The steak dangled in front of me, some inches away from my mouth. I was cornered by the scent of the delicious food, and the mate bond that agonized my very existence. All this was enough to make me weak in my knees and submit to Alpha Damon’s humiliation.

But there was something else that tugged at me in the pit of my stomach, and that was the defiance of being a human. It was hardening. In my gut, I knew that it was far more than hunger and steak, but the fact that I will lose my will power if I ate that food.

With my mouth shut, I raised my eyes up to meet his burning gaze.

‘’As an Alpha, I know you understand how far negotiation can go, Alpha!’’ I said this with a whisper, allowing the Alpha title to sound sweet in my mouth.

‘’If you want me to be a dutiful mate, there are ways. A mate must be trained, you know? And if I would be trained as your mate, that will require some co-operation from your end. You know what negotiation can do.’’

There was a flicker in Damon’s eyes after I finished speaking. Something I identified as interest was seen in his eyes. He paused, actively weighing me as he started to drop the fork.

‘’Negotiation? You want a negotiation?’’ his thunderous voice rumbled, vibrating against my chest. ‘’The transaction is already complete, and the debt is finalized. You are the collateral.’’

I quickly corrected Damon; ‘'the financial transaction is complete, you mean.’’ I made sure my voice was steady, even though my life was currently going through a shift I could not phantom.

‘’The mate bond is fragile and sensitive. Do you want a mate who is unhappy and wild? Do you want your mate to be a prisoner? If you treat me like an animal, how would I function at my best for you?’’

I brought a narrative forward to him, speaking to the wolf in him. ‘’You are going to need a contract. You have not earned my mind and my loyalty, nor my competence. If you want all that, there should be terms guiding us, and a contract would do.’’

Finally, Damon took the fork and placed it on the tray with a predatory smile that slowly stretched his face.

‘’How human. You want a contract. Okay then little birdie, let me hear your terms. Blow me away.’’

My heart thundered against my chest, pumping adrenaline. However futile it might be, I was aware that this was my only chance to state a boundary with the Alpha.

Holding up a thin and shaky finger, I started. ‘’Number one. The only thing that connects us is the bond, and that is the only claim you have. Before you touch me, you must have my consent by all means. And by consent, I mean a verbal consent from me. We will not be intimate in any way. You will not come to my bed, and the only time I will be your mate is in paper and by showing up with my presence.’’

Suddenly, Alpha Damon’s smile vanished. He became lethal, filled with angst. The pressure in the room dropped instantly, making my lungs squeeze.

‘’How dare you insult my Alpha status, and the moon goddess’ decision? That term does not exist!’’ he barked with a voice so dangerous; I shook.

‘’Your body belongs to me. What do you think the mate bond is? You belong absolutely to me, including your body. Especially your body.’’

I made sure to keep my eyes on him as I said, ‘’then I will not co-operate, Alpha. Have it at the back of your mind that you have a run-away mate. I will forever plan my escape as long as I am with you. Nobody will see me, ever. Your pack will hate me, and I will humiliate your name and your so-called status. But if you try to co-operate with me, I will do what you want. I will eat, I will ear whatever you want me to, and I will stay here as your caged birdie.’’

With his head tilted slightly to the side, Damon watched me closely. He was like a predator studying a defiant prey. He was unbearable. As he stood before me, his power smashed me heavily, and the force it carried almost ceased my breath.

I could see that he wanted to further dominate me, but he held back. Something was holding him back. Maybe it was the fact that if a mate was unwilling, all you will get is someone with a broken spirit. If I surrendered to his pressure, our bond would have no meaning.

‘’Okay then.’’ He said those words, his eyes as sharp as a hot knife as he conceded. ‘’If you want privacy, you can have it. I will allow the mate bond to settle, but Elara, you must understand one thing. If you defy me, my patience wears thin. Every day you disobey me; I grow one step less patient with you.

Also, whenever I decide that it is time for us to be intimate, this so-called co-operation will be thrown out the window.’’

‘’Now, my own terms,’’ he said, holding up two fingers as he tried to dominate the negotiation. ‘’Number one, you will attend every function of Thorne Group. You will be beside me, arm to arm. You will also attend all pack meetings and social functions. You will come out as the future luna of Shadow Falls Pack, and my chosen mate. You will not refuse. Number two; you will leave this temporary room tomorrow and stay in the room directly opposite mine.’'

When he said that, he leaned towards me, and his rain scent started to overwhelm me again.

‘’Number three.’’ Just when I thought he had finished, he added a third one. ‘'Next week, the official claiming ceremony will be announced, and you will accept it. There will be a marriage contract which you will sign, and that will bind you to me forever.’’

His voice was seductive, yet I could hear the threat it carried and knew better.

A wedding? I stared at him as I swallowed thin air while I tried to breathe. That would make it real and legal. And it terrified me because it was going to be soon.

At this point, I knew I had no option, so I choked out the word, ‘’deal.’’ I held on to whatever boundary I felt there was between us, but deep down, I knew that none existed, and it will be soon before it came out in the open.

I knew I was just buying time with this fool’s bargain as I went into a contract with the devil.

Damon flashed a smile to indicate that he had won. His smile was cold as ice. Then he reached for the fork again, and this time with a more alluring tone, he offered instead of commanding me; ‘'Now we dine, Elara. Good one!’’