Chapter 11 Stop staring, Ira
IRA’S POV
He moves past me quietly, reminding me of cats and how subtle they are.
I stay by the doorway, the knob within reach, pretending not to notice how his shirt clings to him like it’s scared to let go.
The shirt is practically useless at this point as I can very well see every muscle underneath. Hard, solid…
Seriously. Who needs a chest this big?
He bends, lifting a box out of his way. His arms flex, veins becoming more prominent as the fabric around his biceps pull tight as if it’s about to rip.
Ridiculous. Absolutely unnecessary.
He sets the box down and rolls his sleeves up his forearms slowly. His skin looks warm, like it’s been kissed by the sun.
I am staring.
I shouldn’t be staring.
How much exercise does he do to keep this fit. A lot of unnecessary drills I bet.
Now he’s not just distracting, he’s dangerous. Tall, strong…
He turns and the last button of his shirt strains against his chest. There’s a tiny space between the fabric where I can see a glimpse of skin.
Stop staring, Ira.
He rolls his other sleeve higher, like he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Well jokes on him because this… whatever he thinks he is… it's not impressive and definitely not frightening.
My nails dig into my palms. It's to remind myself not to flinch when those cold grey eyes lock on me. But it fails woefully.
There's just something... toxic in the way he looks at me.
I shift on my feet, the air suddenly thick and causing my chest to hurt a bit.
Ruel stands there, unmoving and now that I can see him so close, without the fear that comes with my wrists being bound, I notice how uneven his hair is.
Very short in the back and longer in front like it was cut in a hurry with blunt scissors.
A thin scar runs down the left side of his neck, stopping right before his shoulder. I wonder how he got it. How many fights has he had to survive? And why does he keep fighting, ruining innocent lives?
The silence becomes unsettling.
He doesn’t blink, doesn’t even breathe loudly. Just watches me like he’s trying to read every damn thought in my head.
"Name," his voice vibrates with a familiar deepness. The sound makes goosebumps rise on my skin.
I tighten my fists but eventually, when he doesn't take his eyes off me, I mumble, “Ira.”
One of those bushy eyebrows lifts slightly. It almost looks like interest but that disappears quickly.
Ruel nods once. “And do you know where you are, Ira?”
I glare at him. “Hell, apparently.”
Something flickers in his eyes. Amusement? Maybe annoyance? Surely annoyance.
“Close enough,” he says quietly yet he doesn't take his eyes off me.
“Let me go.” I say, a strange boldness pushing my legs forward.
His jaw tightens. “There’s only one way to do that,” he starts. “And if you ask again, I won’t mind putting a sword through your skull.”
The calmness with which he says those words… that is what terrifies me. But I force my next words out anyway.
“What do you even want with me? I’m not a spy, I’m not a warrior. And I’m not going to be your plaything. So either you let me out, or you kill me already.”
“And where do you intend to go?” He questions, his eyes hardening.
Anna and Oren.
“The Alpha King.” I blurt out.
He tilts his head, studying me like I’m some strange riddle he’s trying to solve. “So that’s all you're worth,” he says with an edge in his tone.
I frown. “What?”
He takes a step closer. “Just another cheap girl trying to be useful? A desperate whore from the streets?”
My heart drops. “What did you just say?” My hands sting from how hard my nails are digging into my palm now.
He takes another step and I'm overshadowed by his larger figure. “Tell me, Ira,” he murmurs. “Were you hoping the Alpha King would take you to his bed instead?”
You stupid piece of shit!
Rage boils the blood in my veins and before I know it, I lunge at him.
But he’s faster.
Catching my wrist, he spins me around and slams me against the desk so hard that breath leaves my lungs with a pained cough.
Pain shoots through my previously wounded shoulder. I struggle, but he doesn’t even flinch. One arm pins me down, pressing my face to the wooden surface.
“Let me go!” I scream, my eyes wide in what I hope looks anything but the fear I feel inside.
He doesn’t.
I stiffen when his warm breath hits my ear. “You attack your commander again,” he scolds, “and I’ll…”
“What?!” I snap, breathless. “Rape me? Like the alpha king wanted you to? You’re just his obedient little dog!”
I swallow, feeling how his hands still.
Slowly, I turn my head enough to see his face. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are full of something I can’t name.
Suddenly his grip tightens and then he moves.
“You disgusting pervert!” I hiss as I'm spinned around and my back pushed onto the desk again. This time, I'm forced to look right into those dark eyes.
Shit, maybe I should beg!
“W…what are you doing?” I stutter when he leans closer, his face hovering inches from mine.
“Disgusting pervert?” He repeats my words.
I glare up at him. “You all are. You hide behind your uniform and ranks, pretending you’re saving people, but all you do is destroy innocent lives.”
He leans closer, and the air between us feels thick enough to choke on. His scent hits me but despite his sweat, it only reminds me of rain.
“Be careful Ira,” he says softly. “You’re not in a position to test me.”
My eyes flutter uncontrollably, my mind pitifully stuck on how powerful my name sounded on his lips.
His breathing becomes uneven and for a moment, his rage looking like restraint.
“I should’ve known,” he mutters, his voice breaking slightly. “That cheap dye in your hair is a clear sign of a desperate little slut pretending to be something she's not.”
My leg moves, kicking him hard… right between his legs.
He doesn’t groan or fall over like I expect. He just freezes. His breath comes out rough, nearly a growl as his hips jerk once, his hand shooting up to grab my throat.
I gasp at the pressure and heat against my skin.
My heart pounds painfully as I struggle to get his hand off me.
His lips part slightly as he leans in close and hell, it looks as if he's orally inhaling my breath.
Those eyes move across my face, slow, searching, and then they stop at my lips.
The door creaks.
“Ruel I've… oh,” A man's voice cuts through the moment.
Ruel jumps off and cold air hits my face as I stumble to the edge of the desk, gasping for air. My pulse is still racing as I think to myself, what the hell just happened right now?