Chapter 24 CHAPTER 024
Ari POV:
Nothing could be comparable to the turmoil inside of me as Alpha Stone sent Harry away and we stood alone in the hallway. What did he have in mind now? I felt exposed and vulnerable being with him.
It was almost as if I was afraid he would decide to harm me in another land just so he could get rid of me once and for all. But that wasn't possible. He wouldn't do that knowing I now hold the power to his composure. Or maybe it was just coincidence and Alpha Stone had caught on.
"Why is your face like that?" His voice interrupted my thoughts, bringing my gaze up to him.
"Like what?"
He took a couple steps closer and stopped just an inch away before raising my chin with his finger. I let my eyes fall on his attractively rugged face as I watched him speak.
"Are you that nasty?" His words stopped me short. "Wanting my Beta even though you're mated to me."
Anger welled up to my chest. "Maybe if you're half as decent as Harry is..."
His hands found my arms and he roughly turned me around, pressing my back against his strong build. His hand slowly snaked it's way around my neck, squeezing hard enough to restrict airflow but not too hard to abruptly stop me from breathing.
This act caused me to feel tingles all over my skin as though the roughness with which he treated me was drawing pleasure from places I never thought existed. And that made me angrier.
I felt his lips on my earlobe next, his words coming out in a whisper.
"Say his name again and I'll make you regret it."
A part of me cried out for me to keep shut and not put myself into more trouble but another part of me, hell bent on digging a bigger grave for me yearned to see how far I could push this dangerous beast.
"What if I do? What if I say his name?"
His grip around my neck became tighter and I sucked my breath, feeling my breath slowly come in smaller measure.
"Don't test me, Ari. I've been more than merciful to you already and you keep taking my kindness for granted." His other hand sprawled over my stomach, slowly caressing while moving upwards. "You're lucky I can't do anything to you right now or your head would have been on the pike." He reached the under swell of my boobs and slowly wrapped his fingers around one, squeezing in the most gentle manner. If my windpipe wasn't blocked right now, I'd have let out a moan.
But the restriction of air coupled with the tightness in the pit of my stomach only worsened my desire to be touched. This was too much of a feeling for a man who wanted to get rid of me.
"I can see it in your eyes already. You want to push me to the edge," he continued to say, still kneading my boobs. "Yet, you can't resist my touch. And you deny that. Frolicking with my Beta to make it seem like it isn't true."
Just shut up and keep kneading. I almost said. But instead, I leaned into him, throwing my head back and flickering my eyes shut. My lips were parted now, begging for air and for more.
"Tell me if it's isn't true, Ari. And I'll make my decision tomorrow."
My eyes widened now and I wanted to move away but his grip tightened and I could no longer breathe. I started scratching his hand, fighting to be free. I began to panic as he wouldn't let go of my throat, only holding on tighter. Fear latched on to my senses, every feeling of arousal suddenly eluding my body.
I'd forgotten how dangerous he was and how he had little to no control over his beastly instincts. My eyes now blurred by my tears outlining them, I started seeing little floaters. I could hear my heartbeat now, once racing but now reduced to a slow jig. My efforts to untangle his fingers were slowly waning and I felt my body become lighter.
Tears slid down my eyes as I thought this was it. It was over for me. Yet, this crazy Alpha who seemed to have more control over my body than I did, leaned to my ear and bit my earlobe gently.
He flicked his tongue over the spot he bit, causing shivers to run up my spine despite the situation I was in and whispered, "I own your body just as much as you own my mind. We are mutually exclusive to each other. But the day you decide to turn on that," he released my throat and made me fall to the ground, gasping violently for air and coughing. "I won't be as merciful enough to let go."
Then he walked away. I kept breathing in and out at a faster rate, sputtering and not bothering about the saliva that dripped down my mouth. I clutched my chest, sobbing and wondering how I could have yearned for freedom but the universe thought I was asking to be with such a psycho.
I screamed as loud as I could in frustration but stopped when I heard footsteps again. I tried to stand but I was too weak. My vision darkened and I felt strong arms lift me from the ground.
I knew who it was by the scent and when I tried to push him away, he only held me tighter and closer to himself.
We moved for a while until we didn't. I heard the sound of a door getting opened, the lock clicking and finally, my body was pressed against a soft mattress. I was in a room.
By the time my vision would be clear, I realized I was in a small room meant to be for one person with a bed big enough to accommodate two people. On the end of the bed, Alpha Stone stood, taking off his shirt like he did not just attempt to kill me in the hallway.
My heart began to race again and I wrapped my arms around myself.
He took off his shirt and turned to face me but I was no longer looking at his face. My eyes were now caught on his beautifully carved body, graced by the astonishing lines of muscles and abs stopping just at the v line of his waist. I gulped, trying to picture what went beyond his waist.
"You look tired. You should take off your clothes before going to bed. Tomorrow, we will drive back to Ricko since it's late now."
He must be joking if he thinks we would be in this same room till morning.