Chapter 3

♠SYLVARA♠

I waited for my uncle’s men to storm in, to drag me away from the devil himself. But instead of salvation, the door opened and he walked in. The man I loathed. The one who wore arrogance like a crown. A gun gleamed in his hand, and from the cold smirk curling his lips, I knew the meeting hadn’t gone well.

My heart sank.

“I guess it’s just me, then,” I whispered under my breath.

“What did he say?” My voice trembled despite me.

He only shrugged, sauntering closer. “I don’t think you should concern yourself with that. Unless, of course, you’d like your heart broken knowing your dear uncle traded you away like spare change.”

My chest tightened. “What are you talking about?”

He chuckled, low and merciless. “I mean, your uncle sold you to me. I threw him a bone and he wagged his tail like the good little dog he is.”

The words struck like knives. My uncle, the man sworn to protect me…handed me to my parents’ murderer? For what…power? Profit? My stomach churned.

“I don’t care what deal you made,” I spat, fury burning through my shock. “You don’t own me.”

I darted for the door, but he caught me easily, hefting me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. I thrashed, fists pounding.

“Let me go!”

A sharp sting across my backside shut me up. My body went rigid.

“I’ll spank you every time you scream,” he drawled. “And you’ll learn.”

I fell silent, my chest heaving, humiliated fury burning hotter than fire. He tossed me onto the bed like a prize he’d already claimed.

“Since you’ll be mine for a while…” His eyes raked over me, dark and hungry. “Why not start the fun now?” 

I shoved at him, nails clawing, but he didn’t budge. His strength was absolute.

“Stop squirming,” he whispered against my ear, his breath hot. “Or I might enjoy it too much.”

“Fuck you,” I hissed, though my traitorous body betrayed me. His touch ignited sparks I didn’t want. My chest rose, my lips trembled. Why? Why him?

“Do you really want to leave?” His hand skimmed dangerously close.

“Yes!” I rasped, shoving back tears and heat alike. I needed to escape. To live long enough to kill him myself.

“Then let’s play a game,” he murmured.

“A game?” I sneered.

He smirked, brushing his lips along my hand until my skin burned. “A game of fate. Everyone gets a fair chance. What’s your wish?”

I pressed my palm to his chest, right over his heart. “A bullet. Straight through here.”

His laugh was dark silk. “And mine? Simple. To have you begging for my cock, screaming my name like it’s a prayer.”

My stomach dropped. “You’re insane.”

“Seven months.” His eyes locked on mine, sharp as blades. “Within seven months, you’ll crave me so deeply you won’t be able to breathe without me.” His lips grazed my earlobe as his voice sank to a growl.

I bared my teeth at him. “You are wrong. Seven months is all I need to bury you.”

“And seven months is all I need to make you crave me more than your next breath.” His voice dipped lower, pressing the words into me like a brand.

His grin widened. “Then it’s a bet. But fate favors me.”

“No.” My voice broke but I forced steel into it. “Fate belongs to me.”

I lunged for the gun at his side, but he ripped it away with insulting ease.

“One attempt down,” he murmured, groping me as though to prove a point. My head tilted back despite myself, shame burning through me at the moan that slipped free.

Gods, no. How could my body betray me like this? The man who killed my parents, and I… craved his touch?

“Get your hands—” I faltered when he pulled away, leaving my skin cold, my body aching.

He stood, straightening his shirt, his smirk carved deep. “You’ll crave me soon enough. Look forward to it.”

At the door, he glanced back, eyes glinting wicked. “See you soon, little wolf.”

And then he was gone.

But his words lingered, a shadow curling tight in my chest.

Would I win this game? Or would

treacherous, cruel fate betray me too?