Reborn to be his Forced Mate

Claim what is Mine

"Celeste, you have worn out my patience." The man's voice was devoid of any emotion, but his dark brown eyes were filled with rage, “How long do you plan to beat around the bush?”

"I am not beating around the bush. You are my uncle; this is inappropriate.” I said, repeating word for word what I had uttered the previous time out of fear.

Donovan’s hands clamped down on my shoulders, yanking me toward him.

“Inappropriate?” he scoffed, his breath hot against my skin, “Just because our families are close, you expect me to play the role of your uncle?”

His usually cold aura was frightening now as he said, "Stop pretending that you don't know what my intentions towards you are.”

I struggled to break free from his clutch and pushed him away, “Alpha, stop. This is wrong.”

I realised what I had done and instantly regretted it. If anything, this Alpha hated the most was my rejection.

Before I could do anything, he grabbed my chin and forced me to look up at him, “I am done playing your games, Celeste. Since you won't surrender, I will claim what's mine.”

The second those words left his mouth, he grabbed the neckline of my dress and tore it apart like it was some paper. His hands grabbed my breasts hungrily as he leaned forward to engulf my lips.

His touch was repulsive, but I did not push him away this time. Fighting had done nothing in the past; he still had his way with me anyway. So this time, I stayed calm and kissed him back.

The man briefly paused, his lips hovering over mine like he didn’t expect that. Did I mess up? Did he hate that I gave in?

I opened my eyes and parted my lips from him, “Is everything al…”

I could not even finish my sentence as he placed his palm at the back of my head and pulled me back into a kiss. His sudden action startled me. I could sense the urgency in his actions. It was as if something inside him snapped the moment I stopped resisting.

He picked me up and headed straight to the bed, setting me down with a kind of care that didn’t match the chaos in his eyes.

His bare hands traced my body, sending shivers down my spine. The images of what happened six years ago on this very night flashed inside my head, and I had to restrain myself from pushing him off and running away.

As he prepared to enter me, I closed my eyes nervously. “You have to do it,” I told myself, knowing what was about to come.

I could tell that Donovan had been holding himself back for way too long, as he did not let me rest all night. I lost count of how many times he claimed me, how many times my body trembled beneath him, breathless, on the edge of collapsing.

All I remember was his ragged breath at the very end. “Celeste Veraline, I, Donovan Ashford- Alpha of Raventhorn Pack, claim you as my chosen mate.” He declared before marking me.

I didn't wake up till the sun was out the next morning; the subtle pain in various parts of my body told me that it was not a dream. I surveyed my eyes around the room, the gray-white walls and the decoration in the room were all the same and gloomy.

I turned my gaze to look at the man lying next to me. His slow and steady breaths gave me a clear sign that he was fast asleep. The blanket was draped low across his hips, just barely covering him, while the rest of him lay exposed under the faint silver light leaking through the window.

His chest rose and fell with ease, every muscle sharply defined like he was sculpted rather than born. The faint scars across his ribs and abs did nothing to mar his appearance; if anything, they added to his presence, which made it impossible to look away.

His tanned skin glittered under the light, and even with messy strands of his dark hair falling over his forehead, he looked perfect.

He looked so peaceful now, but I knew better. Beneath the perfect skin was a man rotten to his core, a man who was the sole reason my life was ruined.

My fist involuntarily balled up as my chest heaved with hatred. I could not bear the sight of him sleeping so peacefully after everything he had done to me.

I yanked away the blanket and stepped out of the bed ever so carefully, making sure not to wake him up. I sneaked out of the room to find my phone with my purse, and I turned it on to check the date. Everything was on point; I had not mistaken, I was really back in time.

I still did not know how it had happened or why I was brought back in time, but since the heavens were merciful enough to give me a second chance, I was not going to waste it.

I looked at the tea table, eyes falling on the untouched fruit basket. The blade next to it caught the light; it was small, sharp, and just enough. I walked over slowly, wrapping my fingers around the fruit knife. It felt cold and steady in my grip.

“If this is what it takes,” I whispered, “so be it.”

The house was silent, save for the sound of my breath. I turned and walked toward the bedroom. He was still asleep, sprawled across the bed like he owned the world.

I stood at the edge of the bed, the knife hanging loosely at my side. My gaze traced the lines of his face, the softness that only showed when he was unconscious.

I took a step closer and felt my hand tighten around the handle. Images of me stabbing him flashed inside my head, bringing up a sinister smile on my face.

If I kill him for once and for all, I would satisfy the hatred inside me, but then what? I would circle back to prison life and end up miserable.

No.

I was not given a second chance to mess up like this. I was going to make everyone pay for what they did to me, every single person who used me, betrayed me, and then left me to rot. I was going to ruin them in the same way they ruined me. Donovan, the Veraline family, and Penelope… I am not stopping till I see them in the same state they abandoned me in.

And for that, I will do whatever it takes… Even if it means playing the perfect toy in Donovan’s sick little games.

I lifted the knife and pressed the tip to my finger, giving it a drag.