"Not possible," he immediately interjected. "People will suspect us, and we still need to show them that we are physically attracted to each other. You can fake your emotions and how you treated and talked to me. Physical contact is needed in this game. Remember, you're my mate," he specified the last word.
My eyes widened.
"Are you kidding me? Do you expect me to kiss you in front of your kingdom? No!!" she hissed gloomily.
Is this moron for real? I didn't even kiss someone except for my former jackass mate. Besides, after what he had done to me, I can't see men in a romantic way like another female should do.
"Yes," he said while nodding. "If possible, I have to mark you to make it more believable."
"What??" I screamed. I was so petrified that I almost lost control. "Do you think I'm stupid to let you mark me?"
"Hmm! It's just a mark." He picked up the small figurine of a wolf at my table. "Did you forget that marking is the best way to secure your mate? But don't worry, we're not truly a mate, so that it won't hinder us."
I was really at my limit this time. I want to smack this man in front of his head. Even Claw was fuming with rage as well as she was also listening to us talk. How dare this man treat us like this.
"He's trying to entrap us in his hand, Raven," she sneered.
'I've been trying to figure out his plan,' I replied.
'But he got a good proposal. I know you've been thinking about our pack's financial state. And he's also right; a mark of someone who isn't our mate will mean nothing. It's like a tattoo, so it's safe. Think about it. We don't have any choice other than to accept it,' she stated.
'I'll let you know about my answer tomorrow,' I said to him.
"That's great!" he said as he stood up, putting his hand in his pocket. "I'll expect your answer tomorrow." He turned his back to me and went out along with his bodyguard.
When they finally disappeared from my sight, I learned at my swivel chair as if I was so tired. His proposal was giving me a headache more.
"The king has already left the territory, Raven," Blanch informed as she casually walked towards me as if she were the owner of this office. As always, knocking is out of her dictionary.
"As you should too," I shooed her away and proceeded to check the bills on my table.
She chuckled. She knows when I'm not in the mood to start a conversation.
"Raven, ten she-wolves in our pack still need medical attention," she said as she sat on the chair in front of my table.
I glanced at her and almost gave my face a light slap. Last month was the mating season, and I should have expected an increase in pregnancy.
"We cannot afford to bring them to the hospital owned by humans. The best thing we can do is buy medical equipment for them to use. Due to the constant attack for four days, our pregnant she-wolves were stressed," she said in distress.
"Damn it!! He is cunning not to leave me a choice," I said, sighing.
"Huh? Who?" Blanch was full of confusion as she stared at me.
"The king," I replied faintly.
"Eh? What about him?"
I told Blanch about the thing the king and I talked about.
"What do you want to do then?" she asked.
"Of course, I need to put the pack at the top of my priority."
"So are you going to agree to him? I know that marking between no mates is nothing, but are you sure of this?"
"Yes," I nodded my head.
"You don't want to engage in a relationship where you want to wait for your mate," she muttered.
"Whatever! I need to set aside my personal life first," I uttered, obviously avoiding this topic.
"You already sacrifice everything for this pack, Raven. Maybe it was time for you to care for yourself. I mean, being paired with the king is too much. You two aren't mates," she insisted.
"It's fine! All I have to do is pretend, meet him at the palace, and then afterward, I'll go home," I muttered while signing the documents and reviewing them a hundred times making sure the reports will be passed before the due date.
Later that night, I went out to patrol the perimeter. I walked further from the battlefield, where my pack and rogues clashed. After making sure that everything was quiet and there was no danger, I shifted into my human form. I was about to turn around when I heard branches snapping just a few meters away from where I was standing.
"Who's there?" I instantly prepared in my battle mode.
I saw a wolf emerge from the dark part of the forest. The wolf is more prominent than an ordinary wolf. Based on his appearance, he is an Isaurian. I could even smell the scent of royalties on him which I find familiar. This is the moron I just talked to a few hours ago.
He's no other than the king himself.
"Did you forget something?" I asked him.
The wolf shifted to his human form, revealing the king's topless body. He's grinning at me like a manic.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"What do you need from me, your highness?"
He walks toward me, displaying his perfect abs. It was like he thought that I was attracted to his ideal body.
"I forgot that I should have marked you before stepping into my palace," he beamed.
My eyes narrowed. "What? Did you come here to mark me? Why didn't you do it before you left?"
"Because I want to be alone," he replied.
Ugh!
"Just make it quick," I urge him by showing my neck to him and revealing my neck for him to bite.
I heard him snicker.
I furrowed my brows and said impatiently, "Come on! Do it quickly!"