7. Love is Torture

Kane

"The more you keep pushing me to her, the more I'll resist. Yes, I dreamt about her but it means nothing. This mating will never happen. I have no business with petty emotions like love," I say inwardly to Alexander.

"So if I stop, you'll give it a rethink?" He persuaded.

"Nothing will ever change my mind."

"Then do it for me. I want her wolf, Ashley. The mate bond serves to strengthen us."

I close my eyes in frustration. Alexander has been bugging me on this issue for days now. I wish I could separate from him so he can have her as much as he wants. But he's a worthy ally in battle; I can't do away with him. Normally, we come to a compromise on disagreements, but this time I'm not changing my mind.

A knock sounds on the door and Nora steps in with Delilah following behind. My eyes remain fixed on her as she stands behind Nora.

"You may leave, Nora," I say without taking my gaze off Delilah.

She looks better than before. Her silky black hair falls behind her back, arranged to perfection. The white gown she's wearing hangs freely on her body. Her blue eyes pierce into mine.

"Sit."

She takes the seat in front of my desk. I bring out a picture and show it to her.

"Do you know this person?"

Her eyes remain on me and she doesn't give a reply. A frown dominates her face.

"Delilah, I asked you a question."

Reluctantly, she looks down at the picture and shakes her head. I draw it back and drop another in front of her.

"This one?" I ask and she shakes her head.

She looks out the window when I drop the third picture.

"Delilah! I need you to comply to make this investigation faster."

She turns to me in realisation. "So that's what I'm here for. An investigation. I thought you were keeping me as some sort of sex slave you'd use and forget she ever existed until you wanted to utilise her again."

I'm visibly irked by her train of thought on my personality.

"Delilah! I have no sexual intentions concerning you. Even if I wanted a sex slave you'd be the last person on my list. Now answer my questions."

I push the picture towards her but she doesn't take even a glance at it. "Delilah, don't make me force the answers out of you.  Speak."

"And how do you plan on doing that? Torture?" she scoffs. "Do you know how painful the fact that you're ignoring our mate bond is?"

"There are things far worse than your petty emotions. Don't push me." I say, becoming angry.

Delilah becomes silent. Her heart is beating rapidly in her chest. She looks away from me completely.

"I won't be answering any of your questions, General Kane. I refuse to be treated this way."

I clench my fists trying to hold in my anger. "I won't tolerate any defiant attitude from a mere prisoner. Seems I need to remind you of your place here."

Before she can comprehend my actions I move to her and grab her by the arm, pulling her out of the room.

"Where are we going? Let me go, please," she begs.

I take her to the punishment room. Weapons of varying pain levels line the walls. There are knives, swords, spikes, whips and electric chairs among others.

I stand behind Delilah and hold her firmly by her arms. My breath comes out hot on her neck as I speak to her.

"Now tell me, Delilah, is this what you want?"

Her breath comes out heavy as she stands transfixed in my grip. I can hear her heart racing in her chest.

"I want my mate. That's all I've ever wanted," she says. Her voice comes out rushed and faint.

We remain quiet, standing close to one another with our bodies almost touching. Neither of us let go of our stance.

"Don't forget you're my prisoner above anything else," I remind her. "Don't be carried away by a mate bond that has no effect."

"Then torture me. Have me at your mercy, own me as anything you want. You're the one I've been searching for. If you reject me, I have no one else."

I roughly let go of her and she turns to face me, eyes full of tears.

"All my life I've always felt lost. I believed I'd have a belonging once I found my mate. Please don't do this to me, General."

I roughly grab her by the arm, making her take a step closer to me.

"The only thing that binds us together is this investigation. And if you won't comply, I don't have a problem treating you as the prisoner you are."

Delilah's blue eyes hold a silent plea as she looks at me. "If you're this adamant about not wanting me, then why did you touch me?"

"You were almost dying. You should be grateful I saved your life."

"Only to put me in this torture? Do you know how painful it is not to think of you? You've awakened a fire in me and it burns."

"Then you'd better quench it so we can get this investigation on the way."

She takes a step back as she scoffs in disbelief. "I can't believe you. So what we did that night means nothing to you?"

"Like I said, you're only my prisoner. And I'd rather be doing my investigations than engage in this meaningless conversation."

She looks at me quietly. I try to read her mind but it doesn't work.

"I have been tortured in battle and out of battle. You won't be getting any answers from me easily."

She's openly asking me to torture her? "Whatever you've passed through does not compare to what I can do to you."

Her blue eyes glimmer with tears as she looks up at me. "Torture me, let me feel your hatred. Maybe then I can stop having these feelings for you."

Her words add to my frustration with her. How can one be defiant yet pitiful at same time.

"Get out," I command firmly. I give her a look that dares her to disobey. I can see the sadness in her steps as she walks out of the room.

If she were any prisoner I would've gotten her strapped and bleeding a long time ago. But I can't hurt her when I'm trying to save her.