Chapter 7: hate

The room was dark, a dim light casting a soft glow. The scent of sandalwood mixed with something else, something I couldn't place my finger on, filled the air. It was sweet and masculine, addictive.

“Natalia," Cassian spoke, his hard gaze fixed on me. "We can both agree this is an unfortunate situation."

I scoffed, glaring daggers at him.

"But like I said, I'll be honouring the moon goddess. So you have no choice but to comply." He continued.

"Is that what you called me here for? To state the obvious?" I folded my arms as if preparing for battle.

His jaw clenched. "I called you here to make something clear."

I tilted my head. “Go on, Alpha," I emphasised on the alpha, venom laced in my voice.

"I'm not asking for your love or forgiveness. All you have to do is stand by my side, united."

I scoffed again and turned my back to him, heading for the door.

"Yeah, whatever," I opened the door and in a flash, he shut it before I got the chance to step out. I gasped in surprise. His front was flush against my back, I could feel the hard planes of his chest pressing against me, sparks flying everywhere.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was a raspy whisper, sending chills down my spine. My heart rate increased. I hated this proximity, hated the things it did to my body. "I haven't excused you. Yet."

His breath fanned against my hot skin.

"Get away from me," I demanded weakly, frustrated by how breathy it sounded.

Cassian didn't move. If anything, he leaned in closer, his body heat wrapping around me like a net I couldn't untangle myself from. His scent engulfed me, driving me mad with anger and something else, something I refused to admit to myself.

"I think we both know you don't mean that," he murmured against the shell of my ear, his voice thick, low, confident.

I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching at my sides. "You're wrong," I whispered, though the conviction I meant to lace into those words faltered. My body was failing me and he knew it.

His nose brushed lightly against my neck. I shivered. Damn him. "Am I?" he asked.

I spun around so fast we were almost nose to nose. "Yes," I snapped, forcing the tremble from my lips. "You are. I hate you, Cassian. I've hated you since you made high school a warzone for me. You think one look, one bond, one title is going to change that?" I leaned on the door, staring at him, hatred blazing in my eyes.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, matter of fact, I don’t care if you do. But don't stand here and lie to yourself, don’t try to deny it, this attraction between us,” I stared at him, breath shallow, throat dry. Every nerve in my body screamed to move, to push him away, to run. But I didn't. I couldn't.

Because damn it, he was right.

The mate bond pulsed like a second heartbeat. Even now, with all the history between us, all the bitterness, I felt the invisible string tying me to him pull tighter.

"I hate you," I repeated, barely above a whisper.

"I know," he said.

And then, the bastard smiled. Just a little.

“It doesn’t matter. All you have to do is be a good little Luna, a Luna the pack would love. A Luna my father would love.”

“So that’s it then. I’m just a political trophy, a little thing to hang on your arm and smile sweetly,”

He held my gaze

“Exactly,” his eyes lowered to my lips “you’re a smart girl,” his tone was condescending.

I shoved him hard in the chest, and this time he let me go. He stepped back, hands raised in mock surrender, but his eyes never left mine.

"I’m not an object,” I snapped. “I'm not your puppet. I won’t be your trophy wife,”

“Who said anything about a wife?” he quirked up a brow. Anger blazed beneath my skin.

“You know what I mean !”

“Don’t get so riled up.” He reprimanded, his eyes dancing with amusement “I do know what you mean, Talia. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I crowned you the Luna doesn’t mean we’re married. You’re not my wife,”

“And I don’t want to be !” My frustration was evident in my voice. “I don’t want to be your wife or Luna. I h…”

“I hate you,” he interrupted, folding his arms. “You’ve repeated that line over a thousand times this night. It’s getting old.”

I stared at him in disbelief, frustration and anger right beneath my skin, making me feel like I was going to explode. I opened my mouth and shut it, unable to come up with something. I scoffed and stormed out of the room, shutting the door loudly.

I hated him. I hated him so much.