Chapter 3
1005 Words
Caged
The east wing of Viktor's compound not packhouse was a gilded prison. Aria pressed her forehead against the cool window glass, watching shadows lengthen across manicured grounds that seemed to mock her with their beauty. Her throat was raw from screaming when his men had dragged her here, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of crying again.
The door opened behind her.
"Comfortable?" Viktor's voice dripped with false concern. "I had the room specially prepared. All the luxury you could want, with none of the..." He paused deliberately. "Escape options."
Aria didn't turn around. "Go to hell."
"Such language from my little mate." He moved closer, his presence filling the room like smoke. "And after I went to all this trouble to ensure your safety."
"Safety?" Now she did turn, fury overwhelming caution. "Your men ran my car off the road!"
"You were given a choice." His eyes raked over her, lingering on the bruise forming on her arm. Something dark flickered in his expression before he masked it. "You chose poorly."
He looked devastating in charcoal gray suit pants and a black dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to expose muscled forearms covered in tattoos. The casual elegance was a stark contrast to the predatory intent in his eyes.
"Strip."
Aria choked. "What?"
"Your clothes are filthy from your ill-advised escape attempt." His smile was all teeth. "Unless you'd prefer I help you?"
"I'm not taking my clothes off for you."
Viktor moved so fast she barely saw him. One moment she was pressed against the window, the next her back hit the wall beside it, his body caging her in. His hands planted on either side of her head as he leaned down, bringing his face inches from hers.
"Let me be very clear, little wolf." His breath fanned across her lips, and her treacherous body shivered. "You're in my territory, in my home, wearing my mark." He traced the mate mark on her neck that had appeared after their first meeting. The touch sent electricity down her spine. "Everything you are belongs to me now. Fighting it will only make things more... uncomfortable."
Aria's wolf whined, wanting to bare their throat in submission. She fought it. "You said you didn't want a mate. You said you liked variety."
"I don't." His finger continued its maddening path along her neck, down to her collarbone. "But I also don't share my toys. And until I figure out how to break this inconvenient bond, that's exactly what you are. A toy." His other hand gripped her hip, hard enough to bruise. "One I intend to play with thoroughly."
Tears burned behind her eyes. "Please... just let me go."
Something fractured in Viktor's expression – so briefly she might have imagined it. His wolf's eyes bled through, golden and pained, before he blinked them back to steel gray.
"No." He leaned closer, inhaling along her neck. A tremor went through his powerful frame. "You smell like fear and defiance. Like everything I want to break."
*And everything you want to protect*, her wolf whispered. She felt his wolf stir in response, fighting against his iron control.
Viktor's phone buzzed. He pulled back slightly, keeping her pinned as he checked it. His expression hardened.
"Duty calls." He stepped away, straightening his cuffs. "Clean yourself up. Someone will bring you dinner. Try to escape again..." His smile was cruel. "Well. Let's just say there are far less comfortable rooms in this compound."
He walked to the door, then paused. "Oh, and little mate?" He didn't turn around. "That outfit really is filthy. I expect you changed when I return. Don't make me ask twice."
The door locked behind him with heavy finality.
---
Viktor made it halfway down the hall before his control cracked. He slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a dent in the plaster. Her tears were acid in his veins, her fear a torment his wolf couldn't bear. His wolf pushed him to go back and comfort her because he caused her tears.
*Protect*, his wolf demanded. *Comfort. Claim.*
"Alpha?" Marcus approached cautiously. "The White Pack Alphas are waiting in your office. And the doctor wants to check the girl for injuries from the... retrieval."
"No one touches her." The words were more growl than speech. "No one enters that room except me."
"She needs medical attention—"
Viktor's hand closed around his Beta's throat. "I said no one touches her."
He couldn't explain the possessive rage that filled him at the thought of anyone else near her. Couldn't admit how close his wolf was to taking over, to claiming her properly instead of playing these cruel games.
Games that were the only thing keeping them both alive. The only thing keeping his enemies from realizing that Viktor Volkov, the most feared Alpha in three territories, had developed a weakness.
A weakness currently crying in his guest room, breaking his wolf's heart with every tear.
"Shall I reschedule the The White Claw Pack?" Marcus wheezed.
Viktor released him. "No. Business as usual." He straightened his shirt, forcing his claws to retract. "And Marcus? Have food sent up. Something..." He remembered the coffee shop receipts in her file. "Something sweet. Pastries."
"Trying to soften her up, Alpha?" Marcus knew his alpha was screwed and soon accept his mate.
Viktor's smile would have sent smarter wolves running. "I'm ensuring my property is well-maintained. Nothing more."
But as he walked to his office, her scent still clinging to his skin, he wondered who he was really trying to convince. He knew he was doomed. His wolf wanted her and the mate bond was pulling at them. His Beta nodded and did as he asked. Viktor knew that it was futile Resisting what moon goddess chose for them so he sighed and went to the meeting but his mind wasn't in it. He was distracted the whole damn time by the tiny woman and her innocent look.The tears gutted him but he couldn't show it yet.
- Writer
