You had barely settled for the night when your door creaked open.

Mattheo stood in the doorway. His dark curls were disheveled, his jaw tight, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

You sat up straighter, your eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”

He hesitated for a moment, then exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His voice was rough, low, almost reluctant. “We have been paired off.” He looked at you, his expression unreadable. “I am your… breed!ng partner.”

A cold weight settled in your stomach. The words felt unreal, as if they belonged to someone else’s nightmare.

“My… My what?” you breathed, barely able to form the words.

Mattheo took a step into the room, the door clicking shut behind him, sealing you both inside. “We are supposed to spend every night together… by order of my father, V0Idemort. He wants an heir.”

The name hung heavy in the air, a whispered curse that made the room feel smaller, the walls closing in. You swallowed hard, your heart hammering.

V0Idemort had decided your fate without so much as a second thought.

You shook your head, standing abruptly. “No. No, this can’t—he can’t—”

Mattheo reached for your wrist but stopped himself just before touching you. “I don’t want this either,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His brows furrowed, frustration flashing across his face. “Do you think I had a choice? He doesn’t ask. He commands.”

Your throat felt tight, your mind racing. This wasn’t just some cruel joke. This was real.

“I refuse,” you said, though the words trembled. “We can’t just—”

Mattheo let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. “And what do you think happens if we refuse? If I refuse?”

A chill crawled up your spine, settling deep in your bones. V0Idemort had no patience for defiance. If Mattheo disobeyed, the consequences would be severe. And for you? You weren’t sure you even wanted to think about it.