Chapter 73 Control.
Rage is not an unfamiliar emotion to me. I have lived years fueled by it, molded by it, ruling through it. Rage is discipline, rage is control, rage is the blade I learned to wield before mercy ever crossed my mind.
But what I felt when I saw his hands on her, that was something else entirely.
It wasn’t rage.
It was annihilation.
I was still standing with Lysander waiting for Kate so we could go to the cafeteria together when Quinn came running toward us. For once, Kate's best friend had a serious look in her eyes.
“Domenic,” she said seriously immediately grabbing my attention. Not that Quinn was scared of me like the others, but she was normally to shy to even talk to me. “Kate is at the hallway talking to Jason; that douchebag ex of hers you scared when you first came to our school, and I don't trust that guy one bit."
The name alone made my jaw tighten.
Everything in me went still. I remembered him instantly. The pathetic excuse of a man I’d encountered on my first day here. The bastard who tried to humiliate Kate by talking about a boyfriend deal.
I learnt all about that later because Quinn was nice enough to tell me all about Kate's past relationship with Jason, and how he dumbed her in front of the whole school.
That weak bastard who pries on the weakness of others to hide his own insecurities. What the hell is he doing with my woman?!
“What is he doing to Kate?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
Quinn swallowed probably taken aback my my tone. She has only seen the sweet side of me thanks to Kate. “I...I don’t know. But I don’t like the way he cornered her.”
That was all I needed. I was gone before she finished the sentence.
The hallway stretched before me, students blurring past as my vampire speed carried me forward. I have to get to Kate before that bastard does anything that would make him lose the opportunity to see tomorrow's sun.
Finally I saw them, and what I saw made my blood boil hot with anger.
That bastard pulled Kate to him and forcefully tried to kiss her.
Something inside me snapped. How dare he touch what was mine!
“Let her go.” I found myself holding back a growl. I wanted to go forward and rip out his arms and his tongue, but I figured Kate wouldn't like that.
My voice cut through the hallway like a death sentence. "If you value your life, remove your hands from my woman!"
He turned slowly, fear flashing across his face the moment he recognized me, but then it turned to hatred. Nevertheless, his fingers loosened.
Kate pulled free and ran to me. She clutched my arm tightly, her fingers digging into my sleeves. She not scared of what just happened, she's terrified of what I might do to Jason, considering all those who hurt her in the past never lived to tell the story, except Giron of course, but he won't be so lucky next time.
I wrapped an arm around her waist instinctively, grounding myself in the feel of her scent and warmth. I needed it to calm myself so I won't shred this human to pieces.
Jason glared at us, but I decided to warn him again. “Don’t ever touch her again,” I said quietly, but deadly. “If you do, you'll answer to me.”
I took Kate’s hand in mine and turned away, but the bastard said words that stopped me in my tracks.
“Do you really think she loves you?” Slowly, I turned back to stare at him along with Kate. Jason’s eyes were burning with resentment now, desperation twisting his features into something ugly. “She cheated on me with you,” he spat. “That’s what she does. She’s nothing but a slut who moves from one man to another.”
Kate gasped at his stupidity to provoke me in my current state. The words rang in my ears. Did he just call my girlfriend a slut.
The predator within me surged up within me, clawing at my control. I couldn't hold myself back. I was in front of him before he could blink.
His eyes widened in fear at my inhumane speed. I didn't wait for a word out if him. My hand closed around his throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. His feet dangled uselessly, hands clawing at my wrist as he gagged.
“You will not speak about her,” I said coldly, my voice layered with something not entirely human, “with that mouth ever again.”
His face reddened as he struggled, choking on his own breath. I could feel my fangs press against my gums. I could feel my vampire side pushing, demanding blood. Demanding punishment. I wanted him before my feet lifeless.
“Domenic!” Kate gasped and raced forward. Her hands gripping my arm. “Please let him go! He's not worth it.”
Her voice cut through the red haze. Her presence calmed my beast.
I let our a deep breath and leaned in close to Jason’s face, my grip tightening just enough for him to understand how close he was to death.
“The only reason you’re still alive,” I said quietly, “is because she asked me not to kill you.” Fear flooded his eyes. “If you ever speak about Kate like that again, I won’t stop, I won’t hesitate, and there will be no one left to beg for your life.”
I released him and he hit the floor hard, gasping like a dying animal. He scrambled away from me while coughing to regain his breath. His eyes were wide with terror.
Now he could guess I wasn't human, but thankfully if he tells anyone, they won't believe him.
I turned away without another glance and took Kate's hand. We left the hallway behind, my jaw still clenched in anger.
I didn’t stop walking until we reached an empty classroom. I slammed the door shut behind us and let go of Kate's hand to start pacing.
“I should have killed him,” I growled. “He touched you and disrespected you. How dare he!"
“Domenic.”
I ignored her, my hands fisting at my sides. “Do you know how easy it would have been to just snap his neck, or bite his head off? I could have just..."
She stepped in front of me and I stopped pacing when I caught a glimpse of her beautiful face. "Domenic,” she said again, firmer. She looked up at me, calmly and wrapped her arms around me. “I don’t want anything to do with him,” she said softly. “And killing him would only put blood on your hands. I don’t want that for you.” She brushed her thumb against my cheek and it softened something in my chest. "You’re better than that.”
The storm inside me slowly began to settle. She rose onto her toes and kissed me softly on the lips, instantly killing off any anger that I still held unto.
I kissed her back, my hands cradling her face as my breathing evened out.
For her I would always choose control. I want to he the kind of person she feels safe with, even though that means holding back from killing jerks like what's his face!
For her, I will spare his life, but if he or anyone else ever touch her again, there will be no mercy!