~Dalia's POV

Karl’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger as my words hung in the air.

“What did you say?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing with fear but I stood my ground. “I, Dalia Bryant, reject you, Karl Danver as my mate!” I spat out, my fists trembling from the pain.

But Karl sneered. "I do not accept your rejection, Dalia! You belong to me and no one else... And the sooner you realize this, the easier things are going to get for you!"

I furrowed my brows in disgust and finally got the courage to push away from him. "I do not belong to you!"

Without giving him a chance to pull me back, I ran to the door and found my way back to the waiting car. My heart pounded in my chest, my anger and fear battling for control.

"The store keeper already delivered your package to the car. Will you like me to drive you home ma'am?" Driver's voice reached my ears and I simply nodded.

My thoughts were still stuck with Karl. I could not believe that he dared to refuse my rejection when he didn't even want me! What did he think of himself?

"Ma'am, I think that car is following us." The driver suddenly said, getting my attention.

My head instantly turned to the back and I saw Karl's white Mercedes coming right behind us.

"Are they a friend of yours?" The driver asked.

"No!" I said too quickly. "No, they are not. Please go straight home. I am sure they will go away." I mumbled, still glaring at the car.

Whatever Karl was thinking was beyond crazy but I was done entertaining. I had told him my decision and it was his choice to either accept it or reject it.

I turned away from the back rear view and closed my eyes, wishing for some peace.

But my peace only lasted for the duration of the journey. The moment I got to my apartment and stepped out of the car, Karl was right there, waiting.

"Do you think you can run from me?" He growled, his eyes burning with an emotion I couldn't even place a finger on.

Not wanting to trigger whatever madness had gotten into him, I grabbed my package from the back seat and started walking away.

But right before I could make it to the entrance he appeared before me.

"I am not done talking to you!" He growled, grabbing a hold of my hand.

Adrenaline surged through me, and I reacted on instinct, hitting him with a ferocity that surprised even me. Instantly, I started running.

But I didn't get far.

Just as I got a few steps away, I ran into a wall of muscles that sent a wave of sensation through me.

The world around me melted away, leaving only Vladimir’s piercing gaze. His dark eys locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat.

"Vladimir!" I gasped and a smile formed on his face as he slowly adjusted his hearing aids.

"You are safe now... You don't have to run..." He whispered just as his smile disappeared and he glared at Karl behind me.

"Didn't anyone teach you not to chase women?" He growled at him.

But Karl sneered. "And who are you?"

Vladimir held me protectively by his side as he faced Karl. "I am Vladimir Knight, Dalia's new mate."

Karl's mouth dropped in shock. "You— you can't be her mate!"

"Keep telling yourself that, maybe it will help cure your madness," Vladimir replied as he began to lead me to his waiting cars.

Karl tried to follow but Vladimir simply signalled to his men to hold him down.

"You can't have what is mine! She is mine!" Karl screamed in the background but we didn't stop to pay him any attention.

****

"Where are we going?" I asked as the vehicle kept moving through the city.

Vladimir took a hold of my hands and smiled. "I am taking you to meet my mother… I think it’s time."

"Oh," I mouthed, taking a subtle look at my outfit.

Vladimir’s surprisingly warm hands enveloped mine, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he held my gaze. “Don’t worry, you look perfect,” he said, his voice low and soothing.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and my wolf stirred, responding to his gentle touch. I couldn’t help but smile back at him as a sense of comfort filled me.

By the time we got to his mother's mansion, my eyes always popped in shock as the huge building that stood before us. If I was feeling uneasy before, then it increased to a thousand fold.

I remained by Vladimir’s side and together we walked into the house.

"Vlad, my baby!" A shrill voice suddenly filled the space as we walked in.

A middle aged woman then appeared at the large stairs that stood at the centre of the room. Her dark hair was marked with streaks of white, yet she still had that elegance as she approached us.

Vladimir left my side and moved on to give her a hug. "Mother, how have you been?"

Her eyes brightened as she returned the hug; "Oh, I am better now that I know you are about to get married!" She exclaimed and then her eyes slowly moved to me. "And who is this? Your new assistant?"

My heart instantly sank. Vladimir tried to fix the misunderstanding—

"No, mother. She is my—" But his mother was faster.

"Oh, never mind that.” She cut him off, her smile growing even brighter. “There is something I want you to see..." Without letting him speak, she took his hand and led him deeper into the house.

Not knowing what to do, I followed slowly behind them. Pushing back the unease that was starting to build inside me.

But as we got to the dining room, my fears returned. As right there fixing the table, stood no one else but Judith!

"Your mate has been incredible, just look at her!" His mother announced pointing at Judith.