Chapter 3

• KIARA
• The stranger crouched in front of me. With his big hand, he cupped my face. Wide eyed, I stared at him, mesmerised by how beautiful he was.
• A pair of dimples popped out on his cheeks when he smiled. He smelt of roses and vanilla. It was strange. I'd never met a man who smelt like that. But, again, I had only met a few men.
• "Where's your friend?" The stranger asked softly. I couldn't look away.
• "Cassy... she's down there..." I stuttered, pointing towards the direction I'd come from.
• "Sit tight for me, okay?"
• I found myself nodding like a little child. There was something about him that made me lower my guard. But, a part of me disliked this because it reminded me of Lucas.
• The moment he began to walk away from me, the Lycan's appeared, carrying an unconscious Cassy with them. There were so many of them, I couldn't help but worry that the stranger would fail to take them down all on his own.
• Struggling to my knees, I reached out for Cassy. Exhaustion hit me and I collapsed to the ground, vaguely aware of the cries of pain and the cracking of bones filling in the air.
• "Please, be safe... Cassy" I muttered, feeling myself slip into darkness.
• ...
• I was warm. Comfortably so. Peeling my eyes open, my gaze rested on the high ceilings of an unfamiliar room. A pleasant scent hit me. It made me sit up on the bed with curiosity.
• "You're awake."
• I blinked, startled by the sight of the man standing by the window, his arms folded across his chest.
• It was him.
• For some reason, his scent was stronger. I felt the urge to touch him. To bury myself in his scent.
• I shook my head to get rid of the thought.
• "Are you feeling better?" He asked, approaching me. He sat down on the chair beside the bed.
• I stared at him, my lips parted. Up close, his features were gorgeous.
• With a swoon worthy face, killer dimples, mesmerizing eyes and a hair full of raven hair, this man was such a beauty.
• "What's wrong? You're not saying anything" he said, bringing a hand to my forehead.
• My breath caught in my throat at the feeling of the heady sparks that I felt when he made contact with me.
• 'Our mate. Ours' Allure whined in my head and I froze.
• "No...how is this possible?"
• The words slipped out of my lips before I could stop them.
• He furrowed his brows, confusion stirring up in his golden eyes.
• "You don't have a fever..."
• I cut him off, glancing around the room.
• "Where am I? Who are you? What is this place?" My anxiety had peaked.
• All I could think was that this man could hurt me. He could've saved me for a selfish purpose.
• "Calm down. I won't hurt you..." His voice trailed off as he stared at me, his frown deepening.
• The word I'd intended to say was probably written all over my face.
• Liar.
• "Look, the last thing I would do is take advantage of anybody."
• I refused to believe him. No matter how much I wanted to.
• He rose to his feet, an expression of hurt spreading over his features.
• "You must be aware that you're my mate. I do not know why you feel uncomfortable around me. But, I want you to know that you can trust me," he said to me.
• I lowered my gaze, gripping the bedclothes tightly.
• "Where's my friend? Did you...did you save her?" I asked, unable to look him in the eye.
• "She's safe. She will come to you soon. Until then, try to get some rest. Lunch will be brought to you soon"
• I kept my head lowered as he walked towards the door.
• "Let me know your name, at least" his sudden statement startled me into looking up.
• He watched me from the door with a warm gaze.
• I hesitated a little. Notwithstanding, I knew I owed him that much. Considering the fact that he'd rescued Cassy and I.
• "Kiara."
• He inhaled sharply.
• "Kiara," my name rolled off his tongue in a way that sent butterflies swarming in the pit of my stomach.
• Once he was out of the door, I groaned in annoyance.
• Just when I'd decided that I was better off without a mate-
• "My lady!" Cassy breezed into the room and swept me into her embrace.
• Her shoulders shook as she broke down into sobs.
• "I'm so glad you're okay" she breathed.
• "I was afraid that I was going to lose you" I confessed, a lump forming in my throat.
• "That man...he saved us. I heard he's the king of the rogues."
• My eyes widened.
• "What?!"
• "That's right. He's a demon werewolf. A very powerful one. There are rumours that he was originally the heir to the throne of the northern werewolves."
• I gaped at her, shocked.
• Was this my fate? From a Lycan King to a Rogue King?
• What about my child?
• What does the future hold for us?
• "Wait, what's wrong?" Cassy asked, her brows knitted into a frown.
• "He's my mate."
• "Good goddess, what?!"
• "He probably isn't aware that I'm pregnant. But, he knows that I'm his mate. What do I do, Cassy?"
• The knock on the door caught my attention. A tall brunette stood there, a tray of food in her arms.
• She had an inviting smile on her face. She walked in, shutting the door behind her.
• I watched her as she placed the tray of food on the nightstand.
• "Wow, you're even prettier than I'd imagined" she said.
• "Sorry...who are you?" I said.
• "My bad. My name's Wren. I'm Denzel's little sis" she responded.
• I raised a brow, confused.
• "Oh... you don't know? It's his name... I'm talking about the man who rescued you."
• 'Denzel, so that's his name' I thought.
• His name suited him.
• "He didn't want to tell me about you. But, I have my ways. I made him talk. I'm so happy for him, you know. Ever since he lost his first mate-"
• Cassy interrupted her.
• "He had a mate before now?"
• Wren nodded, a sad look in her eyes.
• "He did. She was really pretty and nice. It was sad. He's been struggling ever since. They say when your mate dies, a part of you dies with them" she said.
• I gulped, my heart sinking.
• He must have been happy to meet me.
• Yet, I had treated him with such distrust.
• "How did she die?" Cassy suddenly asked.
• I nudged her, shaking my head.
• "She was murdered" Wren said and I stiffened.
• "What?!" Cassy and I echoed.
• "Denzel-" Wren started to say.
• "That's enough."
• A cold voice interrupted her and we all turned to look at the figure standing by the door.
• It was Denzel. His stormy eyes were filled with rage. Wren had gone pale.
• "Denzel, I-I can e-explain" she stuttered, rising to her feet.
• "Get out," he ordered frigidly.
• She scampered out of the room and he stormed in, grabbing the tray of food on the nightstand.
• "You didn't touch the food, did you?" He asked, calmly.
• "I-I didn't" I stammered.
• "Good" he stated and started to leave.
• "Is she really your sister?" I asked and his feet came to a halt.
• He turned around, his eyes clouded by hostility. I held my breath, waiting for his next statement.
• "She's no sister of mine."
• "Is it true? Was your mate murdered?" Cassy blurted out and he stiffened.