I felt strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me causing me to crash into the firm chest of the man who stood in front of me and a soft gasp left my parted lips. His eyes at first so intently gazing into my eyes now released me from their burning hold and fell down to my parted lips. He tightened his grip pulling me impossibly closer.

"Meum miraculum." The man mumbled softly nuzzling his face into my neck inhaling my scent. His soft hair tickled my skin, but my body had become too numb for it to bother me. I felt myself quiver in fear. Despite how softly he spoke his voice had a rough near primal edge to it that awakened my own instincts to flee.

I struggled to get out of his arms and he let out a low but threatening growl effectively scaring me even more and fueling my struggles. But my struggles were futile for the man was much too strong it seemed he wasn't even slightly affected by my movement.

"Calm down love, I won't hurt you." The man said clearly trying to soften his deep voice as much as possible. I stopped struggling hoping he would just release me. His large warm arms stayed tight around my waist, but they shifted to my lower back. Allowing me to bend enough to look at his face.

"What's your name?" The man asked, his scorching gold eyes so intense it took me longer then it should to process the words.

"A-Amara" I stuttered out finally.

"Amara" he said lightly testing out my name on his tongue.

"Beautiful" he growled out in approval and I couldn't help but flush slightly.

"M-my parents are downstairs." I managed to stutter out.

"Lead the way love." The man said staring at me fondly lightly cupping my face in his large hand.

I quickly pulled away from him almost rushing out the door but he was easily able to keep up with me and he lightly grabbed my hand in his.

We walked down the stairs. Him maintaining his gentle grip on my hand and his stare drilling holes into the side of my face. The initial panic began to dim and the dread set in. Everything I had ever aspired to be, hoped to do, was gone. This story was far too common, the human always had to leave everything behind, let go of any dreams for they now belonged to their mate. What their mate chose for them, was what they would have, and the mates were too possessive to ever allow the human to do what they pleased. If it involved separation from them, or the company of another, then it was out of reach for the human. Humans were weaker than wolves, so the wolves primal instincts were heightened, and they became obsessively protective, because in comparison to them we were fragile. Never was it heard of for a wolf to allow a human to gain education, or work, or even see their family without the presence of the wolf.

Everything I'd wanted now was too far from reach, his arms would forever hold me back from all of it. All because of this one man who decided that he had some sort of right on me, a right to claim me, to own me just because I was his mate. This mate bond, Alaricus Night had decided was more than enough for this man to keep me as a treasured possession for the rest of my existence. I felt my eyes begin to water as I realized that was what I was now. I was a prisoner to this man's deeply ingrained infatuation.

I turned to face him meeting his adoring glance with my own hatred filled stare. His brows furrowing in confusion, head tilting to the side. He stared at me trying to decipher as to why I was glaring at him before he noticed the tears in my eyes. Immediate panic seemed to swarm him and he made a move to grab me but luckily we were already at the banquet and I quickly dodged his arms. Stumbling into the hall making everyone turn to look at me questioningly. And despite the situation I felt my cheeks redden with embarrassment. I spotted my parents eager to reach them and feel the comfort of them being so close.

I hiked up my dress a bit ready to run towards them. The man must have guessed my intentions as he quickly wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me back into his firm chest.

"Where do you think you're going love?" The man questioned in his low velvety voice causing my breath to hitch at the obvious power in his voice. The man as undeniably alluring, and that applied to his voice as well. It was positively compelling. Something so dark and low but yet smooth, seducing the listener into doing this man's bidding. My head swarmed for a moment, but I shook it trying to clear my thoughts.

I attempted to struggle out of his arms once again but he didn't let me go keeping his arm soundly wrapped around my waist. Everyone still stared at us and I wondered why that was. It wasn't uncommon for a wolf to be holding their mate, and it was often that we had to turn a blind eye to the struggles of a human as the wolf ignorantly showered them with affection. It was as if the wolves didn't even see the state of their mate, or perhaps they thought coddling them would make it better, perhaps they were unaware to the cause of the struggles.

A nearby standing alpha finally gathered the courage to ask what must have been on everyone's mind. But his words make my limbs fall numb and my breath hitch in my throat.

"Sire Knight is this young lady your mate?"