Chapter 2

Nathan:

I watched as the woman, my wife, entered the house before closing the door.

Her eyes were fixed on the ground as her heart raced against her ribcage. 

I let the pack’s females deal with her as I entered my office, ignoring her presence. They were here for the mating ceremony tonight and they would be gone by morning, leaving us alone as they each went to their houses.

“Nathan, you must complete the mating, you know that” mom said, entering the office after me. Her eyes didn’t meet mine, knowing that I was already annoyed by this whole thing. I knew that they would be choosing a mate for me, but I didn’t expect her to be ten years younger than I was, nor did I expect her to be from a rivaling family “the ceremony is tonight, and both of you would be expected to attend…”

“I believe that I am thirty, and I know my orders, mother. Therefore, I will finish what I have to do here before going up to my bedroom. I expect her to be ready by then” I kept my eyes on her as I spoke, my voice cold and monotonous, stopping her from reminding me of whatever duties she believed I forgot. She nodded and walked out of the office without saying a word, getting the hint of my want to stay alone.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, gulping it down in one shot. I poured myself another glass and walked toward my desk, sitting on my chair as my mind raced.

The idea of her being an Alpha’s daughter disturbed me, and the fact that she could easily send him our information when we were oblivious didn’t escape my mind. The lack of trust that I had for their family was one thing that I could not deny, but when our elders gave an order; it was not to be broken. Therefore, if they chose her as my wife then there must have been a reason for it. Though what it was, I had no idea. 

However, regardless of the reason, I was going to go with it. 

We’ll see how this all ends.

Gulping down my glass of whiskey, I put the glass down on the table and walked out of the office, heading toward my bedroom where she was supposed to be waiting for me. I could hear her heart racing inside the bedroom, and seeing as there were two women by the door, I knew that they were guarding the door to ensure that she didn’t disturb me. 

I nodded at them to open the door, not bothering to knock it, and doing as told, they both opened the door and closed it before walking away, giving me my privacy. The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and I could see her gulping as she fought to say a word when she saw me. 

“I told them to have you ready when I walked up here” I said coldly. Her hands shook despite her wrapping them around herself, staying quiet as if she’s lost her tongue. I walked toward her and taking a step back in fear, she nearly tripped. I wrapped my arm around her waist, stabilizing her before letting her go “strip”

“Please, I know that we have to complete the mating…”

“Good, then you’ve learned your lessons correctly”

“Just give me tonight. I know that you don’t care, but please, this is my one request from you” Katerina looked down at my feet, avoiding my eyes as she feared my reaction. I kept my eyes on her for a second before nodding “I know that we have the ceremony later tonight, I will be ready for it, and then tomorrow; I’ll be ready for you and for our marriage, I just need to…”

“You have tonight alone, but tomorrow I expect you to be ready, on my bed when I enter this room. I do not care whether or not you’re afraid, you know your duties as my wife and I expect you to fulfill them. Otherwise, I will know how to deal with you” I said, turning toward the door, ignoring her pleas, leaving her alone, and giving her the space that she was asking for. 

I could hear a sob break from her lips once I closed the door, and shaking my head at her, I walked down the stairs, leaving her alone. Mom’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw me, shaking her head in question. I wasn’t expected out of the room until tonight before the ceremony.  

“I’ll be out for a while, but I expect the woman to be ready, physically and mentally, tomorrow. I’m giving her today as a break to familiarize herself with her surroundings, but inform her that she could consider this as a favor from me, and it would only be a one time thing” I said coldly, looking my mother in the eye. Her own eyes were wide in surprise as she processed my words, not expecting that as my reaction “and before you remind me, I’ll be back before tonight’s ceremony; you needn’t worry about that”

I walked out of the house before she could say another word. I knew not to do anything crazy or risky as the elders would have their spies watching us for the next few days, ensuring that we completed our duties toward one another as husband and wife. The woman was expected to give birth to my child, and if one of us resists, we would be dealing with dire consequences that neither one of us wanted to deal with.