The Lycan's Forsaken Mate

Hailey 

I have stayed in this locked room and honestly, I would have been looking for another window to escape this place. But each time I tried to come up with a plan, I thought of the anger in Asher's eyes and the fear in the guard's eyes. His eyes were rimmed red when they showed his frustration. I couldn't bring myself to do something else if I wanted to survive this place. I had lost track of time as I curled up on the ground in the cold. No food or water. Before I could process anything else, the door squeaked open as a silhouette appeared, blocking the light. 

"It's time to go. Maybe have a proper shower and a hot meal." The figure came close with a blanket. His voice is softer and more determined. I could tell immediately who it was but it was clear that Asher had sent him here. 

"Does he want me out so quickly?" I asked, a bit determined to know if he had decided to not punish me for my transgressions. It seemed that my survival was a sin, and everything I had tried to do to save myself from impending doom had always backfired.

"It is good that you still have your sarcasm. You have to know that Asher had not been with anyone who had challenged his control over things. You defied him and it is like the rage he was trying to keep under got awakened. And yes, he ordered that we release you. I figured you would need some new things, so I wanted to bring you to your room yourself." I nodded as he led the way. I got to my room, and a hot bath was ready, and a cart of delicious meals. 

I felt a pang in my chest and my emotions became heightened. I knew the feeling; it was the same one that sent me into a fit of rage, hurting Elara in the process. Now it came with haunting memories, memories that I didn't think existed. Pictures of my past that I had locked away for good. "Are you okay?" Marcus asked me. I nodded with a fainted smile. 

He left me by myself, sending a maid to guard my door and bring me out to the field where Asher would be waiting for me. I got ready immediately as the sharp feeling enveloping me was dimmed now. I ate a huge chunk of pancakes with eggs and a little bit of syrup... I knocked on the door and the maid gave way for me as I followed her to the field where Asher was waiting, scrolling on his phone. Even when I stood beside him, he pretended I was not there. He was wearing a black one t shirt, tight enough to cling to his arms and a white pair of trousers. His hair was ruffled in waves as his eyes be cane darker staring at his phone. 

"Have you learnt your lesson?" I didn't give him an answer and he looked up at me, wondering if i was still standing beside him. "If you think I am going to apologize for teaching you a lesson then you must be mistaken."

"If you think I am going to reply to your question then you must be mistaken." He chuckled darkly, fascinated by my character. I didn't understand what melt him amused, I just wanted to be done here as fast as i could. 

"You have already." He stood up, paying attention to me. It was a good thing that he had put his distraction away. I wanted to go close to him. I could sense the pull towards us both, a bond I have been fighting since I got here. But he seemed relaxed while I was trying to get a hold of myself. "Ever since you arrived here, since I saved you from that leech of a man, you have been nothing but a mystery to me."

I scoffed. "Is that why you let your court decide for you what to do with me?" I gulped, realizing what I had blurt out. His gaze were on me for the longest time, as if figuring out what I had just said. 

"Is that why you left? Because you thought I was deciding your fate with my Elders. That conversation was private, you were not supposed to listen to that." He shrugged. "I shouldn't expect more from you since you've decided to make yourself a ridicule."

"That doesn't give me the clarity I need and..." I paused to think of what he had just said. "Ridicule? My fate is being decided by the whole kingdom and it seems everyone is having an idea of something I don't even know of. I should have stayed in the pack, at least I know that I was being hated. Not here where you claim to protect me then you secretly go around having several background check. You are keeping me locked in your fortress because you are ashamed of me."

He gritted his teeth in anger. "I told you I was going to protect you but I am also going to find out who you actually are. I don't just let anyone into my roof just because they claim they have a connection towards me."

"You think I want to have a connection with you? You think I am just pinned on mere claims? Please. If I had a choice Levi would be a better one. At least, i know who I am dealing with." He growled, gripping both my arms with force. "Stop it!"

"I have told you before not to speak of another man in my presence. You seemed to enjoy your time in darkness, maybe I'd consider you moving in permanently. How about that?" His voice was darker as his animalistic instinct took over. Was this why he had stayed hidden all those years? Because he was a...beast. This beast?

His eyes were glowing red, claws and fangs were out. It was only a matter of time before I was limp in my blood. 

"If not for the bond, I would have ripped your head by now, Hailey. Do not test me."