Chapter 16 Don’t defy me
JADEN'S POV
I knew she would break eventually. I was done playing the nice man. That thin veil of civility I wore, the last shred of control over my inner beast, that was gone. It wasn’t going to be long before the monster inside me surfaced, sharp teeth bared and claws ready, just like it always did when pushed too far. The animal hunger that simmered beneath my skin wasn’t just about blood, it was about power, control, domination. And she was about to learn exactly what that meant.
It was time to shatter her defiance.
No conscience, no guilt. Nothing but the raw, primal urge to claim what was mine. Her scent hit me again, faint but unmistakably human, fragile and mortal, but somehow intoxicating. She was the anomaly among us werewolves, her heartbeat still pulsing beneath pale skin, her warmth a brief flame in a cold world of endless night. I couldn’t wait to wipe that fierce look off her face and replace it with submission. I wanted her to surrender completely and know that she was mine. The one chosen to be my mate. Human, whatever. She was mine. The only one chosen to bear my kids in the entire pack.
I sized her up. She wasn’t what I expected. I always thought humans were weak, a fleeting breath compared to the eternal darkness in us. But she wasn’t. She stood tall, despite the blood loss and heartbreak I knew she’d suffered. Defiance burned in her eyes, clear, sharp, unyielding. Her brother was killed in front of her but still she was so damn strong.
“You shouldn’t have disobeyed me.” I caught her trying to close the door and slammed it open, the heavy wood banging against the wall with a thunderous crack. I pushed inside, my movements swift, fluid, predatory.
“You can’t just keep me locked up in here,” she said, breath quickening, cheeks flushing with anger. Her warmth flared beneath my cold gaze.
No fear. Just pure, fierce anger. Instead of being pissed off, I grinned a slow, dangerous smile revealing just the hint of my sharpened canines. This would be more fun if she resisted.
“I can and I will. Let me make it clear, you’ll be in here as long as I say,” I hissed, teeth clenched. She gasped sharply, nostrils flaring. Her pulse raced beneath her delicate throat, and though her skin was soft and vulnerable, I could feel the strength beneath it flesh and bone holding onto stubborn defiance.
“I told you, obey me and nothing will go wrong,” I pressed, my voice low, like a growl rumbling from the depths of my chest, eyes locked on hers with a fierce intensity only a werewolf could muster.
“And what made you think I’d just obey you, you son of a bitch?” Her face twisted with defiance, her human spirit raging against the dark predator towering over her.
“Don’t curse again.” I shoved her against the cold stone wall, my hand firm and unyielding. Aggression wasn’t my first choice, but she was so damn annoying. The faint scent of her fear still buried beneath anger wafted to me, tempting.
“Whatever sick plan you have, get it out. I can’t just sit here useless. LET ME GO, you sicko!” she screamed, voice cracking with desperation and anger.
She struggled against my grip, her fingers digging into my chest, nails scratching the fabric of my shirt. I said nothing. I just watched her, drinking in the sharp scent of her warm blood, trembling heart, fragile but fierce.
She was really a piece of work, born for me. She just needed to know to what extent I could make her bend to my command. To make her relish everything I gave her… pain and pleasure both.
When I didn’t say anything for a long moment, she spoke again.
“Let me go... I ain’t going to tell anyone that you beasts... werewolves, whatever. I have a lot on my mind to even think about you.” Her voice softened to a whisper, fragile and trembling, but still fierce.
“You won’t kill me, right?” she deadpanned, looking me in the eyes. Her human innocence caught me off guard, like a fragile flame fighting against a cold wind. She still didn’t know there was no way she was getting out of this room.
“Stay there.” Ignoring her question, I released her and stepped back, shedding my suit jacket and hanging it on the hook. I rolled down the sleeves of my shirt, the smooth movement revealing pale skin that seemed almost translucent in the dim light skin that hadn’t seen sunlight in centuries.
Throughout the entire moment, she just stared at me, anger blazing in her eyes. For a split second, I noticed her gaze flicker toward the door before snapping back to me.
I knew what she was thinking. Her eyes glinted with fierce determination as if she’d made a plan. Just as I expected, she suddenly bolted for the door.
But in seconds, I was in front of her, blocking her escape.
“Why do you defy me?” I growled, the threat low and dangerous in my throat.
She only glared back.
“I’m not yours. Let me go,” she hissed, venom in every word.
“YOU ARE MY SURROGATE,” I snarled, my grip tightening on her jaw, forcing her to meet my gaze. I meant every word.
\---
RHENAS POV
I sucked in a breath when he suddenly grabbed my jaw, one hand firm and unforgiving, while the other pinned me above my head.
“Let go of me, you jerk.” I pounded against his chest, desperate to shove him away, but he didn’t budge.
In a last-ditch effort, I brought my knee up hard and kicked him in the shin. He groaned sharply, and I took the chance to wrench myself free.
I darted across the room, heart pounding, desperate to get away.
“He isn’t going to do as he pleases with me,” I thought fiercely, but then something darker flashed through me—fear.
I saw him creeping closer, eyes blazing with fury and menace. His canines lengthened, gleaming sharply in the dim light.
My spine prickled with ice-cold terror. I backed up until my back hit the wall. My breath came fast and shallow, but I summoned every last shred of strength.
“If you think for one fucking second that you can just steal my life from me, you totally stup—”
Before I could finish, he lunged.
His hand was suddenly around my throat, pressing me against the cold wall. I gasped, choking, panic exploding inside me.
“You have crossed the line, Karen,” he said low, voice like gravel and ice.
“Guards, come take her to the whorehouse,” he commanded, loud enough that a shiver ran down my spine.