Hated Mate

The whole palace is under surveillance by Lavi and his men. Omegas are scared for their lives because the Prince had reportedly not slept all night. In the past, several assassins tried to kill him but the Prince managed to kill them all but he let this one live. 

Everyone is dreading the Prince’s next actions. Lavi is at the breakfast table, his mind obsessing over the girl whom they caught last night.

Her sweet smell is not leaving him and his urge to claim her is only growing. Last night, he was not injured and yet, several marks appeared on his body. A shoeprint is etched on his neck at the exact spot where the girl was stepped on. All night, he thrashed around his room, breaking things out of anger. His body and mind were at odds.

His body wants her. His mind hates her.

“You will die by the hands of your mate.”

The words are still swirling in his mind. A prophecy which has been haunting him all his life, not letting him live in peace. The throne he craves so much will slip away if he dies and he will never be able to achieve what he set out to do.

An omega places a plate of chocolate truffle in front of him. Lavi stares at the dessert with a cold expression.

She smells like chocolate.

CLANK!

He throws the plate against the wall, breaking it to pieces. His eyes flare up in anger, scaring everyone around him.

“I will question the prisoner,” he declares and marches off towards the dungeon.

Inside her cell, Anna is wide awake. She can smell the damn mint scent from a mile away, rushing towards her. Her heightened hybrid senses can feel his anger and conflict.

The cell’s gate slams open and Lavi enters. Anna does not move but stays still, not acknowledging him.

Lavi grabs her arms and pushes her against the wall.

“What the hell is your name?” He growls in a menacing tone. “Tell me!”

Anna remains silent, her lips curled into a grin. Lavi shakes her hard, his hatred for her seeping through.

“Who sent you to kill me?” He demands.

“Whoever wants you dead,” she taunts him.

Lavi’s eyes narrow at her but he scoffs.

“You have only two options,” he states. “One, you tell me your name and accept my rejection. If you do that, I will let you go.”

“Lies,” Anna states outright. “You will kill me if I accept your rejection. You are only trying to reject me because if I die as your mate, you will be in eternal pain and suffering! Your whole existence will cease and you will live as a shell of your former self.”

Lavi leans close to her. Anna feels his presence awfully near her, her heart starting to race. A strange urge to kiss him again rises in her and she loathes herself for it.

The stupid mate bond is trying to weaken her and she wants nothing more than to rip it apart with her bare hands.

“I can live with pain,” he whispers. “Because if you die, the way to the throne is clear for me.”

His voice is full of malice which sends a chill down her spine. This man is ready to do anything for the throne, kill anyone in his way to get what he wants. He is mad, bad and dangerous.

Just like her.

“Your second option is,” he goes on. “Is to stay here and become my slave. You are from the Black Jacks. If I tell the world that you are my mate, the guild will come for you and they will kill you for betraying them. I hope you know what happens when an assassin finds their mate, right?”

Anna freezes in shock. How did he know about that rule? Only the inner Black Jack members know it!

“Once an assassin finds their mate, their whole group is killed,” Lavi reminds her. “Not only will you die but so will the group you trained with. They will suffer if I reveal our mate bond to them.”

“You will stay here and suffer for the rest of your life,” he threatens. “I will make sure that you suffer a painful existence. You will beg me to reject you and once you do, only then will I end your life!”

It is the only way. By keeping her captive in the palace, he can keep an eye on her. If she tries to kill him again, he can make her suffer. The mate bond will keep her chained to him and his life.

Anna thinks of her options. She failed to kill him once and he will be defensive. 

But he is also her only key in finding the last killer of her parents. If Lavi can be taken down, his master will come out of hiding.

“Fine,” she whispers. “I will stay here as your slave.”

Lavi keeps up his indifferent stance but something inside him is gripping his heart so tight as if trying to rip it out. This girl came into his life only for one day and he already wants to possess her.

Anna is also in a dilemma. She is supposed to kill him but somehow they ended up in kissing and now, she is his slave. He is villainous and arrogant with a thirst for power which is reminiscent of the men who killed her family. They also had the same bloodlust as him.

Yet, she cannot forget the way he kissed her last night. The moment their lips had toughed, she felt a fire burning within her which momentarily engulfed her senses, making her crave for more. Her heart is adamant on killing him but her soul is tormented, wanting to be near him.

She strengthens her resolve. Lavi lets go of her and says, “From now on, you will be known as Vanya Ikvir. If you dare to tell anyone about our bond, I will make sure that the guild hears about it. You are nothing but a slave, got it?”

Anna turns her head to her right in defiance but Lavi grabs her chin and forces her to face him. Even though she cannot see him, she can feel the raw anger seething through his veins.

“Got it?” He challenges.

“I am an assassin of the Black Jack and I will always be such,” she retaliates. “Slave? Let me see how long you can keep me here.”

Lavi’s nostrils flare at her arrogance but his competitive spirit has been invoked. Both of them are out to hunt for each other and this chess game is going to end in one of their deaths.

“Let the game begin then,” he snarls and lets go of her before marching out of the cell. 

Anna’s fingers clench into a fist, her heart more determined than ever.

“Let the game begin,” she whispers.