Claiming His Tempting Mate novel Chapter 34

Savannah's POV

We walked outside the pack mansion together. He led me towards the narrow path on the left. There are many flower pots on each side of the path. When we reached the end of the path there was a door. I heaved a sigh. Hardwick turned towards me and smiled.

"You are still so nervous?"

"I can't help it," I whispered back.

He held my hand tightly. "I told you, you don't have to think about it that much. You are pressuring yourself to no end"

"I am trying, it's just...." my voice paused. What can I say to him? It's also coming from my old experience that I could not open myself up and motivate myself to adapt to the new situation.

"You don't have to worry, nothing is the same as before" his words had me looking at him in surprise. What does that mean? Does he know about my fear? But how did he find out?

He smiled "they are waiting. We should not let them wait for long you know"

I smiled and nodded. We walked past the door and saw it was an open field. Two times larger than Snow Moon's training field. I gasped when I saw a huge crowd standing in front of us.

"Today here, I wanted to personally introduce you to a special person of mine" Hardwick's voice echoed loudly. I can clear the the curious stares of the pack members.

"As I have announced it before, today I am going to introduce the person. Here..." Hardwick pushed me little forward and held my shoulder "meet my mate, Savannah Lang, the princess of Snow Moon Pack and your Luna of the Dark Forest"

All the members suddenly fell on their knee and shouted loudly "Welcome to the pack Mistress"

I stood there silly, stunned. Though I have thought because of Hardwick they won't disrespect me but I never expected them to do such a thing. Welcoming me like this is something so surprising. It felt like they were welcoming some queen.

"I hope everyone will be obeisance towards your Luna forever. Think about your actions before taking it into consideration, going against her means going against me. And I won't tolerate any criticism against it. Did I make myself clear?" Hardwick's hard voice fell like a rumble. I looked at him, he was almost threatening his own pack members. There was not a trace of softness in his eyes, and all his emotions were covered by the thick fog of coldness.

"Yes Master" all of them replied without any objection. I don't know about Dark Forest's customs but looking at the scene in front I can guess that it was definitely different from other packs.

After the introduction he led me towards a beautiful gazebo which was built at the side. The members of the pack were training in the field. I looked at the huge crowd before turning my head to look at my mate.

"You know, you shouldn't have threaten like that"

"That's nothing darling, this is how I talk to them"

"Isn't it a little rude?" I frowned.

"Rude?" He laughed "there is no such thing baby. This is how dark forest works. Besides, do you think with a simple and emotional mind, Dark Forest can win all these years without any weakness?"

He is right. Dad also said that Dark Forest is built with strict rules but this was the reason they are staying on top. It was a hard thing to hold the position for years after years. The members of the pack must work hard enough to stay in such a position. I was thinking when I heard a snapping sound. Hardwick snapped his fingers trying to catch my attention.

"What happened? I was talking to you yet you are lost in somewhere else"

I shook my head "it's nothing, I was just thinking about something else"

"Thinking about what?" He raised an eyebrow.

I sighed "about your pack"

"You are still pressuring yourself thinking about it?" He chuckled "you don't have to feel pity or something. This is how a strong pack works darling. If anyone wants to get on top, they need to be hard on themselves and follow the same rules with the pack too. If the challenge is to stay on top then the rular and members need to be hard on themselves"

"Fine, I am not going into your formalities. Keep them for yourselves" I rolled my eyes. It's better to focus on my things than thinking about his way of ruling.

"Sure," he smirked, clearly enjoying my annoyance.

"What are you laughing at?" I asked, getting irritated.

"You were so nervous earlier. How are you feeling now?"

"I...." He was still concerned about that? "I am fine"

"Good, I told you already not to pressure yourself so much," he nodded.

Actually I didn't expect that the introduction would go this smoothly. The members didn't show any kind of disrespect, not from their behaviour nor from their gestures. And I am glad about it. They are strangers for me and it will take time for them and for me to accept it. But I am more glad about Hardwick's words which helped me a lot. I wonder if Avan saw such things then would he not go crazy? Funny one.

"Did you like your new wardrobe?" He asked.

That reminded me again.

"What were you thinking when you were thinking about arranging clothes?"

He frowned "what happened? You don't like it. I will ask Luina to rearrange everything"

I rolled my eyes. Is he serious? Rearrange everything means changing every fucking thing. How can he just say this so casually? I have checked those things, they are hell expensive. And he is talking about rearranging it?

"I liked it, you don't have to bother that poor girl"

"Why did you say that?"

"Are you serious Hardwick? I was asking what you were thinking when you ordered such a huge closet? I mean I couldn't possibly finish wearing all of them" I threw my arms in the air shaking my head lightly.

"That's too small" he replied "you have rest of your life to wear every piece of it"

"You are seriously insane, do you know that?" I shook my head. Who can win from this man in an argument? Come out and I will reward you.

"My sanity had gone away the moment I held you in my arms that night darling"

I blushed "that night?"

He nodded, "You are transforming, aren't you?"

"What? Was that you?" I almost pointed my finger at him.

"Surprised!" He smirked.

I still remember that night. I got my birthmark after that but was so weak and I realised someone held me and said something too but I couldn't remember it properly. So it was him after all?

"I had no idea about that" I shook my head. What a coincidence!

"You looked so beautiful that night, totally like ready to fuck"

I covered his mouth "shut up, what are you saying?"

He held my hand then smirked "I was stating the truth, my love. If the situation was right, I would have-"

I covered his mouth tightly. Does this man have any shame? How can he just talk like this? That too in this open yard?

"What are you doing?" I glared at him.

He removed my hand and was about to say something when someone interrupted "wow, am I dreaming?"

I turned to look at the side and found a young man, at Hardwick's age. He looked handsome and was smirking looking at us. Who's this now? I frowned.

"Wow, wow, the cold hearted man finally got his mate huh" that man walked forward with amazement playing in his eyes.

Hardwick removed my hand "you just came now?"

"Was it my fault? It was obviously you, who gave me so much task" the man replied, making an annoyed face.

I was surprised to see him behaving like this. Earlier all the members did not dare to look into Hardwick's eyes. But this man is clearly arguing with him in a careless manner while Hardwick didn't seem to mind at all.

"It was your duty," Hardwick replied.

"Forget it, talking to you is worse" that man turned to me and flashed a charming smile. "It's better to talk to your mate. I must say purple is really attractive" he smirked.

"Look at her in a funny way and your eyeballs will be in your hands" Hardwick threatens.

"Fuck you, why are you messing with my impression?" That man cursed.

I turned my head to the other side, pressing my lips together tightly. What are they? 5?

"Oh, do you still have any impression left on you?" Hardwick asked.

I coughed lightly trying not to laugh out. Seriously. Who is this man? They are arguing and the next moment teasing each other?

"You don't know girls would die for it" that man waved his hand.

"That's because those girls are jumping clones looking for surficial charm" Hardwick teased.

"You are worse" that man barked before saying again "hello Luna, I am Ryan, the charming one in the pack"

Ryan?I turned to look at him in surprise. Isn't he the one Hardwick was talking about? The beta of the pack? I turned to look at Hardwick who nodded his head like he understood my unasked question.

"Ryan?" I smiled.

"Yes, one and only" he winked playfully.

"You forgot to add the word 'playboy' too. And it looks like your eyes can't control themselves. Should I do the honour of digging it out?" Hardwick raised his eyebrow with a serious face.

"What has gotten in you?" Ryan frowned "why are you after my eyes today?"

"I was just suggesting to control it since it's going out of your control" he replied.

"Hell" Rutan cursed and looked at me again "I will see you later Luna or this man will have eyes to play with. See you soon" he ran away waving his hand without glancing back.

"What's that?" I asked Hardwick.

He smirked "what! A scared monkey running away?"

I rolled my eyes "you really know how to piss anyone off"

"He was winking at you" he stated.

"So you will dig his eyes out?"

"That was just a warning for him. He knows his limits"

"You said Ryan is a playboy?" I frowned.

"Yes"

"Why is that? I mean what would his mate think if he sleeps around like that?"

"That's the point darling"

"What point?" I am confused now.

Hardwick smiled "Ryan is still single. He has not found his mate yet'

"What? He has not found his mate?" I gasped. Hardwick pulled me towards him.

"He is still single and trying to locate his real mate. But still he couldn't so he is releasing his frustration on other woman"

"But is it right to do so?"

"Don't worry, he is not a bad guy and knows what he is doing. Though he got laid often but he does not broke anyone's heart till now"

Now I really feel bad for Ryan. It's almost over age but he is still unable to find his mate, I really wonder who will be his mate? But more importantly what will she say when she gets to know about him sleeping around.

"What are you thinking?" Hardwick knocked on my forehead.

"Why did you do that?" I frowned.

"You were not paying attention to me"

"I was just thinking something" I reached out and rubbed my forehead.

"Thinking what?" Hardwick frowned.

"Nothing" I shook my head.

"You are not allowed to think of something else other than me when I am with you darling"

I looked at him, "Is it a threat?"

He smiled "I don't dare to threaten you"

"Wow, and I got to know that today?" I forced a smile.

He chuckled "pissed?"

I turned my head to the other side, not looking at him. This man is a devil who loves to tease others until they become mad. Right now I am so pissed that I want to curse him.

"You know, you look fucking beautiful when you are angry" he cooed in my ear.

I pushed him away from me "sweet tongue, I know you well"

"Since you know me so well" there's something flashed in his eyes and my senses immediately alerted me. Oh no danger.

"Can you read my mind?" He smirked.

I moved my body backward as I narrowed my eyes at him "what are you talking about? Don't you dare doing anything funny here" I warned him. But this warning did not affect him at all. Worse, it made him smile more widely.

"Are you challenging darling?" He looked excited.

"Who has free time to challenge you?"

He tugged my wrist and pulled me in his embrace "fuck, you look fucking adorable right now"

I bit my lips shaking my head. He really knows how to make me blush even in this situation. On the field his pack members are training so hard and look at their Alpha who is flirting with me.

"You should focus on your members training so hard for you"

"They need to be strong to stay in the pack, that's why they train themselves. How does their training have anything to do with me?" He put on an innocent face as he asked. But in reality he is anything but innocent.

"You are not even concerned about your members" I rolled my eyes.

"That's another thing. Now your focus should only be me, not them"

"What do you want?" I frowned.

"I want you" he leaned down. I wanted to move but couldn't. He was already caging me in his arms, giving me disadvantage.

He was about to kiss when someone cleared throat "master, lunch is ready"

I almost laughed out loud when I saw his face. It was really funny to see him pissed. Afterall he made me so pissed so whenever he gets annoyed I will be happy and enjoy his pain.

"You really know the timing, Luina" he growled. The poor maid only lowered her head and didn't look up.

"What's her fault? " I frowned "she was just doing her work. You don't have to scold her"

He turned to me "protecting darling?"

I rolled my eyes "I was just stating truth"

"We will see that later" saying this he let me go. I sighed inwardly and thanked Luina for coming and rescuing me from this man or he would have planned to embarrass me infront of his whole pack members. I guess I am lucky today.

He got up and pulled me with him "let's enjoy the meal first then we will talk about it later"

"There's still to talk about?" I frowned.

"You think it's over?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Isn't it?"

He threw his killer smirk "you enjoy your lunch darling then..." He lowered his head and whispered in my ear.

"I will enjoy my dessert"