456- Terms of Captivity
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
I snatched a pencil from the desk, smiling broadly and baring my fangs.
Then I threw it at him.
This time, the alpha wasn't fast enough.
The pencil struck his arm and sank into his skin.
The scent of his blood filled the air, and he grunted.
“Holy shit, it's impossible to leave anything sharp near you.”
“The next one is going straight for the face you admire so much!” I shouted.
He pulled the pencil free and tossed it onto the desk, splattering blood across its surface.
It took less than two seconds for the wound to heal and for his skin to knit itself back together.
He stood, looking annoyed.
“You'll want a handsome face to look at while you're getting fucked. Let's make a deal—my face and my dick stay off-limits during your violent outbursts.”
I rubbed my temples.
“Gods, I'm going to kill you as soon as I figure out how.”
He was immune to silver, but he wasn't immortal.
There had to be a weakness.
Maybe if I struck his heart...
“You won't. Your life will never be the same after meeting me.”
I took a deep breath, ignoring his provocations and trying to focus on what actually mattered.
“You're going to tell your men that I have permission to leave, Anton. Or I'll start killing them one by one until I get my freedom back.”
He raised a warning finger.
“I know perfectly well that you'd kill my sentinels, but they're only following orders.”
“Which is exactly why you're going to revoke those orders.”
He shook his head.
“I can't and I won't.”
I placed my hands on my hips and stared at him with my lips pressed together.
“All right. Then I won't have any other choice.”
I didn't want to spill innocent blood, but I would if necessary.
I had agreed to stay in Eldoria for a while, until things settled down and every Mercante involved in my parents' deaths was dead.
But agreeing to stay and being forced to stay were two completely different things.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“Where is it that you want to go?” he asked, placing his hands on his hips and spreading his legs slightly.
I lifted my chin stubbornly.
“I want to go into town.” I shrugged. “And no one is going to stop me.”
He rolled his eyes.
“What do you want from the town?”
“And I don't need anyone fetching things for me, either. I'll go myself, personally,” I added before he could have the brilliant idea of ordering whatever I wanted.
“Just answer the question, Thalyndra.”
“I want to buy a few things.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I wasn't expecting to be kidnapped when I packed my suitcase. I need more clothes, some books, personal items...”
He huffed.
“First of all, you were not kidnapped. Let's not revisit that argument, please. And second, fine. I'll go into town with you.”
I laughed.
“Who said I was inviting you? I don't need company, thank you.”
“You don't have a choice. It's that or nothing,” he replied, sounding bored.
I could barely process what I was hearing.
The irritation his audacity sparked in me was abnormal.
I took a deep breath, trying to focus and calm myself.
Arguing with Anton would have exactly the same effect as arguing with a door.
I needed to go into town.
I wanted more clothes.
I wanted books to keep me occupied.
And I wanted a chance to clear my head.
“It's not as though your company is... pleasant, but I'm going into town one way or another. If enduring you for a few hours prevents the unnecessary deaths of innocent people, then fine.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He flashed me a sharp smile and raised an eyebrow.
“My company is extremely pleasant.” His gaze traveled slowly from head to toe. “And it can be even more pleasant, if you'd like...”
“I wouldn't,” I cut in immediately.
He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest.
“That hurt as much as the stabbing on the first day. Straight to the point.”
“When can we leave?” I changed the subject, ignoring his exaggerated theatrics.
He brought a hand to his chin and scratched the beard covering his jaw as he considered.
“Tomorrow. We'll leave early, so you can enjoy more of the day.”
“All right.”
“I'll meet you at my parents' house.”
I didn't answer.
I didn't even consider thanking him.
He was doing nothing more than his obligation, considering he was keeping me imprisoned.
I spun on my heels and walked out of the office, ignoring him.
“It was a pleasure seeing you too. Your visit was unexpected and very... pleasant. See you tomorrow,” he called after me.
I remained silent, even after I was far enough away that his scent and presence no longer surrounded me.
With my hands clenched at my sides, I continued forward, far too disturbed by everything that had happened to say a single word.