CLAIMED

14

Kazan could tell from the intensity of the suffocating and intoxicating stench coming from the Blue Moon Hotel that the stray was inside her suite.

Well, at least it didn't take him long this time to find her.

And he's also surprised that she's still here. Kazan thought she would disappear again after what she heard him say recently. Sigh. Anyway, let's get this over with and done.

"I thought you didn't want anyone to know you were associated with a filthy stray." Leah stated the second Kazan set foot inside her suite. She was seated on a recliner chair, drinking champagne. "So, why are you here?"

"Come on, don't be like that." The playful Kazan tried touching the stray, but she lost it and knocked him down on his ass.

"Try that again, pup, and you will die." Leah threatened.

"Look. I—I didn't mean it like that, OK." Kazan tried his best to explain his statement about her being a filthy stray, but he struggles to find words. He couldn't even look her in the eyes. "It's just—"

"Just go!" Leah roared.

"No." Kazan refused to go as he got back on his feet. He didn't want to leave things between them on bad terms. Besides, they need to talk about what will happen if she's actually pregnant. And so much more.

Like a serpent, Leah glides across to Kazan and knocks him down on his ass again.

"Will you just stop that already?" Kazan complains, and she continues hitting him. Honestly, she doesn't even understand why she was hitting him, but it sure feels good.

"OK, that's it." Kazan attempted to attack her, and she not only caught his blow but, with a single palm strike, shook up his whole inside. It's like his soul exited his body for a brief moment, and the world was spinning. He stumbled to the floor, unable to get up for some time this time.

"Leave, or my next strike will be even deadlier." Leah warned.

"Alright, I'll go if that's what you want." Kazan was greatly upset, not only about her kicking his ass but also about the way she was treating him. Though he probably deserves it after how he reacted to the possibility that she might be pregnant—after calling her filthy. "But just know I'm sorry, alright. I said what I said because I didn't want to draw suspicion on you." And that was the truth. Not that it works. Danica is still suspicious of her, which is why she chose to stay here for some days. "I'm leaving now."

As he reached the door about to exit, she said, "I know you were protecting your secret. But it still hurts." Normally, people badmouthing her don't phase her, but coming from him, it pangs her heart.

"I'm sorry." That's all Kazan can think of saying. It didn't give him any pleasure to label her as filth.

"Me too. So, until we find a way to remove my claim on you, no more sex." Though it was hard for her to say this, Leah had made up her mind to do this. Hopefully, her lady part comprehends that, too. This is for the best.

"Absolutely not," Kazan growled. The thought of not being able to rest in his newly found comfort zone is heartbreaking. "I mean, please no." He changed his tone after seeing her deadly glance at him.

"I know it's going to be hard for both of us. But I've made up my mind. And besides, what we feel right now is not even genuine. We don't like each other. Remember."

"Of course we do."

"Really, then can you say you love me? Because I know I don't love you." Leah experienced another sharp pain in her heart after making her last statement. But that was only because of the claim mark. In fact, all her irrational reactions right now are all because of her stupid claim on him. "The only reason we are in this situation is because I somehow claimed you. But the truth is, we hate each other. You wanted me dead just a few days ago, and I wanted to kill you too."

It hurts to hear her mention all of this. But, "You are right. I'm not in love with you. All that I'm feeling right now is because of your stupid claim on me. I mean, how else could I fall head over heels for a stray? I just know you for what, a couple of days?" And still, despite knowing all of this, why do his eyes moisten with tears at the thought of losing her? It broke his heart, and it's clear from the looks in her eyes that it did hers too. "You know what? You are right. We should stay apart." What is he saying? He didn't want to be apart from her. But it's probably for the best.

"It's for the best." Leah's voice broke along with her heart. She never thought being rejected, and by a pup at that, would be so hurtful. "Now go be with your princess, pup. I'll be alright."

But Kazan didn't want to be with that spoiled princess! Why can't this stray understand that he wants to be with her? Only her. She's the only thing he can think of. And right now, it's so hard to breathe with her so close to him.

That's just the damn claim-mark talking.

Even so. He... Whatever.

"Go!" She screamed at him because she didn't want him to see her cry. Note that she never cried before, not even the day when her parents died. And now she's crying over a pup. Pathetic.

"OK." The now angered Kazan slammed the door as he exited the suite, stumbling into Ezekiel in the passageway.

Sh*t.