Chapter 206: I Have the Only Key

Leitana stood under the various shower heads, hot water pouring over her body from every direction. Steam filled the luxurious bathroom as she slowly rubbed soap over her skin, her hands lingering on the very tiny bump of her stomach.

Everything that had happened kept replaying in her mind.

Ethan’s scream.

The wolf’s jaws sinking into his arm.

Blood spraying across the pavement.

Mia’s angry shouts blaming her.

The terror in everyone’s eyes.

Tears mixed with the hot water streaming down her face. She pressed her forehead against the cool tile wall, shoulders shaking as quiet sobs escaped her.

Mi almost got them killed…

But something else kept nagging at her.

Arabella.

She had been there, in the alley. They had heard her voice saying “Leave.” Then the wolf appeared. But when the police searched, there was no sign of her. No body or blood, Nothing.

It didn’t make sense.

Leitana felt like there was something they weren’t seeing. Something unnatural.

Leitana turned off the water, dried herself, and slipped into a soft white nightgown. She climbed into the huge bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing as she waited for Ravial.

Two hours later, the bedroom door finally opened.

Ravial stepped in without a word. He didn’t even glance at her. Leitana watched silently from the bed as he shed his clothes, revealing his broad, muscular body. Every line of him was tense with restrained anger. He disappeared into the bathroom.

She waited, nerves twisting in her stomach.

When he came out wearing only low-slung black pants, he still didn’t speak. He walked to the bed, climbed in behind her, and pulled her back against his chest in a tight spoon. His large hand settled possessively over her stomach, warm and heavy.

Leitana relaxed into his hold, but fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Mi Ravial… mi so sorry,” she whispered sincerely, voice shaking. “Mi didn’t listen. Mi put everyone in danger… mi put our baby in danger. Mi was so stupid. Please… please don’t be angry with mi.”

Ravial stayed quiet for a long moment. His breath was warm against the back of her neck. Then his hand slowly rubbed circles over her belly while his lips trailed soft, lingering kisses along her shoulder and the side of her throat.

“I almost lost you tonight,” he finally said, voice low and rough. “Do you understand that? While I was sitting in a meeting, you were running from a beast that could have torn you apart. Our child could have been killed inside you.”

Leitana sobbed quietly. “Mi know… mi know. I was wrong.”

His arm tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer. His kisses turned slightly harder, teeth grazing her skin as he spoke against her neck.

“You are mine to protect, Leitana. Not the other way around. You do not run into danger because of a dream. You do not put my baby at risk. Ever.”

He bit down gently on her shoulder, then soothed it with his tongue.

“But you are also the only thing that can break me,” he whispered, voice dropping even lower. “When I heard what happened… I wanted to burn that entire city down to find you.”

Leitana turned in his arms until she was facing him, tears still falling. She cupped his face with both hands.

“Mi won’t do it again,” she promised, voice thick. “Mi swear. Mi was scared for Arabella… but mi should have listened to you.”

Ravial stared at her through the blindfold for a long moment. Then he leaned in and kissed her — slow, deep, and claiming. His tongue slid against hers as one hand slipped under her nightgown, stroking her bare thigh.

“You’re lucky I love you more than I want to punish you right now,” he murmured against her lips, voice dark and hot. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten. Tomorrow… we’ll discuss your punishment properly.”

He pulled her leg over his hip, pressing their bodies flush together as he kissed her again, slower this time, tasting her tears and her fear.

“Sleep, my lamb,” he whispered finally, tucking her head under his chin. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Leitana clung to him, exhausted but safe in his arms, even as the weight of everything still pressed on her heart.

The next morning, Leitana sat on the edge of the bed, hands folded nervously in her lap. Ravial stood in front of her, already dressed in a crisp black shirt and trousers. He wasn’t going into the office today, he had cleared his entire schedule because of her.

Ravial stared down at her for a long moment, the silence thick and heavy. Then he spoke, voice low, calm, and terrifyingly final.

“Your punishment will be this.”

Leitana held her breath, eyes wide and already filling with tears.

“First,” he said, reaching into the nightstand and pulling out a delicate but unbreakable gold chain with a small lock. “You will wear this around your waist every single day. Under your clothes. You will not take it off not even to shower. I have the only key. Every night when you come home, you will stand in front of me, lift your dress, and show me that it is still locked in place.”

Leitana’s lips trembled.

“Second,” he continued, “you will never be alone. One of my guards will stay within five feet of you at all times even inside the bathroom at school. You will not have a single moment of privacy outside this house.”

“Third,” his voice dropped even lower, “for the next seven days, I will not speak to you unless necessary, and I will not touch you too intimately. You will sleep beside me, but you will feel the distance.”

Leitana’s tears finally spilled over.

“Fourth,” he said, handing her a new leather-bound notebook, “every single night before bed, you will write me a full handwritten letter. Minimum two pages. You will explain why you disobeyed me, how much you scared me, and what you will do to earn back my full trust.”

He paused, then leaned down, cupping her tear-streaked face.

“And every night,” he whispered, voice dark and filthy, “I will edge you until you’re crying and begging. I will touch you, taste you, fuck you with my fingers and tongue… but I will not let you cum. Not until I decide you’ve suffered enough. You will repeat ‘I belong to Ravial’ until your voice breaks.”

Leitana was sobbing quietly now, shoulders shaking.

“Mi Ravial… mi understand,” she whispered, voice breaking. “Mi will take all of it. Mi deserve it. Mi was so stupid… mi put our baby in danger. Mi will do everything you say. I promise.”

Ravial wiped her tears with his thumbs, almost tenderly.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “Now stand up. Let me put the chain on you.”

Leitana stood on shaky legs. She lifted the hem of her nightdress with trembling hands. Ravial locked the delicate gold chain around her waist, it sat snugly against her skin, a constant, intimate reminder. The small lock clicked shut with terrifying finality.

He stepped back and looked at her.

“From now on, you will feel me with you every second of the day,” he said softly. “Even when I’m not touching you.”

Leitana nodded, tears still falling. “Yes, mi Ravial.”

He kissed her forehead once, long and slow then pulled away.

“Go get ready for the hospital. We leave in thirty minutes.”

Leitana stood there alone after he walked out, fingers tracing the gold chain around her waist, heart heavy with guilt, shame… and love.