Given To Alpha Tristan

CHAPTER SIX

THALIA'S POV.

'Paid to have you'

Why do those words suddenly make me feel like some cheap object displayed at the market?

I already know that I was only a part of some deal between Alpha Tristan and my former Alpha Rafael. Luna Marcella was only too happy to fill me in on that information. Me in exchange for an outrageous amount of money, one that I would never be worth in two lifetimes to come. Then there's also the land extension part. I know all of this.

But when Alpha Tristan words it this way, it sounds so wrong. Way worse than I would like to remember.

I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and instead nodded as I forced the words out of my mouth.

"I understand, Alpha."

"Do you now?"

Alpha Tristan chuckled darkly, one perfect eyebrow arched in question as he stared coldly at me with eyes completely void of emotions as he took step after step towards me, forcing me to walk backwards until my back came in contact with the wall, his dominant and imposing presence completely overwhelming me and causing me to suddenly feel trapped.

"Look at me."

Alpha Tristan demanded, but I quickly shook my head no.

Huge mistake.

"Now, Dalia!"

Alpha Tristan yelled angrily, obviously losing what little patience he had left, and I whimpered in fear as my eyes immediately snapped up to his.

His too close. Way too close.

My eyes stared into his for what felt like forever, and it was all I could do to keep from passing out from his overwhelming presence.

Alpha Tristan shook his head.

"No, Dalia, I don't think you do. You see, the thing is, I never wanted another mate. I still don't, as a matter of fact. I don't want a wife, neither do I care for a relationship with you nor any other woman for that matter."

Alpha Tristan said, his cold eyes staring directly into mine as he continued to speak.

"The only reason I went through all of this trouble to acquire you..."

I felt my entire body tremble, both in fear and self-disgust at his choice of words, and I felt Nova whimper in my head, causing my feelings of sadness to double.

'It's okay, Nova, nothing we don't already know.'

I tried to console my wolf as Alpha Tristan kept speaking, completely unaware of our hurt. Not that it would matter to him in any way though.

"...is simply to prove a point. I expect you to play the part of a perfect wife and Luna, Dalia, convince everyone, especially my brother and his people, that we're a real couple. As long as you remember your place and do what is expected of you, we won't have a problem."

I stood there silently for a minute after Alpha Tristan was done speaking, mentally processing everything that I've just heard. What he's trying to say in other words is that I'm here to be his mate and Luna only on paper.

It was clear from his tone that I wasn't given a choice. This wasn't a suggestion; it was an order. One I have no choice but to obey. If I want to continue living, that is.

But why does this feel like some kind of rejection when I don't even like him?

I gulped heavily and cleared my throat before speaking.

"C... can I leave now?"

I asked, my legs already moving to do just that as I couldn't bear to stay in the same room with him for even a second longer. The room was starting to feel a little too small for my comfort, and It was getting harder for me to breathe properly. Unless you count the ride from Wolf Blood to this place during which I was practically ignored like I didn't even exist, this is the longest I've been in Alpha Tristan's presence in the short hours that I've met him, and I've already been choked, strangled, scolded, and practically rejected.

I barely took a single step in the direction of the door before I felt a hand grip my arm tightly, causing me to tense as my eyes darted up to Alpha Tristan's cold ones, my insides trembling at the deadly glare on his face.

"Don't you dare turn your back on me! You leave when I tell you to and not a second before. Do I make myself clear?"

Alpha Tristan demanded coldly, anger clear in his voice as his grip tightened around my arm, causing me to wince from the sting as I quickly nodded.

"Yes, Alpha. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"No, it won't."

Alpha Tristan said, more like promised, as he roughly let go of my hand, and I immediately clutched it to my chest.

Alpha Tristan stood staring coldly at me for what felt like forever, and I started shifting uncomfortably on my feet, wondering what exactly was going on in his head.

Then he spoke.

"I'm going to say this only once, Dalia. Don't fall in love with me. Some people are just incapable of love, and I can promise you that I'm the worst of them yet. I purchased you for one thing and one thing only, and that is to stand in as my Luna. Nothing more. You mean nothing to me. Consider this your first and final warning, Dalia."

Alpha Tristan said and then gestured with his head towards the door.

"Leave."

Gladly.

With that one simple command, I didn't wait even another second as I stormed out of the room.

He might as well have taken a knife and driven it through my pride and nonexistent self-esteem. And to think I actually believed they don't come any worse than Alpha Rafael and Luna Marcella. How wrong I was.

Not even the years of maltreatment from the entire population of Wolf Blood pack can be compared to the few minutes of conversation I just had with Alpha Tristan.

I can't believe I agreed to marry him. Then again, I wasn't exactly given another choice.

'Forget it, Thalia, we already knew this was going to happen.'

I heard Nova's voice in my head as I continued to march angrily down the long hallway, not even sure where I was headed.

"We may have, but it still doesn't make it feel any better, Nova. For God's sake, who does he even think he is, the cold-blooded murderer! No one is interested in marrying a cold and heartless Alpha who's shameless enough to murder his own mate for God knows what! And to think he seriously believes one could possibly fall in love with a monster like him, the arrogance!"

A part of me was thankful I was having this conversation with Nova in my head as I didn't want my head on a chopping block so soon. I just got here for crying out loud.

'Just forget about him, Thalia, and look on the brighter side. At least we don't have to put up with Luna Marcella anymore from now on, or Lyra for that matter.'

Nova said, and I scoffed.

'The things I would give to deal with those two right now instead of...'

I paused when I realized I had no idea where I was. I seem to have gotten too lost in my anger and words that I'd wandered off into an entirely different hallway.

The place looked almost abandoned, with cobwebs hanging from a few corners, and I also noticed all the doors were slightly cracked open. All except one.

One particular door

was closed shut with a huge padlock, causing me to frown as my curiosity immediately came out to play.

I wonder what's behind that one.

Why is it the only one protected?