I tensed up, taking a few steps back as Kaene waltzed toward me with dimmed eyes.
Shit... So much for running away.
What was I even thinking?
Drawing in a deep breath, I kept a defiant front. "I'm simply trying to take a walk, Kaene. Or, has that become a crime I'm not aware of?" I asked sarcastically.
To my surprise, however, he nodded. "Well, since you sneaked out on literally the first night of your stay here, yes. Yes, you can call it a crime at this point."
I clenched my fists, grounding my jaw as I snapped. "I'm not a prisoner, Kaene! If I want to leave the estate I can–"
"Try." He stated simply, throwing his suit to his female assistant who caught it, merely standing there meekly. "You can only try to escape, Phoebe. But do you know why that will be an impossible task?"
He paused in front of me, his proximity setting my body on fire.
Ugh, curse this stupid mate bond!
I was certain I disliked this man with every fiber of my being... But my body and wolf thought otherwise.
Seeing that I wasn't answering his question, Kaene answered it for me. "The moment you make the mistake of escaping the estate, I'll take it as your way of breaking our deal. And once that happens, my guards will track down your brother and take him back to the dungeons... Again."
My heart sank at his words but I kept on glaring at him, my chest rising and falling as I tried controlling my breathing.
But the bastard continued. "I can also have you apprehended under the grounds of blasphemy against the Moon goddess. After all, you are the Moon's Chosen. Once that happens, I can have all the people close to you locked up as well, for taking in a traitor of the moon. You'll be seen as an outcast by all and will eventually be locked up in..."
He paused, giving me a nudge with his shoulders. "Do you want to guess where you'll be locked up?"
I bit my lips, trying hard to hold back tears. I HATED how much his words hurt me, but I knew he could make it a reality.
He was the Alpha, after all.
Just then, he raised his right index finger, waving it in the air. "Correct! You'll be locked up here. In the same Alpha's mansion that you tried so desperately to escape."
Was he a psychopath? I didn't even say anything!
"So, now do you see why escaping is a bad idea?" He asked, squatting slightly to be at my level.
However, I snapped with gritted teeth, not caring about the nearby staff members. "You're insane, Kaene!"
At this point, the tears were threatening to pour out of my eyes like a river behind a broken dam.
I turned around, about to run toward the mansion where I could lock myself in my suite, but Kaene grabbed my wrist.
"Let me go!" I screeched, turning around, about to land a resounding slap on his face without giving it a second thought.
But before my right hand could connect with his face, he caught it mid-air, his expression devoid of emotion as he looked into my eyes.
"Wrong move, hun." He muttered coldly before dragging me toward the mansion despite my protests.
Oh no... Elsa and his mother were still in there. I couldn't let them see me in this vulnerable state.
"Your mother doesn't want me attending the Luna ball." I blurted before he could open the grand doors leading to the mansion, closing my eyes in anticipation of his response.
Luckily, he stopped in his tracks, loosening his grip on my wrist while turning his gaze to me.
He squinted his eyes, his gaze trailing my body before he spoke. "That's preposterous. The Luna ball is for the newly appointed Luna. It's an event that you can't avoid, whether you like it or not."
That's what I said!
Sniffling, I muttered. "It's not my intention to pull out from the event, Kaene. But your mother insisted she wouldn't let me attend it. Even Elsa was there, saying all sorts of insulting things directed at me."
I watched with surprise as Kaene's gaze softened. Was he actually feeling bad for me?
However, before I could get a glimmer of hope, he let go of my wrist, his gaze becoming serious. "You will attend that Luna ball, Phoebe. Because I say so."
Ugh... Spoke too soon.
He was still an arrogant jerk.
"But your mother said she wouldn't be teaching me the etiquettes needed for such events," I added when he was about to barge into the living room.
He paused once again, turning his gaze to me. "Phoebe, who's your mate and Alpha? My mother or me?"
I gulped hard, shaking my head. "You are, Kaene. But–"
"There aren't any 'buts', Phoebe." He stated simply, cutting me short. "That connection between us, as annoying as it is, is absolute and no one can defy it. So, you better begin getting acquainted with the idea."
I remained silent, instead gawking at him with exasperation.
Suddenly, he brought his hand forward, using his fingers to clean off the moisture from my eyes. His fingers against my skin sent a surge around my body, making me jolt involuntarily.
"Are these tears?" He scoffed, rubbing the wetness against his fingers before raising his head to look at me. "What are you crying for? Did I hurt you with my words?"
My face flushed with a violent blush as I tried hard to look away.
Moon goddess have mercy!
Shaking his head, Kaene sighed. "You're unbelievable."
Without another word, he opened the doors leading into the mansion, his strides graceful as usual as he made his way to the dining room.
I scurried behind him, feeling a little more confident for some reason.
Maybe it was because I had my mate by my side for once.
Just then, my wolf howled in agreement with that thought. Hmph... What a love-sick puppy.
"Mother, we need to talk privately. Now." Kaene stated in a calm tone, his eyes going from his mother to Elsa who had a cherry smile on her face.
"Kaene, you're back." The snobby rich girl waved at him. "Your mother and I were–"
"Save it, Elsa." Kaene snapped his gaze on her stern.