CLAIMED

19

It pained Kazan's heart to do this, but he had to apologize to Danica in front of Grandmaster Dorian, the other elders, and some guards. However, the stubborn princess refused to accept his apology. Well, Danica decided that she would only forgive him if he agreed to propose to her right now and marry her in a week.

Of course, Kazan is totally against this. And you already know why. However, Elder Dorian accepted her request on his behalf. And the displeased Kazan was forced to just go along because he didn't want to disrespect elder Dorian's decision—or embarrass the princess again in front of everyone.

This made the princess so excited. Her dream had finally come true. The moment she had long waited for is finally here. She can't wait to tell everyone back at home, especially her father.

"This calls for a celebration," one of the elders said happily. They have all been waiting for this union for a long time.

"Not now, maybe tomorrow. But right now, I'd like to have a chat with elder Dorian alone." Kazan requested, and everyone evacuated the room, leaving the two behind.

"I know you are my grandmaster. A father figure that I greatly respect and love. But you have no right to accept a wedding offer on my behalf!" Kazan roared.

"Do you forget I am doing exactly what you want?" Dorian stated sternly. "You just can't see clearly because of your enchantment."

"You may be right. But still, you have overstepped your boundaries."

"I know and am sorry, young sovereign. I'll take whatever punishment you decide on after you are cured. But I'm not sorry for accepting the princess request. I did this for your own good."

"OK. But how will I even marry her in a week while I'm still claimed? Won't that expose what we've been trying to hide for the past couple of days?"

"Don't worry. Before you two become man and wife, the claim mark will be gone," Dorian spoke with great certainty.

"What?" That statement disappoints Kazan. Sure, he wanted the mark removed at first, but now, let's just say it's complicated. "I mean, did you already find a way to remove the mark?"

"Yes, I'm having all the necessary items prepared for the ritual to take place three days from now. I was going to tell you earlier, but then the issue between you and the princess came up."

"I see." Kazan commented. This doesn't make him happy at all.

"Now go be with your fiancé. And don't even think about returning to that stray's suite. It's best if you stay away from her until the ritual is complete." Dorian warned before leaving.

"Damn it!" Kazan punched the wall twice. He then took a deep breath before heading off to his bed chamber.

There he encounters the naked Danica, who is trying way too hard to seduce him. Again. But like earlier this evening, the whole show just irritates him. It's quite obvious from his action and facial expression. But this stupid girl won't just buzz off.

"Look, I know you are not excited about being engaged to me. But I promise you, this is for the best." Danica gives a sappy speech while hugging and caressing his face. "You and I are destined to be together. And I will be damned if I let a stray take you away from me."

Humph. This damn princess is delusional. "Whatever you say, now, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a nap. I'm tired." Kazan throws himself down on his bed, gearing up for a comfortable nap. He has had a long, stressful night. Sexually and mentally. But something tells him that there will be no peace for the rest of the night with this woman here.

"Is it because you were fooling around with that stray earlier tonight?" Danica accused him of something he didn't even get to do. That is all Grand Master Dorian's fault, by the way. And now he's forced to endure not only aching balls but also a nagging woman. Scratch that, fiancé.

"I've already told you there is nothing between us. So will you stop with that already?"

"Is that so?" Danica snorted. This man is unbelievable.

"Yes. You know what? It's clear you don't want me here, so I'll go." Kazan was on his way out, but Danica stood at the door to block his path.

"You are not going anywhere," Danica demanded.

"Watch me." Kazan was about to violently move her out of his way when she dropped the bombshell.

"I didn't want it to have to come to this. But if you leave, I'll tell the elders that you are not only screwing that stray, but she has claimed you."

What?? All the bells went off in Kazan's head. How did she find that out? He concluded that it must be that damn spy of hers. Damn it! He definitely needs to find out whoever this spy is and kill the bastard. And to think she was able to find out what he's been hiding from her in a couple of hours. But even still, he's not willing to admit the truth. "Are you crazy? Do you even hear yourself?"

"There is no need to play dumb, Kaz. I know that stray has claimed you. That is the reason you are keeping her here."

"Clearly, you have hit your damn head."

"Don't you want to know how I find out about your little secret?" Danica taunted.

"What secret?" Kazan continued to play dumb.

"Enough with the games, Kaz. The secret is out. And if you set foot out of this room, I will tell the elders."

"I will kill you!" Violently, Kazan seized her and slammed her against the wall.

Sh*t, what did he just do? Now his action is proving to her that what she is saying is the truth. This is all because of his stupid fear of word getting out about the stray. Forget about him being humiliated. If words actually get out about who she is, then it will all be over.

"Nobody has to know about this, Kaz." Danica caressed his face. "It could be a secret between elder Dorian and us. I presume Ziki is aware of this too. All you have to do is be mine forever. I also want you to throw that stray out of here by dawn."

"No. I can't do that." Kazan growled. He's so helpless right now and doesn't know what to do. The thought of killing the princess to keep his secret—the stray's secret—had crossed his mind a million times. But if he does so, this will bring heat down on his pack. And that's what he's trying to avoid. Ugh, what should he do?

"You will do as I asked if you want your secret to remain a secret."

"Fine," Kazan voiced, displeased. Well, he only agreed to end her endless nagging.

"What do you think you are doing?" Danica asked as Kazan threw himself back down on the bed.

"What does it look like to you? I'm going to bed."

"No, you're not. I've been trying to get you to sleep with me since I've arrived here, but you keep shoving me away. You will do so right now, or your secret will be out."

"Don't threaten me, you little brat." Kazan took hold of her neck, and it scared her a bit. He then flipped her before bashing her against the wall. "Is this what you really want?" He whispered sinisterly in her ears from behind while unbuttoning his trousers and pulling out his shaft. "Fine. Have it your way." Without warning, he forcefully enters her, causing her to cry out in pain. But he didn't stop, despite her displeasure. He just continued to apply more pressure to make this as miserable as possible for her.

But the truth is, he is the one who is suffering the most. Kazan is against this—he hates every moment of it. However, he felt like he had no choice but to give in to her cruel demand. And because of how angry this made him, he unleashed his wrath in the form of sex on this wretched princess.

This is to keep the Stray safe. That's what Kazan kept telling himself over and over as he engaged in this agonizing and what felt like a sinful act—to try to somewhat ease the pain and the guilt in his heart.

However, it didn't work. He felt like filth doing this. He had betrayed her. How pathetic he is.