They had been silently staring at each other for what seemed to be hours now, though it could have been no more than a few minutes. The world around her was deathly void of anything around her other than the man… the Alpha… before her and his words.

Mate.

He had called her mate.

Alpha Titus… was her mate.

Her heartbeat had suddenly felt too quick at that point, so quick and powerful that it rattled against her ribcages and she had to stand to allow herself to breathe. The Alpha straightened in response to her quick movements as she quickly rushed to the wall nearest to her and rested her forehead against it, effectively facing her back towards him. She purposefully tried to ignore the intense gaze she could feel burning into her back, but thankfully she did not hear him move.

She swallowed deeply, resting her palms flat against the cool wall and closed her eyes for a bit. Just to gather her wits. Just to put a bit of distance between them for a moment for her to breathe. Just so that those eyes of his would not melt her so decidedly in his arms.

She was his mate. He said she was, and while a part of her denied it, she could not deny that there was a pull between them, a strong one that churned her soul inside out. Whether it was a mating bond or not, she did not quite know. She also knew that she had no choice but to agree with him now that she was under his care. It was her duty as a slave to serve her master when needed. He could do whatever he wanted with her, and she could not complain nor resist.

But…. Though all those things should terrify her, that the man…. The beast behind her would crush her tiny form in his large hands, she could only be terrified of one thing…

She wanted him to be hers.

He had patiently given her a few moments of silence and space which she was grateful for before she finally decided to speak, shyly peeking at the Alpha from over her shoulder. “You will accept me then?”

Her voice was soft, and she was worried that she had spoken to quietly, but she had seen his shoulders tremble a tiny bit at her words and had seen how his eyes flashed an inky black before disappearing. It made her shudder as well, and she flushed yet again.

“What do you mean by that?” his tone was gruff, almost angry and she flinched back into the wall just a tiny bit, planting her forehead against the wall again.

“I-“ she started but had to clear her throat. “You do not know of my skills yet, you might find that I lack certain things you need.” The rules from back in the cage had rushed back to her again, memories of the purchasing process, and how they had to meet the criteria of the buyers. Even if she was his supposed mate, he could still choose to leave her be if she was not what he wanted.

“I can clean if you teach me how you would like your place to be cleaned, though I cannot cook. I can learn to, though, if you need me to. I am good at listening to orders, and I would do anything you wish. I can also sing quite well, but only if you wish me to. And if you wish, I-I can please you s-sexually as-“

A large hand resting beside her right one on the wall had the words in her throat drying up and shriveling into nothing, the warmth of his body slowly enveloping her from her back. As she spoke, she did not realize that he had silently crept closer to her and was now caging her against the wall, though there were still a few inches of distance between her back and his torso.

She felt as if the distance was not enough as now she had smelt his scent again, and it made her mind falter and stutter over her thoughts. She could not remember what more she wished to say as her entire train of thought slowly devolved into desires of just turning around and clinging onto him.

No, what was her mind thinking?

When he remained silent but refused to move away, Robin decided that it meant for her to continue despite the trembling of her bones. His keen eyes continued to observe her.

“I-I,” she stuttered, feeling completely flustered. “I would live to serve my master over all else, i-if that is what you wish-“

“Master?” she jumped, hearing his deep and alluring voice so close to her left ear and she turned her head towards that direction. She came merely an inch away from his face… and those eyes. He was staring at her with so much intensity and with a look that she could not fully grasp. He was so close now… and he was so dangerously beautiful that she wanted to-

NO. NO.

“Yes, m-my master. I-If you decide to k-keep m-me.” A dark look crossed his eyes then, though she could tell that it was one of anger this time which made her shuffle a bit, which only made her bump into his arm, his oh so muscular arm that brought her skin aflame.

At the contact, it looked as if a part of him had snapped and he wrapped that thick arm around her shoulders, bringing her effectively onto his hard as rock chest. He held her tightly, though his touch was tender and soft. Robin could only hope that he did not realize that she had been turned into a wiry mess at that point as she tried to look at anywhere else but him in vain.

She did not even realize she had been whimpering to herself until he had started to run his fingers through her hair and softly shush her. “Shhh. Please, relax for me. I will not harm you.” His voice was a soft lullaby and, as if on command, started to calm her nerves along with the warm hand that petted her hair so tenderly. It felt so warm and safe that she felt like crying, not understanding how he made her feel like this.

Why did he make her feel safe like so?

Was this really what safety felt like?

“I’m sorry,” was all she could say, burying her face into his chest to hide her shame. “I-I will not be a good mate to you, Alpha. I-I am n-not worthy r-really.”

He sighed deeply, one that she felt swell against her cheek that rested on his chest, and she felt the tears prick her eyes as she thought that the Alpha had finally realized her lack of worth. To be an Alpha’s mate? To be the mate to Alpha Titus himself? She was not even worth a blanket or a scrap of cloth, like what Jan used to say. She understood, but it would still hurt to hear the Alpha say it himself.

Gently he took her sobbing form into his arms and sat them down at the edge of the bed, her body sideways on his lap. The tears kept flowing and as much as she tried to will them away, she couldn’t. Though his body was warm and inviting, she wouldn’t dare to bother him or anger him by wrapping her arms around his neck, no matter how badly she wanted to.

It startled her when he silently and very gently started to wipe her tears away with his large hands, looking down at her with a sorrowful look that made her feel quite sad herself. He was treating her so well, why? Wasn’t she not fit to be his mate?

“Do not think of those things again, baby. You are my mate. I am not your master, nor will you be my servant. You are my Luna, do you understand?” She still shook her head, not understanding what he was trying to tell her. His words were much too confusing for her, she did not understand why.

“Look at me, please,” she could not deny his soft request as she tried to blink the tears away and peered up shyly at him through her blurry vision. He rubbed her brow gently, trying to make her relax which it did, and she was melting oh so fast. When her attention rested squarely on him, he stared at her dumbfoundedly for a few seconds before shaking his head lightly and continuing.

“You are my equal,” he cupped her cheek and she shyly fell into his warm hand without her even thinking twice. “You do not have to do… all those things that you told me. I accept you as my mate.”

Understanding slowly seeped into her, and though there were doubts that remained, she couldn’t help but smile shyly at him and gaze at him through her lashes. She was happy enough that he wanted to keep her, and maybe he would keep holding her even if she remained good. She just had to be good.

“Thank you, my Alpha,” she whispered earnestly, which was rewarded in turn with a warm look. She found that he did not smile much, but she hoped maybe she would seem him someday.

“You do not need to thank me, baby. And call me Titus.”

“Titus…” she tested his name on her lips softly, and she felt his arms tighten around her and his back straighten, though she did not understand why. “Yes, baby. And what is your name?”

“My name is Robin.” She smiled brightly, happy that he asked. No one other than the claws had called her Robin, and she was happy that now she had someone else to call her by her name, even if it wasn’t her real one.

“Robin,” he spoke as well, his titillating voice sliding through ever letter in a husky tone that had her shivering. It did not sound nice on Jan’s lips, but she felt warm when the Alpha… Titus… said it. It felt as if it belonged to her now, like she mattered. A bright feeling bloomed in her chest at the thought.

He held her closer to his chest, smothering her deliciously in his warmth. “My Robin.”

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