21| No Escape

ZAK'S POV

I cast a spell to remove her scent masking potion. She turned pale as if she realized it finally. Her scent spread throughout the room as soon as the potion's remains disappeared from her skin.

Ash's unique scent was as enchanting as her lure scent. They combined to give off a seductive smell, which was just like her. The aftermath of a thunderstorm, a sweet, sharp aroma, hit me like lightning as the word mate resounded in my mind.

I wanted to taste her.

"So, Ashley. Tell me, how long were you going to hide that you are my mate?"

Ash stiffened. Her eyes flickering between me and the window.

'Oh?' I tilted my head in curiosity.

"So, forever. Were you planning on escaping?"

"When did you figure it out?" She asked in a grim tone.

"Did you really think your potion would be enough to hide you from me?" I knew from the moment I met her, something was unusual. Never had I ever experienced such a powerful pull to a woman. Although I could only confirm it now.

"Let's talk this out, Alpha Zak. I have my reasons." Ash said, backing away.

"I wonder what reason a person would have to run away from their soulmate?" Cold fury ignited within me at the thought of losing her, even though I hadn't had her for long. A true mate bond was the last thing I expected on the trip here, but now that I had her, I was not planning to let go of her.

Ever.

ASH'S POV

I could sense Zak's anger at me and didn't know how to respond to him. He was right. I shouldn't have arbitrarily made decisions when the mate bond involved both of us. But what else was I supposed to do? Tell him that I was going to die in ten years and watch him lose his mind?

The effect of the mate bond was stronger, the more powerful you were. Even I was feeling the pull so strongly, I couldn't imagine how much worse it would be for him. I looked up to see Zak's icy blue eyes tainted with betrayal.

"You wouldn't understand," I said, pained.

"Then make me understand, Ashley." Zak gritted his teeth.

There was no other way out.

"I just don't want a mate. That's why."

He chuckled bitterly.

"I can't even hear a lie in your voice. Is that another trick of yours or is that the truth? Do you really think I can trust your words?" He took a step forward. I tried to take one step back, away from him, since being so close to Zak on Lure Day was making my senses go haywire.

But he had already backed me to the bed with another stride. I put my hands on his chest to push him away. They only got caught in his instead.

"Alpha Zak, I really don't want a mate. I don't fancy being bound to others. That really is why. It's not in my nature. I love my freedom, and I also know all the responsibilities that come with being a Luna Superior. So please, let me go." His composure crumbled with each word I spoke.

"Then you just have to say so. You don't have to do anything but stay by my side, if that's what you wish. I can make anything you want come true if you just be by my side." Zak pulled me closer with my hands on his chest and put his forehead on mine. I barely resisted the urge to cry. Why was he being so stubborn?

"So why Ashley? Why are you still lying?"

I looked up at him in shock, bumping my forehead with his. I stayed silent, not knowing how to respond.

'How does he know?'

He let out a small laugh and smiled. Zak looked me in the eye with an icy glare that could freeze glaciers.

"Did you really think your petty tricks would work on me? If so, you are thoroughly mistaken. I won't ask you questions, if that's what you wish. But don't you dare think of escaping," he said, his hands on my waist tightening. I sighed against his chest and thought about it rationally.

I couldn't escape him even if I wanted to. This mate bond was so strong that one glance at him was all it needed to make me lose my defenses. But I needed to escape somehow. I put that thought away.

Right now, I needed to make this skeptical mate of mine trust me, so that when I broke his trust, he would never even think of looking for me again. It might be painful for him to be betrayed, but it would still be better than him watching me die slowly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it through properly." I did mean my words this time. The ice in his eyes melted ever so slightly. These Lycan lie detectors seriously. He really could tell my lies apart.

"I don't trust you, Ashley. After the ceremony, you are coming with me to Eternal Frost. No excuses. And you better not try to pull anything during the ceremony," Zak warned.

I nodded. The ceremony was not important. As long as he didn't mark me, I could still escape. As I was thinking about how to run away, he suddenly buried his face in the crook of my neck, his icy breath sending shivers down my spine. Zak's arms around my waist trapped me in a hug.

I froze, not knowing what to do.

"We will talk about everything after the ceremony." He stood up straight, as if nothing had happened, and walked away from me. I blinked, trying to process what just happened. Couldn't he have held me for a little longer?

… 'No Ash. No falling for this sly guy.' I shook my head.

Zak held out his hand for me to take. I took it and in a moment; the surroundings changed from his bedroom to a ballroom. I cursed him in my mind. Why did he not give me time to change into something else?