The golden cage

Davina

He doesn’t know, I told myself, clutching the sleeves of my oversized sweater until my knuckles turned white. I pursed my lips and tried to look away but I couldn’t. There was something about the way he gazed at me, like he was looking for a weakness, like evidence to back up a thought.

My breath came heavy, and I was speechless. How much does he know? Could he really be the man from last night? No. Alphas never visit such filthy places.

But the scent from the club grew even stronger. I couldn’t mistake it. My heart drummed in a frantic, uneven rhythm against my ribs.

His eyes dilated, as he came to a sudden conclusion. He slid his hands in his pockets and stood a few paces away, his silhouette imposing against the manicured greenery. He wasn’t looking at the garden I had come to show him…he was looking at me.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he said. “The moonlight. Does it suit you, Davina?”

“I…I don’t go out much, Alpha Aiden,” I managed to whisper, trying to regulate my breath. “I prefer the darkness of my room. They are quieter.”

Aiden moved then, a slow, deliberate stop that closed the gap between us again. Everything about him screams danger and every inch of me craves it. I wanted a taste of every part of him. My wolf that has been dormant since my rejection, suddenly screamed in recognition. It was a desperate, hungry call for its master.

“The dark can be dangerous for a girl like you,” he said. He reached out, his hand hovering near my face. I couldn’t help it. I flinched.

He paused. His jaw tightened. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’ve heard…what happened with your mate. Your father told me you’ve struggled to find your footing since.”

I felt a sting of shame and disgust. “My father tells people way too many things to explain his disappointment in me. I am not surprised you know this.” Thanks to this little anger building in me, I managed to suppress my urge to jump on Alpha Aiden.

Aiden frowned. “Levi is a fool if he thinks of you as a disappointment. I’ll be in touch with you, princess.” He brushed his fingers along my cheeks, checked his phone and picked up an urgent call.

Instead of leaving, Aiden dropped this phone back into his pocket and looked at me like he had good news. “How about you come work for me? I’ll treat you better than your father does and I will pay you enough.”

It all sounded sweet till I heard he wants to pay me. “You want to pay me? To work for you? I am the daughter of the Alpha here.” I frowned.

“You are nothing more than a mere wolf when you have your brother to take over and Levi doesn't know your worth. What do you say?”

I hissed. They are all the same. He wanted something in exchange, I am certain of it. “No, I am not for sale.”

Aiden was physically angry. “This is a job offer, Davina. Not an auction.”

“And my answer is no! Why can’t you all just leave me alone!” I ran to my room immediately I spoke and left him on the spot. I knew he would get words from my father but I didn’t care, it didn’t matter. I was wrong, Aiden wasn’t the man I met last night. It couldn't be him.

The day passed in a blur. Surprisingly, my father didn’t send anyone to fetch me. Everything began to weigh on me. The way my mate, Rafe had rejected me and left me with a heartache, the way Aiden wants to buy me and how my father has already sold me for reasons I do not understand fully.

My body boiled with a new want. Scary as it was, I wanted the man from the club, my prison has now become my safe place. Since I met him, I want feel the way he made me feel like a woman, powerful, desired, and whole no one ever made me feel that way.

As night fell, the familiar dread returned. It was Saturday and the club was calling.

I dressed in my usual costume, black lace, silk mask and the heavy perfume that covered my natural scent. My father was waiting by the door, his eyes cold as he handed me the keys to his old truck.

“I heard you found a favourable paycheck. If you ever lose that client, don’t bother coming back!” Levi said in hard words but still tried to keep his voice low. I didn’t respond. I went straight to the car and drove off.

When I arrived at The Crimson Arc, Silas met me at the door. “He’s already here, Vina. Hurry, Room 402. He’s impatient.”

I stood by the door for a moment, taking one breath of second thoughts. But I had no choice, and right now, this is where I want to be.

I walked into the room with my heart in my throat. The man was sitting in the armchair, his mask on, his sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. He posed like a king on a dark throne.

“You’re late.” He sounded like heavy steel dragged on a metal floor.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, dropping my robe.

He stood and walked over to me, his hands gripping my waist with a ferocity that made me gasp sharply. He buried his face in my neck, sniffing and breathing on my hot bare skin.

My body responded immediately. Jolts of electricity spiked through my body while I tried to maintain my balance.

He smiled, noticing my little tremble.

“I had a frustrating day,” he murmured against my skin. “I met someone…someone who reminded me of you. But she…I don’t know. I just want to be with you right now.”

My suspicions were getting closer. “This someone…how close are you with her? Want to talk about it?” I asked gently.

“She’s my friend’s daughter.”

That was all I needed to know. A sharp gasp escaped my mouth as a single tear wet my mask. He is Aiden. But he doesn’t know.

“You are tense, what’s wrong?” He asked. I cleared my throat.

“Nothing. You said you were frustrated by someone who reminded you of me…so I thought, you may not want to be with me right now.”

He loved closer and hissed. “You have something no one can give me, Vina. I want it every day. I want more than just weekends,” he whispered, his grip getting tighter around my waist. “I want you in my home, where I can keep you safe. I’ll pay whatever your owner demands.”

Owner? Something exploded inside me. I pushed him away and took a few steps away from him. “I am not to be bought, sir. I am no one’s possession and I would not be bought with money.”

I didn’t care anymore. I was set to step out of the room that moment. Whatever happens, happens. They are all the same! Just like my father!

“What? That isn’t enough?” He half yelled, grabbing my waist and pulling me closer.

“I said—” he silenced me with a kiss that tasted of desperation and something dark and dangerous.

His fingers curled around my back till they were firm at the base of my neck, pulling me closer for a stronger kiss. His other hand wandered around my body aggressively, and I lost balance and lost my breath.

Finally where I want to be. His hand slid down my thigh as he raised me to his hips. I wrapped my legs around him till he pushed me to the bed.

I shuddered.

Our mouths met in sweet urge, his hand brushed against the necklace I’d forgotten to take off, a small, silver locket my mom gave me and it had my initials engraved on the back.

He paused, his fingers lingering on the cold metal, and I realized with a jolt of pure terror that he was staring right at the letters D.S.—Davina Shadownclaw.