearly screamed.

“I’m late for work!”

I stormed out. She hurried behind me.

The door opened—

Two guards stood outside and bowed.

“My princess.”

I ignored the title, scanning the hallway.

“Where is he?”

The maid pointed right.

“This way.”

We walked through endless hallways until we stopped at giant doors.

A guard stepped forward.

“My princess, the prince is in a meeting. You must wait.”

“Do I look like the type who waits?” I snapped.

I shoved past him and pushed the doors open.

Inside was a massive hall.

A long table filled with important-looking people—all turning toward me at once.

But my eyes locked on him.

The man at the head of the table.

The one in the big chair.

The man who broke into my apartment.

Those orange eyes.

My stomach twisted in anger and fear.

I walked in slowly. The train of my dress trailed behind me like I belonged there.

I stopped at the end of the table, staring straight at him.

“I want my phone.” My voice was sharp. “Give it back.”

The entire hall went silent, confusion everywhere.

He tilted his head, lips twitching, studying me.

Then he stood.

“The meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone scrambled up and rushed out.

The door closed behind them.

Now it was just us.

He said quietly, “Come here.”

And for some reason—maybe some force—I found myself stepping toward him.

Standing beside him, I started speaking fast.

“Listen. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. Whatever sick game you’re playing, choose someone else. You kidnapped me. Brought me to a place I don’t know. Everyone keeps calling me princess. I’m not royalty, and I don’t want to be. Give me my phone so I can call my boss and explain why I’m not at work. Then get me a car. I’m going home.”

I finished in one breath.

He smiled softly.

He reached out to touch my face, but I jerked away. He slowly lowered his hand, expression hardening.

Then his tone changed—cold, dangerous.

“I need you to listen carefully.”

He gestured around the massive hall.

“This place. This beauty. This luxury. This is your home now. You are not returning to that apartment. Whatever you owned is being brought here. Whatever you want will be provided. From this day forward, you are my princess. And I will be your prince."

My stomach dropped.

“We will be married tomorrow. Do you have a list of people you wish to invite?”

I stared at him… and laughed.

A hysterical laugh.

“The way you said that—one would think you were serious. You could win an award for acting. Now—my phone.”

I held out my hand.

He didn’t smile.

“I am not joking.”

He stepped closer, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

“And before you think of opposing me, just remember—I know your sister didn’t kill herself. And her son is alive.”

My heart stopped.

“If you disobey me, I will take him. And your mother. And kill them in front of you. And you will be powerless to stop me.”

My blood ran cold.

“You wouldn’t,” I whispered.

He leaned closer.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

His eyes were hard.

Unmoving.

Serious.

“I do not repeat myself. Do as I say… or I won’t spare them. Don’t tempt me.”

He walked away, then paused at the door.

“And never interrupt my meetings again. This is your first warning.”

He left.

The hall was silent.

My knees buckled and I fell, tears spilling before I could stop them.

I covered my mouth, sobbing.

“I’m sorry, sis… I failed to protect him…”

__________

The bell rang loudly through the whole school, signaling that it was finally lunch time. Students rushed out of classrooms, chatting, laughing, stretching like they had been trapped for hours.

As usual, Luke stood up calmly, collected his books, and walked out. The hallway was loud, but he moved through it like he didn’t hear a thing. He went straight to his locker, opened it, and placed a few books inside.

After locking it, he headed for the restroom.

June didn’t even follow—she just waited for him in the hallway like she always did. Leaning against the wall, scrolling on her phone, acting like she wasn’t waiting even though everyone knew she was.

When Luke finally came out, he didn’t expect her to still be there. He paused for a second, looking at her.

She looked up immediately. “Finally! Let’s go, I’m starving!”

Luke furrowed his brows a little. “What are u waiting here for? Shouldn’t u be in the canteen eating?”

June gave him an exaggerated gasp. “I was waiting for u, obviously. Now come, my stomach is crying.”

Luke sighed but didn’t argue. He turned and started walking, and she happily walked beside him.

When they got to the canteen, the peace they were expecting didn’t exist—other students had taken all the normal spots. Some were loud, some laughing, others gossiping.

June stopped in her tracks, pouting instantly. “Ugh. Did they have to sit there? Now we have no place to sit.”

Luke glanced around calmly, then looked back at her.

“Well… we do have a place to sit.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Where?”

“The rooftop. Come, let’s go.”