The moment of truth

"No," I said, my voice shaking. "I won't take this. I won't become your mate."

Andrew's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw a spark of anger in his gaze.

"You don't have a choice," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You belong to me now, and you will do as I say. Or else..."

I felt a surge of fear course through me. I knew that I was powerless in this world, that Andrew was stronger, more powerful than I was. And I knew that if I didn't play by his rules if I didn't become his mate, there would be consequences.

"I ... I don't understand," I said, my voice breaking.

"I can explain it to you," Andrew said, taking a step toward me.

I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't want to hear what he had to say. I didn't want to know what this meant for me.

"No," I said, my voice stronger this time. "I don't want to hear it."

Andrew stopped, his eyes still narrowed. "You will listen to me," he said, his voice cold. "You are my mate, and you will do as I say."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew that I couldn't fight him, not now.

But I also knew that I couldn't just give in to him. I had to find a way to escape, to find a way to get away from him.

"I'll listen," I said, my voice trembling. "But I'm not making any promises."

Andrew smiled a cruel smile that sent a chill down my spine. "Good," he said. "Now, let me explain what this means."

And so he did, and as he spoke, I felt my heart breaking. I was his mate, and I belonged to him. I had no choice.

I would find a way to escape, to find a way to be free.

I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about what Andrew had told me. I was his mate. I belonged to him.

I didn't want to belong to anyone. I wanted to be free.

But I knew that I wasn't free. I was trapped.

I closed my eyes and tried to imagine a way out of this. But I couldn't think of anything.

I was his mate. I belonged to him.

I sighed and rolled over, trying to get comfortable. But I couldn't sleep.

All I could think about was how I was going to get out of this.

The next day, I woke up early and went for a walk. I needed to clear my head.

I walked for hours until I came to a clearing in the woods. I sat down on a rock and looked out at the forest.

I took a deep breath and tried to relax. But it was no use. I couldn't stop thinking about Andrew.

I was his mate. I belonged to him.

I turned and started walking back to the castle. As I walked, I thought about what I was going to do.

I couldn't just accept this. I couldn't just let him claim me as his mate. I had to fight back.

But how? What could I do?

I didn't know. But I would find a way.

I reached the castle and went inside. I went straight to my room and changed into my clothes.

Then, I went to find Andrew. I knew that I had to confront him.

I found him in his study, sitting at his desk. He looked up when I entered the room.

"Harper," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," I said.

"About what?" he asked.

"About what you said yesterday," I said. "About me being your mate."

He nodded. "Yes," he said. "I know what I said."

"And you're still going to claim me?" I asked.

"Yes," he said. "I am."

"Why?" I asked. "Why do you want me?"

"Because you're my mate," he said. "And I need you."

"I don't understand," I said. "Why do you need me?"

"Because you're the only one who can complete me," he said. "You're the only one who can make me whole."

I shook my head. "I don't believe you," I said.

"You don't have to believe me," he said. "But it's the truth."

"I don't want to be your mate," I said. "I don't want to be your queen."

"Too bad," he said. "You are my mate. And you will be my queen."

"I won't do it," I said. "I won't let you claim me."

"You have no choice," he said. "You are mine."

I glared at him. "I'm not yours," I said. "I never will be."

"We'll see about that," he said.

He stood up and walked towards me. I took a step back, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me close.

He looked into my eyes, and I saw a flash of anger in his gaze.

"You are mine," he said again. "And I will claim you, one way or another."

He leaned down and kissed me. I tried to pull away, but he held me tight.

His lips were cold and hard, and I felt a wave of disgust wash over me.

I pushed him away, and he let go of my arm.

"I'll never be yours," I said. "Never."

I turned and ran out of the room. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to get away from him.

I ran through the halls of the castle until I came to the front door. I burst out of the door and into the sunlight. I took a deep breath of fresh air.

I ran out of the room and into the hallway. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to get away from him.

I stopped in the doorway, and everyone turned to look at me. I was breathing heavily, and my face was flushed.

Andrew was standing at the front of the hall, talking to a group of people. He saw me as soon as I entered the room, and his eyes narrowed.