Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 106: Soft lips

Chapter 106: Soft lips

Back in her room, Belle couldn’t stop replaying Maddie’s words in her mind. Was going to war truly her destiny? And if it would lead her to uncovering the truth about her mother, then perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

For some reason, Maddie’s words also lessened the guilt she felt about her wavering loyalty toward Hezekiah. She feared her heart had betrayed her body, she did not love him and could not see herself ever loving him. Yet, on the other hand, her foolish heart refused to stop beating for a serial womanizer like Quinn, who just so happened to be her mate. What an unfortunate fate!

But if he truly planned to marry his sister, would he finally sever the mate bond between them?

Deciding to dwell on that later, she exhaled deeply and went to bed.

...

Elsewhere in the castle, Mia was just returning from the servants’ quarters, a place she often visited when she was bored and in need of entertainment.

Humming to herself, she practically danced her way through the corridors, only to stumble upon something solid, sending her tumbling backward.

"Ahh!" she groaned, rubbing her sore backside before raising her head to see what or rather, who she had collided with.

Her expression darkened when she recognized him.

Standing up, she crossed her arms and mocked, "Look who it is—the most gentlemanly man on earth." She mocked, rolling her eyes at Ray, who remained as unbothered as ever.

Confirming that she was unharmed, he ignored her remark and simply turned to walk away.

Scoffing, she also turned in the opposite direction. But just as she took a few steps, her heart suddenly raced, forcing her to stop mid-stride.

A strange sensation coursed through her, sending shivers down her spine.

’What is this feeling?’ She thought, widening her eyes at the unexpected surge.

A soothing, intoxicating scent filled her senses, urging her to inhale more of it. Her body moved on instinct, turning toward the source, and the moment her eyes locked onto Ray, who was staring back at her, her jaw dropped.

"Mate," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

His expression twitched, his body stiffening as though resisting something.

Mia frowned, inwardly hoping this was some terrible mistake. How could Ray be her mate? They had nothing in common, and more importantly, they despised each other. This had to be some cruel joke.

So caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t even notice when she backed into the wall, until she felt his hands pinning hers in place. Her breath hitched as he leaned in, his nose brushing against her neck, inhaling her scent like she was a feast laid before him.

"Let go of me!" She struggled, assuming he intended to mark her.

"Don’t move," he muttered. "I want this to be a misunderstanding as much as you do."

She scoffed at his arrogance.

"Do you think I want to be mated to you?" She snapped, rolling her eyes.

"Mate," he breathed against her skin, sending another jolt through her body. A gnawing sensation spread through her, overwhelming her senses.

She was doomed. Of all the men in the world, Ray had to be her mate? She wanted to scream, but her voice had already been swallowed by misery.

"Do you feel it too?" He asked, though the answer was already painfully obvious.

"Are you dumb? Can’t you see that I do? Let’s just reject each other and be done with it," she snapped.

Ray released her hands, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, Mia thought he was hesitating, unwilling to go through with it. Her heart began to race, her thoughts spiraling out of control. Suddenly, an indecent image flashed through her mind. Her body bare beneath his, his heat enveloping her as he drove into her.

Her eyes widened in horror.

’What the hell am I imagining?!’ She thought. Snapping out of it, she slapped herself lightly, scolding, "Get a grip!"

Ray exhaled and began, "I, Ray Bernard, reject..."

Before he could finish, a sudden force cut him off—her lips.

Mia crashed into him, seizing his mouth with hers as if there were no tomorrow.

Ray’s eyes flew open in shock, his heart hammering wildly as an unfamiliar sensation surged through him. His body tingled in a way he couldn’t explain, but he fought against it. Quickly, he cupped her face and pried her off, his voice sharp with irritation.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I don’t know!" She blurted, frustration thick in her tone. "I just... I just need to touch you, I want you inside me," she admitted, her voice breaking into a soft sob as if the desire itself pained her.

The moment the words left her lips, she gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth in horror.

Ray clenched his jaw, ignoring the heat rising between them. "Let’s get this rejection over with." He let go of her and straightened his shirt, trying to compose himself.

Mia gave a stiff nod, agreeing, at least, in her mind.

He cleared his throat and started again, "I..."

But his words faded into the background as Mia’s mind wandered elsewhere. She wasn’t listening.

She was thinking about his lips, the ones she had just tasted, soft and warm against hers. How could a man as rigid as Ray have such inviting lips? The thought consumed her, making her crave more, making her forget why she had even come here in the first place.

And before she could stop herself, she lunged at him again.

This time, her kiss was fiercer, more desperate, so much so that Ray, despite his initial resistance, found himself faltering. His grip tightened around her waist, and as if some primal force overtook him, he yanked her closer and seized control of the kiss.

Mia moaned against his lips, melting into his touch as her arms wrapped around his waist. Their bodies pressed flush against each other, the intensity of the moment consuming them.

Ray slammed her back against the wall, deepening the kiss. His lips traveled from her upper lip to her lower, teasing and devouring, sending shivers through her body.

A whimper escaped her when his hand found her breast, his touch igniting something she wasn’t ready to face.

Then, as if a cold wave crashed over her, reality hit. Her eyes widened.

She shoved him away, gasping for air. Without another word, she turned and ran.

Ray stood there, breathless, watching her retreat like a startled deer. He didn’t chase after her, he didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t meant to kiss her back. He hadn’t meant to want her.

But the force within him—the bond—had surfaced today, and it had consumed him whole.

Clenching his fists, he slammed them against the wall, frustration boiling in his veins. He never wanted a mate. And now the Moon Goddess had given him her?

Not even a noble one at that, it had to be that girl.

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