Mated To My Ex's Lycan Brother

#Chapter 4 I Agree To Be Your Wife

Fiona’s POV

My mouth drops open and I stare at him in shock. Too surprised to mask my bewildered expression.

What … did he just say?

“Well, that face you are making doesn’t look very encouraging.” He remarks dryly, raising an eyebrow at me.

However, before I can even begin to explain myself, he takes one slender finger and pops my mouth shut. Then, he moves back as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“There’s no need to panic. It’s just a contractual marriage.” He says casually and I end up even more confused.

“A contractual marriage? Why?” I ask, not sure why a man like Micah who clearly would be desirable to many women would want to enter into a contract marriage with me.

The moment the words leave my mouth, his expression darkens and his eyes become as hard as they were when he initially saw me in the rain. Clearly, my words have sparked some unpleasant memories for him.

“It’s my father. He is keeping marriage as a condition for me to succeed the throne. Just a little surprise he sprung on me right before I came here.”

Slowly, understanding dawns on me. This could be the reason why he was in such a terrible mood earlier.

“Although, I have to ask, is marrying me such a scandalous idea?” He asks me slowly and the way he looks at me causes me to freeze. Like I am a rabbit in the sight of a wolf.

“I mean, after the night we had, I was of the opinion you would think otherwise.” With that, he slowly undoes the top button of his shirt and slides away the fabric to reveal a … hickey.

Blood rushes to my face as I know exactly who gave it to him. My cheeks feel hot and flushed because of embarrassment.

Micah’s eyes zone in on the blush creeping up on my face like a predator tracking its prey.

“I mean really, it was almost like I was taken advantage of. The way you wrapped yourself around me, kissed me so aggressively, not letting me move an inch away from you …”

He trails off, his eyes still trained on me, making me fidget.

Did I… really do that?

Flashes of memories of our night together pass in front of my eyes.

Me, threading my hands through his hair.

Me, leaving drunk sloppy kisses all over his neck.

Me, clutching him tightly, not letting him go…

I shut my eyes, trying to dispel the embarrassing memories.

Oh God, it looks like I really did throw myself at him!

I nervously tuck my hair behind the ear, feeling guilty.

“So, don’t you think you should be responsible for me?” He asks with a voice so low, it almost feels seductive.

I look up at him, ready to apologize but I falter when I see his face. There’s an almost devilish gleam in his eyes as he watches my every move. It’s almost as if he is … enjoying watching me squirm. I think back on the way he revealed the hickey to me, the words he said and my brow furrows slightly in suspicion.

Another thought pops in my head. How come Micah, a powerful Lycan prince still hasn’t healed from the hickey all these days later? Something definitely feels fishy about this.

I tighten my fist and gather my courage, ready to speak my thoughts out loud when I freeze. Gone is the devilish look on his face and instead, now, he stands there looking extremely serious as if he meant every word he said. The intimidating look on his face makes me gulp and it is enough to do away with all the doubts.

A man like him, dangerous and cold, wouldn't be making jokes with me about this.

Maybe, he doesn’t possess any humor at all!

The idea that I genuinely offended someone like him with my actions suddenly makes me afraid.

Instantly, I bolt to my feet ready to apologize to him over and over again but my apology is cut short by my own gasp. In my hurry, I have miscalculated the distance between us and now, he is in my space with my breasts pressing against his chest.

My throat goes dry and my lips part as I stare at him with wide eyes. It feels like I am trapped between the chair and him.

“I-I-” I want to get the words out but the heat of his body is messing with my thoughts. I wait for him to move back and give me some space but he doesn’t. Instead, he leans closer until I feel his breath on my ear.

“It’s fine. I am in no rush, darling.” His words raise goosebumps against my skin. “Why don’t you take a few days to think about this and then let me know of your decision?”

I nod as if in a daze and once again, it feels like there is a trace of amusement on his face. However, before I can ponder on that too much, his warm fingers wrap around my hand and expose my wrist to him.

With his other hand, he fishes out a pen and bites the top off with his teeth instead of unscrewing the cap. When he catches me staring, he bares his teeth at me once, in a way that makes my heart stutter, before taking the pen back in his hand.

Then, slowly, he writes a number on the inside of my wrist. When he is done, he lightly traces his finger on the writing as if to make sure it doesn’t disappear. I swallow hard, the unexpectedly sensual caress making me feel lightheaded.

“There, now you know where to reach me.”

He says, before finally taking a slow step back. Then, just like that, he turns around and strides away, leaving me to stare at his back dumbfounded.

____________________

When I head back to my father’s hospital room, I see a familiar figure sitting outside the door.

It’s Auntie Emma.

My heart lifts seeing a familiar face and tears come to my eyes. I have felt so alone dealing with my father’s sickness and seeing her here immediately makes me feel better.

She is my adoptive father’s distant relative. He helped her a lot when she was struggling financially and employed her son in his company to help him get back on his feet. While many other people my father was generous towards had shunned him after the scandal, she was the only one who had remained by his side.

She had been generous enough to let me use the spare room in her house for a few days and the fact that she has come to visit my father at the hospital makes me filled with gratitude.

“Auntie Emma, it’s so nice of you to come.” I say, as I eagerly sit next to her.

She smiles at me and takes my hands in hers.

“Oh it’s been rough for you, hasn’t it, dear?”

Her words make my throat burn.

“I actually came here a while ago. However, I saw you talking with … Prince Jeremy and did not want to interrupt you.”

Immediately, my face flushes red. The idea of her having heard what Jeremy had been saying makes me feel so small. However, before I can explain, she says something that shocks me.

“My girl, I think his offer is not bad at all. You should consider being with him. After all, he is a Prince. Think about how many benefits he can provide you with.”

For a moment I just look at her, not believing the words that she is saying. My shock must have shown all over my face because she lightly pats my hand.

“Yes, him having a wife can be hard to swallow but listen, child, beggars can't be choosers. You have no money. No way to sustain yourself. It is your only option. Just be his mistress and solve your problems, dear.”

My heart sinks at her words and I feel betrayed. I thought she was on my side. She cared about me. Why then, was she trying to persuade me to accept such a humiliating offer?

Trying to not lose heart, I offer her a gentle smile and put my hand on hers.

“Aunt Emma, I know you are only thinking the best for me, but being his mistress is something I will never do.” I tell her in a soft but determined tone.

For a moment, it feels like Aunt Emma’s expression falters but then, she smiles at me again.

“Listen, Fiona, now is not the time to be stubborn,” She says in a gentle but chastising tone. “Think about your father and how much he could use the help right now.”

My heart aches at her words and what she is implying.

“I’ll find some other way,” I whisper brokenly.

“Oh, but what other way could there possibly be other than being with Jeremy? Be smart Fiona and understand that he is your only option.”

This time, when she says the words, I detect a hint of irritation in her voice and her smile seems strained. Confused as to why she is so insistent on this idea, I decide to once again tell her of my decision.

“No matter the situation, Auntie Emma, please understand that nothing would change my mind and make me accept Jeremy’s proposal.”

My voice comes out sad and I feel dejected that I have to explain this to her.

However, this time, when the words come out of my mouth, something changes in Aunt Emma’s expression. Her lower lip twists and her smile is replaced by a derisive sneer. She shoves my hand away and stands up.

“How can you be so selfish?” She snaps at me and I am taken aback by her sudden outburst.

“How can you not think about the people you are freeloading off? Do you think I will let you stay at my house when you don’t have any money to give me?” She fumes.

“Listen to me, it’s only Jeremy’s kindness that he is giving you this offer. Having your pretty face is your only advantage so don’t act all high and mighty and accept his offer or I will evict you from my house. Let’s see where your pride goes when you are out starving on the streets.”

She spits the words with so much venom that I feel them pierce through my heart. I watch as she gives me her back and stomps out in anger.

I feel shattered. Lost. And once again alone.

When Aunt Emma asked me to move in, she told me she wanted to repay the gratitude she felt towards my father for all the times he had helped her financially. I never knew this was what she really thought.

I feel forced into a corner and left without options. Like a wounded animal trapped in a cage.

I don’t know for how long I sit there, staring at nothing, trying to make sense of the nightmare my life has turned into.

The dark sky turns into light outside and I realize morning has come. My entire body hurts from being in one position for so long.

I feel at the end of my wits with no solution in sight. Exhaustion makes my body ache and the room spins sharply when I get up to stand.

I am completely helpless with nobody to turn to.

Suddenly, my eyes snag on the numbers written on the inside of my wrist. Not knowing what else to do, I take out my phone with shaky fingers and dial the number I thought I never would.

“Who is this?” Micah’s reply is curt when he answers the phone.

I close my eyes and gather all my courage before I say the words that I know will forever change my life.

“Hi, this is Fiona. I-I agree to be your wife.”