The moment I reached my room, I shut the door—well, half shut it. I didn't bother making sure it clicked. I just wanted to be away from him. From his teasing. His stupid smirk. His calm voice that somehow annoyed me more than yelling ever could.

I threw myself on the bed, face-first into the pillow.

I hated today.

I hated the wedding.

I hated the attention.

I hated being dragged around like a display item.

I hated being told what to wear, what to do, how to smile.

And now I was in this house… married to a man I barely knew.

A powerful Alpha.

A man who could break my bones just by gripping too hard.

A man who was supposed to "claim" me tonight.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Not happening.

Never happening.

My chest tightened as anger, fear, and exhaustion tangled together until I couldn't even tell which one hurt the most.

Then—

A knock.

I didn't lift my head.

"Mika?"

His voice. Calm. Deep. Too smooth for someone like him.

I groaned into the pillow.

"Oh god, what does he want now…?"

I forced myself to turn my face slightly. "Go away."

He didn't.

He never listens.

"You didn't lock the door," he said.

"I don't care. Leave me alone."

I heard him lean on the doorframe, because his voice came a little lower.

"So hostile. We just had our wedding. Shouldn't we bond a little?"

Bond?

Over my dead body.

"If you open this door, I'll bond with you by killing you," I snapped.

Silence.

Then a soft laugh.

A laugh.

This man was laughing at me.

I buried my face back in the pillow, embarrassed and furious at the same time. How is someone supposed to get angry at him when he sounds like that—like he enjoys it?

Then he said something that made my heart stop for a moment.

"I came to check on you."

Why?

Why would he…?

I swallowed. "I didn't ask you to."

"You were angry."

"I still am."

"Good."

I shot upright on the bed.

Good??

This demon.

"What the hell do you mean good?" I yelled, glaring at the door even though he couldn't see me.

"It means you're finally being yourself," he said simply.

I froze.

My mouth stayed open a little.

What—

What was that supposed to mean?

Myself?

As if he knew anything about me.

But the words stuck in my chest like something sharp.

I didn't respond.

I couldn't.

Then his voice lowered. Softer. Different.

"Mika… you're safe here."

Safe.

That word…

It sounded fake.

It sounded impossible.

It sounded like everything I wanted but didn't trust.

"You can be however you want in this house," he continued.

"Angry. Loud. Quiet. Anything. I won't hurt you."

My throat tightened unexpectedly.

I looked away from the door.

Why would he say that?

Why would he give me freedom so easily?

Why talk like… like he meant it?

I didn't trust it.

I didn't trust him.

Not even a little.

But still…

My breathing slowed down without me noticing.

Then he said, "Good night, Mika."

I hesitated.

Just for a second.

"Good night," I whispered.

Barely audible.

The hallway went quiet again as his footsteps faded.

I sank back into my bed, staring at the ceiling.

This marriage didn't make sense.

His behavior didn't make sense.

Nothing about today made sense.

But one thing I knew for sure:

Lucian Christwealth wasn't what I expected.

And that was annoying.

Very, very annoying.

Because now…

I couldn't stop wondering what else I didn't know about him.