CHAPTER 268: MY PRE-MATING GIFT

After her meeting with Sage Nightshade was unexpectedly delayed, Katelyn indulged herself in a shopping spree to pass the time. One of her final stops was a renowned jewelry boutique, known for catering to the elite.

As she entered, the staff immediately recognized her.

"Please have a seat, Your Highness. We’ll bring out our finest pieces for you," the chief attendant said with a respectful bow.

"Thank you," Katelyn replied, settling gracefully onto the plush leather sofa. The staff moved quickly, laying out trays of glittering jewelry for her to browse.

While appearing focused on the selections before her, Katelyn’s mind wandered.

’At least for a few days, Mother won’t be hovering around... Maybe I could use this time to talk to Karmen.’

But as quickly as the thought surfaced, she shut it down.

’No. Not after the way he spoke to me last time.’

Her gaze drifted over the shimmering gemstones, but her heart wasn’t in it anymore.

"How about this one?"

A deep masculine voice slipped into her ears, and Katelyn looked up in surprise.

Standing before her, in all his confident glory, was Sage Nightshade.

"You!" she gasped, eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"Yes," he said smoothly. "It’s me. Your future mate, Princess."

The staff nearby exchanged subtle glances, some biting back smiles, clearly entertained by the tension between the two.

Katelyn immediately stood, gathering her shopping bags with irritation.

"I’m leaving," she told the staff, already turning toward the exit.

But before she could take a step, Sage blocked her path. He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to her ear.

"The Alpha King sent me. It would be unfortunate if I had to make you stay by force."

Katelyn froze. Her eyes flared with fury.

"Seriously? Dad wouldn’t pull something like this," she hissed.

"You can ask him yourself," Sage said with a cocky grin, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Katelyn clenched her fists, the fire in her chest barely restrained, until she felt Sage casually pluck the bags from her hands.

"Sit down," he said, not giving her a choice. "Try the jewelry. I’ll buy them for you."

She turned sharply toward him, arching a perfectly sculpted brow in defiance.

"You really think you can afford things like this, for me?"

Her tone was mocking, but Sage didn’t flinch.

"I know how expensive you are," Sage remarked. Then, turning to the staff, he continued, "I want the most expensive, beautiful and unique piece for the Princess."

Katelyn sneered as she settled on the sofa. Her mood was completely ruined. ’Why would Dad do this? He clearly knows I am not interested in him.’

"Here, Sir. This is our most expensive jewelry piece. The emrald stone in these are some of the rarest you’ll find in the world. And the diamond used are also of premium class," the chief explained, resting the box on the table.

Katelyn’s eyes widened slightly to see the neckpiece. It was indeed unique in design. She picked it up and tried it, but failed to hook it when Sage held her hands.

"Let me do it for you," Sage said.

His touch was hot, leaving her flustered momentarily.

As he hooked the necklace on her neck, he took the mirror from the staff lady and brought it before Katelyn’s face. She ran her fingers through the necklace as a smile started appearing on her lips.

"How much is it?" asked Sage.

"It’s of worth ten million dollars," the chief answered in a polite tone.

"I’ll make the payment. Please pack it for Her Highness," Sage instructed.

Katelyn lifted her head in disbelief. ’Can he really afford this or he’s just blabbering to impress me? Well, he should see how spendthrift I am,’ she thought.

"I would like to buy a ring as well," Katelyn stated.

By the time she was done, Sage had paid for multiple extravagant items. As they stepped out of the store together, Katelyn suddenly stopped.

"You can go to your way. Don’t pester me," Katelyn asserted. "And return the bags to me. Also, I’ll transfer back the amount you spent inside," she muttered.

"That’s my pre-mating gift for you," Sage pronounced.

"What? I’m not mating with you!" Katelyn snapped at him, feeling annoyed suddenly.

Because not many people were present on that side, Katelyn felt relieved they didn’t hear her. Then, angrily she walked past, hitting his shoulder with her toward the glass elevator.

Once inside, she glared at Sage, who pressed the ground floor button on the panel.

As the elevators door shut, Sage turned around and took step toward her.

Katelyn moved back only to feel her be pressed against its wall. "Stay away from me," she said sternly.

"Why are you so charged up? Don’t you know I like fierce, angry-head women? It’s fun to bring them into submission. Surprisingly, I didn’t find one like you. So, it’s going to be a fun game," Sage declared with a smirk.

"Then, you’re trying with a wrong woman," Katelyn said, holding her gaze. "Who knows you’re the one who submit to me? And don’t even entertain the thought I’ll ever mate with you! You’re not even the last man with whom I even want to get physical," she muttered in annoyance.

"Are you challenging me?" Sage cocked an eyebrow at her. "Because if you are, then I’ll accept it."

Katelyn gulped and averted her gaze from him. ’How could Dad like such a self-absorbed guy for me?’ she thought. ’I will have to tell my father clearly that I don’t want to mate with Sage. I’ll be better with some omega than this arrogant alpha!’

"What are you thinking? It’s so tough to read your beautiful face," Sage said.

"That how to kill you," Katelyn replied with a mocking smile.

"Your soft hands aren’t made to kill a man like me," Sage replied. "You can defeat me on the bed definitely," he remarked.

Just then, the elevator pinged open and more people walked in. Sage, however, didn’t budge from her place.

"Move. Are you going to–"

"Shh!" He hushed her by pressing his finger on her lips.