CLAIMED

13

"Where did you hear that?" Kazan asked. Honestly, he's not surprised that she got wind of this news. Clearly, some snitch in the pack had passed that on to her. Still, that's not the issue. As you already know, he's in a bind. That stray claimed him. Therefore, while her spell is in effect, he can't be Danica's husband. And right now, he's not even sure he wants her to be his wife any more.

"Are you saying you don't want to marry me, Kazan?" The furious Danica punched his right shoulder.

"Of course not. It's just that now is not the right time." Kazan made up an excuse again. Well, it's partially true.

"And when will it be the right time? I've waited for a very long time for you to ask me to marry you. For you to claim me as your woman."

"I know and am sorry." He tried his best to comfort her, but he really finds her childish whining annoying. And why is he even wasting his time here entertaining her—more like tolerating her? He could be out doing something more important; looking for that stray comes to mind. But he searched everywhere. Just where could she be?

Did she perhaps decide to leave because of how he reacted before dawn today?

No, he doesn't want to think about that. The thoughts are too frightening.

Damn that stray! He's going to give her a piece of his mind when he sees her. How dare she make this sovereign go out of his way to search for her?

"No, you're not. Who's the b*tch?" It's obvious that since Kazan is turning down a beautiful woman like her, he must have someone even more beautiful that he loves, according to her insecure brain. "Is it perhaps that stray woman that I've heard you have staying here?"

"What?" That caught Kazan by surprise. He knew words would eventually get out that he let in a stray, but he never knew he would be accused of being intimate with her. After all, he's been careful not to be seen with her in public to avoid these kinds of speculations. Not that there is anything between them, apart from the fact that she claimed him and they had sex once. Plus, she might also be carrying his child. OK, that's not nothing.

But you get the point.

"Is she the woman that you so strongly desire that you can't even bear to lay with me? The woman you love more than you love me?" Danica was determined to get an answer from him. "She is, isn't she?"

Is this princess crazy? There is not an ounce of love in him for her. She's just a means to an end. Well, he was going to use her to gain political status in her father's pack. Nothing more. "I don't know what you're talking about, princess."

"Is that so?" She didn't believe a word that came from his mouth.

"Yes." Kazan pinched Danica's cheeks playfully, trying to stray her mind away from that stray. "You know you are the only woman who has my heart. And why would I even look at a filthy stray?" He stated it with disgust to make him look more believable. But really, he felt a sharp pain in his heart, referring to the stray as filth. Then, as if things weren't bad enough, he noticed the seemingly heartbroken stray standing at his doorway.

F*ck! He wanted to call after her, but he isn't able to at the moment. Therefore, he had no choice but to let her leave. As if he could stop her from going anyway. "Now stop with the foolish accusation, princess."

"I'm sorry, Kaz. I was just testing your love for me, and you passed." Danica laughed. She will have to get her spies on the inside to find out about this stray woman. And if there is anything between her and Kazan, Danica will have that b*tch assassinated. It's one thing for Kazan to have other wh*res (that's customary for most sovereigns in this modern world), but he should only love her and nobody else.

"Anyway, I was thinking about staying here for the rest of the week." Danica suggested, more like insisted. "With your blessing, of course?"

"Why—I mean sure. Stay as long as you want." Double f*ck. But anything to end this conversation quickly and get out of here. However, this stupid girl just can't seem to take a hint.

"Alright then. I'm going to shower; would you like to join me?" She has tried yet again to get him to ravage her.

"As much as I love to, I have some important business to take care of." He rejected her offer.

"I thought you were exhausted."

Crap. "Yes, but this is really important. Now go shower. I'll see you tonight." He kissed her on the cheeks and left before she could say another word. After all, he really needs to go find that stray and explain what happened. Hopefully, she will understand and forgive him.