Chapter 2 A Gentle Sting

• Ariel's POV
• Walking out of the ceremonial chamber an hour later with the red mark on my hands, I couldn't help but feel a whole weight of burden lifted off from my shoulders, although it still stung a little.
• Never in my life would I have ever imagined myself getting marked by a stranger whom I had just met.
• But at least it was better than nothing. My mother would get the treatment she deserved, and I would be able to save up to support us both once she's out of the pack's hospital.
• I still remember the moment he finished marking me—the way his eyes lit up, bright red, glowing like fire. It wasn’t normal. Mere wolves didn’t usually have eyes like that. Crimson red meant something… high. Powerful. Different.
• Was I imagining things? Or was he hiding something?
• I probably was overthinking it because I didn’t feel like myself after the mark. It was as if something inside me had shifted.
• My heart beat faster, my skin felt too tight, and my thoughts were all over the place. I felt dizzy, unsure, like I was standing on the edge of something I couldn’t see.
• But him? He looked calm. Too calm. His face was blank, his body relaxed—as if he’d just done something simple, not life-changing. No sign of worry, no emotion in his eyes, just… silence.
• “Ryan Hamilton.” His voice suddenly echoed from behind me, making me halt swiftly. I turned sharply to find him—my mate—gliding towards me in his wheelchair. The moment he got closer, he stopped.
• “My name is Ryan Hamilton, and only you have the right to call me that.” He sounded more assertive at this moment, but I didn't really think about it.
• What piqued my curiosity was the fact that his name sounded familiar, but I couldn't tell where I had heard the name from.
• “Ariel Parker, right?” he called in a way that sent cold chills down my veins.
• “Here, take this.” He lifted his hand towards my direction, holding a card between his fingers.
• My brows creased in confusion. “And what is it for?”
• “Since I might not have the luxury of time to escort you, I'd advise you to take this and buy any ring of your choice.” His words came out plain rather than being assertive.
• He wasn't rude to me either.
• I pointed at his marking on my neck. “No need.”
• I shook my head, refusing the offer. “I'm fine without one. The marking is enough.” I just needed the mate bond, and now that I had gotten that, I really didn't see the need to accept gifts from him.
• After all, we barely knew each other. Expecting gifts from him was way below my plans.
• He pushed the card forward. “I insist, Ariel. Besides, you omegas tend to love the idea of marriage more than we men. So why don't you take this and get a ring for yourself?” he urged further.
• But stubborn me still refused. “I…” Just as I was about to say it—rather, reject his offer again—he moved closer to me, got a gentle but firm grip of my hand, and plunged the card into my palms.
• His sudden touch on me sent chills running down my spine. Only this time, it was quite different. It was more like I had found my true mate without knowing it, but that was impossible.
• Last time I checked, I was bound to never find my true mate. I was way too old now, and no one in the Blue Stone Pack wanted an omega who couldn't have a mate or was a lowly omega.
• ‘Snap yourself out of it, Ariel. It's not possible,’ I said inwardly, my eyes still fixed on him.
• Once he had handed the card into my palms, he rolled his chair backwards. My eyes darted to the card.
• I wasn't expecting much, but to avoid raising arguments, I just had to oblige. We had just marked each other, after all.
• “Fine, I'll do as you've said.” I finally nodded at his request.
• “You actually had no other choice, Ariel. I have a lot to attend to, so I'd be leaving first.” He turned his wheelchair towards the direction of the highway, ready to leave, but just as he got beside me, he paused.
• He lifted his head to meet mine. “I'll send my house address to you soon. Move in whenever it's convenient for you,” he demanded, but I instantly rejected the offer.
• “No need, I'm not in a hurry,” I responded, making him flash me a glare.
• Without another word, he turned and left, getting into a black fancy car that caught my attention, but I waved it off my mind. There was definitely no way he'd be rich. Right?
• I soon left the ceremonial ground and headed over to my workplace, New Stone Magazine. They were the only ones willing to employ a lowly omega like me as their pack's journalist.
• The second I got into the company, I headed straight for the HR Department office to display my marking so they could apply for the local health insurance in the pack for me.
• “I'll inform them, and in no time, you'll have the health insurance for you and your family,” the head assured, making me nod before leaving the office.
• Seeing that there was still enough time before the interview I was supposed to handle, I rushed to the opposite store to get myself a ring with Ryan's card.
• I didn't hesitate to return once I was done. With a heavy sigh leaving my lips, I sat at my desk, my eyes fixed on the files that had been placed on it.
• I was still trying to focus when Sarah, my colleague, rolled her chair over to where I was sitting, a confused stare in her eyes.
• “Is that a ring?” She held my hand up as she asked, startling me.
• Immediately, I pulled my hand from her grip. “What's wrong with you, Sarah?” I scolded through my gritted teeth as I stared at her.
• She giggled. “I just wanted to know, Ariel. It's no big deal.”
• Her words made me pause briefly. Right, I had just informed the HR Department about having a mate. There was definitely no way news wouldn't get to everyone soon enough that I was now marked by my mate.
• Letting out a heavy sigh, I spoke up. “Yes, Sarah… it's a ring. I have a mate now.”
• She yelled in excitement. “What? How did it happen?”
• “Can you keep your voice down?”
• “Fine, I will, but you have to tell me everything—how it happened, how you found him… everything!” she urged excitedly, but I didn't really think that was necessary.
• “I don't think that's…” I was going to say when she cut in sharply.
• “But coming to think of it, Ariel, is this the best your mate could do? I mean, the ring isn't worth it and…” she scoffed, making me look at the ring again.
• “The mate bond should be a symbolic act. Even if he's an omega, he could have gotten you something nicer than this after marking you,” she added, feeling disappointed.
• I wasn't sure about Ryan's capabilities, so I just had to get something simple and cheap. “I really don't care about this, Sarah,” I responded, trying to make her see reason, but she just wouldn't stop.
• “It doesn't matter, Ariel. If he loves you, he needs to go all the way out. This? It's not it.”
• “That reminds me, Sarah, how ready are you for the interview?” I asked, trying to distract her.
• “Now you speak of it…” she chuckled as she stood up from her seat, her attention clearly diverted, which wasn't that difficult.
• “How do I look?” She twirled, showing off her red skimpy gown that revealed her thighs and cleavage.
• “Trust me, Ariel… I can't wait to meet the Alpha of New Stone Pack. I can't believe he also owns Ryham Group. Isn't it a dream come true? An Alpha and a president in one!”