An Enemy Called Mate

ZIVA

I took the bed cover and rearranged it. I poured the roses on the floor and pushed them underneath the bed.

“What are you doing?” I heard a masculine voice say.

I paused in my tracks, and glanced up. To my surprise, I spotted Alpha Xander. He moved away from the bathroom. Just then, I realized that he had been in the bathroom.

He was in a shirt with a few buttons undone. I gulped and looked away.

“I was arranging…” I muttered, and faced him, “How long have you been there?”

“A minute or two. And what did you do to the roses? They were beautiful.”

“It was arranged here accidentally, so I threw them away,” I replied with a fake smile.

He dropped his cell phone on the table, then he returned to the bathroom with a towel.

As soon as he shut the door, I heard the gushing sound of water.

I exhaled loudly like I had been holding my breath. Okay… I just have to endure, endure his presence on the bed, next to me. Sharing the bed with him for the first time was awful. I think I would rather lay on the couch.

I picked another blanket from the closet and laid on the couch. The couch in the room was small, so I had to squeeze myself in it. It wasn’t comfortable at all as I faced the couch.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

But it’s better than staying on the bed, floor, or in another room.

The gushing sound I heard earlier stopped, and I heard a creak before Alpha Xander spoke.

“At times, it feels like you are avoiding me.”

“Who wouldn’t?” I replied bluntly.

“That is unexpected from someone like my wife.”

I felt warmth embracing me, and it felt a bit suffocating. Though, that didn’t stop me from responding to his answer. “Wife? I didn’t get married to you willingly, so let’s not prioritize this marriage like it’s real. It’s more like forced or arranged.”

“Why would you be forced into a marriage? You are Darwin’s precious daughter.”

I turned around, feeling more heat/warmth. Now, I could see the room and my surroundings. “I am Darwin’s precious daughter. Why would I get married to a man I barely know? Why would Alpha Darwin let me marry his rival? Does that even make any sense?”

As I turned, my gaze fell on Alpha Xander who towered over me.

“Arranged marriage or forced, it doesn’t matter, as long as trust exists,” He replied, staring down at me with his charming blue eyes.

My heart raced at the little distance between us. He leaned in, causing the heat around me to intensify.

His lips gently crashed against mine before he trailed down kisses on my neck.

I almost let out a moan. Then, I recalled Anji’s statement.

‘Do not get too close to Alpha Xander. From an innocent hug, it might lead to lust, then lust to intimacy, and intimacy to pregnancy. You don’t want to lose the deal for this, right?’

“Stop,” I muttered, raising my hands to his chest to create some distance between us.

I stared directly into his dark, lustful gaze and uttered, “Stop, I don’t want this.”

He paused. His brows furrowed as a look of disappointment crossed his face. I repeated my statement firmly, “I’m not interested.”

Without pestering me, he moved away, while I heaved a sigh of relief. I grabbed the blanket and walked towards the door, intending to leave the room. I planned to stay in a guest room instead.

“You don’t have to leave because of what happened,” I heard Alpha Xander say.

“It’s best I do,” I replied and walked out of the room.

As I closed the door, it felt like the warmth around me vanished. I became enveloped with cold, and somewhat I wanted him. I wanted to feel his warmth again or have him around my body.

However, that might only ruin my plans and cause my mother to be confined in that cold cell for more months. I exhaled slowly, then rubbed my elbows to reduce the cold feeling.

Afterward, I strode into the guest room. I sank into the comfy bed and covered myself with the blanket I brought. To my amazement, I dozed off quickly and had a dream.

Funny, the dream was just blurred traces of me and a man making out before he sank his teeth into my neck.

The moment I woke up, I had to rush into the bathroom. I gazed at the mirror and watched my reflection. I inspected my neck, hoping that there was no bite mark on it.

Fortunately, there wasn’t. I touched my chest and heaved a sigh. The dream felt so real, and I could actually feel the warmth on my neck and between my legs.

I was still in my clothes and there was no physical evidence of intimacy. So, I moved forward and turned on the tap. Then, I washed my face, reminding myself that it was just a dream, and nothing else.

I walked out of the bathroom and my gaze fell on someone. Instantly, my heartbeat paused.

“Why do you look terrified? It’s just me,” Anji spoke. I clenched my chest and calmed myself.

“Sorry, I thought it was someone else,” I replied and returned to the bed.

Anji crossed her arms, “And who is that someone else? Alpha Xander?”

“I didn’t mention any name,” I admitted, and she let out a huff.

“Why are you here anyway? Did Alpha Darwin send a message or something?” I questioned her, as I coiled on the bed and covered myself with my blanket.

“No, he didn’t. But do you recall that this is the same room I dragged you into when I wanted to speak with you?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, wanting to drift back to sleep, “It’s the same room you dragged me roughly into.”

“Exactly!” She exclaimed. I heard footsteps approach me and her weight pressed down the bed by my side.

“I was about to go to your room, to check up on you. Then, I heard moans while walking.”