Chapter Three - The Hate You Give.

*Selena's POV*

As we embarked on the journey to Duncan's pack, the hours seemed to stretch endlessly. The landscape outside the car window blurred into a hazy mix of colors, indicating the passing time. My mind drifted, lost in a windstorm of thoughts and emotions.

I couldn't help but wonder how this decision would affect my life. Leaving behind everything I knew and journeying into the unknown was both frightening and exhilarating. My heart fluttered with a mix of eagerness and unease.

Glancing at Duncan, who sat beside me, I couldn't read the thoughts behind his indifferent expression. We hadn't exchanged a single word since we set off, and the silence between us was both a blessing and a curse. It offered respite from his overbearing presence, but it also left me alone with my twisted thoughts.

I pondered over the circumstances that led me here. The twist of fate that bound me to him as his mate felt like a cruel joke. How did I end up with a man who fills me with fury to no end? The answer remained elusive, adding to the frustration that simmered within me.

The passing scenery outside the car window failed to capture my attention. My focus was consumed by the impending encounter with Duncan's pack. I couldn't help but wonder how they would receive me. Would they welcome me with open arms or view me as an intruder? The uncertainty gnawed at my insides, creating a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The journey felt never-ending, dragging on with each passing minute. Duncan and I still haven't said anything to each other and I was glad about it, at least I won't get to hear his annoying voice.

"Why are you putting on a mask?" He suddenly asked.

"It's none of your business Alpha." I retorted.

"Take it off, let me see your face." He ordered and then I glared at him.

"You can't force me into doing anything, you've already done it once, I won't have you do it again!" I stated. "You should have rejected me when you had the chance, don't tell me you're scared of getting mated to an ugly woman."

"Ugly or not, you're still my mate and I won't reject you no matter the little games you choose to play." He replied.

I turned my face away and silently cursed him, this only made me realize that it won't be easy getting him to accept my rejection.

I couldn't tell where the idea came from, but I suddenly thought of escaping, since we're yet to arrive at his pack, there's no better time to escape than now.

"I need to pee, have your driver stop the car." 

"What are you up to this time?" He asked. "Don't tell me you're thinking of escaping because that won't happen, I won't let you get away from me."

I scoffed loudly. "I don't mind doing it in your car if you won't let me go outside, should I do it then? In your car?" I asked and I literally smiled when I saw the frustration on his face.

He reluctantly asked the driver to stop and then I got down from the car.

"Don't spend the whole day doing that." He said to me, but I choose to ignore his words.

After finishing in the forest, I desperately scanned the area, not knowing where we were. But that didn't matter. All I wanted was to escape. 

The trees surrounded me, offering a glimpse of hope. Determination filled me as I prepared to take a risk, to find a way out. The forest became my ally, whispering tales of freedom. 

Without looking back, I began to run in whatever direction I choose to, it's only a matter of time before Duncan realizes I'm gone, but before he does, I hope to be far away from him.

It seems that my luck already ran out, I screamed in shock when Duncan appeared before me in a flash.

"Hello mate." He smirked, his eyes blazing with fury.

"How did—"

"I knew this was going to happen and that's the reason I followed you when you got out of the car, you didn't fail to disappoint me, I hope you enjoyed your pee because that's the last one you'll be making on this trip." He then grabbed my hand and forcefully began pulling me along.

"Let me go, leave me alone, I don't want to go with you!" I screamed while struggling to free my hand from his.

"Don't make me do something I'm going to regret Selena." He warned darkly.

His voice sent cold unpleasant shivers down my spine, but I refused to be intimidated.

I kept on struggling with him and when he's had enough, he let go of my hand and swept me off my feet, then he threw me across his shoulders, all this he did in a twinkle of an eye that even I was too stunned to speak.

"Each time you move, I'm going to spank you ass." 

"What!?" I half yelled and I received a spanking from him almost immediately.

"Stop it Duncan! Put me down you freak!" I screamed while banging my fist on his back.

True to his words, each time I struggled, he spanked my ass and eventually, I gave up and simply let him carry me.

"You should have kept quiet before." He taunted, but I choose to ignore his words, my ass was starting to hurt from all the spanking he gave me.

When we got to the car, he put me down and forced me in, then he got in after me.

"Don't ever think of trying to get away from me Selena, I'm going to let this slide this time, but the next time you pull something like this, the consequences will be grave and trust me, you wouldn't want to see that side of me." He warned.

I turned my face away and a lone tear slipped down my cheek, my life is only going to get worse from now on.

But no matter what he said, I wasn't willing to give up on my plans to escape and I fell asleep thinking of different ways to get away from him.

I didn't know for how long I was asleep, but when I felt someone touching me, my eyes flew open to see Duncan carrying me out of the car.

As I looked around, I saw that we had arrived at Duncan's palace. It was much bigger and fancier than I had expected, even more so than our own. I couldn't help but be amazed by its grandeur. 

The palace was so impressive, with its luxurious and extravagant design. It made me feel small in comparison, and I couldn't deny the impact it had on me, even though I had mixed feelings about it.

"Put me down, I can walk you know." I said with an eye roll.

"You're already in my arms, I can't put you down now." He replied.

I mentally groaned in frustration, his domineering power and possessiveness annoyed me greatly, but I felt even more disgusted with the small part of myself that likes it.

As we walked into the palace, I was amazed by how beautiful it was inside. The decorations were impressive, with fancy paintings and pretty tapestries hanging on the walls. 

The floors were shiny and smooth, and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling gave a warm, cozy light. The air smelled nice, and the carpets felt really soft under my feet. 

The furniture looked stylish and carefully placed, making the whole place feel luxurious. It was such a stunning sight, and I couldn't help but admire the effort put into making the inside of the palace so breathtaking.

"Wow." I unknowingly said and Duncan chuckled.

"You like what you see?" He asked and that was when I realized that I had spoke out loud.

"I don't and I still prefer my home to this." I hissed. 

After I uttered those words, a surge of defiance and stubbornness coursed through me. I couldn't shake off the feeling that my own humble home, flawed as it may be, held a special place in my heart.

 No matter how extravagant this palace appeared, it couldn't shake my unwavering loyalty and connection to the familiarity of my own surroundings.

Duncan carried me upstairs, when we got to a particular room, that was when he put me down.

"You should sleep with me."

 

"What!?" I blurted out, my mind reeling with shock and disbelief. 

The audacity of his suggestion sent a wave of anger and repulsion crashing over me. There was no way I would willingly share a bed with him, not after everything that had transpired between us. 

The mere thought of being in such close proximity to him made my skin crawl. I had to find a way to maintain my distance and preserve whatever semblance of independence I had left.

“What are you thinking about? I meant in the same room." He smirked.

"There's no way I'm doing that, I'll rather sleep in the stables that to stay in a room with you." 

"I figured you'll say that, you can have this room next to mine." He pointed at the room and although I didn't want to be anywhere near him, but this was way better than staying in the same room with him.

I opened the door and went inside. I couldn't believe my eyes. The room was huge, much bigger than my room at home. It felt like it went on forever. 

The ceilings were high and the walls were decorated with fancy designs. Everything looked so luxurious and expensive. It was like stepping into a palace. I stood there, amazed by the grandness of it all.

"From the look on your face, I'm sure you like it." Duncan said and I sharply turned around to face him.

"You should leave and please refrain from coming in here without my permission," I replied, looking him in the eyes.

He then crouched down to my level. "I know you want this just as much as I do, you can try to deny it as much as you want, but the emotions in your eyes says differently."

"Take off the mask Selena, let me see your face." He urged, but I vehemently refused and pushed him out of my room instead.

"Stay away from me!" I warned before banging the door shut.