When He Said, Mine

The music was loud, as laughter filled the air as Mason’s pack celebrated in the grand hall. The lights were warm and golden, but I felt none of it.

Mason’s arm was around my waist. His fingers pressed into my side as he smiled and greeted his guests. But suddenly, I felt him freeze.

His grip on me tightened sharply, making me wince.

I followed his gaze across the room.

And my heart nearly stopped.

Caden.

He stood near the entrance, dressed in black, his jaw tight and his dark eyes locked on me like fire. There was something wild and dangerous in them. 

His hair was messy, like he had just been in a fight. His chest rose and fell slowly, and the way he looked at me made my whole body react strangely. The mate bond between us came alive like a spark catching fire.

I could smell him, even from here and it hurt.  

But I didn’t move or run into his arms.

I stayed exactly where I was.

I turned toward Mason, letting my body melt into his, while I faked a sweet smile as I said, loud enough for Caden to hear, “More wine, Alpha?”

Mason grinned, catching the game instantly.

He dropped his hand lower on my back, rubbing it like I belonged to him.

“Take good care of me tonight, Cassie,” he said with a slow, mocking voice. “I’ll need you in my bed later.”

I smiled again. My eyes stung, but I made sure no tears streamed out. 

I glanced at Caden.

His jaw was tight and his fists were clenched. His breathing was heavy, like he was fighting every part of himself to stay calm.

And I smiled cruelly.

It felt good and powerful to see him angry, and to see him jealous. Which proved that he still cared, even after rejecting me.

Mason pulled me closer, his mouth brushing my ear softly.

“Do you see him?” he whispered. “He wants to kill me right now, hahaha.”

I nodded slightly, smiling as I whispered back, “Yes. I can see that, Alpha.”

“Good girl,” he said.

But I was no longer listening to him.

I was staring at Caden now.

And then, his lips moved from just one word.

“Mine.”

Mason’s fingers squeezed around my waist tightly, as his hand slid even lower in front of everyone, without shame.

“You really think you can go back to him uh?” he whispered, his voice full of venom. “After all he did to you? You’re mine now, little one. Not his.”

His hand moved down to my butt, pressing lower.

My chest rose and fell quickly as anger rose in me like fire. My face burned and my heart screamed. I could feel the eyes of the people around us, and I swear, I had had enough of this humiliation.

Without thinking, I grabbed the heavy wine jug from the table beside me. My fingers wrapped around it tight.

And I swung it.

The jug hit Mason’s head with a loud crack.

He stumbled back, grabbing his head as blood began to drip from between his fingers.

The music stopped, and the entire room froze. Even Mason.

I stood there, my heart pounding like a drum, while my breath came fast, as my hand still shook from the hit.

Mason’s red eyes lifted to meet mine.

“You bitch,” he spat, his voice filled with rage and venom.

I saw it in his eyes. I knew what was coming. So I didn’t wait, I ran.

“Catch her!” Mason roared behind me.

I pushed through the crowd, shoving bodies out of my way. My bare feet slapped against the marble floor as I raced toward the back of the house. My chest ached, and my breath came fast.

I burst through the doors and into the cold night.

The air slapped my face making my eyes burn.

The trees stood ahead, tall and dark, but the moon lit my way just enough.

So I ran into the woods.

“Bring her back!” Mason’s voice echoed behind me. “Now!”

Tears filled my eyes. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. My lungs burned with each breath.

I ran like my life depended on it.

Because it did.

Behind me, the sound of boots crashing through the underbrush filled the air.

“Catch her!” one of them yelled. “Alpha Mason wants her alive!”

I didn’t care what Mason wanted.

I would rather die than go back to him.

Branches whipped at my arms and legs, cutting into my skin. My bare feet bled as they hit rocks and sticks. But I didn’t stop. I pushed deeper into the woods.

I looked back and saw they were catching in on me. Panic clutched my throat.

I tried to run faster, but the ground was slick with mud, so my foot slipped.

Pain shot through my knees and hands as they hit the ground, making my skin torn open.

But I forced myself to get back up.

I ran again, even though my legs screamed from tiredness and my head was spinning.

I could still hear them behind me. Getting closer. 

“You’re dead, bitch!” one guard shouted from behind me. “When we catch you, you’ll never run again!”

His words made me run harder.

Even when my body begged me to stop.

Then I tripped again.

This time, over a thick root.

I fell forward, tumbling down a steep hill, as rocks and sharp branches scraped against my skin.

I couldn’t move, as my whole body hurts while I lay there, my face down in the dirt, gasping.

My arms. My legs. My side. Everything burned as blood dripped from my elbows and knees.

I tried to move, and I tried to crawl, but I couldn’t even lift my hand.

I could hear them coming. And I was so sure that within minutes, they would reach me 

So I tried to crawl, while pressing my hands into the ground. But I could barely lift my head.

“You’re mine!” one guard shouted when he was one foot away from me. “We’ll drag you back by your hair!”

I clenched my teeth.

No.

I won’t go back.

I pressed harder into the ground, ready to fight with my last breath.

Then I heard a sound that cut through the night like lightning. Followed by a low dangerous growl.

And everything stopped. Even the guards behind me froze, and the air went still.

Another growl came, louder this time. And my heart jumped in my chest.

That growl wasn’t Mason’s, and it wasn't from his guards either.

And then I heard strong heavy footsteps, coming fast.

Branches snapped above me, making the guards curse from panic. Soon, one of them was dragged away screaming.

Then silence.