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.