The Rogue King’s Unwanted Bride

Claiming her.

*DAMON*

My footsteps echoed through the walls of the room as I approached them. Indila and Faith tensed up, giving way for me until I was directly behind Rosaline.

"What's the delay?" I asked Indila, who immediately looked up at me with her eyes full of fear.

"H-her hair, Alpha," She responded without looking me in the eyes. Her hesitation was understandable. Indila had been in the pack since the dark times.

Her family was one of those who survived the war, and the only thing I could have done to help was give her a job in the manor. She seemed to be the only person experienced enough to take care of this wild wol.

Rosaline didn't dare to say a word, but I knew it was only a matter of time until she cracked and spiraled into another round of tantrums.

The council was waiting in the main hall for her to be introduced. Rosaline was the third Luna— the first two had failed to give me what I wanted, but they weren't my mate to begin with. It's different with Rosaline.

"Make it snappy," I commanded before bringing my gaze lower to Rosaline. My eyes locked with hers in the mirror.

She was looking as young and vibrant as could be, her raven black hair falling on her shoulders in wild, bouncy locks. Her red lips were more highlighted and pouty for the vain colorings women possessed.

Rosaline looked human enough, better looking than most I'd seen, but that didn't matter. She had to be useful.

I crouched and leaned next to her, closer to her ears. I heard her breath itch, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as she struggled to sit still. "You better not have any more tricks up those sleeves, or I might have to cut them."

She nodded her head fearfully, responding in a small voice."Understood, Alpha."

I couldn't shake off the feeling that she would be different, or even more difficult. How ironic it was that I'd found my mate in the pack of my mortal enemies.

"Bring her to the hall in five minutes and no seconds later." With that, I left the room and headed to the main hall.

My beta, Nikolai, accompanied me. Nikolai's father used to be the Beta before the war that took everything from us came in.

As I sat on the throne in anticipation, the large gates swung open with a loud creak, calling everyone's attention to it.

"The Luna is here!" The announcer stated. All the prestigious members of the councils kept their eyes locked to the gates in anticipation of Rosaline's arrival.

There was a red carpet that spread from the entrance to the platform where the throne I was seated. Crossing my legs and leaning against the armrest, I heard the trumpets start to go off.

The noise was one I'd heard too many times. Soon, Rosaline emerged from the entrance. Upon her very first step, the onlookers began to gasp and whisper about her looks.

No, her beauty.

That's what they called it.

Though, I couldn't see what their awe was about. She was just a girl who looked better than some. She held the hems of her purple ball dress, intricately laced with black sequins that pulled the attention of everyone.

Including me. I couldn't help but note how well she blended in like she was royalty. Was this that easy for True Bloods?

A nervous smile was etched on her face as she lifted her head up, and we momentarily made eye contact. I liked how she walked with precision, like she knew what she was doing, although I was sure she didn't.

None of them ever did.

Rosaline reached the platform and ascended the stairs. She glanced at me like it was my job to get her up there, but I tore my gaze away, focusing on my expectant followers.

She'd barely settled down next to me when I rose from my seat and walked towards the space where everyone was seated.

The room fell into silence as they shifted their attention to me. I tucked my hands in my coat pocket and prepped to address them.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I began calmly. "For the past two years, I have been without a Luna, but that ends today. This is your Luna, Rosaline, and you will treat her with respect, just as you do to me."

A round of applause rippled through the crowd before their enthusiasm burned into silence. I looked back at Rosaline, who still looked confused.

I ushered her to come closer. She reluctantly stood up and walked to me. I stretched out my hand to her, but she brushed past me.

"I'm Rosaline," She addressed with a shaky voice. I didn't know why she seemed to appear smaller. It was probably the fear. ". . .and I really. . ."

Why did I feel so uneasy?

"... don't want to be here!" She cried out. "Help me! Please, help me! Anybody, I just…don't wanna be here!"

I couldn't say I was surprised by her audacity. I exchanged a knowing glance with Nikolai, who nodded and took the stage while I pulled Rosaline into my arms.

"Let go of me!" She yelled when my hand grabbed the back of her neck, and I pushed her towards the direction of my room.

"After this, you won't have the guts to defy me, I promise you!" I spat, tightening my grip on her until we successfully got her into the room.

"No, no, please. . ." She moved to the corner of the room and knelt there, her eyes wet with tears. "Please, don't hurt me. Please!"

Invading the space she hid herself, I pulled her up, my fingers sprawled across her delicate neck. Rosaline closed her out, crying out in pain as I asphyxiated her.

"You will defy me no more!" I growled angrily.

I'd begun to see the room in a shade of red, and the anger was getting hold of me fast. "P-please. . ." She cried as she slapped my hand.

The distance between us thinned as I released my grip slowly. The room became a carrier of her coughing noise. Rosaline bent over and rubbed her bruised neck.

I pulled her to the other end of the room and placed on a chair where I crouched before her, and she raised her head to look at me.

That was when it clicked in my head. The beauty everyone seemed to talk about. I stared hard at her red face and trailed my fingers on her chin.

Rosaline winced at my touch, swirling her head to avoid my touch, but there was only so much she could do while being strapped to a chair. There was no escaping me, and tonight I was going to have her no matter what it took. It was time.

My wolf growled, suddenly overcome by want for her. The room seemed to grow hotter and darker by the second.

I grabbed her just below the chin, "It's cute when you fight back. It's hot, pointless, but regardless, and it turns me so freaking on," I pressed my nose to her cheek, then my lips, kissing her softly.

Even without perfume, she smelt good. My d**k throbbed painfully in my pants. I wanted her so badly it hurt.

I lowered my lips down her cheeks, trailing her cheek with my finger.

When my lips touched hers, my heart began to race insanely in my chest. I could feel her warm breath tangled with mine as my lips slammed against her in a wild, curt manner.

It burned everything within me. I'd never lost control this bad. The kiss was fast, brimming with every hint of passion, and her lips were just as warm and soft as I always imagined they would be.

This little wolf!

It was everything I imagined and more. I cupped her cheek, kissing her harder. Rosaline resisted at first, keeping her lips tightly closed and also trying to tear her lips from mine, but I didn't let her.

I grabbed her nape, holding her in place as my lips devoured hers.

"Damon, st-stop," she swirled her head to the side, breaking the kiss for a fraction of a minute. "Please. . . don't do this."

Her words fell on deaf ears. "Don't-"

Before she finished, I crashed my lips back on hers, turning her protests to nothing but deafening slurps. My fingers brushed through her hair as I pressed my lips to hers harder.

I could feel her resistance begin to crumble as my tongue parted her mouth, and I slid my tongue into her mouth, earning a moan from her.

"Oh. . .”

The sound seemed to stroke my ego as I sucked her tongue, kissing her more slowly.

Then she kissed me back.