Chapter 5 Chap Four

• “I am the Alpha King, and you are fated to be my mate, Athena.”
• If this is a dream, someone please wake me from this nightmare. I can't take it anymore!
• “Your mother, Solidad Madrigal, was mated to my late elder brother, the former king of this realm. He died young in an accident, and I was chosen to take his place. Solidad was left without a mate, but despite our rules, she married your father. Unfortunately, he passed away before you were born. I was present when your mother gave birth to you, and from that moment, I knew you were my mate.”
• Wait... what? He was there when my mother gave birth to me?! How old is he?
• “You’re lying. How old are you?!” I demanded, desperation creeping into my voice.
• “I’m 200 years old,” he replied, the words hitting me like a sledgehammer. What the hell is going on?! He’s a wolf... an Alpha King... and I’m his mate? And he’s 200 years old?
• “Are you kidding me?!” I screamed, glaring at him. His expression grew colder. My heart pounded as he pulled my chin close to his face. Why is he...
• “Do I seem like someone who jokes?” he asked in a dangerously low tone. My lips parted as his gaze dropped to them.
• “Your mother knew you were mine. From the moment I recognized you as my mate, you became mine. Not even your mother had the right to keep you from me. But Solidad left without my permission, taking you with her. I searched for her for nearly ten years before finding her again. She promised to give you to me when you turned 18, but she kept breaking that promise. I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands,” he said, his face so close to mine.
• He let go of my chin and stood up.
• “My housekeepers will fetch you. From now on, you will live by my rules. Break them, and you’ll be chained here as punishment. Do you understand?” His voice was dark, almost threatening.
• “WHAT—”
• “I’ll explain my rules later. If you don’t want to be punished, do as I say,” he added before walking out of the room.
• I felt overwhelmed as the housekeepers unlocked the chains from my foot. My mind was in turmoil. Is this really happening? Is it true?
• The housekeepers guided me to a bathroom. They were all women, so I didn’t mind when they undressed me and pushed me into the jacuzzi. I hadn’t even realized this room had a bathroom. It was dark and cold without any light.
• Even though the jacuzzi refreshed me, my mind was flooded with thoughts. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Now I understand why Mom wanted me to stay inside the house and why we kept moving from place to place—she was trying to hide me from Damon for all those years.
• Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the water in the jacuzzi. I covered my face with my hands and cried silently. My chest felt heavy. I missed Mom so much, and I regretted everything. I should have listened to her. I should have let her control my life.
• I need to know what happened to my mother. Did Damon do something to her? I won’t rest until I find out!
• After bathing, the housekeepers gave me a long nightgown. I noticed it was already 10 p.m. as I checked the clock. I sighed heavily and stepped out of the closet.
• “This way, ma’am,” one of the housekeepers said, guiding me. I followed them silently, not knowing where they were taking me, but with each step, I couldn’t help but be amazed. I was starting to believe that I was really inside a kingdom because this place was literally a palace!
• It was enormous! Chandeliers and extravagant decorations were everywhere. Paintings adorned the walls, and the grandeur of the palace was overwhelming. As I looked downstairs, I saw a massive function hall that could easily host a large party.
• This place... is so shiny!
• The housekeepers opened a door, revealing a huge room with a king-sized bed.
• “We’ll leave now, ma’am. Have a good sleep!” the housekeepers said before leaving me alone in the enormous room. I sighed heavily, walking toward the bed and sitting on it. It was so soft and comfortable that I immediately bounced when I sat down.
• What am I going to do now? I have to plan an escape! I can’t stay here forever! I won’t let Damon control me! And what about Mom? I know she’s worried sick. I took a deep breath and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when suddenly the door opened! I jumped up, horrified to see Damon wearing only a white bathrobe!
• “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” I screamed, grabbing the blanket to cover myself. The nightgown I was wearing was so thin, with a deep neckline, exposing my cleavage. I had to cover up!
• He looked at me with cold indifference, as if my outburst didn’t faze him. Seriously? What’s with this guy?
• “This is my room,” he said. My eyes widened as the realization hit me. I’m his mate... does that mean... we’re a couple now and... we have to sleep together?!
• “No way... we share a room?!” I was shocked. Damn it! I didn’t expect this!
• “Yes,” he said without hesitation. My lips parted.
• “No! I won’t sleep with you!” I shouted, about to stand up and leave when he suddenly moved so fast and gripped my elbow tightly. Now I was kneeling on the bed while he stood in front of me, holding me firmly.
• “What did I say about breaking my rules, Athena?” he warned, his eyes full of danger. I swallowed hard. No... I don’t want to sleep with him! There’s no way... damn it!
• “W-What? Are you saying... you’ll force me to sleep with you?” I asked nervously. His brows furrowed.
• “What’s so difficult about sleeping next to me?” he said, glancing at the bed behind me. I swallowed hard. Is he crazy?
• “Of course it’s difficult, Damon! Can’t you see? I just turned 18! And you expect me to sleep with you?! This is madness!” I ranted. His forehead creased, and then a devilish smirk spread across his lips. My eyes widened. Why is he so... handsome? Damn it, Athena, stop admiring him!
• “Sleeping next to me and having sex with me are two different things, Athena,” he said, clearly amused. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. That was... humiliating! How could I be so stupid to assume that when he said sleeping, he meant... damn it!
• “Fine! We’ll just sleep!” I huffed, laying down on the other side of the bed and covering myself with the thick blanket.
• “Even though we’re mates, I won’t force you into bed, Athena,” he said, making me stop and look at him. He was just standing there, staring at me.
• “Unless, of course, you want me to,” he added with a smirk.