Chapter Five - Purely business

Valkyrie Behati

“Your mate? That is such a big responsibility to fake.” I was bewildered. Why on earth did he suddenly think about that?

“I have my reasons, you have yours, which I will not force out of you unless you want to share it.” he casually told me.

I squinted my eyes and massaged my forehead gently because it was slightly aching, “So if I pretend to be your mate, you’ll protect me?”

He nodded proudly, which made me sigh deeply before scratching the back of my head. I have to think about this thoroughly.

For the record, I don’t know what is happening in my life right now. This doesn’t align with what I experienced back then in my first and second life.

I didn’t meet or interact with him, so now, I am confused as to why I am inside his study room and we’re currently having negotiations.

“I don’t need your protection, involving with you might make things messy.” I confidently claimed.

“Are you sure about that? Why did you turn pale a while ago?” he raised his eyebrows judgingly, which forced me to clench my fists.

I thought about Giovanni and Laine. All of the things I did recently do not match what I did back then. I played so safe before but ever since I accepted his rejection on this third chance, I purposely provoked them in public. 

He must be furious with me right now. I felt that with his alarming stares, it almost felt like he shot me dead.

I sneakily peeked towards our Alpha King, there were a lot of rumors about him being ruthless, and a womanizer, typical things a popular and wealthy man has within their veins.

But his power, strength…he could help me reach my dreams without worrying about me being killed by him.

Pretending to be someone’s mate is going to be easy even though I am mateless now. I pitied and laughed at myself. Mentally.

‘Agatha, you’re okay with this, right? It’s just a fake thing so we can live longer.’ I curiously asked her, but she didn’t respond. 

Agatha’s been quiet ever since we met the Alpha King. I also could feel that she was a bit anxious around this man.

Is it because of his power? I shook my head. I know for sure that we are not going to be that intimidated towards him. I was once a Luna.

“Look, you are still a stranger to me. I don’t trust you completely.” I breathed heavily before facing him, “But I will accept your offer to help me.”

He almost smiled before nodding, “I understand, I am glad you accepted. I will not disappoint you and we can start by getting your things from where you live now.”

I furrowed my eyebrows, deeply confused by the statement he just stated, “W-Why the heck would you do that?” 

Alex's gaze pierced through me, laden with judgment. “How can I protect my fake mate if I can’t see you anywhere around me? You will be living here in my space so people won’t question it.”

He has a point, “O-Okay fine, is that it?” 

He looked me in the eyes before shaking his head, “Also, in addition to my request as fake mates, I have to request that we two go out on a date every Saturday.”

“It would be a perfect opportunity to let the public know about us, don’t you think so?” he added, which made me gulp.

He stared at me intently, his eyes like deep pools of silver, gleaming with the light of distant stars in the night sky. It was both mesmerizing and a little alarming.

“I think that’s alright with me, but in exchange, you have to train me to fight just in case we are not together, I can protect myself.” I requested.

He smiled before nodding, “During my free time, let’s train together at my gym in the west wing, but in cases like this, we need to be out running in the fields.”

I beamed with excitement, this is a big win! I’d never imagined a king would train me to fight, “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

“One last thing, after we announce that you are my mate, you will come with me on every errand and will meet my people, and don’t worry, you will always be beside me. There is nothing my fake mate should be afraid of, especially when I am around,” 

I clutched my chest, overwhelmed by his words. No one had ever made me feel this way. Asking for favors had always been hard for me—I was used to doing them for others. But now, everything feels balanced.

I shook my head,  I don’t have to think about that now. What matters now is to avoid my death and reach my dreams while getting my revenge at the same time. With his big name, I am sure Giovanni won’t touch me that easily.

“Okay, it’s a deal.” I offered my hand to him. 

Alpha King Alexander confusedly stared at my bare hands, he then cupped his mouth to avoid himself from chuckling.

“Is there something wrong?” I furrowed my eyebrows, but he shook his head before holding onto my hands.

I almost flinched from the sparks and tingles that it sent throughout my body. I never had this effect before with Giovanni back then.

He was afraid of touching me but hated seeing me touch others. I came back from reality when Alexander tightened his grip on mine before letting go.

“Thank you for this, Alpha King.” I sincerely stated, but he looked surprised by how I called him.

“Kyrie, please call me Alex from now on.” he smiled, which made me stop before slowly nodding. He wants me to call him by his name?

I shook my head when my heart thumped a bit, he probably did that to make things look more convincing.

“Oh, by the way, the person standing behind you is Matthew Lincoln. He is my beta, he was the one who received your piece, remember?” he added.

“Ah! How long have you been there?” I screamed before standing on my chair when I looked back. I did not feel his presence at all.

“You can tell him your concerns sometimes, but I prefer if you directly report to me, okay? He’s the only one who knows that we are fake mates, you can’t tell anybody about that.” Alex reminded.

I couldn’t acknowledge his statement because that man dressed in a formal black tuxedo was smiling at me, his eyes were emerald and complimented his fawn-colored hair,  “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Ms. Kyrie.”

“I already asked people to get your things at this apartment, you live there and not on the Red Mountain?” he asked while checking something in his tablet.

“Bear with him, he already researched about you when he heard something from me in the mind link.” I heard Alex explain behind me.

“I-I moved out.” I bit my lower lip before averting my gaze, “I-I am feeling a bit exhausted, is it alright if I can rest now?”

Matthew nodded, “Of course! And please, call me Matt.”

I smiled, “Okay, Matt.” I turned back and bowed my head towards Alex, “Thank you again for your generosity.”

“Silly, you’re my mate now so all of this is nothing but a simple gesture.” he playfully winked and reached out to my head, it made me panic as I shoved and slapped his hands away from me while breathing heavily.

“Why did you do that?” he deeply asked, a little bit confused.

“I-I…thought you were going to hit me. It was a defense mechanism.” I firmly said, making sure my voice won’t break.

To be continued…