Chapter Eight

I flinched and stepped out into the light, feeling the coldness of his gaze upon my skin. I lifted my chin and watched him fiercely.

“Had fun talking about me?” I asked, lifting one of my brows. My voice was shaky, he’d caught me.

Asher had warned me about getting caught. This was very bad, I couldn’t imagine what would follow this. This had been my only opportunity to escape this place whatever it was and I’d somehow fumbled it but I was ready to fight him if I had to, I wasn't deterred.

Damn, Kara! Damn Rowan! Why of all nights did they decide to come all the way here to discuss?

Rowan’s eyes ran through me with deliberate slowness and I felt myself freeze. “What are you doing out here?”

A daunting smile widened my lips. “Can’t you tell, Alpha? I escaped.”

I saw a flash of humor in his eyes but it was gone instantly so I must have been mistaken because Rowan crossed his arm across his chest and the swirling ink on his arm pulled my eyes in.

I wondered what it was and in the darkness, it was even harder to decipher.

“I see you aren't as useless as I assumed.” Rowan’s icy tone caused my eyes to snap back to his face.

“I've never met you before yet you hate me so much which is hypocritical of you because you clearly need me so make up your mind, Alpha Rowan.”

His face betrayed a hint of surprise. “Being smart-mouthed won't get you anywhere, Reed. Get back into your room.”

I took a bold step toward him, the icy wind of the night settling between us. “Make me,” I said.

“You make your way out of here and I will sacrifice a thousand men after you and I promise, Scarlett, I will capture you and drag you back.” Something in his cold voice told me he wasn’t joking. The bastard was being serious.

My jaw slackened when he reached out a hand and moved my hair out of my face. Rowan's touch was devoid of any form of affection.

“Tell me about how you killed the boy you were to be mated to, he wasn't your true mate, was he?” He asked, his voice dangerously edging me on. “So it must have been easy to kill him. Was it exhilarating? Did you feel the rush that comes with taking the life of someone for the first time? For someone who's always been daddy’s little girl, how did it feel knowing he wouldn't approve of what you were doing but still going ahead to do it?”

I was frozen in my spot. Something held me rooted to where I stood and I could only watch Rowan as he tucked my hair behind my ear before running his hand down my face, resting on my lips as he spoke.

Something crackled between us, rage traveling through my spine, flowing in my veins.

“What did you just say?” I asked slowly.

His finger traveled down to my jaw until his palm cupped my neck gently but firmly. His thumb caressed the base of my throat.

“Don't pretend, Reed, it must have felt good, didn't it?”

I snapped from whatever trance I'd been held in. “You monster!” I yelled. “How dare you?”

He smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I am not the one who murdered their friends and potential mate, little one,” he sneered. “That is all you, you ruined everything for you.”

Boiling anger simmered in me, twisting me raw and I launched myself at him, my fists flying. But Rowan was far smarter, towering, and senses sharper from years of battle. He caught my wrists effortlessly, his grip like iron.

“You pathetic little thing,” he whispered. “What happened to your wolf? Bring her out, Reed, kill me like you killed Caspian.”

And in the place where my wolf lay, a soft purr emitted from her and I felt her lazily ignore me.

I struggled and kicked, but Rowan held on fast, his strength far superior. I glared up at him, my eyes flashing with hatred, but he simply just smiled, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

“You sick bastard!” I snarled, my voice filled with venom. “Let me go! Let me out of here!”

“I told you already, Reed,” He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. “You are my prisoner.”

And he let me go, taking a step back, his hand behind him as he watched me like I was less of him.

“You will begin your training as soon as you learn to compose yourself properly. For now, you will do as I say and stay put when I tell you to.”

“What the hell do you mean training?” I snarled.

“You were brought here for a reason and it certainly isn't because I fancy you so much.” He said calmly and something about the calmness in his expression irked me.

He stood tall, his presence towering and commanding. This was a man who was used to getting what he wanted, a man who’d never had anyone say no to him, and as much as I hated to admit it, Rowan intrigued me to lengths. Aside from his perfect physical features — the eyes that shine with cold, calculating intelligence, his sharp cheekbones and chiseled jawline, and the way he carried himself with an awareness that bothered me, a battle-hardened warrior who’s never known defeat. And that infuriating smirk like I was a child throwing a tantrum like I was lesser than him and he couldn't be bothered with me, his full lips that made my blood boil when he spoke.

The attraction that rippled off him was enraging, he was an asshole. An asshole I wanted to learn more about, I was going to learn more about him; his strengths, and his weaknesses, and when I was done, I was going to be his downfall.

It was a silent promise.

Rowan chuckled like he heard my thoughts and when I snapped my head to his face, I could've sworn he did.

“How original, Reed, it is interesting to hear you drool over me while convincing yourself about trying to be my downfall.” His voice dripped with humor. “How do you think you'll work through your attraction?”

He could hear my thoughts?

My face fell, horror coiling through my body and holding me tight until it felt as though the air had completely vanished from my lungs.

And for the first time in his presence, my wolf stirred and her voice reverberated in my head.

“Mate,” my wolf purred with glee.