Chapter 9

**DANIKA**

"Are you that clumsy, or you're simply stupid?" he hammered, ripping me off him with so much force I had to stagger back and forth before regaining my poise.

"I'm sorry. I... I... I..." I scrambled for words to say to save myself from his piercing glare.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, using style to look about the restaurant, possibly to make sure no one just beheld me make a fool of myself in front of someone like him-it would be pure scandal.

"Just sit down," he snarled at me and ambled back gallantly to his seat, producing a kerchief to wipe fervently at the stain on his suit.

I swayed for a second, weighing my alternative of either seating on such an expensive seat with him, or maybe lie that I was suddenly sick and run back to hide in my room. But another biting gape from him sent me leaping into the seat close to me, staring at my pinching ankles.

Is this how tough it is to wear these heels and girls flaunt about with taller ones without batting a lid. I inwardly shook my head and exhaled, my heart almost hurdling out of my mouth when I noticed he was strictly watching me.

My face fell to the table as my hand went to hide the stray hair intruding on my vision.

He cleared his throat, the tempo again causing me to jump. "I called you here so we can make some things clearer between us," he started, sitting up and drawing the heavy seat closer effortlessly. He leaned towards me and said, "Firstly, you have to look at me when I talk to you."

I didn't need another directive before forcing my eyes up to meet his enthralling ones... Gad! This man is a combination of ice and warmth all at once. How can he be this captivating, and still... so hard?

"Did you hear what I just said?" He flipped two fingers on my face, shiny blues assaulting my senses.

I nodded vehemently even though the only thing I had heard was his last statement. Focus Danika. You have to focus. I instructed myself, giving him my full concentration.

"I'm going to say it once more, this thing between us." He waved his hand from him to me intermittently. "Don't let it get into your head. I only helped you back there because..." his eyes tottered as he continued, "because it was the right thing to do. Apart from that, I'm not the least inclined to make someone like you my mate, not to mention my Luna, do you understand?"

I bounced my head vigorously at the venom contained in his voice. My heart shattered for the second time from him saying that. Someone like me? What is wrong with me? I get that I'm weak and might not fit into the position of a Luna but does that mean all my mates should talk down on me?

I bit down my lip, holding back the tears stinging the back of my eyes from pouring out. I can't let him see me cry. I would rather eat my eyes out than allow myself to undulate in front of him-never!

I wanted to smack something-anything. My fingers twitched just like it did back in the arena, so I brought it down to my dress and held on tight to it.

"Do you not understand what I meant by 'don't look away from me?!'" he hushed wildly, and I obeyed, fear gripping me that he might decide to leave me back here if I disobey him.

I can already feel that this might be another hell ride for me, yet, I will rather follow him to whatever hell he has in store for me than remain back here, after what happened today-unless I have planned my funeral.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled out, my orbs not faltering from his. His eyes twitched as if he was feeling remorseful for what he said to me. However, that seemed to be in my imagination because the next minute his blue eyes narrowed at me.

"I allowed myself to come down here to have this conversation with you because I needed you to get it straight from me so as to take it very seriously. We can never work." He was bobbing his head as he detailed the poison. "I already have a chosen mate. She is a true example of a Luna, and nothing compared to you. I will take you back to my pack to keep you safe. But, that is all you will get from me," he added crudely, booting my feelings.

That is it. I couldn't take it anymore. Maybe it was the bond between us that was causing me to feel this down and it was really insane. Tears of agony glided down my face as I kept peering at him, whilst my mind began wandering in circles at what could be wrong with my destiny.

Why do I have to suffer this way? Why does no one love me? A second mate and still, no love. What kind of life do I have? Is it my fault that I had to be born with powers that have been my undoing since my birth? Why can't I get even though a little love? I didn't ask for much-just acceptance!

My body shook all over, wishing I could be anywhere but here with him. Is this all because I had been clumsy when I entered the restaurant? Or did he have all this planned before time?

"So by tomorrow morning, we will leave back to my pack. And when we get there, the Beta would take you to your quarters where you will stay within my mansion. Since we are... are mate, we have to stay close so that you know..." he shrugged noncommittally, picking up the reflector with a brown stuff to down the content at once.

"Don't you talk?" he questioned when he lowered the glass. Still, I couldn't gather up the courage to say anything to him. What does he expect me to say to him after all the mean words he just uttered?

"Say something!" He crashed his palm on the wooden table, making me jump in trepidation, hot sweat breaking out through my pores. More tears cascaded down, at the sound of his stony voice at me "Are you dumb too?" he simmered callously.

"No, Sir," I mewled.

"No, Sir," he reiterates my statement sarcastically. "You will call me Alpha, and you will do well to tell whoever is bold enough to ask you who you are when we get to the pack, that you are my..." He seem to think hard before he continued, "anything, anything but my mate. For your own good. Lancelot would cook up a story for your presence immediately we get back." He waves me off picking me the bottle to refill his glass, adding dryly, "Of all the tricks the mother goddess could play on me, it was giving me something like you." He let out a nasty chuckle which if I wasn't too traumatized by his remarks, I would have called charming.

"Can I go now, Sir?" I made out slightly, still shaken.

He looked up, his eyes now dark. He appraised me curtly, but deep within I could swear that I saw something else brewing. I swallowed once more, my fingers untangling from my dress to flip off another stray hair.

"Get away from me, I never want to see your face till we leave," he spat and picked up his glass, his eyes looking ahead of me as though he didn't just say something insensitive to me.

"Yes, Alpha," I said as I stood on wobbly legs and shoved the chair back, another round of anxiety taking over.

I have to walk back on these heels, and I wouldn't want to disappoint him once more by falling to my face just like before-it would simply confirm his claim of me being stupid.

"What are you still waiting for?" he careened, his bloodshot eyes probing about me maliciously.

I shook my head, making my way out without consideration. It wasn't an easy affair for me to waddle to the door since I was very conscious of his eyes behind me. After much wibbling, I made it, and literally dashed out.

When I reached my room, I fell onto the bed and let all the tears I have been holding in fall in tides down my face. This was too much for one person to bear.

I had left this room some minutes ago thinking I have finally found my prince charming, and he would sweep me off this place of torment and penury. However, as it seems, I might be moving from one point of misery to another level.

I was still in that state when my doorbell chimed and I thought of ignoring the caller. But on second thought, I went to open it. It was an Omega serving in the hotel. He brought food for me, which I took with gratitude and went back to chug it down greedily.

The food was nice compared to the garbage I have been having for some days.

After eating, I took my bath once more and settled in to sleep. If I'm going to a new hell, I have to be well-rested and prepared.

I just hope this hell doesn't roast me.

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