Chapter 56 A COWARD'S EXIT
ALISANDER'S POV
I twist and wrench my arm free from his tight grip. “Oh so you're more affected that even when you do it and try it out on me, your so-called command doesn't work on me?”
“I don’t–”
“You do,” I insist, taking a step back and forcing space between us. “You just don’t want to say it.”
“Tell me Alisander,” he growls.
I pace now, my restless energy burning from under my skin with anger now mixed in it.
“You want to throw me into an arena to bleed out to death all because of your stupid politics, but this is what rattles you?”
I gesture wildly. “Your precious challenge is coming, Ragnar. Maybe focus on that? Focus on the Alphas lining up to tear me limb from limb apart or focus on your traitorous elders still in positions of power!.”
His wolf snaps and I see it in his eyes as they turn and change color.
He lunges himself at me and this time, he doesn’t stop himself.
He grabs me, slamming me back against the wall firmly and the impact knocks all the air from my lungs.
His right forearm is pressed into my throat. It's really firm but it's also not choking me. It's just close enough to choking that I can feel the unmistakable threat from him.
“Don’t change the subject Alisander,” he snaps, as his hot breath fan against my face.
I grin in reply.
I've faced his literal maker. What's a pup underling going to do to me?
“Or what?” I rasp out, breathless but unafraid of him.
His eyes flicker once more, switching between wolf and man behind them, as they fight for dominance. “Tell me.”
I meet his gaze head on like a bull fighter on a death wish. “Make me.”
The silence between us practically vibrates.
His hand tightens on me.
“Why,” he demands again, his tone low and slower now, “does my command not work on you?”
I could tell him.
I'm tempted for a moment to rip the truth out in the open right here and right now.
With a sick twist, I wonder how he'd react when he finds out the all benevolent goddess he and his ancestors have worshipped for centuries is just a power starved hideous monstrosity using them like batteries.
But that would ruin everything.
His relationship and bond with Sebastian isn't one that's strong enough for him to fully commit to whatever Sebastian or whatever I would want.
He would probably think I'm crazy and break off the bond before committing us into a facility.
So I do what I do best.
I dodge his queries.
“You should be worried about the arena,” I say instead. “About how many wolves are gunning for Sebastian just to hurt you or just gunning for him to kill him.”
His grip tightens further and I know I've hit a sore spot. “Stop deflecting.” He orders.
“They’ll break him,” I continued with a cutting voice. “And you'll be left with the knowledge and guilt that you let it happen.”
“That’s not–”
“You agreed,” I snapped back, not giving him breathing room. “You handed them permission and that's all it's going to take..”
“Enough,” he growls again, but this time there’s no command woven into it. Just rage and stark fear.
So he is afraid of losing Sebastian.
Looks like the mate bond is working no matter how much he doesn't want to acknowledge or see it.
It won't be long before I can have my revenge then.
I feel it just as Ragnar is crashing out.
Sebastian.
I feel him stirring in our mind.
Why can I tell he's Sebastian?
It's because of the unprovoked anxiety that just flares up and bleeds through our shared mind for no damned reason.
My strong momentum of provoking Ragnar that I've built is almost broken and destroyed because of the soft, frightened and disoriented feeling I'm getting all of a sudden.
Ahhh fuck.
Not now Sebastian.
The edges of his consciousness scrape against mine like a child's hand clawing at me.
I don't need him now, at least not yet. I need Ragnar to understand the folly and foolishness of his ways and find a way to stop the so-called stupid challenge before it even starts.
I lean in closer despite Ragnar’s grip, lowering my voice in a mocking tone. “You want answers? Fine then, if you're desperate for it then here’s one.”
I tap my chest. “Even though I'm an Omega and I'm your mate, I’m not yours to command.”
His breath stutters.
I tap his chest too. “And you never will be the Alpha over me.”
That does it at least for him.
He shoves me down hard onto the bed, the mattress dipping under our combined weight.
One hand grips my wrists, slamming them above my head and pinning me there as his body cages mine.
“Tell me,” he snarls.
“Oh my, Ragnar. Are you already rearing up for another round?”
I stare up at him, my chest rising fast, but not from fear.
I'm heaving from the thrill I'm having of pushing him this far.
“No.” I say after a beat.
His wolf surges.
And mine rises to meet it.
Since I've merged consciousness centuries ago with my Alpha wolf, there was no split consciousness so I was able to control it perfectly with no problem unlike other wolves.
Then–
Panic slashes in from my head.
Sebastian’s panic.
It slams into me without warning, feeling sharp and raw as his fear starts flooding into our shared consciousness.
Oh oh. Looks like he's awake and in fear witnessing everything that's going on.
I curse under my breath.
Damn it.
Ragnar feels the shift too. I can feel his grip falter just for a fraction of a second, but it’s enough.
That’s my opening.
I pull back, not physically but mentally from him.
“Bye bye big boy.” I wink at him before going back.
I shove Sebastian forward and hard as the world tilts and our consciousness shifts between us, leaving him back in control of our body and in confusion.
Let him deal with this.