Chapter 5

I continued, but the more I talked, the more he seemed to realize I was a nutcase. Mom did say that if I would ever be kidnapped, my abductors would release me, realizing that it would cost them more to keep me because you know, hostages gotta eat, and I love food and talking.

“You know, while we’re agreeing about releasing me,” His eyes narrowed, “you might as well get off of me. Personal space is something everyone has a right to, and you’re not following the rules, buddy. You’re in my bubble, my bubble. Now if I had a choice, I wouldn’t be all up in your bubble, so you should get out of mine. It’s time for me to go, so I’m just gonna be on my way now, but you kind of have to get off of me first. I’m not calling you fat or anything but you weigh like—”

“Stop talking, woman!” he said.

My mouth shut at his command. I narrowed my eyes at him bravely, knowing it was him controlling me.

“I will not release you, so you might just as well accept that now and move on because it’s likely that you will never leave here. At least alive, that is.” Dread welled up in my chest while tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. He spoke with empty words, as if he didn’t just threaten me. And since he had just done it, I guess what really hurt was that he said so as if he didn’t just call me his mate.

One of his hands fisted my hair and pulled me closer to his face. I closed my eyes out of fright at the emotions coursing through my body. Fear, excitement, happiness, anger, and confusion. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what was going on at the moment. He took in a deep breath and then groaned deeply from the back of his throat, the sound he made made me shift my legs under him.

“As much as I’m sure I would enjoy the perks of a mating bond and this is probably what they want, I won’t kill you. I don’t know who I am to you and you to me, but I have no doubt those bastards were behind this. I won’t fall into their hands to mark or mate you. Who knows? You might be on their side and kill me in my sleep.” Every single one of his words felt like a stab to my heart.

My wolf snarled at the accusations thrown at us by our mate, but I could tell it was pretense to hide her pain. We wanted to whimper and plead for him to take back his words. A hollow feeling penetrated my chest, as my heart clenched in pain.

“I don’t know what this is all about, but please just let me go if you don’t . . . don’t want me.” I forced the words to come out of my mouth. They came out a whisper of pain.

Mates are chosen for a reason. Both destined for each other. Rejecting your other half is taboo, and a weak mate wouldn’t last a chance once the other walked away. One mate will always be stronger, and when the mating bond is completed, there would be equality between the two. Based on the power radiating from him, I knew he would be fine without me while I would probably crawl into the forest and yell my pain out for death to claim me. His tone was darker when he spoke, forcing my eyes to open. I caught his eyes gazing intently down at me with a strange expression.

“Whether you work for them or not, we were made for each other. If you do, then I will be happy showing you whose side to choose,” His eyes held a dark sensual promise in them that made my heart start pounding all over again, “but if you don’t, I’m sure I can still change your mind. But you are not leaving. Ever.”

The blood pumping in my veins was hot like molten lava, and my nerves came back to life. In my mind, I was angered by the way he treated me: so casual one second and then threatening me the next. He ended up confusing me by claiming and not claiming me at the same time. My body, to put it short, found his words a turn on. The way he seductively spoke with confidence as if he knew exactly what he wanted and was just giving a warning. But what did he want?

“Why?” I asked.

I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. Who did he think I work for? What did he mean when he spoke of our bond? Why would he not claim me but keep me here if he didn’t want me? All these questions were stuck in my head.

He didn’t answer. He just looked at me with those wild-like blue eyes, and I could see he wasn’t going to answer so I went for an easier question.

“What’s your name?” I asked seriously with my brows arched.

“I’ll humor you.” His face darkened for a moment, but he gave me a smirk. He leaned down to whisper, “You all call me the Lupus Deus .”

I momentarily froze from where I was standing, immediately raised my arms, and pushed his shoulders. He allowed me to shove him which was surprising. He rolled over me to lie beside where I had been. I scrambled off of the large silver bed and tumbled a little, before I was able to turn in search of the door. Tremendous fear surged in me, causing me to stumble as I hurriedly made my steps forward.

“Oh my god, oh my god. Shit. Fucking fuck! This cannot be happening to me!”

My wolf was quite a traitor. I put my mental barrier up so she couldn’t force her ways to control me. It was risky but I had to. For all I knew, she would submit to him with no hesitation.

I was so stupid. How did I not realize it when everything was just right before my eyes? I should have known when I opened my eyes, but his looks distracted me.

Stupid! Stupid!Stupid!

The room was large with the bed close to the wall. At the center, the floor was lifted up, and as I looked around the black-painted walls, I saw the furniture being pushed back. I finally saw a door and ran to it, but it was locked. I turned to look at the god on the bed, crossing his arms under his head, and following me with his eyes. I looked past him and saw a door that looked like the exit. I looked back at him and saw that he sat up. His face said it all—I dare you . I looked down at my feet and realized I was barefoot. What? I ignored it and without looking at him, I took off across the room towards the large black door. As my hand reached for the handle, a large shadow loomed over me, and I felt his presence behind me before my body was slammed against the door I was aiming for.

“No!” I wheezed out.

Before I could move, my hands were suddenly grabbed by the wrist, and were forcefully pinned above my head. I felt his legs part behind me and pelvis push against my back. How tall was this guy? He pushed my stomach harder into the door, limiting my movement. His legs slipped in between mine, parting my legs. I was sure he’d put me in a starfish position, and had I not been afraid of him, I would have found it slightly more . . . pleasing.

I felt him move around a little before he lowered his head next to my ear. I felt a little victorious at the thought of him having to make himself shorter to reach me. My skin pricked at his grip. I clenched my hands into fists and pulled at his hold. He tsk-tsked behind me.

“How foolish of you, Vivian.” I held still when I heard my name come out of his mouth. My eyes widened for three reasons:

First, he obviously knew my name.

Second, his other arm made its way down to my waist. I held my breath as this was a little too intimate for me. I couldn’t help but be watchful as to where our bodies touched, and how his fingers felt against my shirt.

Third, I wasn’t facing the door anymore but his chest.

He brought me back to the bed faster than I thought possible. I looked up and gulped. While we were lying down with him on top, I didn’t realize how huge he was. He had a strong and lean figure yet he was broad and firm that my head barely made it to his chest. A black T-shirt stretched over his pecs, the shirt clinging to him for dear life. Lucky shirt. I didn’t look up from his chest. Every second that passed made me shift from under his hold.

“While I admire your drive, that isn’t the door you’re looking for. Stay away from it. Both doors in fact,” he said coarsely with a hint of smugness in his tone.

“Look Mr. Lupus god. Yeah, nice meeting you. Heard a lot about you. But now that I know who you are, I’m 129.1 percent sure that this is a whole misunderstanding. Whoever brought me was most definitely high. We probably aren’t even mates to begin with,” I sort of flinched at my words. “Once again, I think I should go. You wouldn’t want to waste your time on someone as insignificant as me. You know, you probably have people to kill, torture, kidnap, . . . release . . .” I tried once more to hint out my freedom.

He ignored my words and leaned his head down to nuzzle the top of my head. His chest got closer to my face, and I had to fight the urge to nuzzle him back, not knowing how he would react.

“I’m going to let go of you now,” he said. I sighed in relief. “Physically, I mean. I’ll be back soon. You are not to leave this room without me.” I clenched my teeth. I suddenly felt my feet being pushed into the ground.

He made his way to a door that I had missed. Damn! Not trusting myself, I didn’t move from my position. I didn’t know whether I would try pushing past him or collapse onto the floor with everything that had gone on lately. I still didn’t look at his face while he walked back, not even looking in his direction when he talked. I glared at a plug in the wall by me.

“Just to let you know, if you do work for them, if you try to send a message to them, it won’t work. And if you do somehow, I’ll know. And believe me when I tell you that it won’t end good for you if I find out,” he stated harshly, delivering the threat loud and clear. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him turn his back to me. Who the hell did he mean by them ?

I heard the door open and before he walked out I chose to look up, making eye contact with him. We stared at each other for what seemed like forever. His multicolored blue met my chocolate-brown. His face was expressionless and mine probably pale with sudden tiredness. It looked like he was thinking something over in his head; whatever it was, he made a choice.

“You can call me, Zaliver,” he said flatly and shut the door.

“Zaliver,” I repeated in a dazed whisper that seemed to echo through the quiet room. His name rolled off of my tongue perfectly. Zaliver, the Lupus Deus.

My mate.