Contracted to Alpha Maximus - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

ZIA
I was dreaming. The woodsy scent of my mate was so close to me. I couldn’t shake it off or snuggle away.
Electricity sparked in my veins, as his rough fingers ghosted over my skin. It was an intoxicating sensation that made my toes curl.
His spell was so intense that I couldn’t even focus on the pain and eventually, I opened my eyes.
A grey ceiling met my bewildered gaze. What happened?
Before I could ask that question, several memories flashed before my eyes. Aiden hit me for that wench again! He didn’t care if I had twisted my neck and died on the spot.
With that final stroke, Aiden officially made me hate him. There was no going back now.
I scoffed and sat up. My hand went to my head to check the state of my injuries. I was still sore, but it didn’t feel like I was bleeding anywhere.
The scent of wood and whiskey took over my senses once more. My hand dropped by my side. I picked up my head and looked in the direction of the scent to find a striking man sitting on a wingchair in the corner of the room.
Half his face was hidden behind the veil of darkness. I squinted my aching eyes, and my heart jumped in my throat.
He was unbelievably handsome. His chiseled jaw, thick lips, and proud nose hinted at perfection. My gaze rose to his eyes, and I stiffened.
‘ Mate! ’ Jessie wagged her tail, cooing inside my head.
I thought she had fallen into a deep slumber, but one look from my mate revived her broken heart and she was back.
I scanned the rest of his perfectly built body. He was muscular but lean, and I didn’t doubt that he hid his six-pack abs behind the crisp white shirt he wore. My gaze lowered to his black slacks, and I stopped myself from noticing the visible bulge in them.
Still married to a jerk, Zia! Remember that!
“ Interesting. ” The man finally opened his mouth and said hoarsely. His voice was as intoxicating as him. Velvety, deep, and rough.
I swallowed. “ Mate? Do you- - -recognize me? ”
His dominating aura spread in the air. I felt suffocated and oppressed, as my muscles stiffened and my wolf retreated into my subconscious.
“ I recognize you by another title. ” He said, resting one leg over the other.
My palms sweated. “ I know I- - - ”
“ I hear you are my Nephew’s Luna. ” He interrupted.
Color drained from my face. It felt like the world shattered, leaving me in a mess I couldn’t handle.
“ Maximus Caine. ” I whispered his name and my heart missed a beat.
Somewhere behind him, thunder flashed, illuminating his broad shoulders. I found myself staring into his blue, hawk-like eyes.
“ I don’t believe you fancy dying on a visit? ” He mocked, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
“ Are you telling me you might kill me for saying your name? ” My cheeks warmed.
“ Isn’t that a given? ” Maximus lifted his brows.
I flashed him a wide smile. “ Killing a fated mate is a sin Moon Goddess never forgives. ”
He frowned. His fingers ceased tapping the armrests. He tilted his head, his gaze lowering to my body, taking in every inch of me.
Bells rang inside my head. Surprisingly, those were not alarm bells.
Those were celebratory bells!
Hoorah!
I pushed the blankets away and marched straight to him. His eyes followed, distant but at the same time, curious.
I let my instincts guide me to his lap before he could stop me. He was so big, and hard. My mouth dried as his breaths ghosted my lips. Maximus’ arms remained on the armrests, away from my body.
Heat and sparks crept up my spine, making me gasp and lower my gaze to his lips. Without giving it much thought, I captured his mouth and kissed him roughly. His lips tasted like whiskey, and something masculine, like his power. My head spun and the world disappeared behind my closed eyes.
Maximus’ lips twitched against mine, but he didn’t kiss me back. Electricity sizzled in my veins. I moaned in his mouth and tilted my head to deepen the kiss.
Suddenly, Maximus’ hand fisted my hair and pulled our lips apart. I breathed heavily against his moist lips and watched as he touched them with the fingers of his other hand.
Our eyes meet. Heat blazed in his gaze, burning every inch of me. My courage dissolved and flooded my body like liquid arousal.
“ Uncle Maximus, do you want me to call you that? Do you think this is still the appropriate way to address you? ” I murmured, my lips curling into a smile.
“ What are you doing? ” Maximus’ hand closed around my throat but didn’t put pressure.
I gulped and provided innocently. “ I am kissing my mate. ”
Maximus tightened his hand around my throat and rasped. “ Be careful, Little one. They might not find your body later. ”
My face turned red with the lack of oxygen. I was bargaining with the devil, desperately hoping that he wouldn’t kill me and drag me to hell.
“ But you will come visit your mate, won’t you? It will be fine as long as you come every day. ” I grinned playfully.
He searched my watery eyes and then got up. Yelping, I dropped to the floor. Pain shot up my spine, and made me wince and roll on the floor like a child.
“ Why would you do that to your mate? ” I huffed.
“ Nephew’s mate. ” Maximus corrected and strolled to the door.
“ I will reject him right away! I don’t really care about him anymore. ” I offered and shot to my feet before he could leave me.
The room became frosty cold, making me take a step back. Maximus stopped at the door and shot a glance at me from over his shoulder. It felt like a warning and a promise of murder.
“ Stay away. You won’t get lucky the next time. ” Maximus grumbled and slammed the door on his way out.
Instead of feeling fear like I should, I shouted back. “ At least you didn’t kill me today. You are not known for such mercy, Alpha King! Did you fall in love with your mate already? ”
After receiving no reply, I finally glanced at the black nightie I was wearing. My eyes widened, as I noticed my bare legs and my braless hardened nipples.
So embarassing!
But it didn’t matter.
A Caine man! I found a Caine man as my freaking mate! On top of that, Maximus Caine was the Alpha King of the North region.
He was my way out from Aiden and this pathetic prophecy that ensured I remained with a man from the Caine family.
Now, all I needed was to give Aiden a taste of his own medicine.
At the mention of his name in my thoughts, the door to the room flew open with a thunderous noise. I jumped in my spot and looked at Aiden standing in the doorway.
His eyes were switching colors, as his wolf threatened to come out, and his nose flared, hinting at an explosive anger burst.
“ Why do I fucking smell another man on you, Zia? ” He snarled and charged towards me.
It was too late to dodge. So I- - -