You're mine tonight

Chapter 15

Ivy’s POV

“What? Consum… what?” My eyes widened in disbelief, my voice cracking at the edges.

Damon's voice was low, dark, and sharp like a knife cloaked in silk. “Consummation. With me.”

I blinked. My pulse spiked. “I— I can’t. We didn’t talk about that. We never talked about having sex. I’m not ready!” My voice broke into a desperate yell.

He didn’t even flinch. Beneath that eternal mask, his lips curled into a smirk so smug it burned through me. I could see it in the angle of his jaw, the arrogant tilt of his head.

“Really?” he said, tilting his head slightly. “I don’t need to say much. Just know I’m ready for tonight. We have to consummate our bond... for the chain to be broken.”

And just like that, he vanished. Gone. The silence he left behind was louder than his presence.

I stood there frozen, heart hammering, body trembling. My fingers clawed at my own arms as I tried to ground myself. What the hell just happened?

Why would I have sex with him?

No. No! That can’t happen.

I bolted out of the room like my life depended on it. The cold castle air hit me like a slap. My bare feet slapped against the marble floor as I spotted Selene by the hallway, carrying folded sheets.

“Selene!” I gasped, grabbing her arm and yanking her into the shadows.

She stiffened in surprise. “Ivy?”

“Please…please, I need to get out of here,” I whispered, my voice frantic. “You have to help me. I can't stay another second.”

She glanced around nervously, her lips pressed into a tight line. Her eyes searched mine, and for a second I thought she’d say no.

Then, she nodded once. “Go back to your room. I’ll figure something out.”

And just like that, she slipped away like a ghost.

I returned to my room, pacing like a caged animal. My fingers wouldn’t stop twitching. I was biting my nails, gnawing at the skin until I tasted blood. My mind raced in a thousand different directions. I couldn’t breathe properly.

Then—my phone buzzed.

I snatched it like it was my lifeline. “Hello?”

“Ivy?”

My breath caught. “Who is this?”

“It’s Jack.” A voice smooth and familiar.

My heart skipped a beat. Jack? From school?

“Oh... how did you get my number?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

“I have my ways,” he replied, his tone light. “Can we meet tonight?”

There was a pause.

“Yes,” I said finally. “Meet me at the castle.”

The words had barely left my mouth when I realized how insane that sounded. No one ever came here. No one could. But if Jack said he’d come here anyway, knowing it was the lair of the rumored cursed lycan, then he was either crazy or very brave.

Maybe he was my only way out.

I paced more. Time dragged. My stomach was in knots.

Then I heard it.

A soft rumble outside my window.

I rushed over, and sure enough…Jack’s car was pulling up under the moonlight. My jaw dropped. He actually came.

My phone rang again.

“I’m here. Waiting,” he said.

I didn’t hesitate. I bolted for the door, heart pounding, adrenaline flooding my veins. I ran through the long corridors, skidded past corners, and finally made it outside.

Guards were posted everywhere, eyes sharp like wolves in suits. I couldn’t risk the main gate. But then…I saw the wall.

It was high. Rough. Jagged stone. But it was my only chance.

I ran to it and started climbing. My hands scraped against the wall. My feet slipped. I fell. Again and again. Gritted my teeth. Tried again. My dress tore. My palms bled. I cursed under my breath.

Something felt wrong.

Why couldn’t I get up?

A cold chill ran down my spine. I turned.

And there he was.

Damon.

Leaning against the balcony rail, half hidden in shadows. Watching me like a hawk. He had been standing there the entire time. His presence coiled in the air like smoke.

“You’re making me fall?” I shouted.

He didn’t answer. Instead, in a blink, he was gone from the balcony…and reappeared right next to me.

I screamed and stumbled backward, heart slamming into my ribs.

He reached out and caught my wrist, firm and inescapable. His eyes locked onto mine behind that mask, glowing faintly with power.

“I told you,” he murmured, “you can never escape me.”

He turned to the maids who had appeared out of nowhere like shadows from the walls. “Get her ready for the night.”

“No! Don’t touch me—!” I screamed, kicking, struggling.

But they dragged me, two on each side, into a dressing chamber. I fought. I begged. I bit. One of them slapped me hard across the face, and I saw stars.

They forced me into a strapless tangerine gown. Silk. Tight at the waist. Low cut. I looked like a damn sacrifice.

My phone kept ringing.

I lunged for it. But just as my fingers touched the screen..Damon appeared again. And snatched it from me.

“You don’t need this,” he said coldly.

My breath shook as I stared at him with so much hatred it could’ve burned through bone. But he only tilted his head, amused. As if I were a child throwing a tantrum.

Once they were done, the maids pushed me forward toward a different hallway. My feet felt like they were walking toward death. My fingers trembled. My heartbeat drowned out every thought.

And then—I reached his door.

My hand shook on the knob.

I took a deep breath. And entered.

The room was dimly lit, flames flickering along the stone walls.

And there he was.

Damon.

Standing by the fireplace.

Bare-chested.

His abs were carved, glistening under the firelight, and it stunned me for a second. The muscles along his shoulders flexed as he turned. The mask remained. Always that mask.

He turned, slowly, like a predator with all the time in the world.

Before I could think, before I could move, he teleported. Right in front of me.

I gasped. Stepped back. But he grabbed me. Arms around my waist, pulling me close.

My body stiffened. His skin was warm, too warm, and his breath hit my cheek.

“Let go of me,” I whispered, voice shaking.

His hands didn’t move. His face was unreadable behind that mask.

I was breathing hard. My chest rose and fell rapidly, fingers clenched at my sides.

He leaned close to my ear.

“You’re mine tonight,” he whispered.