My body was instantly set on fire with his fierce kiss, hungrily taking me just to seal our deal. I thought that I would push him away because this was insolence, but I was surprised by myself when I returned his kiss with the same intensity.

It was like... I had been eager to feel his lips on me again.

My hands even fisted against his chest while his mouth devoured me as if he was taking my soul without a warning. It felt like I was paying my soul in advance for our agreement and would reap my benefits soon.

His tongue sought entrance in my mouth, demanding more, tasting me, and binding me to his torrid kiss. It was hard to deny his invitation. I would burn for this man with the way he was kissing me as if I had been his all this time. 

Mixed emotions were roaring and colliding inside until I could barely tell them from one another. I had never felt this for Redmund when we were exchanging kisses, only this man... I could have sworn that only this man could make my knees weak without even trying. 

He wasn't even my mate, yet the effect of my body as how it responded to his touch and kiss was already enough that having him was tantamount to having a mate. 

I moaned inside his mouth, my hands clutching his shirt as I pulled him closer instead of pushing him away. I wanted to feel his warmth just like on that night we shared a night of passion. I wanted to feel how he worshipped me, even though he could scarcely control himself around me.

My wolf awakened inside me as his earthy scent lingered in my nose. His scent felt like I could smell the scent of my mate, but I knew it was deemed impossible. 

But it was addictive, and I couldn't get enough. My wolf and I couldn't get enough of him! 

Why would we feel this? He wasn't even our mate, yet he knew how to make us crave him. 

Lucretius groaned into my mouth. That low and dark sound vibrated to my core, causing me to feel myself pooling down. His arm snaked around my waist possessively as though he didn't want to let go of me now that he had me in his possession. 

When his lips trailed down to my jaw, to the crook of my neck, my breath had been stolen away. "Lucretius..." I whispered, not in protest, but in warning, uncertain if I was warning him... or myself. 

That was how effective his kisses on me were. I felt delirious right now, and I couldn't even think straight. 

I couldn't believe that it was just one hot, passionate kiss, yet my body was burning with desire right now. I had never felt this for Redmund before.

Only Lucretius could make my body obey him. I would bet myself that if he said that he would take me right here, right now, I wouldn't hesitate to agree to him.

His teeth scraped my skin, so sharp that it made my body shiver in delight. "Say it again," he whispered hoarsely against my neck. "Say my name like it belongs to you, Euphyllia." 

"Lucretius..." His name slipped out of my mouth, surprised at myself at how obedient I was to him.

This man... He was really unbelievable. And I couldn't believe myself, I just said that!

I felt his hand going lower, domineeringly tracing the curve of my hip as his fingers pressed as if he was branding me as his. 

"Oh, of course. I already branded what I wanted."

I instinctively closed my eyes when his words from earlier echoed in my mind. This should feel wrong, but I couldn't fight how enticing he was. And it felt like I would rather be branded by him instead of Redmund. I would rather surrender myself to Lucretius. 

That feeling was enough. Yes, that was really enough.

My insides were anticipating his action. I was waiting to see what he was going to do next, preparing myself if I was going to like it or not, but then he appeased. 

Breath ragged, Lucretius lifted his head. My wolf stirred at the sight of him, looking so beguiling under the moonlight. My heart skipped a beat upon seeing his eyes burning with desire and hunger.

Was I also affecting him just as I was to him? I could have sworn his control almost slipped away. 

There was no way that I was the only one who almost lost my sanity right there.

Lucretius' thumb caressed my swollen, bottom wet lip. His expression became unreadable, but his eyes pierced my lips. "Not yet," he growled, exhaling slowly and surely as if he was trying to keep himself at bay. I could feel his control gradually unfazed, unlike earlier, as if he wanted to tear my clothing. "When you say yes to me at the altar—once you become the mistress of the House of Franciosa and Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack—then, I shall have you. Completely." His thumb was inserted inside my mouth as I looked at him, my mind was ogling to have him be bold with me.

"Oh, look at you. You want to be ravished by me," he murmured darkly. I didn't know what had happened to me, but I erotically licked his thumb, making his breath hitch. "Oh, fuck me. You are such a tease, Euphyllia..." He chuckled, his voice deepened before gently pulling out his thumb. 

He took a step back, leaving me flushed from his words. I suddenly wanted to hide away from his gaze as I couldn't understand why I had gone so bold for him. 

This was his fault! Yes! He was too good at seducing me! 

Lucretius curved his lips into a devastating smirk, still, his eyes hinted with hunger. He closed our distance again and sniffed me.

"I am looking forward to working with you as my assistant next week," he whispered. "By then, our contract will be ready in three days, and I shall summon you for perusal." His hand closed around mine as I felt ticklish from the contact of our skin. "Until then... sleep well, fiancée."

He slightly inclined his head before pressing a lingering kiss to the back of my hand while his gaze didn't break from mine. He then disappeared into the shadows and left me in a daze. 

When I assured that he was gone, I mindlessly touched my lips, still feeling the ghost of his lips. I couldn't believe what just happened. I came here to talk about the vengeance he was offering, and now, I was engaged to Redmund's uncle.

Fiancée...

The word etched in my ears as if it was mocking me that the bond I once dreamed of was shared with someone else. I once saw myself getting engaged and married to him.

But now, it was different. Never would I have thought that I would end up engaged with his uncle. The one Redmund claimed his nemesis for not giving the Alpha title to him because, to Lucretius, Redmund was incompetent. 

I could see why Lucretius saw him like that. I had noticed Redmund's weaknesses of not being suited as an Alpha, but because I loved him, since I wanted him to be noticed by his uncle, I helped me rise through his military ranks. 

I was blinded by my love for him that I failed to notice that he was only using me for his own benefit. Now, he would pay tenfold for that. 

Not only that, but the pending recommendation letter Lucretius sent to Marlin. I had already accepted to be his assistant because I planned to be closer to Lucretius in the first place. But fate gave me more of what I had expected. 

It was too much even!

It felt like I sold myself to the devil in exchange for vengeance. 

But on second thought, if doing this would make me execute what I really wanted, perhaps, giving myself to Lucretius fully was the perfect chance I could ever get.

In my past lives, I never experienced this. Only this timeline, Lucretius was the anomaly and would be the one to make me overcome the death that was awaiting me.

If it weren't for him, the night Redmund had rejected our mate bond, I would have taken my own life. And I must say Lucretius was my savior. Thanks to his cryptic notes and chrysanthemum flowers.

But I had so many questions that I really wanted to ask him, and perhaps, that could wait. 

He said that he would be preparing the contract for the two of us to sign. I must prepare myself for my future.

I would show Redmund and Lilith that making me their enemy would make them regret. 

In this life, I would make sure that they would taste their downfall, and I would make them unable to forget. 

In the name of the Moon Goddess, I swear that they won't see a day once I had initiated my plans.