Hated By The Alpha-Chapter 215: Struck a deal

"You could have fooled me," Mark chuckled and lowered himself onto the sofa, pinning Leon with a knowing look.

Leon bit his lower lip, keeping a straight face, "I don’t know what you’re talking about." He rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants.

"Sit," Mark patted the space beside him.

Leon hesitated momentarily but finally sat down, leaving a reasonable space between them.

Mark tapped the space between them, "Closer." He said, watching Leon’s flushed face.

Leon sighed and shifted closer to Mark, still leaving a thin space between them.

"Oh, come on, man," Mark put his arm around Leon and pulled him in, leaving no space beside them.

"Better," Mark said, not taking his hand away from Leon’s waist.

Leon was facing front, unable to look Mark in the eyes anymore.

"Now, what did you just ask me?" Mark asked, turning Leon’s face, so he stared down at him.

Leon blinked, feeling embarrassed all over again.

He knew what he had asked, alright? And he knew why he had asked it.

"Not answering... I expected that," Mark chuckled, resting his back on the sofa and covering his face with his hands, sighing.

"You know? I’d prefer it if you didn’t kiss me. Instead of kissing me with an ulterior motive. You even went ahead to lead me on to a point I almost thought that you truly wanted me," Mark spoke into his hands, sounding tired.

Leon frowned, looking shocked by Mark’s words. He stared at Mark’s covered face and wondered how Mark had gotten to know what he wanted to do.

"Why are you looking shocked?" Mark lowered his hand and looked at Leon, raising his brow at him.

"You didn’t think I’d figure out what you wanted to do?" Mark asked, his face turning serious.

"You’re speaking in parables -"

"I’m not," Mark cut in, clenching his fists on his thighs, "You really have a way of triggering me, Leon, and it’s not fair," Mark said, placing his hand on Leon’s knee.

"I’m not saying you didn’t want me. You did, but out of curiosity and pity. I’m not just a wolf, Leon, just like the rest of my family, I’ve got magic, too," He grazed his fingers over Leon’s knee.

"You still plan on leaving before our agreed period. So you thought that giving me what I wanted would make it easier for me, and... you just wanted to know how it would feel to be with another man. Am I wrong, mate?" Mark questioned with narrowed eyes at Leon.

Leon was shocked to find out that Mark possessed magical powers, just like Audrey. He felt like a fool acting all convincing while Mark simply played along with his deceit.

He sighed, "So?" Leon raised a brow at Mark.

"So? Is that all you have to tell me after playing with my emotions?" Mark removed his hand from Leon.

"Look, you already know I’m going to reject you in the end. So, why not just the opportunity I laid before you? You’re never getting it again," Leon scoffed, folding his arms on his chest, relaxing back on the sofa.

Mark smiled, "You’re really brutal with your words, but I’m here for it," he turned his body to Leon and leaned toward him.

He placed his hand flat on Leon’s chest, resting his elbow beside Leon’s head on the sofa, "I want your body, that’s undeniable. But..." he slowly traced his hand over Leon’s naked chest, "I also want your heart. If I can’t have both, I won’t settle for just one. You’re my mate, not a fling..." he chuckled, shaking his head.

"You just don’t understand what it means to be someone’s mate," Mark said and stood, picking up Leon’s shirt from the floor.

Leon took his shirt from Mark, forcefully slowing his breath because he didn’t want Mark to see that the brief hand placement on his chest revived the heat that was almost cooling down.

"You’ve already said you’re going to reject me by the end of the month. I appreciate your honesty. However, I need to ask you for a favour," Mark said and extended his hand to Leon.

Reluctantly, Leon took Mark’s hand and allowed himself to be helped up.

Mark stepped back, fixing his hands in his pockets, fixing his serious gaze on Leon.

"What favour?" Leon asked skeptically, fixing his shirt back on.

"Since I’m getting rejected after all, I want to ask you to move in with me for the rest of the period. At least, your presence is all I need. I’m no longer pursuing your body since I can’t win your heart. I just need to have your steady presence by my side for the rest of the month. What do you say?" He asked gently, his eyes softening as he stared at Leon’s face.

He had laid it out there for Leon; he no longer had to be afraid of letting a man touch him, nothing like that anymore. All Mark wanted was his presence for a month, after that, he’d just reject the poor guy and be on his way.

"No," Leon said and walked past Mark, heading for the door.

Mark sighed and turned to look at Leon’s departing figure, "Please? Can you not walk away from me? I already promised you, I’m never making any sexual advances toward you. I just want to know what it feels like to have my mate live with me, I’ve imagined how it would be for a very long time," he paused when he saw that Leon stopped in front of the door.

He walked over to Leon, standing behind but not touching him, "Please, just grant me this one wish. At least, as a friend." Mark said.

Leon spun around, his face devoid of any smile.

"No sex?" He asked Mark sternly.

"I promise," Mark placed his hand on his chest.

Leon stared at Mark’s face for a while, "The moment you break that promise is the moment I leave, agreed?" He folded his arms.

"The moment I break my promise is the moment I ask for your rejection," Mark added.

Leon shrugged, "Deal. You said it yourself." He said and turned away, pulling the door open, "Let’s get going already." He commanded.

"Yes... of course," Mark muttered as he forced his legs to move.

This was going to be the hardest promise to keep, but he would do it, for Leon’s sake. He can’t make Leon uncomfortable after giving him his word.

Outside the club, he led Leon to his car and opened the door for him.

Silently, Leon slid in, closing the door himself.

"You don’t have to open the door for me," Leon said as Msrk got in beside him.

Mark started the car, smiling, "I didn’t promise that, my prince. You’re still getting treatment. I never said I’m not loving you up, I just said, ’No sex...’ they’re quite different,’ he smirked and drove the car away from the club.

Leon closed his eyes and rested on the seat. He was hoping he had made the right decision. Moving in with Mark was the last thing he thought he’d do, but look at him now, from running away from Mark to moving in with him.

Ever since he met Mark, he has done things he would never have considered in his entire life. He was very skeptical about this journey.

What if... he paused his thoughts and opened his eyes to glance at the driver. His driver was handsome, capable of seduction if he wanted, but he had promised to steer clear of that path.

The big question was, could Leon also steer clear of that path?

Back at the club, he might have told himself that it was curiosity, but he knew that in that moment, he genuinely wanted to do it because it was Mark... just Mark.

He didn’t have Mark, the only problem was that they were both guys.

"Are you okay?" Mark asked, glancing at Leon as he sensed him staring at him for a long time.

Leon blinked, turning his face to the road, "Yeah. Are we there yet?" He asked calmly.

Mark smiled, nodding, "Almost." He said.

Leon turned to the window, he would just sit still until they arrived.

After a while, Leon felt a hand on his hips, "What are you doing?" He snapped his eyes open and looked to the side, glaring at Mark who was leaning his head in from the open door.

Mark immediately withdrew his hands from Leon and straightened up, "Nothing, I just wanted to wake you up... we’ve arrived." He informed.

Leon looked past Mark and saw an expensive-looking apartment behind him, he didn’t realise he’d fallen asleep at some point.

"Oh... okay," he cleared his throat and unbuckled his seat belt, getting out of the car.

"My condo is right up there, come on," Mark said and walked toward the building.

Leon plastered his body to the other side of the elevator as they climbed to the very last floor. He wasn’t looking at Mark, he couldn’t look at Mark, something told him he’d blush if he did so.

He hated the way Mark made him feel, it was usually him making girls feel that way, Now, a fucking man was making him feel butterflies in his stomach.

The mate bond was messing with him but he would fight it. One month was a small time, it will soon be over and he will be on his way back to his normal life.

The elevator stopped and the door smoothly slid open in front of them.

He followed Mark behind, walking along a brightly lit hallway, only stopping when they reached a black door.

"Welcome to my home, my prince," Mark held the door open for Leon, smiling politely.

Leon sighed, "Leon is the name, Mark. Thank you," he said and stepped inside the house.

The living room was quite laid back, just like the owner. Expensive, but not suffocating. A white, plush sofa is arranged at the centre of the living room, facing a gorilla screen television. The warm cream colored walls radiated a comforting feeling, making the place feel like home.

"Do you like it here?" Mark asked behind Leon, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around him. For the first time, his home felt like home.

"It’s okay. Where do I sleep? I’m sleepy," Leon said, pushing his hands into his bag.

Mark sighed, he needed to condition his mind to always get cold replies from Leon at all times.

"This way," He said, pointing ahead before walking forward.

Leon was led into a room that looked so neat that he wondered if it was even right to stand on the floor.

Why was Mark’s guestroom so pristine?

"Wait!" Leon immediately hurried over to Mark and held his hands steady

Mark was just about to pull down his pants when Leon suddenly appeared before him, holding his hand down.

"Um, what are you doing?" Leon asked, frowning.

"I thought you said -"

"No sex. I know; I’m just trying to change into sleepwear. Can you let me go now?" Mark asked, looking down at Leon’s hand that was still holding his arm around his waist.

Leon furrowed his brow and backed off, "Oh, then, shouldn’t you do that in your room?" He questioned, looking away.

Mark chuckled, "But this is my room, baby. You’re staying in my room, and we’re sharing a bed,’ He said as he walked over to his wardrobe.

"And before you mention our no sex policy, you can chill, it’s just sharing a bed, nothing more. Come over here and change into these, they should fit you perfectly," Mark leaned against the wardrobe and stared at Leon.

Reluctantly, Leon walked over to Mark, he took the clothes from him but didn’t move to change them.

"I need to shower first," Leon said, staring at Mark’s shoulder instead of his face.

Mark nodded, "Of course, right here." He led Leon to a corner and slid the grey curtain to the side to reveal the glass bathroom.

Leon suddenly started to laugh, "You can’t be serious, right?" He asked, still laughing as he stared at the glass bathroom.

Mark sighed, "It had a curtain, Leon, I’m not going to peek. I promise." He said and turned away, heading back to the wardrobe.

"There’s a fresh towel in the drawers," Mark said and pulled a comfortable white shirt over his head.

Leon scoffed, "Pretending to be a good person. Why did you use glass for your bathroom in the first place? Weirdo," He muttered and slid the curtains closed before entering the bathroom. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Mark went over to the bed, lowering himself onto it and fixed his eyes on the bathroom as the water started running.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes, "I know, I know, his scent is all over the place at the moment, but can you not? I’m trying to be a gentleman here." He quietly spoke to his wolf who was already planning different scenes that could go down inside that bathroom.

But Mark wasn’t going to give in to his horny wolf, he had made a promise and he was keeping it.

He looked away from the bathroom and lowered his body to the bed, burying his face in his pillow, hoping the fluffy pillow would muffle the scent and sound from Leon.

After a while, Leon walked out, all dressed comfortably, and he saw Mark lying with his face buried in the pillow and thought he had a weird way to sleep.

Minding his business, he went over to the other side of the bed and got on it, glancing at Mark.

"Are you awake?" Leon asked.

"Mm," Mark replied.

Leon frowned, "Then why are you lying that way? Do you want to suffocate?" He questioned, raising his hand to touch Mark but immediately stopped himself when he realised what he was doing.

"Wouldn’t you like it if I suffocated?" Mark’s muffled voice asked.

He didn’t want to see Leon’s face fresh out of the shower, he wasn’t sure he would be able to resist touching that flushed and clean skin of his mate.

He just had to find a way to stay away until Leon fell asleep.

Leon stared at Mark, "Well, if you want to suffocate, be my guest. Goodnight." He said and lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Mark didn’t respond, he stayed like that for another minute before he turned his body to the side, his back facing Leon. Slowly, he slid off the bed and walked out of the room without sparing Leon a glance.

Leon had his eyes on Mark the whole time, frowning deeply as he watched him leave.

"Did he just ignore me?" Leon muttered, feeling confused.

He thought Mark was all about being close to him, do where was he leaving to?

His hand went to his chest, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, "Fuck this stupid mate bond. Why am I missing him already?" He murmured.