CLAIMED BY THE LYCAN PRINCE

My father had no idea why I always insisted on marrying for love. He was unaware of what I did in the privacy of my room when I needed to relieve stress. He had no clue about my secret desires and the struggle I faced in suppressing them due to the expectations that came with being the daughter of the Lycan King.

In times of extreme stress, like recently, I found comfort in pleasuring myself. It became a way for me to relax both my body and mind. Since the incident, I had been doing it every day, spending most of my time locked away in my room. It proved to be an effective remedy when I couldn't sleep.

Slowly, I opened my legs wider, guiding my hands towards the pulsating flesh between my thighs. A moan escaped my lips as my fingers brushed against my clitoris. I tightened my grip on my nipple, while my middle finger slipped inside. The sensation was incredibly pleasurable, causing me to arch my back in delight.

The sound of my moans filled the room, and I closed my eyes, trying to avoid witnessing the pleasure my body was experiencing. It was difficult not to watch, considering the large mirror in front of my bed that reflected my nudity. My entire body trembled as waves of pleasure washed over me. My heart raced, and my breathing grew heavier as I lay on the bed, my mouth agape.

I closed my eyes once more, attempting to focus on relaxing my body. The thought of taking a short nap to rejuvenate myself crossed my mind. But suddenly, the door swung open, and a stranger entered, closing the door behind him. The shock of a stranger barging into my bedroom left me completely stunned.

“Who are you?”

“Look closely,” he replied.

The bastard was impertinent, and I hated his guts. He said to look closely, so I did, and my eyes widened in realization when I recognized the man who rescued me from those savages! “You! What are you doing here?”

He looked different from the last time I saw him, but he possessed the same hooded brown eyes that mesmerized me way back then. Blonde, long hair pulled back in a ponytail exposed a face that was fresh and bright. His fair complexion beautifully complimented his brown eyes, and he exuded seductiveness. Somehow, something was befuddling about him.

“My name is Asher, Miss Scarlett.”

“Okay, Asher, noted on that, but can you tell me first what are you doing here?”

“Your father hired me to be your bodyguard,” he replied.

“A bodyguard? Why? I don’t need one.”

“Because of what happened a few weeks ago.”

When he reminded me of what happened that day, my nostrils flared in annoyance. It was obviously a set-up but whoever planned the entire thing wasn’t caught yet. I wanted to catch the mastermind and teach him a lesson, however, those guys just vanished without a trace! I was positive that the dash cam on my car has captured their images, but I couldn’t find anything on the dash cam!

“If you were hired by my father, then you must be aware of the house regulations, Asher. Did the butler fail to inform you that I don’t allow anyone to visit my personal space?”

“That’s ridiculous, Miss Scarlett. A bodyguard should always stay close to you. Besides, I heard you screaming earlier,” he stated.

“You may go home now, Asher. As I don’t need a bodyguard, I will just inform my father about your termination,” I informed him, then he chuckled.

“I know why you are trying to be mean to me. You were probably embarrassed that I caught you being naughty,” he mentioned a fact, but the way he said it was alarming.

“Get out!” I shouted at the arrogant man who believed that he was untouchable. Did he really believe he was special because he once saved me?

“I’ll be in the next room if you need me,” he stated before leaving.

“Stop there!” I tried to stop him from leaving because the look he gave me earlier had something hidden behind it.

“You told me to get out,” he replied, but he didn't move from where he was standing.

“We have something to discuss, Asher,” I told him.

He nodded and made his way to the couch, where he sat down comfortably. He seemed to be taking ownership of the place as he crossed his legs. It was obvious from everything he did that he was full of himself, and I was incensed!

“You may take a seat if you like,” he motioned for me to sit across from him.

To appear forceful and domineering, I attempted to represent myself as someone who wouldn’t tremble under pressure. But even when I was standing right in front of him, he stayed unflinching and didn't even show any signs of quivering even once.

“About the things you saw earlier,” I paused for a moment because it was humiliating to continue while he was staring at me.

“There's no need to worry about it, Miss Scarlett since I am just going to keep my mouth shut,” he promised. “Was it good?” He asked.

“Shut up!” I scolded him for being nosy but then, he stared at me before speaking again.

“I think it’s inappropriate to talk like this while you are not decent. You should get dressed first or I will imagine that body under me while writhing in pleasure,” he suggested.

“How dare you! Leave. Leave right now! Hurry!” I demanded, but my eyes fixated on his muscular arms as he struggled to tussle his unruly mane with his palm. I swallowed the lumps on my throat and attempted to break our eye contact.

“I’m not leaving,” he told me and I was too stunned to respond to his statement.

“Why not?”

”Because you need my help, Miss Scarlett,” he claimed.

”Leave immediately or else,” I warned him, and gladly, he heeded my warning and left immediately.

The new bodyguard he hired to watch me was arrogant, full of himself, and bold. He was incredible for a man who relied on a job to survive, and he was also the only one who uncovered my naughtiest secret. Not even my nanny has learned about my darkest secret! Aside from his arrogance, his superb looks posed a challenge to my peace of mind!

While coming up with a plan on how to dismiss him, I strolled up to the window and opened it, crossing my arms as I inhaled the fresh air from the outside. My gaze drifted to the horizon as I took a deep breath. I had to do something with him or else…it would be dangerous!

“A penny for your thoughts?”

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I failed to notice the person behind me. When I turned around, there stood the same man I loathed, boldly standing a few meters away from me, and I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering why he had entered my room without my permission…again! Even though I scowled at his presence, I was unable to frighten him. The way he grinned at me made my blood boil in annoyance!

“Asher! What are you doing here? For the nth time, I fired you, didn’t I?”

Asher chuckled and came over to stand at the window with me, then he said, “I work for your father, Miss Scarlett.”

“In that case, I'm going to phone him right now!”

The phone was on my bed, so I went to get it and left him by the window. I dialed my father's phone number, and I received the same response as I had earlier: I was told to leave a message on his voicemail, and after several attempts, I finally gave up and muttered under my breath.

”So? What did he say?” He inquired, and then he came towards me in a slow, deliberate manner and only halted when he was at least a few steps away from where I had stood up.

“How much should I pay you?”

“What are you talking about?” He furrowed his brows as he asked.

“I’ll pay you a handsome amount if you resign from the job,” I offered, and for a moment, he was speechless. My freedom may cost me a lot, but who cares?

“You can’t afford it, Miss Scarlett.”

“Are you sure about that, Asher?”

“Hmmm, the offer is tempting, but I want something else than your money,” he replied.

“What is it?” I asked out of curiosity, then I smiled at the thought that everything has a price.

“Spend a night with me,” he proposed.

I gazed at Asher, feeling utterly dumbfounded by his stubbornness. Despite being fired from his position as my bodyguard, he adamantly refused to leave Nightshade Empire. I couldn't comprehend why he insisted on staying. He had violated my privacy, eroding my trust in him. Yet, he seemed convinced that he was indispensable, that I needed him for my protection.

Though I didn't want to admit it, a part of me admired his unwavering determination. He possessed a strength that couldn't be easily dismissed. However, alongside that admiration, I couldn't help but feel frustrated by his refusal to accept my decision.

As the daughter of the Lycan King, I was taken aback when Asher had the audacity to proposition me for a night together. I couldn't believe he would even entertain such a thought.

Anger surged within me. How dare he assume he had the right to ask for something so inappropriate? Did he not understand who I was and the position I held?

"Asher," I seethed, my voice laced with fury, "how dare you suggest such a thing? Do you have any idea who I am?"

He met my gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yes, I know exactly who you are," he replied. "But I also know that there's a connection between us, Scarlett. And I can't ignore how I feel," he said with unwavering confidence.

I shook my head, utterly disgusted by his audacity. How dare he speak to me as if we were equals, as if we were close? "A connection?" I scoffed. "What connection? We barely know each other."

His eyes locked with mine as he spoke. "I know," he admitted. "But I've already seen so much of who you truly are."

Revulsion washed over me. I was a princess, and he was merely a bodyguard. There was no way I could forgive his disrespect. "Asher," I said firmly, "I have no interest in you. And I never will. Please, leave me alone."

His eyes filled with hurt as he looked at me. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to offend you. But regardless, I have to stay here, whether you like it or not."

I shook my head, frustration mounting. "Why are you being like this? Can't you just leave when I've asked you to?"

"I'll be in the next room if you need me, Your Highness. Goodbye," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

I was astounded by Asher's refusal to leave and his statement that he would be in the next room. His audacity and stubbornness were beyond belief. However, I knew I had to maintain my composure and handle the situation carefully. I couldn't allow him to believe he had any power over me.

Deciding to gather my thoughts and plan my next move, I went to my closet to find something comfortable to wear. As I dressed, thoughts of Asher swirled in my mind. I couldn't simply let him remain in the next room, but causing a scene wasn't an option either.

Finally, I resolved to confront him directly. Irritation and frustration surged through me as I made my way to the room where Asher was supposed to be. I couldn't believe he had the audacity to stay in the castle after I had dismissed him as my bodyguard.

I knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside. When I turned the doorknob, I realized it was unlocked. Opening the door, I expected to find Asher sitting there, but to my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. I glanced around, wondering where he could have gone, until I heard a noise coming from the bathroom.

Approaching the bathroom door, I hesitated. What if he was inside, and naked? I stood frozen outside the door, unsure of what to do. Just as I debated whether to open it or not, Asher emerged from the bathroom, clad only in a white towel.

Shock and embarrassment washed over me as I saw him standing there, half-naked. He had violated my privacy before, and now he was making me feel uncomfortable once again.

"What the fuck?" I asked, attempting to keep my voice steady.

"Just freshening up," he replied, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

Anger surged within me. How could he be so casual about his half-naked state? Didn't he realize how inappropriate it was?

"You can't just walk around like that, Asher," I stated firmly.