He's sitting in an armchair, arms crossed, chin up, one leg propped on the other. As soon as I walk out of the bathroom, his eyes shoot at me, checking me out, taking me in. My wolf inside me is awake, happy that her mate noticed us. Stupid inner wolf. The room is buzzing with the tension between us. I don't know what to say, what to do. I feel myself digging my nails into my palms.
Well, this is awkward.
He stands up and slowly comes to me. I want to back away, to wrap my hands around me, to lower my gaze, but I stand my ground, my eyes fixed on his chest. I'm not that stupid to look straight into his eyes again, but I am no coward too.
It's getting harder and harder to keep breathing normally, as he gets nearer and nearer. Each of his steps is ringing in my ears. Am I afraid? I think I am. And the anticipation, the waiting for something to happen is starting to drive me crazy.
Then, his smell hits me and surrounds me, my lungs are full of it. I can finally take a deep breath in. I catch myself closing my eyes, tilting my face to get a better hold of it. It reminds me of jasmine bushes that my mother used to grow in her garden, citrus, and the forest at night.
It's intoxicating.
My wolf is pacing now, eager to get more, to know her mate better. It's strange to feel her that way, so alive, so present. I don't remember the last time I felt her so... Alive.
He's in front of me now, his chest almost touching mine, looking down at me. What should I do with my hands? He notices my uneasiness and grins wickedly. He enjoys seeing me like this. He wants me to feel like this about him.
And just like that, the magic disappears and I'm brought back to reality. I won't let this man confuse me, I won't let him see how his presence affects me. I won't be an open book. I take a step back, scratching the skin around my nails.
''Now'' he says, startling me, drawing me back from my thoughts, ''Let me enlighten you on how this is going to be from now on. There are some rules for you, little wolf.'' I cringe. Uh, have you met me? What rules? Rules don't work with me. As Keenan liked to say, I was too stubborn to be bent. But I manage to keep my stupid mouth shut, not wanting more problems.
He's still standing close, overtowering me, stating who's in charge. He reeks of masculinity. It's uncomfortable, to say the least.
''That little running away was the last time you did something like this, yes?'' he asks, waiting for my reply. I just stare blankly at him. Does he actually believe I won't try to run again? Does he really think it's okay to kidnap me and hold me here against my will? But my silence is met up with violence once again. He grabs my arm, drawing me closer to him, squeezing hard. I swear I can see a wolf peeking behind those darkened eyes of his. ''I asked you a question''. And I don't want to answer your stupid question, little fucker. I'm done with being his little punching bag.
I narrow my eyes, puffing my chest, standing straighter, tugging my arm out of his grip. Lifting my chin, I look straight at him, my throat releasing a snarl. ''First of all, stop touching me. Second of all, ouch. And third of all, don't tell me...''
I don't finish the sentence. He grabs my neck again, pushing me to the wall. Well, pushing is not the right word. I was smashed to it, actually. Why am I like this? I groan in pain, trying to collect myself once again. But the man's hand is still squeezing my neck, still pushing me to the wall, so I can't move a finger. He leans to my ear and spits ''I won't tolerate any kind of disrespect, especially from my mate.'' He slams me to the wall again. ''I won't tolerate you disobeying me''. Another slam. ''I won't say this again. Either you shove your attitude up your ass or I will chain you to the pole and leave you to think about your life choices. Am I clear enough for you this time? I can repeat that if you want''.
Great, he's not only abusive and sadistic but psychotic too. This dude needs some therapy or some shit. I will need therapy after this, actually. As soon as I'm home, I'm packing my shit and leaving.
"I can't hear your reply, dove. Do you want to tell all this a little clearer?" He squeezes my neck even harder.
I want to shove him away from me, to slap his hands away from my neck, but as much as I want to look fearless, I am actually shitting my pants right now, so I nod my head, not able to speak from him choking me. I just hope he will stop touching my skin.
He releases my neck then, satisfied with my submission, and my head clears up a little. But he never releases my hand. I tug it gently, disgusted by the contact. I don't want my panic to take the better of me, but with every passing second my skin gets hotter and hotter, the room looks smaller and my heart wants to jump out of my chest. I just want this nightmare to be over.
But he won't have it, he doesn't let go. He closes the gap between us again and, lowering his head to my hair, takes a deep breath. ''Better'', he mumbles gently. How can someone's mood change so quickly?? One second he is slamming me to the wall, and the next one - gently murmuring some shit in my hair.
Definitely bipolar.
His eyes become glassy, getting an animalistic glow behind them. His wolf starts to take over. His other arm wraps around my waist then, holding me in place. No, I can't do this. My legs now are starting to shake. Forgetting all his previous treats, I try to wiggle away, but he grips me tighter, growling deep in his throat, squeezing me to his body. I can feel my skin tingling, needles poking me again, black dots appearing in the corner of my eyes... No, no, I can't go through this again, not now, I can't show him my weakness, focus.
"No, please..." I plead, not managing to squeeze out more words.
His head dips lower, nose touching my neck, his lips brushing the sensitive spot where my shoulder and neck meet. I whimper, realizing what he's going to do. I try to shove him away again, but the hot pain sears through my body as sharp canines pierce my skin, my vision blurring.
I feel the blood rushing through my veins, my heart pounding in my chest and I think I can't manage it anymore, but then something like honey consumes me whole, drowning me in ecstasy this time. His scent overwhelms me, making me push myself against him. My wolf is rolling on her back, euphoria filling her whole, she wants it more more more. I am in a haze, completely under his control. Tears fill my eyes - I am scared of not knowing, what's happening, of losing control.
Finally, the feeling subsides, taking me back to reality yet again. My breathing is rapid, body's shaking, eyes frantically looking around. The man slowly tilts his head away and my eyes lock with his. His icy-blues are wild now, and yet again, not the man is looking at me - the beast is. He growls gently at me again, warning me to behave. "You are mine to own now, dove." Pretty colored paint is running down his lips and chin, purple-red. What a pretty color.
The color of blood.
I don't realize I start screaming.
I shove past him, going for the door, but it's locked, of course, so I dash to the bathroom and slam the door shut, holding my wound with my palm. The thick liquid is running down my arms, soaking my clothes, then dripping to the bathroom floor. I whimper again, leaning to the door for some support. My legs finally give up and I crumble to the floor, tears wetting my face.
I try to take deep breaths, but they come jagged and shallow. I can't breathe. I shake so hard I can't even wipe my tears away. He bit me, he fucking marked me. He marked me like I was not a person, he marked me like I was his property. I can't do this, I can't... One two three. Come on, Eira, one two three.
Finally, I manage to stand up and slowly go to the mirror. I carefully lift my hand away from my neck. I don't even scream this time. I don't want to accept the fact that the girl in the mirror is actually me. I dare to peek at my shoulder.
The wound is already healing itself, leaving an ugly, ragged scar, darker dots showing the exact spots where his teeth sank in. I stare at it, not being able to look away, silent. It's ugly, disgusting. It will never fade away. Finally, I slowly turn around. I can't look any longer at my mutilated skin. It's just a scar, I try to convince myself.
He's here already, leaning at the door frame, a small smirk on his face. I'm going to mutilate your stupid face so bad you won't be able to even open your stupid mouth ever again. ''What's your name?'' he asks suddenly.
He catches me completely off-guard. "W-what?"
Are we actually jumping in to a normal conversation after all of this? What normal human being does shit like that? He confirms all of my guesses that he's actually mental. He should spend the rest of his days in the psych ward.
"Your name, dove. Or do you want me to call you little wolf all the time?"
I don't want to look at him. I don't want to speak with him. But what if he'll attack me again?
''Ash'' I say, not wanting to give him my real name, not wanting him to find my family and hurt them somehow, to manipulate me. My voice is shallow, unclear. Why the hell did I even open my stupid mouth? I should simply shift and rip this damn throat out, like, right now. I would love to see him trying to form words while his blood is splattering on the damn walls. I can make a bite mark on his neck, too.
''Try again'' he growls. How can he tell I'm lying? I make a confused face. ''It's a nickname, I'm Ashley''. I try to sound convincing. The man stands a little straighter, crossing his arms on his chest. ''Are you testing my patience? I'm not a patient man, little wolf.'' Little wolf? My wolf is not little, what is his problem? But I can't take this any longer. I'm tired, I'm in pain. I just want this to be over.
''Eira. My name is Eira''. Here, you can have it. As long as you leave me alone, you crazy psychopath. God, I'm already tired from this conversation. I want him gone. I want myself gone. He flashes a wicked smile at me. ''Hello, Eira darling. I'm Ronan.''
*****
Finally, he leaves me alone in the dark room, telling me he'll come to pick me early in the morning. Oh, please, take your time.
I don't even try to go for the door this time, I know it's locked. My body is so tired, however, I can't force myself to get some rest. Instead, I take a blanket, sit on the floor in front of the window and lay my cheek to the cold glass. It started raining outside. I watch tiny droplets of water race down the glass, thinking about my brother.
What will he do when he finds I'm not in my room? Will he try to find me? Will he understand what happened? And if he will, is he going to do something about it? I hope he won't. My sweet, kind Keenan will only get himself killed. The psychopath that calls himself my mate is going to rip my brother to pieces.
Cold glass feels nice against my burning skin. I reach to touch the mark the beast gave me. Tender skin is still painful to the touch, but the pain grounds me, and calms my nerves, making me fully understand the situation I am in. I am used to the pain. I will see my brother again, I know this. I will find a way.
Finally, when the rain outside has turned into a raging storm, I stand up and lay in the bed. I will definitely need my strength for tomorrow. I just hope that Ronan won't barge into this room to claim me in an even more sinister way. With that thought, I close my eyes and try to make myself get some rest, the storm outside reflecting how calm I manage to get.
A/N
Hello, my lovelies! Here's another chapter of the story. Hope you enjoyed and as always, let me know what you think!
I hope you are having a wonderful day/night!
I love you all,
J.
xoxoxoxoxoxo