Raphael
"What's an ethereal creature like you doing at the outskirts of the woods?"
I whip my head in the direction of the annoying voice. It's a pink haired guy that looks like a piece of vanishing candy.
I snort, "Can't you see she's with someone else? Get the fuck away from here."
He eyes me annoyed, then turns to Veya with a smile, "Hello pretty girl, how are you?"
Veya stands rooted to the ground, her eyes fixed on him.
Don't tell me she finds this man handsome. I rather dig my grave, and bury myself alive than know she finds him handsome.
"What—" she points at him, her small lips parting slightly, then her hand drops by her side.
"What's the matter? Are you ravished by the beauty in front of you?" A stupid smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.
"You heard me, mister. Get the fuck out of here," I step in front of her, "she doesn't want to talk to you."
His eyes darken as he looks me in the eye, "I don't assume you're her mate. So step away before I do something to you."
I narrow my eyes, allowing a smirk to find its way to my lips, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am her mate."
The minute those words leave my mouth, I feel an odd sense of comfort settling at the bottom of my stomach. If felt right, just too right on my tongue.
I quickly dispel those thoughts, and focus on the pest in front of me.
"Now, leave. We've got other matters to attend to," I turn on my heels, grabbing Veya's wrist.
"Wait," I hear her velvety voice, which I find pleasing to the ears.
"Rafayel? What are you doing here?" She frees herself from my grip, walking towards me.
The scum— Rafayel's brows slant upwards as she calls his name.
"What a surprise. You already know me. Hehe, I guess I'm well known," a proud grin spreads across his face.
How I want to wipe it off.
"Is he really your mate? I don't want to believe so. He seems way out of your league, beautiful," he closes the space between them.
I ball my fists at his words, ready to punch him in the eye.
Veya takes a step backwards, her hands visibly shaking, "Yes.. yes he is."
"Hm?" His eyes dart back to my face, cocking a brow.
"You can always reject him. Let me claim you instead. I assure you, I'm the best guy you'd ever find."
Oh, this son of a dying bitch.
"You've got some really dirty audacity, huh?" I slightly push him away, "Stay away. I'm warning you. Don't let me get violent."
He scoffs, "If anyone is to get violent," he rolls his shoulders, clicking his tongue, "that would be me. You don't know who I am, so please excuse us."
"You shameless brat! You still haven't changed!" Veya suddenly screams, lunging at him.
I catch her before she causes some damage.
"Whoa, whoa, easy there, princess," I hold her trembling body.
"You don't know what this disgusting brat has done to me!" She spins around to face me, then faces him.
"I don't think I've met you before, darling," he chuckles, "You're probably mistaking me for someone else."
"Oh you wish I was!" She yells, her voice breaking.
My heart wrenches at her broken voice. What did this son of a dying bitch do to her? She seemed all sharp mouthed a moment ago, that's until he came into the picture.
"Listen young lady. You're confusing me for someone else. We can just hasten the whole process so we can start fucking already," he sighs.
Disgust and rage fill me at his words. He already has an irritating presence, and now he has a disgusting mouth?
Before I can stop myself, I slam my fists into his face.
"You better watch your mouth, bastard. That's my mate you're speaking to."
He staggers backward, holding his face. He raises his bloody face, his eyes flashing with rage, "You son of a bitch! You'll regret that!"
He lunges at me, balling his fist, ready to take me out, but I ain't your regular guy. I grew up in the trenches, with the mob, and among members of the underworld.
If someone wants trouble, I can give them the trouble they desperately want.
I catch his balled fist before it reaches me, and twist it counterclockwise. He yelps in pain. I land a hard kick in his groin before he can react, and send him crashing to the thorny ground.
"Oh my gosh, Raphael!" Veya's sweet voice breaks the flow of the heated rage flowing in my veins.
I look in her direction, "What?"
"I.. you shouldn't fight," she draws her lips out in an angry pout.
I roll my eyes, "Did you like what he said to you? No. So your 'mate' is teaching him a lesson. I better act according to that fifteen million dollars, hey?" I lower my voice in the last sentence.
Rafayel groans, and spits out before raining curses on me.
"Save those curses. You're too weak to even land a proper punch, let alone make me pay for anything," I scoff, shaking my head in mockery.
"Haa! You fucking bastard! You cheap wench!" He rushes to stand on his feet, charging in my direction.
"I'll make her mine, you fool! That beautiful lady should be fucked by me first!" He yells.
Disgust coils again in my intestines, and I see red. I might not be a perfect person, but there's no way I would disrespect a woman like that.
I catch him by the neck, twisting it to the side. A delicious groan of pain tears from his throat. I take hold of his right arm, bending it all the way to his left, then kick his little man so hard I bet it'll disconnect from the rest of his body.
He groans, and yelps, dropping to his knees. I land another hard blow on his face.
"Women are queens. They're fucking goddesses. You better watch your mouth when you talk about a woman, bastard," With that, I land the final blow in his mouth, causing him to fall on his back.
"Bastard," I hiss, finally turning to face Veya.
I arch my brows when I see her on her knees, face palmed, sobbing.
Worry fills my chest as I rush to her side, "What's the matter? Was I too graphic?"
She shakes her head, her shoulders trembling from her hard sobs.
"I just remembered how stupid I was to think he would ever love me. Oh damn it, I was beyond foolish."
I stoop at her side, feeling awkward about how to react to this. I didn't expect to stoop behind a crying woman today.
Just how bad was that scumbag to her.
She wipes her face, "Forget about him. We've got better things to do," She gets to her feet, and begins walking away.
I stay there, still in a kneeling position, watching her retreating figure.
"At least tell me a thank you for knocking him out?" I roll my eyes.
"Let's go to the sacred grounds to get our bond blessed." She says dismissively.
I force myself to a standing position.
For fifteen million dollars Raphael. For fifteen million dollars.