Her Human His Lycan

Contract

Clay POV

I collapsed onto my bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into my bones.

With Emma, everything was different. I could see her in my mind's eye, her radiant smile and the way her eyes sparkled with life. It was as if a veil had been lifted allowing me to feel a connection deeper than physical desire.

I yearned to know every detail about her, to spend every spare moment in her company. And above all, I longed to hold her close, to be her protector and sanctuary. This overwhelming desire consumed me, a fire burning within that I couldn't ignore. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced since my childhood, a warmth and happiness that defied the darkness that haunted me.

But with Liz, the path I was currently treading, I knew deep down it was unsustainable. The thought of losing Emma pained me. I had caught a glimpse of that hurt in her eyes during our our encounter at the dining hall. And yet, that flicker of pain only solidified my belief that she felt the same way I did. She wanted this, wanted us.

When I return from my mission, I will make things work with Emma. I can't continue with this charade, this fake relationship with Liz. I would work with her as a partner, but I couldn't allow myself to pretend that there was something more between us. It was clear that Liz had orchestrated this situation, but I refused to play along any longer.

Restlessly, I tossed and turned in my bed, the sheets tangling around my limbs. The anticipation of revenge, the opportunity to confront my demons, had been what I had craved my entire life. And yet, now that it was within reach, I found myself yearning for Emma instead. The mere thought of another man coming close to her sent a surge of possessiveness through me, stirring a jealousy I had no right to feel.

Part of me was tempted to abandon my bed right then and there, to seek solace in her presence, even if it meant sleeping on her couch. It felt as if an invisible force was pulling me towards her, a magnetic pull that whispered she needed me as much as I needed her. But I resisted, knowing that rushing into things with her would only lead to more heartache.

So, I remained in bed, caught between the desire for revenge and the yearning for love. It was a battle within myself, torn between the darkness and the light.

_______

Morning arrived too quickly, the sun peeking over the horizon and casting a golden glow. I groggily stumbled out of bed, my body still yearning for more rest. It was a familiar feeling, always waking up feeling unrested. As usual, I found myself running late for class.

The sound of my hurried footsteps echoed in the empty corridors, mixing with the distant chatter of other students rushing to their classes. I weaved through the crowd, narrowly avoiding collisions with my fellow classmates. I darted towards the classroom. The door creaked open, and I slipped inside, my breath coming out in quick, shallow gasps.

To my surprise, Emma was not there, her absence immediately filling me with disappointment. I took a seat, the cool surface of the desk grounding me as I tried to catch my breath. The rustling of papers and the shuffling of feet filled the room as more students trickled in. The professor, a stoic figure at the front, waited a few extra minutes before beginning the lecture, the silence pregnant with anticipation.

Suddenly, Emma burst into the classroom, her face flushed and her chest heaving. She hurriedly took a seat in the front. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, my gaze fixated on her every move throughout the class. I felt like a lovesick teenager.

As the class neared its end, Emma abruptly got up and left without a word. Confusion and concern washed over me. Was something wrong? Was she avoiding me? I waited until the class was over, my mind racing with worry. I knew that if I had followed Emma, Liz and her friends would have surely given her a hard time later. I could handle them, but I didn't want any negativity to befall Emma because of me.

As I stepped out of the classroom, my eyes were met with Liz, a sight that immediately ignited my frustration. "What do you want?" I asked her, my voice laced with irritation.

She leaned in, linking her arm with mine, a false smile plastered on her face. "Let's get coffee," she suggested. I gritted my teeth and reluctantly agreed, enduring her presence solely for the sake of the mission at hand.

“My father would like to host a formal dinner for us," Liz said, her smile still as fake as ever.

"Why?" I questioned, my confusion evident.

She chuckled, her laughter grating on my nerves. "To introduce you, of course. You're becoming a part of the family," she explained.

"You're delusional," I retorted, my annoyance growing.

"Wait, you didn't know?" she laughed. "Wow, your leader, or should I say guardian, keeps you in the dark."

We walked into the coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping us. "He's not my guardian anymore," I said with a tinge of frustration as we took a break from our conversation to place our orders. Liz looked at me, expecting me to pay. "Get yours yourself," I declared firmly, refusing to be entangled any further in her manipulative web.

Finally, we settled into our seats in a secluded corner of the room. "My daddy always gets me what I want," she said, her voice laced with entitlement.

"I've trained hard and done everything he asked of me, so I deserve it," she continued, confidently. I couldn't help but chuckle at her arrogance.

"Whatever you say," I replied, unable to hide my skepticism.

She leaned in closer, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Don't you know our groups are merging?" she whispered. "Skade has the opportunity to be a part of the council of hunters. It's a great honor, and with our group having the most honors, it means great things for you, Clay." Her words hung in the air, mixing with the lively chatter.

My heart skipped a beat as she revealed something Skade had kept from me. Confusion and disbelief washed over me, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "You see, my father made a deal with Skade," she continued. "Since I always get what I want, I am to marry you and you will become a part of my family. In return, Skade gets his spot on the council." The scent of betrayal lingered in the air, suffocating me.

A sharp laugh escaped my lips, laced with defiance. "Over my dead body," I spat.She smiled, her eyes gleaming with a calculated cunning.

"Skade has already signed the deal," she revealed, her voice cold and unforgiving. "You chose to sign yourself over to the Hunters when you turned eighteen. Skade holds your contract, but it has now been sold to my father. And you know the consequences of breaking a contract."

Anger surged through me, my hands trembling with rage. "You sadistic b***h," I seethed. "Sure, I'm contracted to serve as a hunter, but nowhere does it say they can marry me off," I retorted.

"Oh, but it does, Clay," she replied, a twisted smile playing on her lips. "When you give all of yourself to the Hunters, it means you give everything. And yes, you can and you will be married off."

I couldn't help but scoff, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "So, you want me to be with someone who will never love you?" I questioned. She met my gaze, her eyes burning with determination.

"You will. I know you find me attractive," she stated, her voice filled with misplaced confidence.

Laughter bubbled up within me again, mingling with the sounds of the lively coffee shop. "If I found you attractive, I wouldn't have turned you down the last time you wanted s*x," I said, relishing in the anger that flashed across her face.

"You will learn to love me and that's an order," she said firmly, her voice piercing the air. I shook my head, feeling a surge of resistance.

Just as I stood, my eyes caught sight of Emma gracefully entering the shop, accompanied by Melody. Liz acted swiftly, her hand gripping mine with a sense of urgency, pulling me back down into the seat. Her touch was cold. "We need to start making preparations for our engagement announcement," she declared loudly, her voice reverberating in the room, attempting to provoke a reaction from Emma. But Emma remained unfazed, her gaze fixed on the menu in front of her, seemingly oblivious to our presence.

I pulled my hand away. "I'll see you tonight," I said to Liz as I left.

I made my way towards my car parked outside the apartment building. Frustration surged through me, and without a second thought, I sped through two red lights as I drove.

Arriving at Skade's location, I stormed towards his room. I banged on the door, the sharp thuds echoing in the silence.

"You're early," he said, his voice calm and composed. I could sense a hint of amusement in his tone. I stepped into the room, the door closing behind me with a soft click.

"Is it true? Did you sell my contact?" I demanded, my voice filled with anger. Skade's eyes met mine, his expression unreadable.

"It's a good arrangement for everyone," he replied. I shook my head, frustration boiling within me.

"No, not for me. I refuse," I said, my voice trembling with defiance. Skade sighed, a mix of disappointment and resignation evident on his face.

"You wanted revenge, Clay. You wanted a way to take down all the werewolves. Well, this is your way. You are going to marry the leader's daughter. You will end up running the entire faction someday. Count yourself lucky," he explained.

"I refuse. No way am I marrying her," I spat, the taste of rebellion bitter on my tongue.

"You have no choice in the matter. I had very little as well. It's this or punishment," he stated firmly. Anger surged through me, making my fists clenched tightly.

"Find someone else for her, Skade," I seethed, my voice laced with fury.

"She wants you. I told you to get over this girl at your school that has your head all messed up and focus on the life you wanted," he demanded, his voice growing stern.

"Now, since you're here early, prepare to leave. Your group will depart before Liz. You can hit the road now. I expect you to bring back captives from that realm and information on the lycan princess's location. Do you understand?" he commanded, his voice echoing in the room.

I remained silent, my mind racing with thoughts of rebellion.

"Remember your place, Clay. I took you in when you were just an orphan. I offered you a life. I have gone to great lengths for you. So don't make me regret my decision," he warned. I took a deep breath, the air heavy with tension.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth, but deep within me, I vowed to find a way out of this predicament. Sure, I'll get my revenge on those who took my family, but I will never let myself be sold off like this.

Skade handed me a bag filled with weapons and tranquilizers. The weight of the bag pressed against my palm, its contents promising power and control. As I clutched the bag, my fingers tingled with anticipation.

He contacted the small group I would be traveling with. I waited, the minutes ticking by slowly, each passing moment filled with a sense of impatience and restlessness.

Finally, a van pulled up, its engine rumbling with a low growl. The sound reverberated through the air, echoing in my ears.

We were provided with a meet-up location, a secluded spot where we would gather before embarking on our mission.

We would then wait for Liz's team, and from there, we would enter the realm with the wolf that her team had captured.

I needed to keep a clear head, as I was finally taking a step closer to my goal of revenge. It was within my reach now, and I was determined to find a way to bring them all down. I needed to gather the necessary information and prove myself. And then, I would find a way out of this contracted marriage.

As we loaded into the car, I stayed focused, closing my eyes for a moment. The driver of our group took off, and I tried to remember my family. But even as I attempted to picture those I sought revenge for, my mind kept drifting to Emma. What was happening to me?