The Cruel King

Chapter 4: You Were Always Mine

Hayden's pov:

I sat inside my car, iPad in hand, scanning through one of our contracts. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, the words blurred into nothing, eclipsed by a single image. I leaned my head back against the seat, my fingers curling into a fist as the past pulled me under.

Eve.

Curled up on the couch in those denim shorts and that white top. The way her long lashes rested against her cheeks, her breathing soft and even, completely unaware of what was coming for her. Her novel lay open on her stomach, abandoned mid-sentence as sleep claimed her.

Taking her had been effortless. She hadn't even stirred when I lifted her into my arms, holding her against me like she already belonged there.

But when she woke up... that was when I realized my ill kitten had grown claws.

She wasn't the same quiet, hesitant girl who once looked at me with wide, uncertain eyes. No—she clawed, she fought, she burned.

A tigress.

My tigress.

And f**k, if that didn't make me even crazier for her.

Flashback~

I walked into the dimly lit room, carrying a tray with dinner, setting it down on the bedside table before my eyes found her.

Curled up on my bed, her frame looked so small, so fragile. But the fire in her eyes told a different story. A faint tear slipped down her cheek, and she wiped it away aggressively, refusing to let it fall freely.

I sat at the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. The simple touch sent a wave of possessive warmth through me.

"Are you okay?" My voice was softer than I expected.

She chuckled. A dry, bitter sound that made my jaw tighten.

I raised a brow. "What's so funny?"

"Don't touch me."

My hand stilled midair. Her words sliced through me, sharp and unwelcome. I let my fingers fall away, masking the sting I felt in my chest.

"Fine," I said, keeping my voice neutral, even though the defiance in her eyes made my blood simmer.

She inhaled sharply. "Why did you kidnap me?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before meeting her gaze. "I needed you here with me. And you would have never willingly come."

Her breath hitched. "But... but what about me?"

I leaned closer, my fingers tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to look at me. My voice dropped, low and firm.

"You're mine now. That's all that matters."

Her lips parted slightly, a tremble forming there. "What if I don't want to be?"

A flicker of frustration coursed through me. My grip on her chin tightened, just enough to make her realize that what she wanted didn't matter.

"You don't have a choice in the matter," I murmured. "You're mine, and you'll stay with me whether you like it or not."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and for a second, something in me softened. But when she whispered, "Hayden... it's... it's wrong," something else took over.

I exhaled slowly, my thumb sweeping across her cheek, wiping away the tear that managed to escape. "I know it's wrong," I admitted, my voice rough. "But I can't help myself. I need you. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you here."

Her brows furrowed. "Why me?"

A low growl rumbled in my chest.

"Why you?" I repeated. "Because I've wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You're smart, beautiful, and you drive me insane just by existing. I can't explain it, Evelyn. But I can't resist you. And I won't."

Her voice trembled. "Is there no room for my choices in this?"

My fingers traced her jawline, possessive. "Your choices don't matter," I said. "I made my choice, and it was to have you. You're here because I decided it. There is no 'what if.' There is no escape."

Her breath hitched. "Why are you doing this to me?" Frustration and fear tangled in her voice.

I leaned in, my face inches from hers, my voice dark. "Because I can't stand the thought of you with anyone else. You belong to me. And I don't share."

She swallowed hard, her pulse erratic beneath my fingers. "That's... that's not love."

I stiffened. My jaw clenched.

"Love?" I scoffed. "Love is weak. Love is fickle. This isn't love, Eve. This is possession. This is obsession. And you... you are mine."

Her red-rimmed eyes locked onto mine, filled with fire and defiance. "You don't even love me."

Something dark twisted inside me. My grip on her chin tightened, just enough to make her gasp.

"Love doesn't matter," I said coldly. "I may not love you, but I want you. And that's all that matters."

Her voice wavered. "You can't make my choices for me."

I smirked, brushing my thumb against her bottom lip, tracing it slowly. "I already have. You don't get to decide anything anymore, sweetheart."

Tears welled in her eyes. "But—"

Before she could finish, I pushed her back onto the bed, straddling her, pinning her down beneath me. My chest pressed against hers, the heat of her body making my head spin.

"Shhh," I whispered, my fingers tracing the curve of her jaw. "No more tears. I don't like it when you cry."

Her eyes widened, lips trembling as she took in my words.

I leaned closer, my breath caressing her cheek. "You're so beautiful when you smile. Show me that smile again."

Fear flickered in her gaze, but I didn't stop. I brushed my lips against her forehead, then her cheek, my hand skimming down her neck, feeling her pulse race beneath my fingertips.

"There's no need to be afraid," I murmured. "I won't hurt you... as long as you're a good girl."

She met my gaze, her voice steely. "I'm not afraid. Not of you." the way she had trembled beneath me, her hatred so raw, so fierce—like a fire refusing to die even when surrounded by ice.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips. "You should be."

Her breath hitched. "What if I don't obey? What will you do? Kill me?"

My smirk faded. My fingers curled into her hair, pulling her head back slightly. "No. I would never harm you. But defiance has consequences, baby. And I'm more than willing to teach you that lesson."

Her body stiffened beneath me, her breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. But even now, her fire hadn't dimmed.

And damn, that only made me want her more.

I leaned in, my lips grazing her ear. "You can fight me all you want," I whispered. "But in the end, you'll see... You were always meant to be mine."

I pulled back, studying her expression. She turned her face away.

I chuckled darkly, gripping her jaw and forcing her to look at me. "Look at me, Eve. I want you to see exactly what you've done to me."

Her lips parted, a silent plea in her eyes. "Why can't you just let me go?"

I inhaled deeply, my fingers trailing through her hair. My hand moved from her jaw to her hair, my fingers gently tangling in the strands, I looked down at her.

"Because, sweetheart... letting you go was never an option."