Chapter 3 The Arrangement

• LUCIEN
• Amelia Dawn Hayes. How could I have forgotten her? She'd been terribly awkward but delightfully impulsive back when we were kids. I could tell that she hadn't changed. I must admit that I'd failed to recognize her that night we had sex, and the day after. And now that I knew exactly who she was, I wasn't planning on letting her go. She'd walked into the lion's den herself, I wondered if she could survive it.
• "Go ahead. Entertain me," I said, fixing my gaze on her.
• When she stayed silent, her cheeks taking on a pinkish tint, it irked me.
• "Are you here for a staring contest?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.
• I watched her as she exhaled sharply and held out an object to me. My eyes widened in shock.
• A test strip?
• What the hell was she doing?
• "What the hell is that?" I asked, rising to my feet.
• I detested silly games like this. Especially when it came from the daughter of my enemy.
• "I'm pregnant," she announced without batting an eyelash.
• The frown between my brows faded as I studied her features, now amused.
• She was pregnant?
• "Really? That's why you came barging into my property? I'm guessing you also ran away from your groom just to tell me this," I said and she gritted her teeth, her eyes reflecting her annoyance.
• I moved closer to her and she stumbled backward, blinking several times.
• "Is the baby really mine?" I asked as I closed the distance between us.
• Her frown deepened, her lips trembling. These were tell-tale signs of her fury. I must've hit a nerve. Good.
• "You're the only man I've slept with in a year," she hissed.
• "Are you sure about that? You literally threw yourself at me that night. Perhaps, you did the same to some other man--"
• Before I could finish my statement, she slapped me across the face. I was sure she'd left an imprint of her palm on my face.
• Flexing my jaw, I pushed my askew hair away from my face.
• "You asked me to marry you a few weeks ago. How do I know you're not lying about being pregnant?" I demanded and tears filled her pale blue eyes.
• "Will you be convinced if I take a pregnancy test? Of course, you can come with me if you're afraid that I might forge the results," she said, her voice quivering.
• I narrowed my eyes at her, curiosity blazing in my mind. What exactly was she running from? Why was she so desperate?
• Judging by the way she'd left her wedding ceremony, it must have something to do with her groom.
• ...
• The next day,
• I glanced at my wristwatch one more time, my impatience stirring.
• How long was it going to take for her to show up with the results? I wondered.
• I'd accompanied Amelia to the hospital for her pregnancy test.
• At the sound of approaching footsteps, I looked up and found Amelia approaching with small strides. In her grip was a brown file.
• My stare lingered on her as she took out the result and skimmed through it.
• Eventually, she halted right in front of me.
• "What does it say?" I asked, watching her as she turned several shades whiter.
• When she still didn't say anything, I grabbed the paper from her, my eyes zeroing in on the word 'NEGATIVE'.
• She wasn't pregnant? I mused.
• It was obvious from the expression on her face, she'd really believed she was pregnant. Despite knowing this, I felt the need to torment her. On a second glance at her face, I changed my mind. She looked broken.
• "There's no reason for me to marry you now," I said and she blinked, tears welling up her eyes.
• For some reason, I couldn't stand the sight of the tears in those big blue eyes of hers. So I handed the test result over to her and turned away.
• "Wait," she said, just as I made to leave.
• The desperation in her voice was hard to ignore and I hated this. Despite reminding myself that she was the daughter of my enemy, I found myself turning to look at her.
• "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling.
• My jaw tightened. She sounded so pathetic, it irked me.
• "I know you don't want to get involved like a woman like me. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't so desperate. But..." She sucked in a sharp breath, her gaze fixed on the floor in front of her.
• "Can't we strike a deal?" She asked and I clenched my fists, my eyes narrowed into slits.
• "You really want to marry me," I said and she bobbed her head, still refusing to make eye contact with me.
• "Look at me," I urged and she raised her head, her eyes finding mine.
• For a moment, my gaze wandered to her plump lips and a flash of memory struck me. My wolf growled in my head as a sudden burst of desire coursed through my veins.
• She blinked at me with an innocent look in her eyes and the urge to claim her lips right then set in.
• Irritated by these feelings, I tightened my clenched fists.
• "Do you really think you can handle me?" I asked and she gulped, blinking hard.
• When she still didn't give me an answer, I stormed away from her and headed towards the exit of the hospital.
• I'd just gotten into my car when she rushed in front of it, holding her arms apart. She stared at me through the windscreen, her chest heaving. She had a different look in her pale blue eyes. Something fiery.
• Cursing under my breath, I pushed the door open, and stepped out of it.
• "I'll do anything you want," she panted.
• I furrowed my brows at her.
• Was she stupid? Or just desperate?
• I'd given her an opportunity to walk away from me. It was no use getting her involved in the crossfire between her father and I. But clearly, she didn't understand how dangerous I was.
• "Why are you so desperate?" I demanded and she blew out a breath, brushing her brown hair away from her face with trembling hands.
• "I can't marry him," she blurted out and I growled at her.
• "And you think I would make a fine substitute?" I demanded and she flinched.
• "Do you even know what kind of person I am?" I said, stalking towards her.
• She stumbled backwards, an expression of pure terror in her eyes. I only realized that I was being too harsh on her when she tripped and nearly fell.
• Swinging an arm around her waist, I steadied her, her small hands resting on my chest. Avoiding my gaze, she was visibly trembling at this point.
• We were so close, I could smell her vanilla and peach scent. It was slowly driving me insane.
• Why did it have to be her?
• I was fine with the women who satisfied my sexual desires whenever I wanted. Even so, why couldn't I get the image of her naked form out of my head?
• "This is you turning me down again, isn't it?" She croaked, pulling away from me.
• My wolf protested in my head at the loss of her warmth and I dug my nails into my palm.
• "I'm sorry I bothered you. For a moment, I lost my mind thinking you would actually help me just because we had a one night stand," she said, her gaze turning icy.
• In that moment, I did a double take and realized that I was wrong. She was no weakling. Perhaps she would be useful after all. I had a feeling I would enjoy breaking her father using her.
• "Three years," I said and she frowned.
• "What?"
• "Let's get married for three years," I said and her eyes widened.
• She drew closer to me and once again, her scent flooded my nostrils, sending heat waves through my body.
• "You changed your mind?" She asked and I nodded.
• "Do you have a mate yet?" She added.
• "No. Why?"
• "Even if we both meet our mates, we must stay married for three years," she said and I stared at her, amused.
• I wondered what she would do if she found out that I'd lied earlier about....not being her fated mate.