His Forbidden Mate

Talking to my kidnapper

DIANE

I jerked up from what felt like a dream. Once I felt soft sheets under me, I was sure it was just a nightmare until I looked around me.

I was in a spacious immaculate white room. My heart pounded rapidly against my ribcage. How did I get here? The king-size bed, white walls that looked as if they were repainted each morning, and the chandelier. The middle of the ceiling confused the hell out of me. Deep in my subconscious, I knew my wild guess of this place was true. Truly, this room was a work of art but that only pricked my temper.

Did that madman think I could be bought over by money? Who does he think he is?

My birthday party. Oh my goodness, my friends would be looking for me. I scanned the room for my dress and soon spotted it. The tiles were ice cold when my feet made contact with them. I hated the cold. That's why I had a rug in my room at home. Vomit climbed to my throat at the thought of the warmth of my room but I swallowed it. With gritted teeth, I ran to get the dress and went back to the bed. Sliding my hands into the hidden pockets, I was met with emptiness.

"Shoot, he's thorough," I cursed.

When I tried to stand again, the floor seemed even colder, making me hiss. "Who even likes this much cold?" I wondered out loud. Then my eyes caught flip-flops.

Oh wow. I was so focused on other things that I forgot to check for easy survival wear too. I mentally thanked my kidnappers, then thumped my head. Why thank criminals?

That's when it dawned on me. I was kidnapped. Panic set in and I ran to the door and turned the knob. Of course, it was locked! Weak but angry, I knocked hysterically. After a few minutes, my hands were sore and I retreated. Just then, that door opened and a uniformed lady walked in with a tray.

"Good morning," the woman greeted but my mind was momentarily lost in the food. My attention snapped when my tummy growled. Such an embarrassment. "Miss, you have everything you need and there's a fresh change of clothes in the wardrobe. I'll be back when you're finished with your food."

My eyes fell on the gigantic wardrobe in the room. The wood was carved so beautifully. How did I miss it? My mind only returned to the situation at hand when I heard the door click. Oh, God.

I spent some time seething till I knew I couldn't hold the hunger anymore, then scooted closer to the food. The feast before me was mind-blowing and would have tested good if I lived here. But it was bland on .u tongue as my mind calculated the best way to escape this place.

About half an hour later, I was full, clean and in fresh clothes that were actually pretty — pair of jeans with a pink rabbit-themed shirt. I went over the plan again and was ready when the door opened again. But instead of the maid, it was the deranged guy. He stood at the door while a different maid came in to rake my dishes away. Looking at him again, there was no denying it. It wasn't makeup that made him look like my mentor. But it was best to keep believing there was a trick behind it.

"How are you?" he asked when the door closed behind him.

Disgusted as he advanced towards me, I went over the plan in my head again. Except I had to envision more muscle and less skirts. I gave him one last chance. "Let me go."

"No."

I sprung from the bed, grabbing his collar. I could do it. My leg almost made contact with his face when he grabbed it. "I thought you would do that," he said. "I just didn't know how skilled you are now."

What? He was ready for that? How could he have guessed? He placed me down on the bed but struggled. "You can't keep me here," I hissed.

This guy actually reached into his pockets and produced handcuffs. In a swift movement I couldn't register, my hands were rendered useless.

"You must be proud of yourself for-"

He shushed me. "I want to explain the mating bond." Was this the man who claimed to be crazy about me? Why was he suddenly being rude?

"When the Moon goddess mates two people together, she expects them to be together forever. I understand this is all new to you but if you could listen, it'll all be straightened out. Now, if-"

"I know about the marking, mating and s**t. I read fantasy books, duh," I spat, swinging my legs violently. "But this is reality. These things don't exist."

He sighed. "I'll leave you to think about what I've said so far. I'll see you in the evening." With that, he was gone.

How come he was giving up already? Maybe this was progress. If I wore him out enough, he would release me. I wanted to dance when I remembered the handcuffs. Oh damn.

There was nothing to do and I was actually quite tired, so I leaned on the head frame of the bed. It felt like there was some kind of calming spell on this bed because I didn't even realize it when my eyes closed.

~~~

Something was shaking me cruelly. But maybe it was just a dream. Plus I wasn't ready to get up.

"Wake up already," I heard and opened my eyes. An angry maid was standing above me. Before I could register what was happening, she rushed me to the bathroom and bathed me. My skin tingled and my face was red as this woman touched and saw my naked body.

I was dressed in a beautiful dinner gown and she dragged me downstairs. "Alpha Kane is waiting," she muttered.