For weeks, nothing spectacular happened in Lucian's mansion. Although Sarah keeps on threatening and maltreating Emerald the latter just keeps mute and keeps up with it. She had learned to just keep her mouth shut and she might just survive this contract marriage. But deep inside her, she cursed her parents for signing her up for this.

The past few days, she was relieved that Sarah only barely showed up at the mansion anymore although she wondered why.

Lucian barely gives Emerald attention at all. He is a very busy man on his own and coupled with the fact that he hated Emerald added to their zero proximity. Emerald could only care less though, as it was beneficial to her that he ignored her so she could easily avoid any trouble with him.

On a particular day, during dinner, Lucina announced to Emerald that she would be going with him to a party organized by him and other prominent mafia groups in town, including her father's. Emerald felt uncomfortable with this but she couldn't do anything to object and just nodded obediently.

Lucian didn't want to bring her with him to the party but he somehow couldn't help it. Luciano, his wolf has been pestering him about it all day, making him restless. He also couldn't bring Sarah along because he wasn't feeling somehow about her. He hasn't been speaking with her too much for days now. Even when she suggested to

come over, he would give excuses and she would end up not coming.

Sometimes he wondered if Emerald also felt the mate bond and just ignored it or if she didn't feel it at all. Either way, he was still in shock at how he would be fated to a witch in the first place.

He had wanted to sever the mate bond and at the same time didn't want to let her know they were mates in the first place so he didn't reject her. He had simply distanced himself from her hoping the lack of proximity would do the severing. It was that night of the party that he knew it didn't. It wasn't only because his wolf had been making him restless about the party that he wanted to take Emerald. The other leaders of the other mafia groups and his friends had also been pestering him about seeing his wife. They had requested for him to bring her to one of their meetings or dealings but Lucian would always refuse. Sometimes he gets confused about whether it was because he would be ashamed of her if he was trying to protect her from the brute of his job.

After he had dressed up in a nice "Mafia Lord" style that evening. A black T-shirt with a shining fabric from an expensive brand coup coupled with a matching pair of black jeans that others will steal. He waited for Emerald to be done dressing. When she was done and came downstairs, his breath was taken away by the sight of her. The wolf was leaping in excitement inside of him and the honey scent he usually smells around her waffled through his nostrils. He couldn't deny her daunting beauty.

They silently went to the venue of the party. They both sat in the back seat while the driver drove them. There was nothing but an awkward silence in the vehicle as both of them refused to say a word to each other.

In her mind, Emerald thought this was her chance to get to know her husband a little more. After all, they barely spent a minute together. She decided to start a conversation by asking Lucian how his week went. But the latter didn't respond to her and just shot her a glare. Emerald didn't say any other thing till they arrived at their destination. A magnificent hotel was the venue of the party and Emerald couldn't deny it's elegance and class. The indoors were even more fancy and breathtaking, Emerald had never been in a place this beautiful and grand. Her father may be a rich Mafia Lord but she was sure he wasn't as near wealthy as Lucian was.

They quickly met with his friends and colleagues and most of them were elated to meet Lucian's wife. Others were even eyeing her in lustful ways. Ways Emerald was sure Lucian would have killed them if he cared about her. But what Emerald didn't know was that Lucian was seething with rage as those men were gazing at her. He just doesn't want to do anything rash so as not to give Emerald the wrong impression that he likes her. The party began and Emerald got to meet the wives and spouses of the other Mafia lords. Surprisingly, she met Sarah also. She had come with one of the other Mafia lords as his partner but that was only to make Lucian jealous. She thought that if he saw her with another man, he would get back to his senses. Another reason for her presence was so she could have a chance to threaten Emerald again.

The ladies were nice to Emerald and they showed her many places in the hotel. She even learned that the hotel was a joint effort of three of the Mafia lords in which Lucian was included. Emerald could be less surprised. It was the first time in weeks that was happy. Later on, during the party, the ladies decided to play a game while the men did their thing. They gathered around in a room and decided to play a game of truth or dare. Emerald was uncomfortable with this game but she played along just so she wouldn't feel left out.

The game began and of course, a lot of dirty things were done. Many secrets were spilled also and soon it got to Emerald's turn. Being so timid, she chose truth and she was asked how long she had been dating Lucian before they got married. Emerald was speechless as she and Lucian didn't even know each other up until their wedding day. But she was able to maneuver her way out of the situation by telling a lie.

The game continued and soon, it was Emerald's turn again. This time, Emerald decided to be bold and chose to dare. A sassy one amongst them dared her to go to where the men were and kiss Lucian right in front of the others. Emerald was left in a state of shock.

At first, Emerald thought she must be joking. Why would she want her to kiss the man she was trying to get her away from? But Sarah wasn't in any way joking. It was a very awkward moment for Emerald but everyone else thought there was nothing wrong since it was her husband she was asked to kiss.

Emerald tried to give an excuse but of course, Sarah wasn't having it.

Everyone watched as Emerald stood up and made her way to the floor where the men were. They followed from a safe distance while she searched around for them. She found out that they were at the luxurious bar having random conversations and drinking all the way. Emerald felt tense, she could feel the gazes of all the ladies on her as she slowly made her way into the bar. Greeting everyone and approaching Lucian. The latter glared at her and was confused as to what she was doing there. He prayed within himself for her not to do anything stupid and even thought she was drunk.

Emerald got to him and sat on his lap, something that brought loud hails from the drunk men. Lucian was stunned. He wanted to shove her off him out of anger but the way her butt made contact with his laps, he felt something warm shoot up within him. His wolf purred within him and he was slightly in heaven.

Emerald was feeling more tense than ever as she glared at Sarah who was hiding with the other ladies. She slowly placed her hand on Lucian's chest and rubbed soothingly. The latter couldn't help but groan out loud in bliss. The drunk men were adding to the fun and immediately, right before everyone's eyes, Emerald planted her lips on Lucian's.

It happened so suddenly and there was silence for some seconds before the men stood up and hailed loudly. Sarah was angry all of a sudden and couldn't watch anymore, she left the scene in anger.

The kiss lingered for a while as both of them were feeling weird feelings shooting up in them. It was the increasing noise that the other men made that caused Lucian to get his senses back and push Emerald's face away. Emerald didn't waste any more time before she stood up and left the bar.

The game was over and it was getting very late so everyone decided to call it a night. Some decided they were going to go back home that night while others chose to stay in the hotel till the following morning, Lucian included.

Emerald was ushered to a room where she would spend the night. She couldn't get the feeling of Lucian's lips on hers off her mind. It was so intoxicating. She was about to pull off her dress for the night when the door was barged open and Lucian growled in.

He asked her why she had done what she did and she tried to explain things to him but he wouldn't listen. He was in a rage and wanted to punish her. Seeing that she was already undressing, he decided to tear off her dress fully, leaving her in only her underwear.

Locking the door behind, he removed his belt and began to lash her with it. He had no ounce of mercy in his eyes as he gave her stroke after stroke of his thick belt. He didn't even acknowledge her cries of plea. When he saw that she was trying to run around away from his reach, he decided to tie her down. He found a thick rope and used it to bind her hands to the bedpost tightly. He did the same thing to her legs and Emerald was tied in place. She felt exposed as she was half naked and opened to this monster before her.

After Lucian had bound her, he resumed his lashes on her. Emerald began to steam at the top of her voice, hoping someone would come to her aid but he sneered at her and told her the door and walls of the room were soundproof and all her noises were sealed in.

She was in hell, her skin was swollen and bruises became her birthmarks, covering her entire skin all over. When Lucian was done with her, he simply left her still tied up and left the room. He gave her a warning that if she tried to leave, she would be dealt with with extra vigour. Emerald was left in ruins on the bed, pain shooting up her body at various parts. She could heal faster than humans but it wasn't as fast as werewolves could heal. She wasn't even sure how she could heal but assumed it was because of her witch physiology.