My heart raced as I twisted the doorknob and stepped into the stone room. The high ceiling loomed above, flickering torchlight casting shadows across the walls, richly decorated with colors that felt almost mocking.
But it was Vincent who seized my attention. His gaze locked onto mine, and a sudden jolt of electricity surged through my body, causing me to stagger slightly.
The world around me faded into a dull hum, every sound dimming, every scent dissipating, until only he remained. A fierce, magnetic pull reached deep inside me, awakening something I never knew existed.
My heart raced even faster, every inch of my skin tingling as if my very being strained towards him. I felt Iris's wolf stirring within, instantly recognizing the man before me, while my mind scrambled to catch up.
"What the hell?" I thought, panic setting in. "Is this the werewolf mate bond I always read about? I completely forgot about it." I clutched my chest, feeling the tightening of my heart, my fingers curling instinctively.
Iris's wolf urged me forward, craving his touch. The wolf wasn't dormant; it was alive, eager, sending a shiver down my spine.
In that moment, every fiber of my being resonated with his presence, my heart echoing his name.
An overwhelming need to be with Vincent washed over me, his intoxicating scent wrapping around me, almost making me dizzy.
My senses heightened catching the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, the rise and fall of his breath, each detail calling to me with a primal urgency.
"I don't like this." The intensity was too much, too overwhelming. I stood there, dazed by his beauty, both as a man and as Iris's alpha. His eyes sparkled like emeralds, brighter than Iris's, while his golden blonde hair framed his perfect face, a true hero.
"What are you doing here?" His voice, smooth yet laced with irritation, snapped me from my trance, and heat rushed to my cheeks.
How long did I stand there like a fool, gaping at Vincent as if he were some divine being? I screamed inwardly.
The mate bond made my embarrassment worse. I probably looked like a pervert, ogling an unsuspecting victim. I wished the ground would swallow me whole.
Vincent's green eyes bore into me, a glint of disdain etched on his features. I could feel his cold glare, reminding me I was in Iris's body, the woman he despised despite being his fated Luna.
My throat tightened, my thoughts swirling between my own emotions and the raw intensity of the bond. Swallowing hard, I struggled to speak.
"I came to see you." My voice emerged softer than intended, a whisper lost in the charged atmosphere. I needed to steady myself; I had a purpose for being here.
Vincent's icy gaze lingered on me as he rose from his chair, striding toward me until he stopped mere inches away.
My breath hitched again, the heat of his presence overwhelming as Iris's wolf stirred once more. I wanted to flee, but determination anchored me.
"And why do you want to see me?" His tone dripped with condescension, harsher than before.
I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes briefly as I wrestled with my racing heart. "I passed out for days at the moon castle and woke up to find you didn't bother to check on your beloved fiancée." The words slipped out before I could stop them, surprising even me.
"I didn't think you'd actually pass out," he retorted, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "After all you're such a pathetic attention seeker."
"Do I have to remind you that you're nothing to me, Iris?" he continued, his words cutting like ice. "You're here only because of our bond. I expect you to stay quiet until the wedding… nothing more."
Something shifted in my perception; his cruel words, once biting, felt strangely muted. "But I am your fiancée," I countered, frustration seeping into my voice. "The least you could do is check if I'm alive." I wasn't sure if these words were mine or Iris's hiding somewhere inside me.
"As if you're anything more than a burden tied to me by fate. I tolerate your presence for the bond alone. Nothing more."
Every word he spat felt like daggers going through me over and over. Iris's wolf roused again but with a dull ache that followed as his words crashed on me.
The image I had of him shattered like glass. "Is that why you're here? To throw a tantrum because I didn't give you the attention you crave?" he continued, lounging on the edge of his desk with a dismissive air.
"What an asshole… no wonder he didn't respond to my letter" I muttered under my breath, my anger flaring.
"I'm done with this conversation," he said, waving me off, his disinterest palpable.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain steady. "No, that's not why I came here," I replied, my tone steady despite the turmoil inside. "I want something from you."
His silence was heavy, his gaze narrowing. "What do you want?"
"I want you to call off the engagement and reject me as your mate."
Vincent's eyes widened in surprise, a chuckle escaping his lips. "What a funny joke." He scoffed.
"I guess you're really upset I didn't check in on you, huh? What's this? Your little way of fighting back?" His brows arched in mockery as another chuckle slipped out.
My blood boiled at his reaction, showing that he didn't take me seriously. "Aren't I doing you a favor since you despise me so much?" I answered calmly, forcing a smile that masked my rising irritation.
"You should be jumping at the opportunity, Vincent," I continued, his name laced with bitterness. My expression turned serious.
"Do you really think I'd take your little tantrum seriously? You're just here to amuse me," he sneered.
"It's not a tantrum; it's a simple request. I no longer wish to be your Luna, Vincent."
"You want to call off the engagement? How cute. Do you honestly think I'm going to lose sleep over it?"
"I don't expect you to," I replied, my blank expression unshaken as I held his piercing gaze.
Vincent's confident demeanor shifted into visible anger, his green eyes flashing like molten emeralds. I could feel Iris's wolf stirring inside me, sensing his rage.
He stepped closer, his large frame towering over me in an intimidating way.
My mouth went dry as I felt that intense pull lurking around me again, ready to strike. I took a step back, and Vincent followed, almost cornering me.
"What kind of game do you think you're playing with me?" he growled quietly, his voice low and dangerous. I lost my breath at the sound, heat rising within me as I struggled to push it back down.
I didn't want to go back to the way I was before, helpless at the sight of him. I actually hated it.
"I'm not playing any game, Vincent," I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me, but Vincent didn't back down. He took another step closer, and I instinctively stepped back to maintain some distance.
Vincent's posture relaxed slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remained, making it clear he wasn't finished. "What is it you actually want, Iris? This little stunt of yours… clearly, it's just for my attention, isn't it?" He let out a deep sigh, laced with condescension.
I raised an eyebrow, refusing to let his insults penetrate my resolve. "It's not a stunt. I'm serious about wanting to call off the engagement."
"Really? Because it sounds an awful lot like you're just trying to provoke me," he said, a mocking smile creeping onto his lips. "Hoping for a dramatic rescue, perhaps?"
I squared my shoulders, determined not to back down. "I'm not trying to provoke you. I'm trying to set things straight. You don't want me, and I don't want to pretend otherwise."
Vincent's smile widened, but it was devoid of warmth, more like a wolf baring its teeth. "So, what you're telling me is you want to walk away from this… without a fight? How noble of you. I didn't know you had it in you to give up so easily."
"It's not a fight I'm interested in," I replied, my voice unwavering. "I just want to be free of this engagement."
He leaned in closer, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he whispered, "You do realize that rejecting me as your mate is the last thing I'd expect from someone like you. It's almost… laughable. But I'm not going to make this easy for you."
An exhausted breath slipped from my lips, and I dropped my shoulders in defeat. "Why is he making this so difficult?" I mumbled to myself, my gaze falling to the floor.
"Look, Vincent, I'll give you a few days to think about this," I said, looking back at him, his eyes still glowing with barely contained irritation. I turned my back to leave the office, dragging my tired legs toward the door.
As I stretched my hand to open it, Vincent's hands were faster; he slammed them against the wooden entrance, blocking my escape. The warmth of his body crept onto my skin as he moved closer, pressing his frame against mine.
"I find your desperation amusing, Iris," he murmured, his hot breath piercing the back of my neck and sending shivers down my spine. "I'm genuinely curious… what's next in your little act? Maybe you'll throw yourself a pity party, hmm?" His smooth voice slithered into my ears, making my stomach twist.
I felt my knees grow weaker, and I sharply inhaled as I turned to face him. Our faces were now inches apart, the tension crackling in the air. I could see the light dancing in his green pupils, a mix of amusement and something darker.
I swallowed hard, opening my mouth to speak, but before I could form the words, Vincent's lips crashed onto mine.