Bound

Fitting In Already

Sophia's POV:

After Cory was done showing me around, we went back to the dining room and Cory sat me down between him and Kai, who was sitting in front of the end of the table. Sort of like a throne.

Kai didn't pay any attention to me and just ate his breakfast in silence. In front of me, and on Kai's right - hand side, was an elderly man, with a white mustache and white hair.

He smiled at me warmly. Like my father used to smile at me when I was little.

I happily smiled back. 

"So, you must be young Sophia." He said, "Oh, my son will live a happy life with you."

Oh, he's Kai's father, Li Bei.

Kai suddenly growled, deep from his throat, and the entire room went silent, staring at him. 

"Father, Sophia's not comfortable talking about the ceremony or mating in general." He said. 

I sighed and looked at him. He looked at me, but his damp black hair came into his eyes. 

I reached over and was about to brush it away, but he turned his head to looked at his father.

I smiled and brushed off the weird feeling in my chest. 

"Mr. Bei-" I started, but was interrupted by Kai's father.

"Oh, no, Sophia, darling, call me Li." He said, waving his hand slightly.

Kai rolled his eyes and got up with his empty plate. 

"Marina." Kai gestured to a young woman with brown hair and grey eyes, "Tell Sophia about the mating ceremony and get her a dress. Tell her the process, yes?"

Marina nodded and got up to bow to him before he left. When he was gone, she came over to me and smiled, taking my hand and leading me towards her room.

"Oh my gosh!" she squealed, "Our future Luna!" 

I laughed at her cheerfulness. 

While she was getting me ready, me and her talked a little bit and we turned out to have a lot of things in common. She even insisted on us being friends. I liked the idea, so I said yes. 

Later, when I was done getting ready, I headed downstairs while Marina looked for a barrette for my hair. 

Kai came downstairs after a few minutes and asked me, "Where do you think you're going dressed like that?!"

I turned around and my breath caught in my throat at the sight in front of me.

Kai was shirtless, tattoos littered over his chest and abs. But the most distinct one was of a dragon that was growling with smoke coming out of its nose. It held a rose in its mouth, steadying it with its fangs.

Kai caught me ogling and smirked. He stepped closer and lifted my chin with his index and thumb. He tilted his head to the side.

"My eyes are up here, Sophia." He said gently. My eyes widened at his soft tone. I looked into his eyes and blushed. After a few more minutes of silence, Kai finally spoke again.

"Sophia, you're not going anywhere, dressed like that." He said gruffly. His harsh tone was back and he removed his fingers from my chin. I was wearing a black crop top and a short black skirt with the ballet flats that I'd worn this morning. 

"What's wrong with how I'm dressed?" I asked him. 

"You're showing far too much skin." Kai told me, "Go change into something more covering."

Just as I was about to leave, Cory came and when he saw me, he smiled and hugged me.

I smiled and hugged him back. 

"You look good, Soph!" He said after he stepped back to give me some space. I caught Kai glaring at the back of Cory's head, but stopped after he noticed me looking.

The muscle in his jaw ticked as he looked elsewhere.

Oh my god...! He's jealous! Cory suddenly back up, as if sensing Kai's jealousy and then walked off after giving me one more smile. Marina came back with a black bow barrette for my hair and stopped in front of Cory. The two stared at each other for a bit before Cory walked off and Marina came towards me. She smiled and put the barrette in my hair. 

"Aw, you look so cute with it!" She said and took a picture of me. 

Kai looked at me again and poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue out of irritation. 

"Fine, Kai," I huffed, "I'll change." 

Kai scowled at my attitude and then left. But instead of changing, Marina and I ushered out of the house, giggling. Marina took me to where her car was and we got in. Then, she drove us all the way to Silvergrove Mall. It was outside of the forest, on the outskirts of the city, but it was huge!

We shopped for hours and came back home with a blue mini dress for me and some wedged heels to go with it. We also bought some makeup and a few pieces of jewelry. 

She got me a beautiful flower crown that would go into the back of my hair to make it look like I had flowers in my hair. They were blue roses, which were my personal favorite.

It was all for the mating ceremony.

"Oh, Alpha Kai's going to be mad that you didn't change your clothes before you left. That was a direct disobedience of his orders." She said, sucking in her breath.

I smiled nervously. She was right. What would he do to me when he found out?

I don't trust him or any other man... but, how could I after what happened with Daniel?

Daniel and I had dated for 2 years altogether. But, on our second year anniversary, I caught him cheating on me with my co-worker.

He was my first and I couldn't trust anyone after that. I still don't. No matter how handsome, cute or charming a man might be, I don't want to trust him. 

And Kai does not seem trustworthy at all.