Chapter 6 Rejecting the Bond

~Aria~

I jerked fully awake at the sound of footsteps outside. I sat up quickly, only for pain to force me back to the bed.

I winced in pain.

That was when I began looking around. 

The environment was strange. There was nothing familiar about the well furnished bedroom that looked straight out of a movie.

I slowly sat up again.

The last thing I remember was blacking out.

Where am I?

I got out of the bed, and tiptoed to the curtained window.

However, the moment I looked outside, my heart stopped.

I stumbled back. 

Rogues.

I looked around quickly looking for anything to defend myself with.

Alpha Aramic’s punishment decree came to mind. 

He ordered that I be thrown to the rogues.

I gritted my teeth.

“That snake, I will make sure he pays dearly for this.” 

I caught sight of a small kitchen knife. 

Why it was there, I couldn’t say for certain.

Yet, I grabbed onto it for dear life, slowly making my way to the door. 

I looked outside again, but this time, I realized just how dire the situation was.

The whole place was covered with all kinds of rogues.

Everything I’ve heard about rogues all my life came rushing back.

How they hunted anyone within reach, including one of its kind. 

They didn’t even spare women or children.

Just then, I heard footsteps heading toward this door.

I broke out in a cold sweat, as I slowly began backing away, knife pointed to the door.

In spite of my plan to stay calm and attack, my hands kept trembling.

The person at the other end didn’t knock. The door was pushed open.

I saw his legs step in.

And that was enough for me to act. 

I attacked blindly. 

“Stay away from me!” I screamed, swinging the knife wildly.

Then, the knife stopped moving.

Did I stab him?

I opened my eyes slowly, but the sight before me made my heart stop.

“Is this how you thank your saviour?” His deep voice came, vibrating in my ears.

"Saviour?"

He nodded calmly. "You were almost lifeless when i found you outside your pack, left for dead."

My heart slammed against my chest.

"What... what do you want?"

He leaned in casually. "Your name..." he said calmly. "What's your name?"

Everything in me called out for me to run, as far as possible.

But i didnt, instead, my lips parted and the words formed on their own.

"Aria."

"Good, Aria, now drop the knife."

My eyes drifted from his face to the knife i was still holding.

But the problem was that he was holding the knife, blood dripping from a cut in his palm.

There was something about him, something I couldn’t place my hand on that made me awfully aware of my own self.

His deep blue eyes bored into mine, so intense that I felt utterly exposed before him. 

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

He took a step closer, stepping fully into the light.

For the first time, I saw his face clearly.

My eyes widened.

“Yo…YOU!!”

He took a step closer, his hand still over the blade.

I took a step back. 

“How…? you are dead!” I declared, heart racing.

That face was unmistakable. 

The face that was plastered over every pack, over every official document.

The…late Alpha King.

His face darkened instantly.

“Do I look dead to you?” His voice was cool.

My eyes drifted to his blood that was still dropping from his hand.

“How.. is this possible?” 

The news had been clear. There had been a coup in the palace, and the newly appointed Alpha king was killed. 

We all even mourned him. 

He didn’t reply to my question, instead, he looked at the knife. “Are you going to drop the knife or…?”

For a moment, I paused, then I shook my head.

“No, not until I’m sure you mean no harm.”

He stared at me with a look of utter disbelief.

“Really?” he stared me down. “If I wanted to harm you, I shouldn’t have waited until you have the ability to point a knife.” 

When I still didn’t put the knife down, his brows drew together.

“Okay, that’s enough. I do not tolerate a knife being pointed at me.”

His words cut through my defenses, and for some strange reason, I found myself lowering the weapon.

His eyes held mine all the way, and this time, he didn’t take another step. 

Instead, he stretched out his hand gently. 

Even though he didn’t say a word, I knew exactly what he was asking for.

However, I found my hands moving as though on their own accord.

I tried to pull back, but the aura from him was too intense that I couldn’t do anything else.

Just as I placed the weapon into his palm, our hands touched slightly.

An electrifying feeling ran through my veins, so much that I gasped loudly. 

My body tensed up immediately.

And so did his.

His eyes met mine again, and held.

“You felt that too…” He said slowly.

My stomach tightened. “Felt what?” 

“The bond,” he said, a little too casually, as he gently placed the knife on a table beside him.

I stared at him. “What are you talking about? What bond?”

He looked at me again, and this time, he closed some of the distance. 

I pressed myself against the bedpost. “Stay back!” I warned.

“Have you ever had a mate before?” He suddenly asked.

This time, I frowned.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out at first. 

Then I ran my hand through my hair in disbelief. 

“Why should I answer to you? Where even in God’s name am I?” 

“You’re in my pack.” He replied calmly.

I frowned. “Your pack?” I looked toward the window. “You lead… rogues?” 

He held his hands behind him. “Have you ever had a mate before?”

I swallowed. “Why are we back at that? And what does it even have to do with you?”

He took a step closer. “Answer me.”

My head moved on it’s own accord. “No,” I whispered.

He sighed, and then turned away. 

“Then, this is going to be a lot harder.”

I frowned. “What is?”

“The bond…” he started. “It’s a mate bond.” 

My heart skipped a beat.

“You mean…”

He turned to look at me. “Yes, we are mates. But… “ he paused, his eyes narrowing. “But I can’t accept this bond.”