Chapter FIVE

"Hello, I'm Alyssa." Alyssa started her introduction but froze when she looked up into the eyes of the stranger sitting opposite her.

"Mate!" He declared dominantly with a growl.

Alyssa felt something stir in her when she heard that but it was not enough to move her.

She knew then though that she had just found her first mate in this stranger called Luce but asides a little attraction to him, she had no other feelings for him.

Finding a mate did not guarantee that you would spend the rest of your life with them. Just like how one would find a potential match, one would find a mate.

A mate was a person who had the  highest probability of compatibility with the other person.

The thing was that one could only find a mate three times and that was it.

If you did not take a liking to any of them, you were destined to stay alone for the rest of your life.

Well, at least it was better to marry your mate than someone who could never be your match anyway.

So Alyssa was a bit relieved but that did not change her aversion towards this planned marriage.

For Lucas, the moment he saw the petite redhead walking in, he had already felt an unexplainable attraction towards her.

He did not expect that as this was just a marriage of convenience.

When his father had forced him to marry and had shown him the portraits of multiple princesses, he had chosen Alyssa because she was pretty.

Who knew that the moment he stood before her, his wolf would awaken and he would become so restless. He restrained himself as he did not want to scare her and ruin her image if him as a gentleman but even with that, he couldn't help but call her his mate.

She looked away from him with an eyes roll and it was then that he realized he had been staring intently at her.

Alyssa was very uncomfortable with the intense way his now black eyes was staring at her so she rolled her eyes and looked away.

Lucas's eyes changed back to auburn as he fully restrained his wolf.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness. I didn't mean to stare at you like that. Its just that once I found out that you were my mate, my wolf became way too restless and I couldn't control myself. I hope you will forgive me." Luce explained ad he apologized.

Alyssa was surprised by his gentlemanly nature and the fact that he admitted to his wrongs. Her impression of him increased but only a bit.

She was experienced enough with betrayals and lies to know that a persona could be failed but it could not be kept up for long.

Seeing as there was not enough time between their marriage and their meeting to know if he is actually a fake, she did not fully believe his personality bit she did not have enough time to explore him.

"No worries, I know that you did not mean it. Its alright." She assured with a perfunctory smile on her face.

Luce could see that she was a bit distant but his heart soared at the challenge of making her cold and distant violet eyes melt with love and adoration for him.

He had to have her, come rain or shine!

"Oh! Where are my manners? I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Lucas Brine but you can call me Luce Second prince to the kingdom of Sylvia. Its my pleasure to meet up with such a beautiful lady like you" he said with a sweet smile as he introduced himself.

Alyssa did an inward eye roll at the fact that he mentioned the title he had.

He must be so proud of the fact that he is a prince. What a showoff!

Externally though, she maintained her smile and introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you 'prince' Lucas. I'm Alyssa Carlton." She explained making sure to enunciate the prince before his name.

Luce noticed her displeasure on how he introduced himself so he quickly changed the topic.

"So, what are the things you are interested in? I mean that I would very much like to know your hobbies." He asked before placing his elbow on the table, upturning his  palm and resting his chin on it.

"I don't really have hobbies. I do enjoy rearing a good book sometimes so that does count as one." she answered truthfully knowing he was tying his best to make conversation

"That is nice. I do enjoy rearing sometimes but I mostly just train so I don't have much time to develop an hobby."

She nodded in understanding.

They went back and forth with their questions and Alyssa found that she actually didn't hate their interaction. Its just that she found it boring soon enough but she couldn't be rude so she answered diligently.

By the time they were done chatting, it was already noon.

Alyssa expressed her intention to go home as she had enough already.

Luce wanted to keep talking to her but he knew that he shouldn't test her limits yet so he agreed to take her back.

At first she wanted to decline his offer to take her back but due to his persistent insistence, she had no choice but to agree lest she offended him.

They walked out of the restaurant together and got into the carriage he brought with him.

He wanted to keep chatting with her but she had enough of being polite so she gave him on word answers.

Seeing her cold attitude, Luce's eyes flashed with a glint of anger but it was gone before she could notice it.

I think I have to teach her some manners when she is finally married to me!

They soon got to the palace after about thirty minutes and with his insistence, he escorted her to the gates.

She bade farewell to him as fast as she could and rushed inside.

He stared at her retreating back and couldn't help but smile.

Soon!

Soon, you will be mine little beauty!

He turned and left once she was out of view.

At the window of one of the rooms, Ella stared at his retreating back with gritted teeth.

Her jealousy doubled as she observed his handsome face.

She had also witnessed their interaction and it irked her.

Just you wait you bitch! I will make sure you don't get to marry him!