Fated to A Monster

Chapter Five: The Heat

Asteria:

I felt so hot, and my skin was burning. My body felt like it was on fire. I felt my core temperature rising within. The bed hurt to touch. Anything against my skin felt awful. Pain radiating through every inch of my body, I could feel my body was covered in sweat. I dare not open my eyes, and I must go back to sleep. I know the moment I wake, I will have to deal with my mate. I tried to sleep, but the burning feeling was restless. I started tossing and turning. I flipped around the bed and realized it was empty. I opened my eyes to find an empty room, and my mate was gone. I stumbled to the bathroom and finally realized I was completely naked. That asshole must have stripped me, and I can’t believe it. I lock the door, and I don’t want him coming in. I turn on the shower, and I need the cold to calm the burning heat. I step into the shower and let the cold water run over me, and I felt the burning feeling cool down for the moment. I must have stood there for a while because my body started to shiver. I couldn’t help but fall to my knees, resting my head against the shower’s glass, letting the cold waterfall on my body. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Time slow went by as I sat there, fading in and out of sleep. I was so tired, and my body felt so drained. I didn’t move; I was too afraid to leave this shower. I heard the bedroom door open. 

“Asteria?” I heard Henry call. I said nothing, and he could hear the shower running and knew that I was in it. I heard footsteps near the bathroom door and light knocks. 

“Asteria?” Henry called out again, knocking at the door. I was frozen; I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want him to come in here, and I just wanted to be left alone. 

“Go away.” I managed to mutter, nuzzling my head against the glass. 

“You are in heat. Let me help you,” Henry said through the door. I wasn’t stupid, and my mother must have given me something to start my heart. I was being pressured into mating with Henry. I looked down at my wrist and saw the bonding band. I knew she had bonded me to him as well. I couldn’t travel more than 15 yards away from him. I was trapped. The heat would last till we mated or till it kills me. I would die before I would let Henry have me. There was no way in hell I would let him touch me. I didn’t want to be mated to him, and I didn’t want to be his Luna or his Queen. I didn’t want any of this. I would not give in so easily. 

“Are my servants here yet?” I asked. I wanted my favorite maid. I needed her. 

“They are on their way. Do you need something?” Henry asked. I could hear the worry in his voice. I knew it was our mate’s bond. He could feel my pain and my worries. I didn’t want anything from him. I didn’t need his help. 

“No, I just want my maid,” I said back. I knew he wanted to help me, but I didn’t want him coming inside. I was naked and in heat. I don’t know if he can control himself. I wasn’t putting myself at risk. I wouldn’t mate with him, not ever. I would let the heat kill me before that. I was fine with dying, and I didn’t want to spend my life as his mate, having his children. If I couldn’t travel the world, then there was no point in life. It was so cruel that this was my fate. At least when I die, I will go to my father’s kingdom. He was the devil, after all. I would be free to be myself in his Kingdom without having to worry about my mate. The sooner the heat kills me, the better. 

“I’ll send for her as soon as she arrives. I’ll be waiting for you when you are ready to come out.” Henry said. I heard him leaning against the door, and he sounded sad and drained. 

“Don’t wait for me, just leave. I don’t need you here.” I said back coldly, feeling my heartache as the words left my mouth. I could feel his heartache too, he wanted his mate, but he would never have me. I need to avoid him as much as possible. The longer he was away, the faster the heat would kill. It would burn and burn till my heart gave out. It would be a slow, painful death, one I was fine with. 

“I’m not leaving, you are my mate, and you are in heat. I’m not leaving your side till we mate. Stop being like this.” Henry said through the door, raising his voice. I thought I heard a growl at the ended of his statement. He was getting angry, and I wonder if he would try to hit me or force me into mating with him. Either way, I wouldn’t leave the bathroom till my maid arrived, dare try to hit me or force me in front of her. 

“Fine, but I’m not going to mate with you. Not now, not ever. You can watch as this heat kills me for all I care.” I yell back, tears forming in my eyes. I was so angry, not just at him but at my mother. Mothers are supposed to protect you, and she didn’t. She knows that I didn’t want this, and she gave me something to start my heat anyway. How can she be so cruel to her own child? I will never forgive her for this. 

“I won’t let you. You will give in. I know it. The sooner, the better. I will not force you, but I will not let you die either.” Henry said, his voice turning soft, almost loving. He could just reject me, and my heart would end, we could move on, and I could explore the world. He could find someone to be his chosen mate, and she could give him children. He could take the crown and be happy. 

“Just reject me then. The heat will end, and I wouldn’t die, and we can move on and find different mates.” I said, feeling my heartache. My soul wanted him, even if I didn’t. He was my other half, and we were bonded together. 

“No, I have already marked you. You are mine, and I will never let you go.” Henry growled. I’ve been marked. I quickly feel around on my neck and find it. I touched it and started to feel it burning terribly. I leaned up and let the cool water hit, hoping the pain would die down, but I felt a crippling pain radiated through my abdomen and the burning desire to touch Henry. 

“You asshole, how could you?” I yelled, letting out a painful sob. 

“You are mine Asteria,” He growled, turning the doorknob. It was locked. He started banging on the door while I continue to sob. I wasn’t letting him in, and I wasn’t leaving this shower. He didn’t try to break down the door, even though he could easily.  He was showing me some respect, at least. I wouldn’t get out of this, the heat would kill me, or he would force himself on me. I needed to be smarter if I wanted to get out of this situation. I calmed myself and tried to clear my head. I needed a plan. Birth control was illegal, so if I mate with him, I will risk getting pregnant. There were ways, potions I could take to prevent pregnancy. I could have my maid smuggle them in. I could make him think I died, somehow fake my death.  I couldn’t think straight, and I needed a clear head to plan these things. My mind was clouded with the heat and fear. I couldn’t think of what to do. I needed a plan of escape. I would be an outcast after. I could never return to my family or this Kingdom, but I could travel the world. I will not die. I will escape. I just need my mate to think that I wasn’t trying to. 

“You’re right,” I said, clenching my fist. I needed him to believe it. I would need to let him touch me, I would need to mate with him, and when he thought I was in love with him, I would fake my death. I heard him pause at the door, and I heard him leaning against it. 

“What did you just say?” He asked, his voice horsed. I closed my eyes and bit my lip. I knew I need to say something, and I need him to think I wanted him. 

“I said, you’re right. I’m yours, and you are mine.” I said, clenching my first harder. I could feel my nails digging into my skin, so I relaxed my fist. I didn’t believe my words, and I just hope he did. 

“Does that mean you will come out?” Henry asked. I could hear the excited tone in his voice. He thought I had given in so easily. Did the mate bond make him a fool? 

“I want you to promise me something first,” I said, knowing he would grant my request. 

“Anything, Asteria,” Henry said. I took a deep breath, knowing what I was about to say might be hurtful. 

“Promise me, and you wouldn’t hit me. Promise me you won’t beat me, and I will be yours.” I said, letting out a fake sob. 

“I promise you, and I would never hurt my mate. I will never hurt you, and it doesn’t matter how mad you make me. You are my Luna and my Queen.” Henry said, his voice was gentle. I felt my heart warm. I knew his words were true. I forced myself out of the shower. I looked in the mirror, my skin was flushed, and the mark on my neck was red. I look around and find a towel wrapping it around my nakedness and take another towel for my hair wrapping in around before heading to the door, unlocking it, and stepping back.