Chapter four

CHAPTER FOUR

 “Ten thousand,” I said and added more gold coins. “Ten thousand for her. She's mine. I must have her."

“Sold!” the auctioneer declared, slamming the hammer down. And before I could stop myself, I heaved a heavy sigh of relief. And it occured to me that was how bad I wanted her. 

There was anger in the man's eyes and he looked at me with disdain. “Don't you think it's ridiculous to spend that amount of money on a mere woman? Besides, most of them auctioned here are whores” he said nonchalantly, making me stop on my track. 

I swiftly took a few strides toward him, grabbed his throat firmly and pushed him to the wall while he struggled with his breath, wiggling his feet in the air. My claws sprouted and pierced his throat while drops of blood slid down his neck. 

"Did you call my mate... a whore?!" My eyes darkened and my grip held on tightly to his throat, he appeared as if his eyes would pop out any second. 

The men around began to murmur and move away from the scene. However, the thought that my mate would see me like this and may hate me made me let go of him instantly. 

He fell to the ground and went on his knees, held his throat and struggled to catch his breath while I looked down at him with hate, unsatisfied with what I've done to him. 

I lowered myself to him and whispered to his hearing "You were lucky to be spared today. You may not be so lucky another day" I stood up, grabbed a handkerchief from my beast pocket and wiped the blood from my fingers and replaced it in my pocket.

“And she's not just a mere woman. She's... Special " I started walking away while I felt the fearful gazes of the men piercing through my back. 

***

I approached her, my aura dominating the place and she took a step back, her eyes wide with terror. She looked as if she was going to sprint and I grabbed her by the arm before she could actualize her thought, looking deeply into her eyes. 

My stomach knotted when my cold fingers touched her warm skin, and I suspected she felt it too because she stood still, with her eyes locked to mine and her lips spreading a little bit apart. 

While we remained staring at each other, it took me a lot of willpower not to press my lips against hers and grab her ass, then immediately take her on the floor without minding that it was an open place. 

But no, I wanted to be gentle on her. I want to make love to her... She's the mate I've almost given up on finding. 

And with the way she stared at me, I felt she could read my thoughts. But I quickly averted my gaze from hers, then stared back at her with a solid look. 

“You belong to me now,” I said, my voice low and commanding. “Come.”

She followed, her steps hesitant, her fear radiating in waves. The auctioneer removed the number tag from her dress and she followed closely behind, her scent intoxicating.

When we reached my car, I opened the door for her. “Get in.”

A sigh escaped her lips as she got into her seat. “Please Don't kill me,” she pleaded, her eyes full of fear. “I'll do anything you want but please spare my life.”

"You'd do anything I want of course" I said inaudibly and grinned. "You are mine" I stopped smiling immediately I noticed her gaze was fixed to my face. I didn't want to terrify her with my horrible smile. 

“What's your name?” I asked, my eyes sizing her.

“Hazel ,” she said in a small voice. "Hazel Pratt" she added and it finally occurred to me why she seemed familiar, I had seen her picture before. She was my bride who had gone missing. She was Lucian’s daughter.

I gasped at her in shock, as a smile crept my lips "What a blissful coincidence" she was both my mate and my runaway bride. What an interesting way fate works.

She was staring down at her fingers placed on her laps while I ignited the engine and started driving. I felt alive and happy. I have finally found my mate. Which means I can get rid of Melissa. 

I was engaged to Melissa to bear me an heir, but she couldn't and it's been 3 years already. 

And then, the council will not stop being in my hair on the pressing issue of mate bonding and also having an heir to the throne. 

Now, I had a valid reason to call off the engagement with Melissa, and my fated mate will finally give me what I've always wanted. 'An heir'

The ride home was silent, tension thick in the air. She kept glancing at me, as if trying to gauge my intentions. When we arrived at my estate, I led her inside. My fiancée, Melissa, was waiting, her expression smug until she saw Hazel .

“Welcome home, my love,” she said smiling.

“Thanks,” I said curtly and was about to walk past her when she blocked my path.

“Who is she?” Melissa demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Hazel hid behind me and I could sense her fear and unease.

“She’s my mate!” I declared with unwavering authority, relishing the shock on her face.

Melissa shook her head slowly, using her eyes to access Hazel and I could only read the cruelty in her eyes, and finally, she forced a smile. Her eyes twinkled as she stared at Hazel with disdain and bitterness.

 “She's beautiful.” she managed to say and I could bet she had forced it out. 

“Yes. She is,” I said, unable to conceal my attraction.

 "You do know the implications of me finding my mate, I suppose?" I spoke firmly, while she continued to gaze at Hazel who was hiding at my back while I continued to shield her. She's someone I will protect at all costs. 

"You can't send me away, Darius" she muttered, before averting her gaze at me. 

 "My fated mate is in the picture now, I Can't get rid of her,” I pointed out. "You know how much I've always wanted to find her"

She went silent. After a while she looked up at me.“ And I also know how much you have wanted an heir, Darius" she muttered while I tightened my chin, urging her to go on because I didn't understand where she was driving. 

"I'm pregnant, Darius. What will you do about me and your child?" She finally let out as I felt goosebumps grow all over my body, and the hair on my arms standing erect.