Chapter 8 008
~LYKA~
I groaned in pain as I tried to push myself off the cold stone floor, my muscles screaming in protest. The impact from earlier had left my body aching, but I refused to stay down. In a swift, desperate movement, I attempted to launch another attack, summoning whatever strength I had left. Unfortunately, my body was weak, my balance unstable, and my movements sloppy. Before I could even close the distance, the man caught me effortlessly.
“I’m sorry I’m only coming to see you now,” he said casually, his grip firm as iron, “but don’t you think you’re a little too fierce?”
I groaned again, struggling against his hold, my frustration boiling over. “Let me go!” I yelled, rage and fear mixing together in my voice.
To my surprise, he released me immediately.
“I’m not going to ask you twice,” he said calmly, almost lazily. “Tell your friends to come back. I wouldn’t want to go after them myself.”
His relaxed tone irritated me beyond reason.
“You jerk!” I roared, charging at him again, this time aiming directly for his neck. My hand barely reached him before he caught my wrist, spun me around, and slammed my body against his chest. The impact knocked the breath out of me as he leaned down and nibbled lightly at my earlobe.
“You’re one feisty woman,” he murmured, his voice dangerously close, “and I like that.”
Disgust and fury surged through me. I clawed at his neck desperately, hoping to leave a mark...anything to make him let go.
“What are you doing, my dear mate?” Derrick asked with a smug smirk. “Are you trying to turn me on?”
I scoffed loudly, but my ears burned red when I felt his claws tugging at the fabric of my already tattered dress. I hissed in pure disgust.
That pervert!
I managed to wiggle out of his grip, but not without consequence. He tore off a large chunk of my dress in the process, and dread settled in my stomach. At this rate, it felt like he was deliberately trying to strip me bare...and that thought terrified me.
“Any more attacks from you,” he said calmly, holding the torn fabric in his hand, “and another piece of your clothing will suffer. So think carefully before you act.”
I gulped hard, fear crawling up my spine.
I was already exhausted, drained from throwing myself at a man who wasn’t even affected by my attacks.
“Nonsense!” I spat, forcing myself to charge again.
Just as he warned, he dodged with insulting ease. Before I could even register what was happening, his hand grabbed the sleeve of my dress and ripped it clean off.
“What the heck!” I yelled, staring down at my ruined clothing. Panic surged through me as I reconsidered my actions. He still hadn’t truly attacked me...and that scared me even more.
“Are you really trying to seduce me?” he teased. “I know we’re mates, but don’t you think it’s petty to try to bed me here? I still think this place is a little dirty.”
Disgust churned violently in my stomach.
‘Who does he think he is?’ I thought angrily...yet, to my horror, I felt my wolf stir in excitement.
“I’m going to make sure I escape from you,” I said through clenched teeth, “far away from you.”
Without thinking, I attacked again.
This time, Derrick’s hand reached out and tore my dress clean in half. My knife grazed his skin, just enough to draw a thin line of blood...but none of that mattered.
I was naked.
I gasped sharply as the remaining fabric fell to the floor. Panic flooded me when he grabbed my arm and slammed my body forcefully against his. I stiffened instantly, frozen, my breath caught in my throat.
Heat radiated between us. I was only in my underwear now...thanks to him...and I felt horribly exposed.
“Why put up such a fight?” he asked quietly. “Did you think you were buying time for your friends?”
My eyes twitched when I realized he had seen through my plan.
It’ll be fine, I told myself desperately. As long as they escape, this will be worth it.
But my wolf was in chaos, utterly disorganized by the closeness of her mate.
What a simp.
“Too bad for you,” he continued coolly, “they’re not going anywhere.”
I frowned, confused...until my ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps. My heart sank when I saw armed guards dragging Amanda and the others back toward us. Rage and dread twisted violently in my stomach.
“I’m sorry, Lyka!” Amanda cried. “They caught us...”
A guard struck her before she could finish, sending her crashing to the ground. I snarled in fury, my chest tightening painfully.
“What are you doing?!” I screamed, trying to lunge forward with my knife, but Derrick dodged effortlessly and slammed my back against the wall. I winced as pain shot through me.
“If I were you,” he said coldly, “I wouldn’t act rashly again. One wrong move from you, and they suffer.”
I watched helplessly as guards placed swords against my friends’ throats. Tears burned my eyes.
“What do you want from me?” I asked shakily.
His blood-red lips curved into a chilling smirk, and in that moment, I fully understood why he was called the Demon Alpha.
“Nothing much,” he said lightly. “I just want to negotiate with you.”
I scoffed bitterly. “This isn’t a negotiation. This is a threat.”
He chuckled. “Looks like you’re smarter than I thought.”
He released me, and I collapsed to the floor, shaky breaths escaping my lips. I stiffened when I felt something draped over my shoulders.
“Cover up,” he said. “We wouldn’t want the guards thinking you tried to seduce me.”
He wrapped his cloak around me. The fabric was warm...unnaturally so...and I scoffed, knowing exactly why.
Because it belonged to an evil man.
“But before we discuss what I want,” he continued calmly, “don’t you think you all deserve apunishment?”
My eyes widened in shock.
Punishment?
Please… tell me it’s not what I’m thinking.