Chapter 15: 15: A Gown For The Wrong Bride
"Ugh..."
My head was pounding. It felt like someone had cracked my skull open with a hammer.
I clutched my forehead as I tried to sit up. There was a rustle of fabric, and I slowly opened my eyes.
The room was blanketed in pitch-black darkness, and I could hardly make out a thing. The curtains were drawn, and the lights weren’t switched on. However, even without my sense of sight, I could feel that something was wrong.
For one thing, I was sure I was in a bed. I could feel the soft mattress beneath my fingers, paired with equally silky smooth comforters. This most definitely wasn’t my humble bedroom. After all, I didn’t have such a large bed, never mind such good quality sheets.
This also wasn’t the infirmary. Even if I had the right to be here, the infirmary was a place where the lights were almost always switched on. Especially after the rogue attack, the infirmary would be lacking in beds.
But beyond all of those alarming signs, there was also a strong smell that had my heart racing. It smelled awfully familiar, but I couldn’t really pinpoint where I had smelled it before. It was deep, minty, and had my heart beating frantically in my chest.
Where am I? But more importantly, how did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being in my room, Jessie being taken away, and Violet’s victorious smile. I vaguely recall Cedar being present as well, but beyond that, there was no recollection of ever leaving my room.
And I doubted the fact that Cedar would ever be kind enough to put me on a bed. The best he could possibly do for me was to leave me on my bedroom floor, untouched and unpunished.
Not to mention how dizzy I felt right before fainting. I had thought it was due to how starved I was, but now that I had returned to my senses, I realized that it wasn’t hunger I felt. Not for food, at least.
The scent in the room was quickly overwhelming my senses, and I felt my lower half grow hungry with need. I pressed my thighs together, my breathing quickly growing erratic. My body figured out what the scent was before my mind did. And when it did, it was already too late.
The door cracked open, and with a soft click, the lights were switched on. I was blinded for a split second, squinting as I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the sudden glaring light.
"What are you doing here?" a deep voice growled.
The voice sent shivers down my spine, both in fear and in desire. I felt my body tense up the moment the voice registered in my ears. Just like the scent that filled the room, my body recognized this voice way faster than my mind ever did.
I felt a thrilling burst of heat coil through my stomach, and even though I was seated down, I could feel my limbs growing weak and numb. My head was delirious, and my throat suddenly felt dry.
"Alpha Rowan, I―"
I barely had the time to speak before Rowan had crossed the room. His fingers wrapped around my throat, and shortly after, the world spun. I was slammed back down onto the bed, and Rowan was right on top of me, pinning me down. I gasped for air as his hand tightened around my neck, and instinctively, I reached up in an attempt to claw my way to freedom, but to no avail.
"Who gave you permission to enter my room?" he hounded. His eyes darted down to look at my body, and his expression darkened even further. "And what makes you think you have the right to wear that dress?"
I tried to look down as best as I could, and the sight I saw next nearly made me faint, if the lack of air didn’t already.
Somehow, while I was unconscious, I had been stripped of my original clothing. What took its place was a beautiful white wedding dress. It had a sweetheart neckline and a tight bodice, hugging my curves where it showed best before flaring out at the knees to create a mermaid silhouette. It was surprisingly flattering on my body, but I knew without a doubt that this dress wasn’t meant to be mine.
It didn’t take a genius to fit two and two together. The wedding was in a few hours. Judging by the fact that Rowan was already in his suit and tie, but not with his new bride, the ceremony couldn’t be over yet. Yet here I was, donning a white dress.
Surprisingly, the dress fit me like a glove. It was almost as though it was made for me. However, even if that were true, it would’ve only been because it was made to sabotage me with.
"I didn’t wear it―" I tried to argue, but Rowan pressed down even harder.
I gasped for air, my nails digging into the back of his hand, forming crescent marks in his skin. But it was as though he couldn’t feel any sort of pain. He ignored me entirely, leaving me to struggle in his grasp.
"What, and I suppose the dress waltzed itself on you?" he sarcastically quipped.
"Alpha..." I choked out, tears welling in my eyes.
Dots were already starting to fill my vision once more. But worse than that, I felt a fire grow within my body. The coiling heat that started in my lower stomach was starting to spread. It grew quickly, moving to my limbs and neck, and I felt my entire body encased in its flames.
The hottest place on my body was where Rowan’s hand connected with my skin. It felt as though I was being scorched alive. However, instead of pain, his touch felt intoxicating. I groaned out―both in a mixture of discomfort and gratification.
This was bad. This was very bad.
I lost the strength to attempt to wriggle myself free from Rowan’s grasp. If anything, I was suddenly entranced. I needed his touch. Sighing, I leaned into his hold, nuzzling his hand. His touch felt like a sip of water from the oasis after traversing through the sparse, dry desert.
Rowan’s eyes widened in alarm, and his grip loosened a little for a split second. Instantly, I gasped for air, my chest heaving up and down as I tried to take in as much air as I could. Even so, it merely felt like I was fanning the flames, allowing it to grow bigger and hotter. His scent overwhelmed my senses, and I could no longer control the lust that was building in my body.
"R-Rowan..." I stammered, my eyes glazing over.
"What―" My fated mate stared at me, his eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes filled with an emotion I could not decipher. The words were clogged in his throat, and I could see his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed.
I groaned.
Shit.
I think I am in heat.
