Chapter 4. Territorial

Sianna's POV

Oh my God! What is this man doing here?

Hailey and I were at the mall at the shoes store trying to get our claws on the new arrivals. My mate had just walked into the same store but went over to the men’s section. Surreptitiously, I observed his movements as he spoke to the attendant who was flirting with him.

Shameless!

My wolf growled in my head. She was acting territorial. His presence caused a ripple effect in my stomach as though my senses detected danger. Without realizing it, my gaze swept down his towering frame. From his long silk black hair to his broad shoulders, the taut ridges down his back and a firm backside on top of long muscular legs with a high-powered stance that would enchant any woman to see the face that accompanied such a magnificent physique.

I rolled my eyes and tore them away from him. I did not need to see that gut-wrenching scene.

'Mate.' My wolf urged me to go to him, as usual.

I blocked her for the time being, but he would be able to scent me and sense my wolf. So I repeated inner supplications, please don’t come over here.

Hastily, I grabbed Hailey by the arm and pulled her, “Let’s go and check out the new department store on the third floor.”

“No, I am not done yet.” Hailey frowned and stopped me, “Look at these!” She held a pair of silver lace-up pumps in strappy heels of a luxurious brand, “I’ve got to try these on.” She sang as her face lit up and went to the stool to sit for the try on.

Defeated, I perused the shelf to see if there were any other shoes that I might have liked. Previously, I had chosen four pairs that I was grandly satisfied with. As I continued to browse, his scent drew near.

Yep, he was coming to me.

Just my luck!

"Ladies," he formerly greeted. He stood with his hands in his jeans pockets and sent me a heated gaze.

Because of his title, I bowed my head in full respect to acknowledge him in the presence of Hailey.

"Would it be alright if I treated you both, today?" He asked with a wry smile.

"Sure," Hailey zealously accepted, which caused a knot to twist in my stomach.

I glared at him, and made an excuse, "I've got to study for a test so I'm going to have to skip." I walked to cash my stuff as I gave the cashier the boxes of shoes, one at a time.

"I'll cover their bills," his authoritative tone left no room for objections as he told the cashier, who was very nervous.

The protest was silenced by the awareness that I cannot argue with him in public, lest others would think I should be punished for insubordination. I tapped my fingers on the glass counter as I waited for the lousy cashier to finish cashing.

Giving her his credit card, he stretches his hand so that it brushes against my arm and the stinging sparks erupted through me. I bit my tongue to fight the upshots.

"Sianna, I have to stop by the salon to do my hair." Hailey pursed her lips because we would have to split up. "It needs clipping."

Before I could bat my eyes, he said, "I'll give her a ride." He was being Mr. Nice today.

Hailey hugs me and leaves. I gritted my teeth. I did not want to be alone with this man. He had gone from being my mate to a stalker.

Last night he crept onto my social media page, dropping tons of compliments and some old lyric lines that annoyed the hell out of me. I give zero damns about him.

"I know you're trying to get in between my legs, and it'll be a cold day in hell because that's not happening. Nothing you do impresses me." I boldly remarked after I took my bags from the cashier and we exited the store.

"That's not what I'm trying to do," he contradicted lowly.

"So why are you pressing me?" My voice was laced with vehement exasperation.

"I'm claiming what's mine." He defended with much love and passion, "Till the end of time, you will be loved and cared for by me.".

"Your claim is in vain," I snapped. He motioned to carry my bags and I declined.

"I'm sure the other person isn't quite like me, Sianna. That boy is incapable of treating you with the same care and consideration that I can," he mused seductively.

Ceasing my steps, I turned to glare at him from the right. But then I recalled that I did not want to be seen recurrently with him because that would encourage the gossipers to propagate false rumors about us having an affair.

I digressed and resumed walking, wishing that this insufferable man would get the picture and accept the rejection.

Once in the parking lot, he unlocked the car and I climbed inside. He waits until I have buckled the seatbelt before he drives. 

"Did you like the pony?" He inquired with a delectable smile.

"I torched it," I hurled at his ego.

"And the Beyoncé concert tickets?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"I gave them away," On impulse, I flung this to bruise his pride.

"And the bracelet?" His tone got threateningly deep.

"I melted it." I shot this one at his heart and resisted the inherent submission that tried to overtake my voice. The jewel was a classy diamond-studded 24-karat rose-pattern bracelet that bore my name on it. A lot of considerations went into it.

He grimaced in silence while retaining his focus on the road. When he pulled up at the entrance of my driveway, I felt the need to repent. The fault was on him for making me treat him so savagely.

"Look," I began my moment of truth, "I don't mean to hurt you, but my heart belongs to Curtis." I paused when he emitted a growl, then continued, "I will not leave him for you. We genuinely love each other. So please find another woman to be yours."

His jaws clenched and eyes dilated pitch black. Notably, his wolf was evolving with a monstrous aura and before he could utter a word, I sped out of the car, into my house and locked the door without glancing back.

Will he understand now? 

Because I've had it up to my neck with this stalking shit!