Mia raised an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "What contract?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
Karl's expression remained serious, his eyes locked onto hers. "Marry me," he said simply.
Mia's laughter burst forth, a melodic sound that filled the room. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want me to marry you?" she repeated, her voice tinged with amusement.
But Karl didn't laugh. He remained serious, his eyes never leaving hers. Ian's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth hanging open slightly.
Slowly, Mia's laughter subsided, and she regarded Karl with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "You are joking, right? Where are the cameras?" she asked, her voice still laced with skepticism.
Karl didn't respond, but his expression spoke volumes. Mia's smile faltered, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She realized that Karl was dead serious.
"You a...re not jo...king. You...want me to marry you? But why? Why do you want to marry me?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked really confused as she stared at him like he was insane.
Karl's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a hint of possessiveness. "Because you're my mate," he said simply.
Ian's mouth went wide open, his eyes darting between Karl and Mia, his mind reeling with the unexpected turn of events. He didn't see that coming, he thought to himself. He didn't expect the alpha to be so bold, to come right out and ask Mia to marry him. He didn't even expect Karl to tell Mia upfront that she was his mate.
Although Ian's expression remained neutral, his thoughts were racing. He had known Karl for a long time, and he had never seen him like this. The alpha was usually cold and indifferent, but now he seemed...different. It was definitely the matebond.
Immediately, he heard Fred's voice in his head. [How is it going over there?]
But before he could respond, Mia spoke up again, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity. "What do you mean, I am your mate?" she asked, her eyes locked onto Karl's.
Karl's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to burn with intensity. "I'll explain everything," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But first, you need to come with me."
Mia's eyes widened, her face pale. Her eyes locked onto Karl's, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. She didn't understand what he meant by "mate," or why he wanted to marry her. She looked at him like he was insane, her mind racing with questions.
Despite her confusion, Mia found herself trusting this stranger. There was something about Karl that drew her in, something that made her feel like she could trust him. But she was hesitant, unsure if her instincts were right.
For all she knew, her instincts might be wrong, and Karl might be a crazy person who wanted to lock her up in a dungeon. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that Karl was telling the truth.
Karl noticed her hesitation and stretched out his hand to her. "Trust me," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Mia looked at his hand, unsure of what to do. She didn't know Karl, and she didn't know if she could trust him. But something about his words resonated with her.
When she didn't take his hand, Karl lowered it and reached out to hold hers instead. Mia's heart was pounding as he wrapped his fingers around hers.
As soon as their skin touched, Mia felt a soothing jolt through her body. It was like a wave of calm washed over her, and she felt a sense of peace that she couldn't explain.
"Do you feel that?" Karl asked, his eyes locked onto hers.
Mia nodded slowly as she tried to comprehend everything, her voice caught in her throat. She didn't know what was happening, but she felt a connection to Karl that she couldn't deny. And she was ashamed to admit that it calmed her.
As she looked into Karl's brown eyes, she felt like she was drowning in their depths. She saw something there that she couldn't quite explain, something that made her feel like she was meant to be with him.
But despite the connection she felt, Mia was still hesitant. She didn't know Karl, and she didn't know if she could trust him. She looked at him warily, her mind racing with questions.
Karl seemed to sense her hesitation, and he squeezed her hand gently. "I'll explain everything," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I promise."
Mia took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She looked at Karl, her eyes searching for answers. And then, she nodded slowly.
"I'll go with you," she answered before her mind could process or refuse, her voice barely above a whisper.
Karl's face didn't change, but his eyes seemed to burn with excitement, his wolf purred at this acceptance. "Good," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Let's go."
Ian quickly mind-linked Fred. [Get the car ready] his mental voice crisp and urgent. [We're leaving.]
Fred's response was immediate, his mental voice filled with curiosity. [How did the meeting go?] he asked, but Ian didn't answer.
Instead, Ian watched as Karl led Mia out of the cafe, his hand still wrapped around hers. Mia's eyes darted around, her expression a mix of confusion and fear. Even if she was uncomfortable, she didn't pull her hands from his grip.
As they approached Rachel and the other staff members, Mia mouthed a silent "I will call you" to Rachel, who nodded and bowed her head at the two men. Rachel's face was pale, and her eyes were filled with fear.
Karl led Mia to the car, his movements smooth and confident. He opened the door for her, and Mia got in, her heart racing with anticipation and fear.
As she settled into the seat, Mia's mind was reeling with questions. What was happening? What was she doing? And where was he taking her to?
Karl got in beside her, his eyes never leaving hers. They occupied the back sit. Ian got in on the passengers side and Fred pulled away from the curb, Mia felt a sense of trepidation.
The car moved smoothly through the streets, Karl's hand still wrapped around hers. Mia's heart was racing, her mind filled with questions and doubts.
Fred's eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror, his gaze settling on Karl's hands holding Mia's. He was taken aback, a mixture of surprise and curiosity washing over him. He had never seen the alpha like this before, so... tender.
As he wondered if this was how the matebond worked, Fred couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The cold, ruthless alpha brought to his knees by a single person. It was almost... poetic.
Fred whispered in low tones to Ian, "Is she our luna?"
Ian's response was immediate, his voice low and smooth. "Eyes on the road."
Karl could hear the exchange, but he didn't say anything. He was too busy basking in the happiness that filled him. His mate was sitting right next to him, and he had finally found her after searching for over a hundred years.
Mia, on the other hand, was quiet, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside the window. She was wondering where they were headed, and what Karl's plans were for her.
As the car pulled up to an attorney's office, Mia's curiosity grew. What were they doing here? And why did Karl need to bring her to a lawyer's office?
Karl got out of the car, his hand still wrapped around Mia's. "Come," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Mia hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But Karl's grip on her hand was firm, and she knew that she had no choice.
She got out of the car, her eyes fixed on the attorney's office. What were they doing here? And what did Karl want from her?
As they walked into the office, Mia felt a sense of trepidation. She didn't know what lay ahead.
The office was sleek and modern, the decor minimalist and tasteful. Mia's eyes widened as she took in the expensive-looking artwork on the walls.
A woman stood up from behind the desk, a smile on her face. "Ah, Mr. Valois," she said, her voice friendly. "Welcome."
Karl nodded, his eyes never leaving Mia's face. "Let's get this over with," he said, his voice low and smooth.
The woman nodded, her eyes flicking to Mia. "Of course," she said. "Please, have a seat."
Mia sat down, her mind racing with questions. What was happening?
The woman brought out a document and placed it on the desk in front of them. Mia's eyes widened as she saw that it was a marriage certificate. She felt a surge of confusion and wonder, why the rush?
Karl's hand tightened around hers, his eyes never leaving hers. Mia looked at him, her mind racing with questions. She didn't know what to do, or what Karl's intentions were.
The woman smiled and handed Karl a pen. "Please, sign here," she said.
Karl took the pen and signed the document with a flourish. Then, he handed the pen to Mia.
Mia hesitated, her hand hovering over the paper. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to refuse, to tell Karl that she needed more time to think. But another part of her reassured her that she wouldn't regret her choice.
After a moment's hesitation, Mia took the pen and signed the document. Her hand trembled slightly as she wrote her name.
As soon as she finished signing, Karl took the document and handed it back to the woman. "Thank you," he said, his voice low and smooth.
The woman smiled and congratulated them, her voice warm and friendly. Mia forced a smile, her mind still reeling with questions.
What had she just done? She looked at Karl, her eyes searching for answers, but he just smiled and pulled her into his side.
"Let's go home," he said, his voice low and smooth.
They walked out of the office, the car was waiting for them, Fred standing beside the open door. "Where to, alpha?" he asked, his voice respectful.
Karl's eyes locked onto Mia's face. "Home," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Mia's heart skipped a beat. Home? Was this really happening? What had she done?
She hesitated to get into the car. Karl looked at her, his eyes questioning. "What's wrong, wife?" he asked, his voice low and endearing.
Ian and Fred's jaws dropped in shock. They had never seen Karl so... tender and endearing. The alpha's usual cold and ruthless demeanor had given way to a softer, more affectionate side. The power of matebond.
Mia looked up at Karl, her eyes shy and uncertain. "I...I need to go home and collect a few things," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Karl's expression didn't change, but his voice was firm. "I'll buy you whatever you need," he said.
Mia shook her head, her face still pale. "No, they're things I need to get myself," she said, her voice polite but firm. "They're important to me."
Karl's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to understand. "Okay," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We'll go to your place."
Ian and Fred exchanged a look, their faces still shocked. They had never seen Karl like this before, and they didn't know what to make of it.
They got into the car and it moved smoothly through the streets, Karl's hand still wrapped around hers.