Chapter five

Tessa’s POV;

The word ‘mate’ kept on ringing in my head. There was a strange familiarity to the odd word. It felt like my insides were in agreement with whatever decree Lucian had just sounded out, and it made me curious.

“What do you mean by ‘I’m your mate’? I questioned the tall figure standing before me, still staring intently at me as if my skin was honey he couldn’t resist.

I saw his eyes dragged down from my eyes to my lips, which were still hot from his earlier domination. I swallowed hard, knowing that my body would instantly give in against my will if he kissed me again.

“What it means is that the moon goddess has deemed you fit to be my wife.” His mouth rolled out the words with high confidence.

I choked. Was this man mad? We literally haven’t even met for up to 24 hours, and he was saying I’m to be his wife!?

“You should consider yourself very lucky that you’re fated to such a powerful man like me. Many girls would kill to be in your position.” He bragged fully, his shoulders propped up by his loud pride.

I knew he was very wealthy, but that doesn’t mean he had to be a proud jerk. Even if he was the last man on earth, I definitely wouldn’t be his wife.

“Look, Mr. Lucian,” I started. “I’m not interested in staying here, and I’m certainly not interested in becoming your wife. I know you already paid for my ownership to my stepmother, but if you just let me go, I’d get a job, and I promise to pay you back in a year at most.”

A chuckle escaped his lips as he heard my words.

Was a year too long?

“Okay, six months then,” I retorted, but that made him laugh even more.

This jerk! What did I say that was so funny that was making him laugh?

Lucian cleared his throat and faced me. “Even in five years time, you won’t be able to pay me half of the amount I gave your stepmother.”

His words stung like a bee jab to the skin. He full-on just insulted me.

“Also, who would want to even employ an 18-year-old high school dropout?” His eyebrow raised with question.

My heart broke. He was right, but he didn’t have to say it so plainly. It’s not like I voluntarily dropped out of school. It was my dream to study psychology and become a therapist from a young age because I wanted to help my father find himself again, but I had to give up that aspiration when Vivian, my stepmother, made me drop out of school.

My eyes welled up, but I fought back the tears. “I’ll…find something to do and pay you back.” I sniffed.

“Don’t you get it! No job with your credentials would pay you well enough. Stop being stubborn.” He snapped.

I shuddered at his reaction. He was proud, impatient, and frustrated; there was no way I was getting married to him.

Behind Lucian, I could see an open door at the end of the hall. Some maids had just come in through the door with some groceries in their hands.

That must be the way out.

In an instant, I bypassed Lucian and began to run for the open door. I brushed past everyone in my path and kept at full speed, running to my portal of escape.

I briefly turned to look at Lucian to see if he was hot on my tail, but to my surprise, he just stood at our earlier position with his arms folded, looking at me blankly.

Why wasn’t he trying to stop me? Had he given up and was he willing to let me go?

I was now a few steps closer to the door; my escape looked as sure as the sun rising every morning. As I got to the tall, earthy door and was about to step out into the sunlight, two hearty men came out from either side of the door.

“I…you…,” I stuttered as I came to a stop, seeing the two men approach me. “Ma, please turn around.” One of them said, “We were given strict instructions not to let you out.”

I should have known Lucian had something planned when I saw him standing so unbothered as I ran.

I turned around and walked back to Lucian in defeat. I could see a smile curve on his lips, and I wanted more than anything to carve it off his face.

“Had enough exercise already?” He smirked knowingly, and I rolled my eyes at him.

“You can’t leave, Tessa.” He strolled over to me and pulled me by my waist. My breath hung in my throat. “The sooner you accept that you are mine, the easier things will be.” His arm tightened around my waist as he drew me even closer, his musky, manly smell intoxicating me.

“You are mine.” He declared.

Our lips were now inches apart, the intense feeling from earlier returned, and my knees were struggling to keep me standing. My lips were quavering, begging for his to touch mine, and he drew closer.

But just as it was about to happen, just as I was about to feel his soft lips against mine , sending jolts of electricity, he pulled away.

This man was purposely teasing me. He knew how his touch made my body go crazy.

He breathed out. “Go to your room. The maids would come get you ready for the ceremony.”

“What ceremony?” He has been pondering that word since I got here. I hadn’t really given it much thought earlier because I was overwhelmed by everything, but now that it seems I was trapped here, I needed to know what this ceremony entailed.

“I’ll explain it to you.” A female voice said from behind me. I turned around to see the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Well, it was true I just received my sight today, but even I could recognize her ravishing beauty.

She had similar features to Lucian: long brown hair and deep red orbs, but she looked more mature than Lucian. She walked up to me and took my hand in hers before shooting Lucian an astute look.

“This is no way to treat a girl, little brother,” she eyed him with the authority of an elder sister. “I’m the lycan king; I can speak to whomever I want, however I want.” Lucian maintained.

She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m Olivia, Lucian’s elder sister. I’m happy to see you, Tessa,” she flashed me a warm smile that felt like a comforting hug. It was the first time I felt a little at ease since I arrived here.

“Let me take you to your room and explain everything to you more calmly than my brother did. I assure you we’re not bad people, and there’s nothing to be scared of.” Her calm tone was very convincing; it made me want to trust her. Want to hear her out and give this place a chance.

I nodded, and she led me out. As we exited the area, I could still feel Lucian’s stare burning hot into the back of my neck.

We got to my room, and she sat on the wide bed, gesturing for me to do the same. I obeyed.

“Listen, Tessa, I know my brother might come off a bit hard, but he’s actually the opposite when you get to know him.” He held my hand in hers as she spoke. “He wasn’t always like this, but after…” She stopped herself, swallowing back the words.

Her once bright outlook dropped, and I knew that the words she had cut off were ones that she couldn’t bear to say.

What could they be?

She quickly regained her composure and looked up at me, the former darkness disappearing just as fast as it came. Her red orbs twinkled with a new brightness. “I’ll explain the rest later; now it’s time for you to get ready for the ceremony.”

There that word was again, ‘ceremony.’

I shifted and asked, puzzled, “What ceremony?”

Olivia beamed with joy and squeezed my hand. “Your marriage introduction to Lucian.”

My breath seized, and I froze as I heard her words.

My introduction ceremony?