Chapter 6

The next morning, I was in a small apartment I’d bought for myself, ticket in hand, ready for the airport.

Just as I was about to leave, my door was kicked open.

Killian stood in the doorway, soaked to the bone.

His eyes glowed with a feral red light. The color of an Alpha losing control.

"You severed the link?" he growled, advancing on me. "Who gave you the right?"

I hid the ticket behind my back and forced myself to meet his gaze.

"I've left the pack, Killian. I don't owe you anything. You're not my Alpha anymore."

"I said no!" he roared, his hands clamping down on my shoulders. "In five years, no one has dared to defy me."

I shoved his hands off.

"Well, now you've seen it."

His eyes scanned the room.

Two coffee cups on the table. A man's jacket on the sofa.

"Who was here?"

"My boyfriend."

The words stopped him cold.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I have a new boyfriend," I said, my voice steady as I picked up the jacket. "He's human. And he's kind," I said, my voice sharp. "He's everything you're not."

"Impossible." Killian's voice was shaking. "You're my Mate, you can't—"

"I can," I cut him off. "Because unlike some people, he actually loves me."

"You're lying!"

"Want to know what he's like?" I taunted, stepping closer. "He doesn't humiliate me. He doesn't parade me in another woman's dress. He doesn't leave me to die."

Killian's breathing grew heavier.

"He doesn't treat me like a tool in his bed."

"Shut up!"

"And most importantly," I stared into his eyes, "he's not bound to me by fate, but he chose me anyway. That's called true love."

SMACK!

His palm struck my face. The sound echoed in the quiet room.

My cheek burned.

"Can I go now?" I said, touching my face.

"Go?" he sneered. "You think you can just walk away?"

"I'm not your subordinate anymore, not someone you can control—"

"You always will be!" He grabbed my throat. "As long as I forbid it, you're not going anywhere!"

I struggled to breathe.

"Let… go…"

"Tell me who he is." His fingers tightened. "I'll kill him!"

"You… you forced me to do this…"

"What?"

I used all my strength to push him away.

"You forced me to find someone else!" I screamed. "You didn't want me, but someone else does!"

Killian completely lost it.

His eyes glowed gold. His fangs descended. He was on the edge of shifting.

"Don't talk about him!"

"Why? Are you scared?" I laughed coldly. "Scared that I might really not belong to you anymore?"

He lunged, pinning me against the wall.

"You belong to me! You will always belong to me!"

"Then why are you mating with Vivian?"

"That's different!"

"How is it different?"

He couldn't answer.

We stared at each other, both breathing hard.

Then, he slammed his lips onto mine. A brutal, possessive, conquering kiss.

I wanted to fight, but my body betrayed me.

Damn this mate bond. The physical pull was a traitor.

Minutes later, he pulled back.

We were both panting.

He sneered, the sound low and dangerous. "Then let me remind you who your Alpha is."

Suddenly, a terrifying power exploded from him.

It was the absolute, primal power of his bloodline. The Alpha Command.

"Kneel."

The command ripped through me. My knees buckled, and I crashed to the floor. It wasn't my choice. My body had betrayed me, forced down by a power that crushed my very soul.

Endless, soul-crushing humiliation.

Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't move.

Killian looked down on me.

He leaned down, his fingers gripping my chin, forcing my head up. "Listen to me, Freya. As your Alpha, I command you."

"Tonight, you will go to the ceremony. You will wear your most beautiful dress. And you will stand there and watch me claim my Luna."

My body trembled, my soul screamed no, but my mouth opened against my will.

"Yes… Alpha."

Killian let go, satisfied with my broken state.

He stood, straightened his collar, and became the untouchable monarch once more.

"See you tonight, Freya."

He turned and left as if he'd never lost control.

The door closed.

The coercive pressure finally lifted.

I collapsed onto the carpet, gasping for air.

I looked at the pathetic creature in the mirror. Humiliation gave way to a cold, hollow calm.

"This is the last time," I whispered to my reflection. "The very last time you will ever command me."