Chapter 19: The Favor

Natasha's POV

I cleared my throat as I looked at Valerian.

"Why can't I go with Elyse?" I can't help but ask.

He said we have something important to do but I don't remember agreeing into doing something with him. And the last time I checked, we didn't talk after what happened.

"And what is that important thing are we doing?" I added.

Valerian looked at me straight into my eyes and I have to avert my gaze and avoid his intense stare.

"You can't go out looking like that," Valerian spoke.

I creased my forehead at him.

"Looking like what?"

Valerian gazed at me from head to toe. "Men are going to gawk at you."

"What?"

"Oh, Natasha. You're not stupid."

I looked at him unbelievably. "What is your problem?"

Valerian's eyes darkened as his jaw tensed. "I don't want people looking at what is mine."

I was taken aback by what he said.

Fucking Valerian Fenrir.

I drew a deep breath. "What is yours? You-- you don't own me, Valerian."

Amusement struck Valerian's face as he let out a low chuckle.

"Really, huh?" He paused. "Are we going to talk about it again? Didn't I make myself clear?"

Seriously, I don't want to talk about it too because I don't like it. He doesn't own me. I'm not owned by anyone.

"Or you just want to be kissed again? Tell me, Natasha."

My eyes widened at what he just said.

What the fuck?

I thought he won't remember that because he was so drunk that night. He literally reeked of alcohol! But, I was wrong. Seems like Valerian remembers it all too well.

I tried to say something. Something I could use to deny or oppose but to no avail. I can't seem to find any words to say.

Fuck this.

I hate it so much when this happens.

I inwardly groaned and turned my back on Valerian but he quickly grabbed my arm before I could even take a step.

He pulled me, making me face him again.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What?"

"Go downstairs at the dining table," he commanded before turning his back on me and entering inside his room.

I want to ask him why but he had already shut the door in my face.

I could just heave a deep sigh as I walked toward the stairs.

I have no idea what's happening and why he wants me downstairs but I guess this is better than to go back inside my room. I just really can't stay there any longer and do absolutely nothing. It's sickening.

I sat on one of the chairs at the dining table as I wait for Valerian and good thing he didn't take long.

He sat on the chair in front of me and placed a folder above the table.

"What is this about?" I questioned.

"See for yourself." Valerian gestured to the folder.

I looked at him first before I grabbed the folder and opened it.

It has several pages of paper inside.

I read what was written on it and my eyes widened because of the contents of the paper.

"What the hell is this?!" I asked looking at Valerian in full disbelief.

"Since you couldn't be tamed and you're being so stubborn. I made a contract," he answered.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

A contract. Really?

"This contract only favors you, Valerian," I remarked.

"Does it?" he retorted.

I had to heave a deep sigh to calm myself.

I'm not being exaggerated or anything but everything that is written on the contract that he said only favors him.

"I, Natasha, fully submit myself to Valerian Fenrir as his mate and promise to obey him and do everything," I read out loud. "Are you serious?!"

Valerian nodded casually like as if what he wrote here isn't nerve-wracking.

This jerk.

"No," I firmly said.

He blew a breath. "Natasha, turn to the last page and read what it said," he ordered.

I glanced at him before doing what he said.

I gave him a stern look after reading what he meant.

"I'm not interested in your wealth, Valerian."

"Mhm?"

I rolled my eyes. "I don't want-- need your money."

It is written here that I will inherit everything Valerian has as his mate. His properties, money, everything.

Gosh, I remember the first time when we met at that party and he thought of me as a whore who wants his money. This bastard even asked me how much I was.

"You can't just buy people!" I hissed.

"Can't I?"

I groaned inwardly.

He's so casual that it's getting on my nerves.

What the fuck is wrong with him?!

I heaved a deep sigh.

"Not me, Valerian," I told him firmly.

Valerian leaned on the table. "Everyone has a price."

I nodded. "Yeah, maybe you have. But not me."

"This contract is useless," I added.

"Are you sure about that?" He gazed at me intently. "Because I don't mind doing anything especially when I have no rules to follow."

I halted.

"Let's set this straight once and for all." He paused. "Either we continue what you started or stop and you leave."

My lips parted at what he said.

I want to yell at him and told him I didn't start anything or did anything for us to be mates for the nth time but I fought the urge to. That's not the issue here right now, and besides, it's not like he will listen to me about it.

"Really? Are you going to let me leave?" I asked trying to hide the enthusiasm that suddenly ignited in me. However, I still can't help but doubt his words.

Valerian's lips formed into a grin.

Fuck.

I should have known better.

"As I've said, you're not stupid, Natasha." He breathed. "You think you can get away from me after everything? And, it's not like we can just break the connection, after all. You can't go anywhere."

He's right.

"Unless one of us dies. That where the connection breaks," he added.

I can't help but flash a smile.

"Don't worry, I'm not planning to leave," I told him.

Valerian let out a low chuckle. "You can't leave."

Yes, and I shouldn't leave.

I had a hard time trying to kill him even when I was close to him already, how much more when I'm far away. I will not succeed in my mission completely.

"Fine, I'll sign it," I announced as I removed the cap of the pen.

"Very well." The corners of Valerian's lips rose. "I'm not a complete monster like what you think, Natasha. I still have empathy left in me. That contract will remind me to always stay within the limits."

No, Valerian Fenrir is indeed vicious and the only way I can guarantee my safety here in his lair is at least having a little protection by the contract he made.

I read everything once again.

Paper by paper. Word by word. I made sure to not skip any important detail because it may endanger my life although the danger is already just around me by being with Valerian.

It is written here that, I would fully submit myself to Valerian as his mate and will soon be his wife.

There are several punishments if I break any rules of being a loyal and faithful wife and mate to him. And he will give me that punishment.

It is allowed for us to do everything mates usually do even though there are no real connections and feelings involve.

It's kind of ridiculous, I know.

On my side, it is prohibited for him to do anything that is too much and will harm me.

I don't really understand some things that are stated here and what exactly he meant by them but I think this one paragraph in the contract is enough as protection for me by being under his roof.

I heaved a deep sigh before signing the contract.

I hope what I just did is right.

"Elyse fully believed we're mates. She knows you're a werewolf but she believes that a vampire and a werewolf can be mates. She didn't even find it absurd," Valerian suddenly spoke making me look at him.

"She believes this mating will prosper." Valerian paused and breathed. "The last thing I want is to break her heart."

"I told Elyse you just showed up one day as it is meant to happen because of our connection as mates. She didn't have any more questions as she is more than enthusiastic to be closed to you," she added.

I sucked on my lower lip.

It's not right to doubt Elyse's intentions by befriending me but hearing Valerian say all things right now makes me feel bad and embarrassed because I know at some point, in the slightest, I doubted Elyse.

She's nothing but good to me and there's no one to blame but me.

It's just really hard to give your full trust.

"I know there is a deep reason why you want to kill me, Natasha. You tried to take my life not just once and I know there is something behind that."

I avoided Valerian's gaze.

I shouldn't underestimate this vampire.

He is not a fool.

The only advantage I have is he can't read my mind. And that is a really good thing for me.

"And you can have it," he said.

"What?"

"I'll let you end my life."

I was completely taken aback by what he just said.

"What?"

"I have lost count of the years I have lived. And in those years, my sister witnessed a lot of things happen-- especially unpleasant and painful ones." Valerian paused and leaned back on his chair.

"Her happiness upon learning I have a mate is immeasurable. Can we give this one to her?" he asked.

My lips parted as I realized something. "Did you-- are you the one who did something--" I trailed off unable to find the exact words of what I wanted to say.

Valerian shook his head. "No."

"But, I also did nothing for us to be mates!" I quickly told him.

"I know."

I balled my fist.

This bastard.

He intentionally accused me!

"We may not understand how or why it happened but it is meant to happen," he added.

Just like what he said before-- before accusing me of bewitching him.

Fucking Valerian Fenrir.

Valerian drew a breath as he caught my eyes. "Since we're already here, can we act into this mating for Elyse? In exchange, I will give you my life."