TO MATE A MONSTER

CHAPTER 7

ELENA’S POV

His words dropped heavily between us. “I want to mark you, now.”

He repeated the same words, like I didn’t hear him initially.

I shook my head, my voice soft but cracky. “No, Alpha Ethan. I am not ready.”

He did not move. His eyes were still fixed on me. I took a breath, forcing the next words out. “Even if you are my mate, my heart… it belongs to another.”

Nobody said anything for the next few minutes. I saw the pain flash across his face for the smallest moment. I can’t explain it. Then he hid it. His expression turned cold, so that I couldn’t read what was going on in his mind.

Behind him, Julian’s voice broke the quiet moment. “You must have some nerve to say that to him. Do you even understand who you are talking to? Do you know how many women in this world would fall to their knees, begging for him to mark them? He is the Alpha of the Eclipse Shadow Pack, the strongest and the most ruthless Alpha, and here you stand, acting as if you are above him.”

“You must think that you are all that; this is a privilege, not your right.”

Her tone was bitter and condescending. Her words stung, but I held my head high.

Ethan’s voice broke through hers calmly. “It’s fine, Julian.” His gaze never left mine. “I will not mark her until she is ready. I want her heart first.”

He stepped forward, closing the space between us. I could feel my heart beating so fast. I hope he doesn’t get to know the effect his body has on mine. He stopped just close enough for me to hear his breath, close enough for my body to feel the pull of his. His voice dropped low, a whisper only for me.

“I will make you fall so deeply in love with me, Elena, that you will beg me to mark you. I will wait.”

Heat rushed up my neck. His words rang with promise, but I forced my face to stay calm. You will be the one to beg for mercy, Alpha Ethan. I will see you ruined.

************

ETHAN’S POV

The council chamber was full of voices this morning, but none of them reached me; my mind was far away. The Elders spoke about borders, about trade, about warriors returning from patrol, and some other things my ear couldn’t catch. Still, all I heard were her words.

“Even if you are my mate, my heart belongs to another.”

The phrase cut into me again and again. My fist slammed onto the table before I realized it. “Damn it,” I cursed, forgetting the room was not empty.

The elders got startled, their words dying mid-sentence. One of them cleared his throat. “Alpha Ethan… are you well? You seem… unsettled.”

I forced my words to come out calmly. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

But they were not convinced. I could see it in their eyes.

I straightened. I needed to get out of this meeting. “We will reschedule this meeting,” I said flatly. Without waiting for their reply, I left the chamber.

Later, Julian found me in my room. She stepped forward slowly, her eyes watching me with that same tender affection. “Ethan,” she said quietly, “what is wrong? Apart from being your Beta, I am your friend. Talk to me.”

I stood silent for a long moment, then turned toward the fire in the hearth. The flames bent and cracked, and in them, I saw her face; her rejection hit harder again.

My brain was on it again, brainstorming. I made a promise to her, and wasn’t about to fall on it.

A smile curved my mouth slowly. “Julian… I am about to ask you for a big favor, and please, you cannot say no.”

Her brow furrowed. “I cannot say no to my Alpha. You know that.”

I turned and faced her fully. “No titles now. I am asking as a friend.”

She folded her arms and smiled, “Then speak.”

I leaned in and deliberately lowered my voice. “I read once that one way to make a woman fall in love is to make her jealous.”

Julian blinked, confused. “What are you planning, Ethan?”

My smirk widened. “From now on, I will pretend I don’t care about Elena. That my heart beats for someone else, and I want her to believe it’s you.”

Her eyes went wide. “Ethan… you can’t…”

I laughed, clapping my hands together once. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect. This will work.”

But even as laughter left my mouth, something restless clawed inside me. My wolf growled, pushing against me with disapproval.

That night, unable to quiet him, I walked alone beneath the pale moon.

My wolf pressed against me, unsettled. “You don’t like this plan, do you?” I asked him. A low growl echoed back in my chest.

I dragged a hand across my face. “Listen. If you want us to mark her, then she needs to love us first. This is the only way I know. Do you have a better idea?”

My wolf fell silent, sulking.

“I thought so,” I muttered.

The path led me toward the garden, which is mostly my favorite place to be. Then I stopped

There, on the bench beneath the tree, sat Elena. She was laughing so hard that she revealed her dimples. My chest ached at the sound of her laughter; someone else is making her laugh, and it isn’t me.

Beside her sat Lucas. His posture was relaxed, his eyes fixed on her as if she were the only thing in the world.

My wolf surged, wild and furious. My body was ready to storm across the garden, rip him away from her, and claim her before him.

But a voice stopped me.

“Stop, Ethan.”