Marked

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 18

Hearing voices behind the door, I walked toward it to listen, but they were speaking that language again.

"Er sprach mit Marcus."
(He talked to Marcus)

"Er wurde von ihm angesprochen, also der Gesprächsstarter wegen Marcus."
(He was approached by him, so the conversation started because of Marcus)

"Er hört sich die Gespräche an."
(He's listening in on the conversation)

"Er hört sich die Gespräche an."
(I know. You're dismissed now)

Taking out my phone, I tried opening the translation app, but I heard the door opening. Quickly putting the phone down, I acted like I was busy. Looking up, I saw Cassian standing there, giving me an irritated look.

"Your snoopy ass needs to mind your business," he said.

What the... how did he know?

"You can't hide your scent as well as your facial expressions," he added, smirking.

Feeling annoyed, I snapped back. "What do you want?"

He dropped a bag onto my desk. "We hired you a tutor. The lessons you'll need to learn about each of our countries and rules will be taught by them, and these are the textbooks you'll need. I expect good results."

Looking him up and down, I scoffed. Did he seriously just say he expected good results? He's the last person I'd expect that from.

"You don't need to expect anything from me," I shot back. "You're the last person I'd imagine knows how to study, and I'm not doing any of the lessons assigned to me by the tutors because we're not staying mates."

Cassian leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "I'm going to be honest—our search for someone to break the bond isn't as successful as we'd hoped. So, bunny," he said in a teasing tone, "you're not leaving anytime soon. What we say goes. What you're given, you take. You have no say in anything."

He walked closer, gripping my chin firmly, forcing me to look into his piercing eyes. "If I wanted to take you right now, your very nature wouldn't be able to deny me."

"Fuck you," I spat, venom dripping from my words.

He let go of my chin with a smirk. "I have no interest in you. Do what we told you, and you'll be fine."

The tension in the room was suffocating, Cassian's domineering presence making it impossible to think straight. I glared at him as he turned his back, strolling toward the door like he hadn't just delivered his version of a royal decree. His arrogance was infuriating, and the way he called me "bunny" like I was some helpless prey only made my blood boil.

"Fine," I muttered under my breath, staring at the stack of textbooks on the desk. "But don't think for a second I'm going to make this easy for you." My voice was steady, but my hands were trembling.

Cassian paused at the doorway, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. "I wouldn't expect anything less," he said. "But remember, bunny, it's not about what you want. It's about survival. Adapt or... well, you know the rest." And with that, he walked out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as he was gone, I slumped back into my chair, exhaling the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My hand drifted to my phone, and I opened the translation app again. The words I overheard were still etched in my mind, and I needed to know what they meant. I typed them in, one by one, my heart sinking with every word.

"He talked to Marcus."
"He was approached by him, so the conversation started because of Marcus."
"He's listening in on the conversation."
"I know, you're dismissed now."

So, it was german they spoke sighing how is it possible that I'm already tired of this place and school.

I stared at the textbooks on the desk, the titles bold and intimidating, each one label rules, traditions, customs—none of it felt real to me. How had my life turned into this?

A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door creaked open, and viktor stepped in, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"I see you've received the materials," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of authority. He stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over the desk. "Cassian mentioned you were... resistant."

"Resistant?" I scoffed. "Try unwilling. I didn't ask for any of this, and I sure as hell don't plan to play along."

viktor sighed, as if he had expected my reaction. "You don't have to like it," he said, his tone softening slightly. "But you do have to survive. And if you think Cassian's bad, you haven't seen what happens to those who don't adapt to being mated to a monarch."

The warning in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"Why?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Why me? Why any of this?"

Marcus hesitated, his icy demeanor cracking just enough for a flicker of something—regret, perhaps—to shine through. "It's not personal," he said. "But the bond chose you. That means you have a part to play, whether you like it or not."

I looked away, my chest tightening with frustration. "Well, I don't want the part," I muttered.

Marcus turned to leave but paused at the door. "You don't have to want it," he said quietly, almost as if to himself. "You just have to accept it I transferred some of your previous contact to your new phone."

When the door closed behind him, I was left alone with my thoughts. At least I can contact people now.