CHAPTER 6 Accept

　　Rhea's POV

　　"Why did you allow Kian to mark you?"

　　I was dumbfounded for a moment before I regained my composure. What was he talking about?

　　As I looked up at him, I noticed his narrowed gaze, filled with ridicule. His mouth twitched in disgust as his question replayed in my head.

　　Under his authoritative voice, my legs trembled, and my chest quickly rose and fell. What did he mean by that? I stared back at him, not knowing how to respond.

　　The air was tense the moment his question left his lips. Before I could process everything, he asked again.

　　"Why did you let him mark you?"

　　My eyelids flew open as my heart pounded rapidly. I could have laughed at his ridiculous question. Everyone knows that I am legally married to Kian. Why the unnecessary inquiry?

　　Despite wanting to laugh, the seriousness in his tone left me speechless. All I could do was stare back at him.

　　There was an undeniable tension between us. I felt a pull towards him, for some strange reason. Something in him called to me, while something within me yearned for his affection.

　　I was drawn to him, and my mind became clouded. His burning gaze was fixed on me, determined to get an answer.

　　As his eyes trailed down my body, I became self-conscious about the small opening around my chest. He had his gaze fixed on my breasts.

　　Noticing his stare, I quickly pulled my long hair forward, shielding my exposed skin from his gaze.

　　Daemon scowled at me, his expression murderous as he glared. I swallowed with difficulty and stood rooted to my spot, unable to move.

　　And then something flashed through his eyes. He seemed hungry. The look on his face, mixed with the seductiveness in his eyes, weakened my knees. A tingling sensation spread through my stomach and straight between my legs.

　　I trembled with desire as his heated gaze ignited a fire deep within me.

　　For unknown reasons, I brought my hands up and gently trailed my fingers around the marked spot with my gaze fixed on him.

　　I noticed the murderous look on his face as his gaze fell on the mate mark around my neck. His rage scared me, but at the same time, it confused me.

　　Why was he acting this way? Was he concerned about me, or was it about what happened earlier today?

　　Daemon would be the last person to care for me. Maybe he was just pitying me after seeing what transpired earlier.

　　It would be better if I didn't read any meaning into his strange behavior. I didn't want to make my life more complicated than it already was.

　　The silent murmurs of the Alphas present drew back my attention, and I gasped, looking stunned.

　　I didn't even remember that we were still in a meeting with the Alphas of the stronger packs, and for some minutes, I felt ashamed and embarrassed.

　　"Uhmm," I grunted out. My palms grew a little clammy as I clutched onto my long flowing gown. Biting down on my bottom lip, I seemed embarrassed, but I wouldn't allow them to see that.

　　"Uh, I really appreciate your concern, King Daemon, but I would appreciate it if you stopped asking me those questions because that's my personal life," I said, earning a gasp from everyone present in the room.

　　Daemon's eyes looked conflicted as they stared back at me. There was a bulging pain inside me. It was as if my heart was against me, not wanting any care from him, but I couldn't do anything.

　　I am legally married to Kian, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, and was also claimed in front of every werewolf realm as his mate, so I wasn't supposed to feel attracted to another male wolf when I am already married and have a mate.

　　Being a public figure, a lot of people look up to me as their mentor, and misbehaving publicly is not a good example to portray at all.

　　Besides, I am here for the pack's affairs. Clearing my throat, I tore my gaze away from him and refocused on the Alphas.

　　I understand their reasons for murmuring. Who talks to Daemon like that? He is a merciless, ruthless being.

　　Letting out a light chuckle, he adjusts himself before uttering, "You want to ally with us, don't you?"

　　His sudden question took me by surprise, and I gulped with nervousness. What is he up to? I instantly felt a sharp thud in my heart, making me nervous.

　　"Yeah. I mean, yes, we would like to form an alliance with you all and would highly appreciate it if our little request is considered," I break the syllables one by one with a nervous smile plastered on my face.

　　Daemon's eyes flickered at me while silently tapping his jaw thoughtfully. The room was deadly quiet as everyone was anticipating to hear his answer.

　　I know that whatever his answer might be will affect our alliance with other packs here positively or negatively, depending on his response.

　　I can feel my fraying nerves and the racing of my pulse. The way my heart was pounding damn fast, causing me to bite down on my lips while staring hopefully at him to accept the offer.

　　I know it is a hard choice for them to stand with us. The Thorn pack is single-handedly managed by King Daemon without any alliance with any pack.

　　And still, they are the strongest and largest pack in the whole history of the werewolves realm. Strange, right? Every single Alpha wants something to do with the pack, and that's why I said that his answer would either affect us positively or negatively.

　　Picking at my nails, I patiently waited for him to speak up. His deep black eyes were fixed on me, as if he was studying me.

　　There was something about the way he looked at me. Hours had passed, and we were still waiting for his response.

　　As I thought it was over, my heart sank deep into my stomach. I shouldn't have made him wait for us; that was the first sign that he might reject our offer.

　　It's all your fault, Lila. I gritted the words out angrily within. But just as I had given up hope, he suddenly broke the once-quiet atmosphere. His deep voice cut through the air, his words echoing in my ears.

　　"We accept the alliance with your pack," a smile broke out on my face as I looked at the other Alphas. They all seemed to share my expression, happiness written on their faces.

　　But his next words caught my attention. "I just hope our journey with your pack will be smooth and steady to ride on," I noticed a nasty smirk on his face as my eyebrow twitched.

　　For a few minutes, I felt proud of myself. I couldn't wait to share this news with Kian.