7

Adrian's POV

I hurried back to my study, my heart hammering in my chest. Why would the moon goddess decide to bring a mate to me now? I don't want a mate. Not now, not ever. She wasn't even from this pack. The connection and bond were so strong, if not, I would have said I was assuming things.

I decided to come out after calming down. I needed to eat my lunch. I was famished and I knew I couldn't work on an empty stomach. Normally, I would be served in my study, but I already told the kitchen staff that I would be having lunch with my Beta. I wanted to have lunch with Max. It had been a long we had lunch as friends and not just an Alpha and his Beta stuff.

I walked over to the dining room and found her again. Why was she everywhere? She was munching on the food like she had been starving for years. It wasn't a lovely sight to behold. She looked so unkept now that I was looking at her without all the lights dimmed. She stiffed her body as if shivers ran through it. I think she noticed me. Her eyes darted toward Max, then slowly turned toward me.

"Hello, Alpha Adrian," Max bowed, and I could see the admiration in her eyes. Of course, she should be proud. Her mate is the Alpha of the pack. I scoffed.

Suddenly, she got up from the seat and also bowed to me. "Hello, Alpha Adrian, is it?"

I squinted my eyes and wondered what she was planning in her head.

"Why do I have a feeling that you are not pleased to see me?" she asked.

I scoffed. "I barely know you," I managed to say, even though I was getting angry.

"Well, but I do know you," she said.

"Ok. Max already said it. I am Alpha Adrian," I said, stating the obvious.

"I don't mean that," she continues. I tilted my head and stared at her, confused.

"What do you mean then," she was getting interesting by the minute.

"I don't want to disrespect you. Can I talk to you in private?" she asked.

Max frowned and I could see how displeased he was as it was obvious. But I signaled for him to give us some privacy, which he did. Once he was out of the room, I faced the girl.

"Let's cut the chase," she began. "You know you're my mate but you don't seem happy,"

I half smiled. "Why would I acknowledge you as my mate?" I asked, making her confused.

"Because I am your mate?" she asked, unsure.

I growled and walked slowly toward her. She moved back but I didn't stop. Once her back hit the wall, I grabbed her cheek and squeezed. From her reaction, one could tell she was in pain and I didn't know why, but I felt bad. I knew it was the mating bond playing tricks on me. I wouldn't fall for something like that. I looked closely into her eyes and frowned deeper.

"I would appreciate it if you don't ever open your mouth to tell anyone I am your mate, otherwise, this is not going to end well with you," I threatened.

"Why don't you reject me then? You barely know me and vice versa. I would go away from here anyway. If anything happens to me and I die, who do you think would have the feeling that is worse than death? Not me," she managed to speak.

Speaking of that, she is making sense. The only thing that would make more sense is keeping her here and making her a breeder of mine. That way, I wouldn't be stuck to her as my mate and she would give me an heir. I wasn't planning on marrying anyone anyway.

"And who told you you're going to be leaving here?" I asked.

Jackpot. She was scared. It was visible in her eyes. The way she stared at me with fear. She trembled as my fingers grazed her cheeks. I slowly released her face when I couldn't bear to look at her in pain anymore

"Why wouldn't I leave?" she asked.

"You'll stay here with me. You'll be my breeder," I said.

She gasped and shook her head vigorously. "No. I won't be your breeder,"

I smiled mischievously. "So sorry but you don't have a choice. You can't leave this palace. Just note this few things and you're good to go,"

"Please let me go," She pleaded.

"There's no need to plead. You have nowhere to go. And you said you're my mate right? Doesn't it make more sense to stay here with me?" I asked and she wiped her tears with her palm.

"I..I," She started.

"I won't acknowledge you as my mate. I would not mark you. You're just a breeder and nothing more. Other than that, you can live a free life of almost royalty in the palace," I explained the terms to her.

She seemed to digest that for a few moments and nodded.

"What do I call you?" he asked.

"Mila. My name is Mila," she replied.

I would have asked for more details about her but I could see she was close up about the name so I would let her be for now. I might ask her all about that later, but I think today is not the right time to ask her about that.

"Follow me," I simply said and started walking off.

She trailed behind me quietly. I walked up to the upper chambers. I stopped in front of a big door. It was the room where brought all the women I had sexual relations with.

For some reason, I didn't want to bring her into the room as it looked dirty. I felt she deserved more than that so I walked up to the next room. It was the room I designed for when I finally got married. I wasn't going to get married anyway, so she could just stay in the room for the meantime. She is my mate, who I am not going to ack

nowledge or mark, but she is my mate.