Marco's POV
I stood in the shadows, listening to every word exchange between elera and Matilda.
Four months.
A deal? With my mate?
It was absurd. She belongs to me. There is no choice.
But hearing her agree so easily seeing how much she wanted to escape me it set something dark and furious ablaze inside me.
Matilda left the room, her footsteps hesitant yet determined. I waited until they faded before stepping inside, my presence heavy with rage.
Elara glanced at me, unsurprised. She exhaled, tilting her head slightly. "I take it you heard?"
I clenched my jaw. "She's mine. There is nothing to agree on."
Elara smirked, completely unfazed by my anger. "And yet she runs. Over and over again." She arched a brow. "Tell me, Marco, do you plan to keep chasing her forever?"
I growled lowly, my hands tightening into fists.
She stepped closer, voice steady. "She will only keep fighting you. Starving herself. Despising you." Her green eyes flickered with amusement. "And we both know you can't allow that."
I said nothing.
Because she was right.
Matilda was stubborn. No matter how many times I brought her back, she would keep resisting. And I needed her alive. Safe. Well.
But this? A deal? Four months?
My mate negotiating her freedom like a stranger instead of what she was mine?
Unacceptable.
"She is my mate. She will not leave." My voice was a quiet promise.
Elara smirked knowingly. "Exactly. And that means she will love you before the four months are over."
I scoffed. "She thinks she won't."
Elara's eyes gleamed. "Let her believe that, for now."i exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. I don't lose. And I definitely don't bargain with fate.
But if this was the only way to stop her from running…
Then so be it.
I left Elara.
Four months.
The thought alone made my wolf restless. I could feel him pacing inside me, snarling at the very idea of waiting for what was already ours.As I walked down the hall, my pack members lowered their heads in respect, stepping aside. They had all heard by now. That their king had found his mate. That she was human. That she was fighting me at every turn.They were confused. Their king did not chase. Their king took.And yet here I was, playing a game I never wanted to play.
I reached my chambers and pushed the door open. She was still asleep, curled up under the blankets, her breathing slow and even. My little fighter, resting after another battle against me.
I moved closer, watching her. So small. So fragile.And yet, she had more fire than most warriors I'd met.
She thought she could resist me. She thought she could last four months.
I smirked darkly. She had no idea what she had agreed to.
I turned away, knowing that if I stayed any longer, I would wake her. Take her. Make her mine before she was ready.
And I would not break her like that.
She would come to me on her own. She would surrender not out of fear, but because she could no longer deny what we were.
I stormed out of my chambers, my muscles tense with frustration.
I needed to clear my head before I did something reckless. Like breaking the deal and taking what was mine right now.
"Darius," I growled as I entered the training grounds.
My Beta, who was already in the middle of sparring with another warrior, turned to me. His dark eyes flicked over my face, reading my mood instantly."I see Elara's deal isn't sitting well with you," he mused, tossing his opponent aside effortlessly.
I let out a low growl in response, stripping off my tunic. If words weren't helping, then I needed action.Darius smirked. He lived for moments like this.
"Then fight me, My King," he challenged, stepping forward. "Let's see if all this pent-up frustration makes you slower or stronger."
I didn't wait.With a powerful lunge, I launched at him. Our bodies collided like two beasts in battle. He barely dodged my first hit before countering with a strike to my ribs. I twisted, grabbing his wrist, and threw him to the ground.Darius rolled, landing smoothly on his feet. He was skilled, but I was stronger. I was faster.
For hours, we fought claws clashing, bodies bruising, bones nearly snapping. Every hit, every growl, every violent exchange helped burn off my frustration.But even after the session, as I stood there, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from my skin, I still felt it.
The need. The craving. The fire.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
Darius straightened, grinning despite the cuts on his arms. "Feel better?"
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. No. I wouldn't feel better until Matilda was in my arms willingly.