Owned, Yet Untamed

“Get up.”

The young man’s voice was firm as he ordered her again.

But the girl did not move.

Irritation flickered across his face at her stubbornness. Without another word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up. His strength left her no choice but to stand.

“Stop defying me, Ren,” he said coldly, pulling her closer. “You don’t have a choice. I already own you. I can do whatever I want with you.”

Once she was steady on her feet, he drew her against him.

“Looks like ten years of leniency wasn’t enough to tame you,” he continued, his tone low and dangerous. “You’re leaving me no choice. I suppose I’ll have to use force.”

His fingers traced slowly along her soft arm.

A chill ran through her body instantly. Goosebumps rose along her skin, fear creeping up the back of her neck.

“I planned to wait until after the marriage,” he murmured, leaning closer. “But I guess----”

SMACK.

The sharp sound of a slap echoed throughout the arena.

Every subordinate froze.

Their eyes widened in disbelief at what they had just witnessed.

No one had ever struck their boss before. Not even the enemies of the De Luna Syndicate had managed to land a single blow on him.

Yet this girl, trembling, frightened, barely steady, had slapped him across the face.

The young man slowly turned his head back, a grin spreading across his lips as he touched his cheek.

Never, even in his wildest imagination, had he thought this timid little lamb would dare raise her hand against him.

Instead of anger, something else flashed in his eyes.

Excitement.

“So,” he said softly, looking at her, “do you understand the consequences of what you just did?”

Ren swallowed hard. Her hand trembled uncontrollably.

The slap had been pure impulse, emotion overpowering reason.

And she knew exactly who stood before her.

Rafael De Luna.

The new head of the De Luna Syndicate.

He had inherited the position at a young age and was feared for being ruthless and merciless. Compared to his father, people said Rafael could kill without blinking an eye. He listened only to himself and regarded everyone else as beneath him.

Seren knew this better than anyone.

She had lived under the De Luna household for ten years. She knew exactly what he was capable of. Even hearing his name was enough to make people tremble.

“I’m giving you one chance,” Rafael said quietly. “Apologize and beg----”

“I would never.”

She cut him off.

Gasps rippled among his men. Shock spread across their faces.

Not only had she slapped the Mafia Prince, but she also dared to talk back.

A low laugh escaped Rafael’s lips. It faded quickly as his expression turned serious.

Without warning, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her sharply against him.

“Let go of me.”

The young woman pushed against him, trying to break free, but Rafael’s strength easily overpowered hers. Her resistance meant nothing against him.

“You left without permission,” Rafael said, his gaze fixed on her face. “You caused chaos… and you slapped me. These are the crimes you’re guilty of. Do you deny them?”

There was no anger in his eyes. No terror.

Only something far more unsettling.

Longing. Passion.

“You deserved that slap,” she shot back, meeting his stare without hesitation. “And I don’t need your permission to leave. Since when does someone escaping ask for approval? I thought you were smart.”

Instead of fear, an unfamiliar feeling crept into her chest.

Safety.

Why did she feel secure in his arms?

The trembling that once consumed her slowly faded and she knew Rafael noticed.

“Unapologetic,” he murmured, his deep baritone voice low and dangerous. “Then I suppose I’ll have to punish you.”

His hand slid slowly from her shoulder down along her arm.

She flinched and tried to step away, but he gave her no chance.

Without warning, one arm tightened around her waist while his other hand cradled the back of her neck. He leaned down and claimed her lips in a fierce kiss.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Around them, Rafael’s subordinates instantly turned their backs in perfect unison, as if witnessing the moment itself were a punishable offense.

Panic flooded Seren’s mind. She didn’t know what to do.

It took several seconds before she remembered to resist, but no matter how hard she pushed against him, his grip only tightened, the kiss deepening as though meant to discipline her.

It began as punishment.

Demanding. Possessive.

But moments later, the intensity shifted.

Rafael’s kiss softened.

Gentle.

The sudden change only confused her more. His arms, his warmth, the way he held her, it became harder and harder to resist.

Slowly, her protests faded.

Her hands instinctively grasped his arm as she surrendered to the kiss that had begun as punishment. Her eyes closed without her realizing it, savoring the warmth that stole her breath away.

The heat of the moment made her dizzy, as though the air itself had vanished from her lungs.

Then, her eyes flew open when she felt Rafael’s tongue brush against hers.

The sensation snapped her back to reality.

As if waking from a dream, she shoved him away.

She staggered back, breathing heavily, struggling to steady herself.

Across from her, Rafael touched his lips, a mischievous smile forming as though savoring the lingering taste of her kiss. Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes as he looked at her.

“You’re a lousy kisser. But I can train you,” Rafael said with a teasing grin.

“Lousy? How the hell was I supposed to know how to kiss, you idiot Mafia Prince? That was my first kiss--- and you even used your tongue!” Seren shot back, her face burning red as she finished her sentence.

Behind them, Rafael’s subordinates remained turned away, though it was obvious they had heard every word.

A smug smile curved Rafael’s lips.

She looks more relaxed now, he thought as he studied her flushed face.

“Your punishment for defying me,” he said casually. “So, shall we go home?”

Before she could answer, he pulled her closer by the waist.

“—Or should I just take you right here, right now?”

Panic flashed across Seren’s face. Was he serious?

Knowing Rafael, he absolutely was. He hadn’t even hesitated to kiss her in front of his men earlier.

“Your choice,” he added calmly.

Seren stared at him, her heart pounding wildly.

“L-Let’s----let’s go home,” she said softly.

“Good choice,” Rafael replied, his voice lowering. “Because I intend to continue where we left off.”

His thumb brushed slowly across her soft lips.

Realizing what he meant, Seren immediately pushed him away and stepped back.

“I’m only going back with you because I have nowhere else to go! Don’t think for even a second that---”

“Resist all you want,” Rafael interrupted, stepping closer. “But you can’t deny the truth. You are mine. I own every part of you. I decide what happens to your life. So if you want my favor, if you want to stay safe, behave.”

Seren instinctively tried to step back again, but suddenly she felt something warm against her forehead.

Rafael had kissed her gently.

She froze.

“Foolish girl,” he murmured softly. “Where are your eyes even looking? I told you to recognize your real family.”

His quiet tone made her slowly lift her gaze toward him.

“Family isn’t limited to blood,” he continued. “A home, a family can be anyone or anything that makes you feel warm.”

Confusion filled Seren’s eyes.

He was cold. Ruthless. Feared by everyone.

So why did his words feel comforting?

“Never mind,” Rafael said, stepping back slightly as if dismissing his own vulnerability.

“Just remember this instead.” His expression hardened again. “I paid an enormous price for you. So much that your entire lifetime wouldn’t be enough to repay it.”

He looked directly into her eyes.

“I told you before, the only way you escape me is if you kill me… or repay me ten times what I spent.”

Seren fell silent.

Considering the massive debt her family owed the De Luna family, it was already a miracle they were still alive. Paying ten times that amount meant working until death, and even then, it still wouldn’t be enough.