Emma thought to herself, not wanting to open her eyes. I can't believe I watched them make out. Oh no, what was I thinking?
I slept in my matrimonial room—although not as the bride, but as the third party. How will I face them this morning?
Wait… this doesn't feel like the cold floor I slept on.
She flung her eyes open slowly as she noticed her surroundings. This was clearly not her home, it was somewhere she had only believed existed in her imagination.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed as she climbed down from the soft, king-sized bed. The chandeliers hung high over the room, with two large, lit windows and a massive closet…
It wasn't until he cleared his throat that she snapped out of her daydream.
"Uhmm…"
This was the first time she saw him in full light. He was taller than she remembered, maybe 6'2" or more. His eyes were still green, and his silver hair was now braided. His face was like that of a god—he looked like sin. A sin that would devour her if she fell for it. But then, he was a sin she would risk going to hell for.
He was dressed in a black shirt and gray joggers. As he approached her, she took slow steps backward until she lost balance and fell back onto the bed.
Now he was hovering over her, his nose almost touching hers.
"A good sin, I guess," he murmured.
"What!?" she exclaimed.
He chuckled loudly, clearly having read her mind.
Emma realized then that she was in different clothe, and she pushed him off her.
"How the hell did I get into these clothes, you pervert?"
Raymond chuckled lightly.
He had to admit—he was amazed by her guts. He sat on the bed, looking at her as if she were his prized possession.
Emma ran out of patience and jerked him by his shirt.
"If you don't tell me what happened last night, I will kill you this instant."
Raymond was yet again left speechless. In all his years of living, no one had ever dared to threaten him like this. And before she could utter another word, Raymond pinned her onto the bed.
"Feisty, aren't you?"
"Let go of me!"
Emma struggled against his grip, but it was useless. She stopped fighting, and he finally released her.
As the memories of last night flooded back, Emma recalled seeing him there. Fear washed over her, and she instinctively drew back from him.
Raymond, having read her mind, sighed. "I can explain."
"Get away from me, you demon! How did you know where I was going? And how did you get into that room?"
"Emma," he called out. "You are my mate." He said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I am what?" she laughed in disbelief. "Do you think this is some dream or fantasy? How can you tell me I'm your mate? Besides, this is the twenty-first century. This is unreal!" she said, rushing towards the window and staring out of it, not wanting to believe the nonsense this stranger beside her was spilling.
But, the moment Emma's eyes left the room she was dumfounded for a second.
Clearly, this was a castle.
Raymond teleported right in front of her, causing her to flinch.
"How unreal is this now?" he asked before turning away. "Get ready. Breakfast will be served soon," he said as he left, slamming the door with a loud thud.
Emma was still trying to process what had just happened when a knock came at the door.
"Come in," she said after the third knock.
Two beautiful women walked in.
"Good morning, Luna. Alpha Raymond asked us to get you ready for breakfast."
"Wait… wait," Emma cut them off. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not falling for it. That bastard is an Alpha? That shouldn't even be possible!"
This only existed in books and movies.
"Where is your so-called Alpha?" she asked.
The two ladies exchanged glances as if she had said something blasphemous. They immediately looked down.
"Luna, Alpha Raymond is in the gardens," one of them finally said.
"Alright, then. Lead me to him," Emma snapped, almost losing her mind.
He can't have me caged in here playing this mate nonsense.
The lady walked quietly as she led Emma to the Alpha.
Emma couldn't deny that the place looked breathtaking and surreal. She passed by several paintings and statues, mesmerized by the intricate beauty of them all.
An idea crossed her mind, and she took a small stool with her, smiling mischievously.
The sun shone brightly, and she felt a bit dizzy. Understandably, she was exhausted.
She also noticed that everyone was staring at her. Looking around, she realized she looked different from them. Most of the women were in regal gowns, while the men wore chariot-like attire.
"How long will it take for us to get to the garden?"
"Just a little while, Luna," the lady responded.
They walked a bit further, and Emma finally spotted Raymond among the lush greenery.
"Raymond!" she called out.
He turned to her, and before he could react, Emma placed the stool down, climbed on it, and then, just as Raymond turned fully to her, her hand connected with his face in a sharp slap.
Gasps filled the air.
Raymond was taken aback. Everyone around them looked horrified, especially one man whom she recognized as the driver from last night.
He looked older, maybe around forty, and his royal attire made it clear he was Raymond's Beta—if all of this was even real.
The Beta looked particularly furious as he reached for his sword.
"You may all leave," Raymond ordered, gesturing to the crowd.
The Beta gave Emma one last glare before reluctantly walking away.
Now it was just the two of them.
Raymond couldn't believe the things she was making him feel—things he had never experienced before.
"Didn't I ask them to get you dressed for breakfast?"
"And who do you think you are to tell me what to do, huh?"
Raymond towered over her. She had to be about 5'6" or 5'7", he thought, chuckling.
"Where in God's name have you brought me?" annoyance laced in her voice.
Raymond grabbed her hand, and within seconds, they had teleported back to the room.
"What the hell!" she shrieked. "How did you do that?"
"Do you ever get tired of asking questions?" he sighed, clearly frustrated.
"Well, you aren't the one who was dragged to an unknown place and forced to play along with some ridiculous mate claim, are you?"
"If you want answers, you will do as I say," Raymond stated firmly.
Emma scoffed. "I will get my answers, and I won't do as you say."
"You're too stubborn for your own good," he muttered. "Now, if you don't get in the shower and wash up this instant, I will have to bathe you myself."
Emma stared at Raymond, thinking, He wouldn't dare.
Unfortunately for her, Raymond could read her thoughts.
"You have ten more seconds to get in that shower," he warned.
Emma yanked the duvet over her.
"Let me see you try it," she challenged.
Before she could react, a sudden chill enveloped her, and she found herself inside the shower—with him.
Her breath hitched as she saw his eyes glow again. But just as quickly, the glow faded.
"Take your bath," he commanded, motioning toward the tub.
She smirked. "I won't take my bath unless you join me."
Raymond blinked.
"What did you just say?" he asked, turning to face her fully.
She stepped closer, moving like a seductress on the loose.
"I said, if you aren't taking a bath with me, then I'm not taking a bath," she purred, lightly running her fingers across his chest.
She reached to untie the rope of his pants, but Raymond caught her hands midair.
His gaze locked onto hers, studying her.
She was scared. He could sense it.
But why was she acting like this?
"Are you sure?" he asked.
He didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he teleported himself out of the tub and back into the room.
"Be ready in ten," he said as he headed for the door.
"Wait," she called out.
Raymond paused.
"I will need help getting dressed," Emma said.
Raymond smirked, reading the underlying intent in her words. "I'll send in the maids. Now go get ready."
As he left, Emma collapsed into the tub.
"What has gotten into me? Why am I acting like a sex maniac all of a sudden?"