Seraphina's POV
My eyes went wide as his lips crashed against mine.
This wasn't a kiss—this was conquest. His mouth moved against mine with demanding possession, claiming what he believed was his. For a moment, I froze, my mind struggling to process what was happening.
But then my body began to betray me.
Heat bloomed in my chest, spreading outward like wildfire. Something primal and unfamiliar that made my heart race. I wanted to get closer to him, to be one with him.
The mate bond.
It had to be. I could feel it awakening, responding to his touch despite every logical thought screaming at me to fight. My own body was betraying me.
I'd watched people kiss before, always wondering what it would feel like. The gentle press of lips, the soft intimacy, the tender connection. This was nothing like what I'd imagined, and yet...
And yet my body was responding in ways that terrified me.
This was just great. This was my first kiss, and it was with a psychopath. My life was really hitting all the romantic milestones here.
I wanted to push him away, to shove him back and tell him exactly what I thought of his brutal claim on me. But my arms hung useless at my sides, the drug still coursing through my system like liquid chains.
Suddenly, his hand slipped to the back of my neck. He pulled back just enough that his lips barely brushed mine as he whispered, "Kiss me back."
His voice was like velvet, seductive and commanding all at once. It slithered into my ears like a serpent's call, and something in my mind shifted. Before I could stop myself, I found my lips moving against his.
At first, I was clumsy and uncertain, but then something ignited between us. The kiss deepened, became hungry and desperate. My body temperature spiked, and the air in the room seemed to thicken with heat and tension.
What the hell was wrong with me?
The question hit like a slap to my face. I was kissing him back. I was actually kissing the monster who had drugged my food, who was forcing me into this nightmare marriage.
Rage flared in my chest, hot and fierce. I was furious at him and myself. Without thinking, I bit down hard on his lower lip.
Instead of pulling away in pain like any sane person would, he made a low, pleased growl against my mouth. The sound sent unexpected shivers through me, and he kissed me even more passionately, as if my resistance only fueled his desire.
Of course, he liked it. Because why would anything in my life be normal? I bite him, and he gets turned on. Perfect.
I tried to turn my head away, to break the connection, but he wouldn't let me. His hand held me firmly in place, forcing me to receive his relentless attention. My heart hammered against my ribs as heat continued to build between us.
Then, in the middle of our fierce kiss, his hand moved to my throat. His fingers wrapped around my neck, and he began to squeeze.
My eyes snapped open, meeting his gaze in shock and terror. Those beautiful chocolate brown eyes I'd once found attractive had shifted to a deep, murderous red.
For a second, I felt like it wasn't him, but someone else. His red eyes burned with an intent so dark it made my heart sink. He was going to kill me. Right here, right now, while I was getting kissed.
Fear froze my body, while my face began to turn pale blue as his grip tightened. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision. This was it. This was how I was going to die—murdered by my so-called mate while wearing a wedding dress.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fought for air. With what little breath I had left, I whispered, "Let me go... Adrian."
I didn't think he would listen. I was ready to lose my breath and go into the afterlife. Maybe that was what was written in my fate, but then something happened.
His hand flew away from my throat quickly. He stared at me in horror, his red eyes flickering back to brown as if he was coming out of some kind of trance.
For just a second, I saw something that looked like guilt flash across his features. But then it was gone so fast I wondered if I'd imagined it.
I collapsed forward, coughing and gasping. I could already feel his handprint forming there like a brand. When I looked up at him through my tears, he stared at me blankly.
"I hate you, monster!" I spat, my voice hoarse and broken.
He froze at my words, his entire body going rigid. For a moment, I thought he might say something. However, I was thinking too much. He simply looked at me, then turned and walked out the door.
His steps were quick, almost rushed, as if he were running away. The moment that thought crossed my mind, I almost laughed despite everything.
The big bad alpha, fleeing after nearly strangling his "precious mate."
What a stupid thought!
Adrian's POV
I burst out of the house, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might explode. My hands were shaking—actually shaking—and I couldn't get the image of Seraphina's terrified face out of my head. Those tears streaming down her cheeks, the way her lips had whispered my name as I...
Fuck.
I almost stumbled directly into Sebastian, who was walking up the front steps with his usual cheerful grin.
"Everything's ready!" he announced happily. "The ceremony can start whenever you—" He paused, his smile faltering as he took in my appearance. "Didn't you go to pick up your bride? Where is she?"
His eyes narrowed as he studied my face more carefully. I must have looked like hell because his entire demeanor shifted from celebration to concern in seconds.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice dropping to that serious tone he only used during pack emergencies.
I couldn't catch my breath. The words came out between pants: "It happened."
Sebastian's face went stone cold. All traces of his earlier happiness vanished as the weight of those two words hit him.
"Did the curse take over again?" he asked quietly.