His Crode Clutches

Wrong move!

|| Author POV ||

Ivan smiled gently. “If you don’t mind, would you like to dance with me?”

Rosa blinked her eyes . She should just deny, right?

She turned her head back at Killian. He wasn’t even looking her way, his gaze was focused on Miss Ava. Her heart burned with something. Jealous?

Rosa pursed her lips, her face pale and she slowly nodded with a heavy heart.

Ivan’s hand was warm. He took her hand then he pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckle. Rosa shuddered swallowing hard as his touch sent an unexpected chill through her. She wanted to pull her hands back right then but she won’t.

He gently guided her toward the dance floor but all the while Killian’s eyes darkened and burned with a dangerous fire.

That single kiss on her hand ignited something wild and possessive inside him. There was a silent warning locked deep in his gaze.

His stare pierced through the crowd, fixated on Rosa like a predator eyeing his prey.

She belonged to him and the thought of another’s touch on her skin twisted his insides with an unbearable hunger. His teeth clenched until they rattled.

Miss Ava’s sweet and annoying voice droned on in front of him like a maddening noise he desperately wanted to silence.

Killian ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair, eyes darting around, trying to cage the storm of emotions threatening to break free from his veins.

Meanwhile, Ivan moved with smooth confidence, slowly wrapping his arms around Rosa’s waist, guiding her trembling hands to rest on his shoulders. Rosa’s nervousness was clear but she obeyed with hesitation.

Aria swayed with her partner watched quietly from the side, eyes wide with surprise. Rosa had refused every other proposal except Ivan. This is surprising.

“You look really beautiful tonight.” Ivan said softly with his eyes focused on her face. “Honestly, I’m glad I got this moment with you. My last prom... since I’ll be graduating soon.” he whispered with a soft chuckle trying to sound casual.

Rosa didn’t respond. Her body moved slowly but her heart wasn’t in it. Her smile had faded. Her eyes were dull. She looked like she wanted to disappear. Like she didn’t belong here in his arms.

She didn’t want this. She didn’t want him. Her soul was somewhere else.

Ivan pulled her too closer. His breath ghosted over her skin. Rosa flinched inwardly. Her chest tightened in discomfort.

She shut her eyes, her lashes trembling and silently wishing for the music to stop, for it all to end. Wishing ‘he’ was the one holding her instead.

Somewhere in the crowd, the blue pair of dangerous eyes followed her every move.

Anger.

Burn.

Jealousy.

Possessiveness.

Hunger.

Killian felt all of it, no, more than that. Far more! A storm raged beneath his skin. Violent and wild clawing to be let out.

He watched her.

His woman! In someone else’s arms!

He could rip the world apart right now, tear through the crowd and drag her away from that pathetic boy and claim her in the most carnal way.

Every part of him screamed for her. To touch her. To own her. To remind her who she belonged to!

His jaw clenched, teeth aching from the force. His fists curled in his pockets. One more second and he’d lose control.

She was going to regret this!

She would learn. He wasn’t someone to be tested when it came to her.

Killian still politely nodded at Miss Ava.

“You know Rosa, I always thought you were different.” Ivan whispered again with a gentle smile. “Not just pretty, there’s something about you that always made me want to know you more.”

He kept talking, whispering soft compliments, things that would’ve made any girl blush. But Rosa heard none of it.

She was lost in the storm of her thoughts. Her eyes drifted again, searching the crowd for Killian.

But he was nowhere to be seen.

“Rosa, I think I like y-” Ivan’s words were cut short when a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

He turned around visibly annoyed. Rosa opened her eyes only to see Max standing there.

“Excuse me.” Max said composedly, “can you please leave her? I need to talk to her. It’s important.”

Ivan scoffed. “Seriously? We’re in the middle of a dance and you just barge in?”

Max didn’t bother replying. His sharp gaze briefly flicked to Ivan before turning to Rosalie. Without hesitation, he gently took her hand and slowly pulled her away, separating the two.

Ivan scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. “Ok then, go ahead, Rosa. Have fun.” he muttered stepping back.

Max didn’t say a word and firmly held Rosa’s hand and pulled her away from the crowd.

He stepped out of the venue and reached the open backyard. The cold air wrapped around them and the noise of the prom faded behind. Many sleek cars were parked in the yard.

Everything had happened so fast that Rosa barely had a chance to gather her thoughts. Her eyes finally drifted back to the glowing venue behind them.

“Wh-what’s wrong with you?” she asked hesitantly before Max’s hands settled on her shoulders.

“You’re asking me what’s wrong?” Max’s voice cracked in frustration “Don’t you get it, Rosalie? I like you. I like you and seeing you dance with him… it tore me up.”

Rosa’s brows furrowed, her lips parting slightly as Max stepped closer.

“I thought you knew.” he continued, his voice softer now but desperate. “I thought maybe you felt it too. Rosa, please, give me a chance. I swear, I’ll--”

“S-Stop.” Her voice trembled, “I-I don’t.. love you, Max.”

His body stiffened. For a second everything froze.

“Rosalie, please. Am I not your type?” His eyes searched hers frantically. “Just tell me what to do, anything. I’ll change. I’ll make you happy, I promise--”

“I’m sorry.” Rosa mumbled against.

Her foolish heart was tied to someone else. Someone cold but impossibly hers.

Before she could move, Max pulled her into a hug.

Rosa’s arms hung limp at her sides as his grip tightened around her. “Please, Rosa. I love you, so much, so much! Trust me! I don’t want anyone else, just you.”

Her breath caught and eyes bewildered.

Because over Max’s shoulder, her eyes landed on him.

Leaning against his car like sin itself. His dark gaze was locked onto her like a curse.

Those familiar blue eyes.

Just stared, his gaze warning her.

His eyes locked onto her lavender ones, peering holes through her soul. Her body stiffened and lungs forgotten.

He’s watching her, really watching her! And she was in another man’s arms!

Her heart didn’t just stop. It sank!

His gaze was a silent threat. It was cold and merciless. As if screaming ‘Wrong move.’

He stood motionlessly. Like a predator watching his prey.