ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Hearing Maddox use my name and the word mine in the same sentence does villainous things to me. I wanted to smile and throw up at the same time.
He has done his best to keep me at bay, looking at me like a forbidden fruit he refuses to consume. My thoughts only contain him.
With each eye exchange, I try to entice him to cross the line. With each subtle touch, I hope he falls into the temptation of my olive warm skin and grants me the fortune of lying underneath him. Yet, he never descends into sin with me.
It will be sinful to be with Maddox. Not only because it will betray Marisa's feelings but rather because of his rarity. He is meant to breed for the betterment of his kind. I am merrily a tool in an ancient battle.
Why now, Maddox?
I am not good enough to be with, but he refuses to allow me to move on. He is a selfish man, a wicked one.
This might be your chance to get rid of your unwanted feelings. I think to myself.
I study Zain, as he sizes up Maddox. He stands in response to Maddox's outburst.
Zain's body is stiff. The sun from the window allows his muscles to shine through his white polo. This is a man who has honed his body. I can think of worse fates.
Marisa, her name runs through my head.
I could never leave her. Even if I could, I won't. She needs me. I need her. I sigh. "This isn't a two-for-one special. Marisa is who was promised. It's Marisa you will have or no one at all."
Marisa gets up and walks to my side. She holds my hand. "Helena is no one's but mine," she eyes her brother, "but I think you make sense Alpha Zain."
We all snap our heads at her.
"What," I mutter, squeezing her hand tighter. She did not react. I pinch the bridge of my nose.
I continuously think about her well-being but she is trying to sell me off. She dares give me the fate she has made clear she does not want for herself.
"You heard me. The werewolves will never accept a vampire as their ruler, but a witch could be different. Witches have more similarities with your kind than mine. With time, they will love their new Luna." She lets go of my hand to play with my ponytail. "And how could they not, look at her."
I close my mouth shut, swatting her hand away. I look at her, repulsed. "This issue does not involve witches. We have tried our best to remain neutral. There are some fateful to vampires like my coven and some fateful to wolves. Vampires and werewolves create this chaos. My kind is merely an obstacle or a weapon for all of you."
Maddox continues, "that is all irrelevant and not the issue at hand."
Marisa looks at me seriously. Her grey eyes show the intensity she gives her enemies. Never have they been directed to me like this. She shifts her attention to Maddox.
She plays with her long white hair, emotionless. "No, my marriage with Alpha Zain will be irrelevant. You think I am dumb and am nothing more than a capricious child, brother. You are not the only one who wishes to see the end of violence come true. But it will be done the right way, even if it seems longer. You want to throw me to the wolves and they can't wait to kill me. Not to mention, my union with Zain has made quite the buzz with the other purebloods."
"We have already discussed this. I will breed with whomever they want. The Malfattos will make their contribution," Maddox answers.
Both stare down.
"You listen! We are a rarity. Even sacrificing one pureblood is a cost too hard to bear. You will start this marriage with bloodshed. They will come for me, all because you refuse to see the big picture. Helena is a witch. The other purebloods don't care for her fate. As for the werewolves, they WILL accept her. She will win their hearts. She will show them we are open for peace. She is the key. She is bonded to me, a vampire. I will live with her. We will protect each other like we always have. That is how this movement will succeed. That brother is how this should be played," she hisses.
I walk closer to my brother. This must have taken her time to conjure up.
I did find it weird she did not refuse longer. Now, I know it's because of this. She was going to use me as a replacement.
My brother speaks up. "Helena is not for sale. I suggest we change the subject before I get pissed off."
I allow my brother's warmth to give me strength. Still, I am in disbelief at what Marisa is suggesting.
Maddox agrees, "no she is not. Marisa will marry. End of discussion."
"What's the matter, brother? Afraid she will finally find someone worth her time or do you intend to keep toying with her." Her delicate brow lifts.
I look at Maddox. He refuses to meet my eyes. Then, I glance at her. My predicament with Maddox was clear but to hear her speak the words out loud shook me.
Tell her, she is wrong Maddox. You will take me. Tell her you will fight for me. You will not have me on the sidelines as your mistress while lying with another who is deemed worthy. Tell her, Maddox. I plead to him in my head.
But he does not tell her off. I fist my hands. It is Zain who snaps my attention.
"Interesting. I have learned a great deal from you lot. One thing is certain. I will not marry Marisa if she does not want it. For any of these options to work, my pack must see there is sincerity between my future wife and I, may that be Helena or Marisa." He walks from behind the desk and gets to the center of the room.
He is inches from me. I feel his eyes. I hesitantly meet his gaze.
"I am speaking to you too, Helena. If you do not want this, then I will not force you. I admit that your friend," he eyes Marisa, "makes the most sense to me. So, will you be my bride?"
My heart pounds against my chest. My mouth is parched. I glance in Maddox's direction. His amber eyes track my every action. I stumble back under his scrutiny.
My brother's firm hand on my back helps keep me steady. I practically scream at Maddox to say something, say anything. But he lowers his gaze. I don't know why I keep dreaming.
I move my attention to Zain. His eyes did not move from mine. He did not default. I swallow. "What is it that you want?"
"I want to end this never-ending feud," he says.
"No, what is it that you want from me," I clarify.
He studies me and moves the direction of his body so that he is facing me directly. His arms relax at his side, an open position. "I would want you, all of you."
"Be more specific," I grit out.
Our eyes never part. He smirks. "I want this alliance, but I will not sacrifice a wife. My wife will have to learn to love me. Only then, can she truly love my pack. I want it raw. I want it real. Only under these conditions will this ever work. Wolves are loyal creatures. My wife will be as loyal to me as I am to her. We will be loyal to my pack and they to us."
He inches closer and then stops. "I want more than just to look like a couple. I want my wife to crave my touch. I want her squirming underneath me. I want to mark her and show her off. I want to be a man and wife in body and soul. That Helena is what I would want from my wife, from you, if you dare meet me halfway."
Shit. I curse, as blood draws from my lip. I bit it hard during his whole spill. I lick it clean. His eyes darken with want. He stares at the space between us.
Meet him halfway?
For once, I do something for myself. I do not look at the Malfattos. I walk to Zain. Our bodies nearly touching.
"Agreed," I seal my fate.
There is something between us, a raw potential. Not near the same emotions I have for Maddox, but I will get him out of my heart.
Zain inches closer. My chest almost comes in contact with his abdomen. Our height difference is no better. I'm only a few inches taller than Marissa. I move back closer to my brother.
Zain takes this opportunity to address Maddox. "Will this be an issue between us?"
Maddox puts his hands behind his back. "No, it won't. This is not what I wanted nor why I came here. Given that it was my sister's doing and Helena's choice, then I will give it a shot. Let's see how this plays out."
I do not look at him. Marisa catches my attention. She has a gloomy demeanor. She has no reason to be. This is her doing. "Alpha Zain can you direct us to our rooms? I think we all need a few minutes," Marisa suggests.
"Yes, of course. My beta is outside waiting to escort you. I have some business to attend to. Let's meet up later for dinner." He dismisses us.
The door opens and we move out. I'm almost out the door when I hear my name being called out. Zain is back behind his desk.
"Yes?"
"I am looking forward to all the fun we will have." He winks at me.
I almost laugh. "Not with those moves."
He chuckles. His voice drops a few octaves. "Not many put me in my place."
"Shame."
He smirks and picks up a glass of water on his desk. "Here's to all the new places I will have you in." He downs the water in a big gulp.
I do not say anything. My face reddens. I only smile and leave the room, getting sidelong glances from both Marisa and Maddox.
I ignore them because neither of them is on my good side. I raise my chin, and walk past them, for once. Beta Max escorts us to our rooms. The estate is big and well decorated, not the lumberjack house I thought it would be. It's a modern home that mimics Zain's manly essence.
We walk up to the second floor and turn left. We were all given rooms in the left wing. My room is across from Marisa. Further down is Jason's room then a little further is Maddox's.
The alpha's room is in the right wing. A tidbit I do not plan to remember. I enter my assigned room and notice my luggage has been brought up. I slam the door and lean against it.
What have I done?
I push off the door and aim for the bathroom. I turn on the hot water and let the steam fill the room. I take off my clothes, leaving my heart-shaped pendant on.
Jason and I were given similar ones by our parents. We were instructed to never take it off. So, I never do. It's the last thing I have of them, and comforting.
I get inside the shower. The scolding water consumes me and my thoughts. I want to wash them all away.
I fucking hate Marisa. Yet, isn't this what I wanted? To help her ungrateful ass. I guess, that issue is resolved. She won't have to do something she does not want.
I was quite proud she finally stood up for herself to Maddox. She has been waiting a long time to tell him off. Still, she could have warned me, and what was with her face at the end?
I shake off my wet hair and close the faucet when the hairs on my arms rise. I am not alone.
I grab my towel and wrap it around my body. I cautiously open the bathroom door, but I know who awaits me.
In my bed with his legs crossed leaning back against his hands, Maddox waits.