ADONIS

Damien's POV

I tousled my hair in frustration as I watched Freda sink down onto the bed with her face etched in resignation and defeat. Yes, I wanted her to stay but not like this. I would have loved her to be by my side willingly but her stubbornness made me take this step. After all, forced acceptance was better than no acceptance.

“You might want to take a shower.” She reminded me as she pointed at my bloodied shirt.

The metallic scent of Andros blood suddenly filled my senses as I glanced down at my bloodied shirt. Andros's pleading gaze flashed through my mind and I won't lie I was tempted to give him a chance but that would have been a fatal mistake.

Besides, I needed a scapegoat. Someone I could use to make the elders docile and he offered himself all so willingly. Well, he’s served his purpose.

“Good suggestion.” I conceded and I began to unbutton the shirt.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Freda asked flustered and I glanced at her in confusion.

“Taking my shirt off?” I cocked my head to the side, wondering what she was getting at.

“But I'm in the room!” Freda fired back. Her cheeks were heating up with a splash of red and my mouth made an ‘o’ shape in realization.

“But you're my mate. Does it matter if you see me shirtless?” I started and continued to unbutton the bloodied shirt.

“Yes I am, but I've never seen a man's nudity.” Freda was literally begging at this point which made a soft chuckle escape my lips. “So can you please do this in the bathroom?”

“Sure, why not.” I stopped unbuttoning and strode across the room, heading for the bathroom.

I stepped into the large bathroom and quickly undressed. Once that was done, I stepped into the cool embrace of the shower, letting the water wash away the blood and dirt that resulted from the day’s violence but my emotions were going haywire.

Freda hadn't truly consented, this wasn't some fairytale with a happily ever after. Not yet, at least. For centuries, I had yearned for my mate and it had culminated to this moment. I was not about to let her out of my grasp.

Force however wouldn't win her heart, the mate bond didn't affect her the way it affected me so I needed to proceed with caution in how I treated her. I needed to show her a different side to the world of vampires and convince her she could rule by my side.

It took great control to not complete the mating ritual and mark her the moment I saw her but I managed to get a hold on my emotions. If I was going to mark her, she would have to want it. And I was determined to win her over.

The cool water cleared my thoughts and calmed my raging emotions as a plan began to form. Freda needed a guide, someone who would teach her about the culture of vampires and about life in the vampire court.

A smirk graced my lips as a person came to mind. She was the only one I could trust with Freda's education. And with that, I decided on Freda's education.

There were other pressing matters though, matters of my royal court. With my dad disposed of by yours truly, a shuffling of positions was long overdue. I needed to remove those I couldn't trust and replace them with loyal advisors who would make my rule go smoothly.

With a renewed sense of purpose and a plan in mind, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my lower body before stepping out of the shower, steam swirling around my pale body.

I squinted my eyes in Freda's direction and caught her with eyes wide and mouth agape, staring at my bare chest. My lips stretched in amusement as she gulped, I could tell that she desired me and this realization made me to feel... .aroused.

“Enjoying the view, Freda?” I couldn't resist a playful jab at her.

“Put a damn shirt on, you overgrown Adonis!” Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of crimson as she snapped out of her trance.

“What's an Adonis?” My hand found my chin as I pondered the meaning of this…Adonis. Was this a human term?

“He’s the Greek god of beauty in the human world.” Freda responded as she unconsciously licked her lips.

“So you mean to say…I am comparable to this Greek god of beauty?” I chuckled lightly, enjoying my mates reaction to my physique.

“Oh, shut up!” she stammered as the heat intensified on her cheeks. This hybrid was indeed a fire cracker, unlike any woman I had ever encountered which I had to admit, was intriguing.

“Where's your wardrobe?” She asked, grabbing the bride of her nose in frustration.

“There.” I pointed at the huge antique wardrobe standing in the corner of the room.

Taking a deep breath, she strode over to the wardrobe and flung the doors open, sifting through my garments. I folded my hands on my chest and continued to watch her with growing interest. After a while, she pulled out a long, dark robe, examining it with a raised eyebrow before turning back to me.

“Is this all you have?” she asked as she held up the robe. “Do you ever wear anything that isn't from another century?”

“If you don't like my clothes, it's fine.” I smirked and leaned on the bathroom door with a casual smile. “Besides, something tells me you prefer I'd be without clothes.”

She rolled her eyes and walked over to me.

“Just put the damn clothes on.” She said as she flung the robe at me.

“That's a rather unconventional way to hand someone clothes, wouldn't you say?” I suppressed a chuckle as I caught the robe effortlessly.

“Just get dressed.” She crossed her arm and glared.

“Alright, Alright.” I conceded and turned around, slipping the robe over my shoulders and discarding my towel. “There, happy?”

“Very happy.” A sigh of relief escaped her lips and i had to control myself from bursting out in laughter. She was really one dramatic girl.

“You haven't had sex before, have you?” I asked curiously and her eyes widened at my question.