Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Phina's POV

I barely had time to catch my breath after Sheila left when the door creaked open again. Jason stepped in, his presence heavy, like the air itself had thickened. My chains rattled slightly as I shifted, and the metallic scent burned my nose. He smiled, a cruel curl that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Well, well, Phina,” he said, his voice smooth but sharp. “After all that playing hard to get, you finally fell right into my hands.”

I clenched my jaw, fury bubbling hot in my chest, but I forced my gaze to meet his. Jason circled slowly, boots clicking on the floor.

“Did you think you could hide forever? Or that Asher would save you in time?” His words dripped with mockery.

All of that made me feel a rush of heat, not just from the room, but from the anger roaring inside me.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I spat, my voice shaking only slightly.

Every inch of me screamed to strike, but the chains held me fast. I studied him, measuring the danger, gauging the moment I might turn his arrogance against him.

He leaned closer, eyes gleaming with amusement.

“You’re feisty. I like that. But it’s useless, Phina. You can’t move, can’t use your powers, and soon, you’ll have no choice but to play my game.”

The room felt stifling. I could smell the faint copper tang of my own blood from a scratch I hadn’t noticed before. Jason stopped in front of me, smirking, letting the silence stretch just long enough for my heartbeat to drum in my ears.

“Asher thinks he can protect you,” he murmured, almost tenderly. “But he can’t. And neither can you, chained like this.”

I refused to flinch. My mind raced, each word he spoke a challenge I was ready to meet, even if only with my words.

“You’re underestimating me,” I said, voice low but icy. “The chains don’t change who I am or what I know. You’ll regret thinking I’m powerless.”

He laughed, slow and dark, letting the sound fill the room like smoke.

“We’ll see, little Luna. We’ll see.”

The oppressive heat pressed down harder, the tension tangling with the metallic scent of my restraints. My fists clenched, and my heart thudded, ready for the next move he was about to make.

Jason stepped closer, and I could see the heat in his eyes. His hand reached toward my face, slow, deliberate, like he wanted to make me flinch. The chains bit into my skin as I jerked back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of fear.

“Don’t fight me, little Luna,” he whispered, his voice low and menacing. “It’ll only make things harder for you.”

The words crawled over my skin, but I forced myself not to shrink. I had to show him I wouldn’t break so easily.

Before he could get closer, I snapped, teeth sinking into his hand. He yelped, more from shock than pain, but the bite worked like a spark in dry grass. My pulse raced, adrenaline thrumming in my ears as his eyes darkened with fury.

Jason’s anger erupted instantly. His free hand lashed across my face, the slap landing with a sharp crack that made my cheek burn. Stars danced in my vision, and the taste of adrenaline filled my mouth. My body jerked against the chains, but I refused to cry out.

“You little—” he growled, shaking his hand where I had bitten him. His breathing was ragged, the heat of his anger filling the room. Every muscle in me tensed, ready to react if he struck again.

I gritted my teeth, keeping my voice steady despite the sting.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” I spat, glaring at him.

The chains rattled with my movements, a harsh echo that seemed to mock him. Jason’s lips curled into a dangerous smile, and he leaned in closer again, testing the space between threat and control.

“You’re reckless,” he hissed, eyes glinting. “It makes this… more interesting. No hunter likes prey which go down without a fight.”

My heart hammered in my chest, each beat a reminder that I couldn’t rely on powers or escape just yet. I forced myself to breathe, tasting the iron tang of fear mixed with determination. My jaw tightened, ready to endure whatever came next, even if it meant standing defiant against his rage.

“I won’t let you control me,” I said, voice steady despite the sting in my cheek and the fire in my veins.

The chains rattled as I leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze without blinking. His anger was a tangible thing, but so was my resolve.

Jason leaned in closer, the weight of his presence pressing down on me. I could smell the faint mix of cologne and sweat clinging to him, a subtle reminder of the threat he posed. My hands strained against the ropes, the chains around my neck cold and unyielding, keeping me from even reaching for him.

“You listen carefully, little Luna,” he said, voice low but sharp, slicing through the quiet. “I’ll give you a choice. Become my Luna… swear loyalty to me, and Asher and his pack walk away unharmed. And,” he paused, letting the words hang like a knife, “you get your revenge on Sheila.”

Rage surged through me, hot and thick. The audacity of his offer made my jaw ache from clenching, my eyes narrowing as I glared up at him.

“You think I’d ever… make a deal with you?” I spat, my voice trembling with fury, but also the tiniest flicker of strategic thought running behind it.

Jason’s grin widened, slow and calculating.

“Think of it, Phina. Power, revenge, safety for the ones you care about. All you have to do is say yes.”

His tone was silky, coaxing, but threaded with menace. I could hear the faint scrape of his boots as he shifted, closing the space between threat and temptation.

I swallowed hard, feeling the chair bite into my thighs, the chains rattling as I shifted slightly. My mind raced through possibilities, weighing loyalty, morality, and the burning desire for vengeance. Every instinct screamed resistance, but the stakes clawed at me from every side.

“You really think I’d betray Asher?” I asked, my voice icy, each word deliberate.

The air between us seemed to thicken, the silence punctuated only by my ragged breathing and his low chuckle. Jason’s eyes gleamed with amusement and something darker.

“You can struggle all you like, but the choice is yours, little Luna. Choose wisely… or everything you love suffers. The ball’s in your court.”

“Oh yes… the balls are in my court because they are obviously not with you anymore…” I mocked.

“Yolittle...I “ he motioned like he wanted to hit me again, but I didn't flinch one bit and that dissuaded him. Then I tensed against the chair, my muscles coiled and ready despite the restraints. Fury, fear, and resolve mixed together, sparking a fire I refused to let die.

I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of submission—not now, not ever. And that kept me going somehow.

“I’ll never be yours,” I said, voice firm and unyielding. “Do what you want, Jason… but I will never bow to you.”

He laughed softly, the sound low and dangerous, leaning back just enough to let the tension linger, heavy and suffocating.