"How is she fairing?" Elias asked, flipping through a book in his study.
His brother and Veronica entered to report the situation, but he seemed indifferent. Veronica knew he wished Tessa would disappear and never return, but she wouldn't let him discard his mate. It was not her fault he fell in love with who he wasn't supposed to, and she remembered warning him of the consequences. If only he had waited for his mate, then none of this would have happened.
"You have to persuade her yourself, or she won't stop trying to escape," Veronica advised.
"I decide how I will treat my mate," he retorted, not looking up from his book.
"You think locking her up will help?" She asked.
"People get tired of struggling, she will stop eventually," he said confidently.
"She is not 'people,' and you have seen how strong-willed she is. I hope you don't make another mistake like the last one," Veronica said and stomped out of his study angrily.
Angered, Elias threw the book across the room and slammed his hands on the desk. His mother was becoming a problem. What was wrong with everyone?
"Dude, it's been ten years already. Stop grieving over spilled milk and get another one," his brother, Andrew, advised, bending to pick up the book Elias had thrown.
"Get out," Elias ordered, his gaze deadly.
"Fine, but try to check up on your thief mate before she steals your crown again," Andrew teased, pleased with Elias's scorn before leaving.
Elias tapped a button on his desk and asked, "What room?" Referring to where Tessa was locked up after her latest escape attempt.
"The third room after yours," the voice on the other end answered, and Elias withdrew his hand from the button.
He left his study and went to the room where Tessa was confined.
"I will kill Busty," Tessa muttered, struggling against the bedpost one of her hands was chained to, eager to escape and punish everyone who put her in this position. One time she decided to trust people, and everything went wrong within hours.
She had her doubts concerning the intel, she just wanted to believe Busty would never betray her. It sounded odd when he said no one lives in the castle, but due to the rumors flying around, it was somewhat believable.
"It's useless to try to escape," Elias said, startling her as she hadn't noticed him enter.
"Geez, are you a ghost?" She rolled her eyes and rested her free hand on her waist.
"You have to marry me whether you like it or not. You can either embrace the opportunity or face it the hard way," he said.
"Wow, very convincing. At least your mother knew to be respectful," she scoffed. Who was he to talk to her like that when he was the one who wanted something from her?
"You are in no position to demand respect. You are a thief who would have died if my wolf hadn't recognized you," he said sharply, his gaze deadly.
"Why do you want to marry me?" Deciding not to infuriate him further, she asked. At least if she was ever going to agree to an arranged marriage, she should know why.
Elias stood staring at her, hesitating in the decision to follow Veronica's words or just leave her clueless. He was the king, she would have no choice eventually, he could decide not to tell her the reason. And how come a human was his mate?
"You are my mate," he finally revealed, causing Tessa's mouth to part in shock.
"I…I am your what?" Stuttering, she uttered, feeling her legs weaken as she asked.
"You heard me clearly, we are mates." Repeating himself, he said.
"But how? I am a human? I can't have a mate? And you are a purebred werewolf, your mate can't be a human girl?" She reasoned, thinking of every possibility that could explain them being mates. Never in the history of werewolves had a human being mated to a werewolf unless it was a breeder.
"I don't know," he answered.
Both confused and bothered, Tessa demanded, "I want to know why we are mates, or I won't believe you. And as far as I know, I should feel a spark like other mates do? You terrify me instead," and added.
"The crown you wanted to steal, no one has been able to touch it for years. You have been the only one who successfully touched it, that's all I know." He disclosed, turning his back to leave but halted when she called him.
"What's your name at least?" Surprisingly, she asked for his name.
"Elias," glancing at her over his shoulders, he answered and left the room.
Once he was gone, Tessa fell to the ground and started sobbing inwardly. Things were about to take a new turn and she was not sure she was ready for it.
She was once a great thief who lived freely with no restrictions, why would she suddenly be a consort and live forever in an empty castle? Shaking her head, she brushed away the repulsive thoughts and started devising a plan to escape.
From the look of things, it was at night that the security in the castle was weak. She could make her escape at night after gaining their trust a little. All she had to do was pretend to accept the marriage and escape when they didn't expect it.
If what he is saying is right, she could attempt stealing the crown again and finally run out of the kingdom, never to be seen again. At the brilliant plan, her hope was renewed and she saw a reason to be happy.
"Just a little more time," she muttered, encouraging herself. Now, she needed to relay this good fake news to Veronica.
Slowly, the door creaked open and Veronica entered with a smile plastered to her face.
"Speaking of the devil," inaudibly, Tessa muttered and rejoiced internally. She was starting to like this old woman as she knew when she was needed.
Standing up, she returned the old woman's smile and informed, "I will marry your son."