SAMAEL COULDN'T understand why are they mated with each other. And how he couldn't raise his own hand to hit the blue haired guy. The man deserves a lot of spanking. He doesn't know how communications work. 'Maybe he's been in seclusion for too long that he forgot how to say 'hello'?'

Samael limped as he walked a few steps away from the man. His opponent had an easy expression. "You're not allowed to come anywhere near this mountain."


"Is this yours? Is the whole damn mountain named under your name?" He winced. "I'm not here for you. I'm on business."

"I know. And that business you're talking about is my boss. Technically, he do own this mountain."

Samael hates that the guy was not in any way affected of the mating pull. It was simple for him to kick him and punch his throat but Samael himself can't even touch a single strand of his hair.


It frustrates him so much.

"So you don't know my mark." Samael hissed through the pain in his shoulder. "How about we talk this thoroughly? Mate, I'm your mate. Can you feel it?"


A flash of unknown emotion shone in the man's eyes. The blue flames on his arms vanished. He seemed interested to listen now. "How much do you earn from doing this?"

"A lot." 'Not really.' Samael did this out of favor for the alpha of his former pack. His last mission is to get that rare rabbit shifter out of this mountain and kill it. "A million."

The guy looked pensive after hearing the amount. Samael grabbed the opportunity and ask, "Why? Are you short on money?"

"Money?" The blank look of his eyes sparks a strange feeling of protectiveness inside Samael's chest. "I do need money. Who doesn't want money?"

Samael took the chance and sat upright. "Your employer not paying you enough?"

"I have whims. The boss couldn't support it." The guy raised a brow and suddenly became defensive. "Why are you asking this?"

"Haha!" Samael felt as though he hit the jackpot. "What about you do something extra to earn money? You see, this matter doesn't concern your boss. So you won't be betraying anyone. Just let me inside this barrier and I'll give you twenty percent of the money."

"Twenty percent..." He rolled his eyes. "That's too little."

'Yeah, you sure know how to bargain with people.' Samael nodded graciously. "Twenty-five percent—"

"Fifty percent."

Samael took back his words and almost spat, 'That's robbery!'

"Fifty percent? Half of my reward, really?"

The guy stared at the side of Samael's face. He had an expression of loneliness. "I have to earn for my kids, you know."

Samael couldn't stop his gasp. He sniffed the air but he couldn't smell a lie. Even the guy's signature scent has become weak. "You have children?!"

"Well... yeah." The guy flicked the dirt off his sleeves. He pouted lightly. "My name is Lance. How about you?"

"I-I'm Samael." 'Damn it all to hell. My mate already have kids with someone else!' "Hey, so you have a wife or something?"

Lance sniggered. "I used to. She left because I have no money left. That's why I want to earn extra. I want to bring the woman back because I miss her lovely attitude."

Samael gritted his teeth. 'This mating of mine is a complete fluke!' How can he be partnered with someone who already had a significant other?

'How can I compare to that?' Samael schooled his face into a neutral expression. 'Wait, what am I thinking?'

This is a good reason to invalidate our fate! He doesn't need to complicate himself on the long run because Lance himself would find a way to break this mating pull.

That is, if this motherfucker can feel it too.

'I wonder what does his wife looks like.' Samael faked a smile. "That is great then. Does this mean you're willing to cooperate with me from now on?"

"Ah... I don't commit to a party when I don't know the people involved." Lance threatened him. "I can call my boss and have you hunted by now but because I think you're a trustworthy person, one that would bring me lots of money in the future, I'd let you in. Tell me more about yourself and what's the purpose of you coming here."

'No one can be trusted when it comes to money.' Samael gazed at Lance's earnest eyes. He didn't know his fated mate is this broke to betray his own boss. But then, he himself knew that there are only few good bosses around the world.

Samael risked to take a step closer to Lance. The scent of cold sandalwood and oak almost made him hiss in excitement. He patted the man's head. Lance followed his every move like a cornered cat.

Samael became elated. 'It's not that hard taming a wild cat.'

"I'LL EVEN treat you to dinner if the mission is completed, Lance!" Samael hugged him closer with his arm. "You can pick whatever you want."

Letting the guy pat his head was a crazy idea on his part. Now the big mammal won't stop making excuses just to be close to him. Lance would be lying if he said that he didn't want the attention.

'But really, what a dumb mate do I have.'

Samael went with him to the nearest store. Lance doesn't want him to suspect the clothes so he feigned choosing between instant meals on the food isle. "I want to be fancy tonight. I'll have this bigger size. Samael promised me money, and I'm excited for it."

"Really?" Samael scratched his neck. His eyes full of worry. "You only eat those type of food?"

'No, I don't. I'd rather puke my guts out than eat instant meals.' Lance smiled tightly. "I grew up poor. Although my boss wants me to dress up nicely whenever I'm working his errands, the quality of life that I had never changed."

"What?" Samael's brow created a wave on his forehead. "You've been working for how many years now?"

Lance sighed. "Ten years."

"Ten fucking years and still constantly eating instant noodles!"

Lance praised the scent concealment spell he learned from Adarmus. The old hag's tricks never failed.