Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“Watch your steps,” The white-haired man said as I stumbled for the second time in a row. He was leading the way, his navigation too natural, like he’d been there before. 

The air got more humid, but not unbearable, until we finally landed on the wide ground. Torch sticks, all of them lit, were standing in their holders, illuminating the dungeon exterior. Before I could continue thinking, the ropes dragged me forward, leading me into one of the empty rooms. Then everyone retreated, and I was all alone with him.

“Look at me.” He ordered, moving closer to me. 

“Take one more step towards me, and I promise you, your balls would be nonexistent.” I threatened, narrowing my eyes. I might’ve lost my freedom, but I’d be damned if he thought I’d let him have his way.

“Really? Do you know what you are to me?” His steps didn’t slow, until I backed the stone wall. A cold stench hit my nostrils and I winced. I took a fighting stance, but even that didn’t deter him. Just a few inches away from me, he finally halted. He had a good four inches on me, and I was six feet tall. 

“I am a girl.” I retorted. I weighed the odds. I’d never seen a rogue really fight before. But I’d seen myself secretly destroy things unintentionally. And that was even before I bonded with Molniya. My curse had its own wretched uses, some of which included strangling a guard just because he threw away my mango on the floor. The guard had been a gamma—probably bonded to a green or blue inner wolf. Just a sharp blaze of my eyes had sent him to the goddess. That was my first real encounter with my cursed powers.

I hated it. And I hated myself. But I’ll gladly use it against this royal asshole. We were all alone in the cell room. I could bury him beneath the rubble and none would be the wiser. 

StarClaws had already killed a member of Errendor once. Adding another to the list wouldn’t hurt. 

“Your poor attempts at being tough don’t scare me.” His voice rolled out his mouth in an unbothered manner, arms crossed, breath fanning my face. I glared at him, wishing for the umpteenth time for one of the knives I cut steaks with. His hand gripped my neck again. I struggled to swallow, taken completely off guard by his assault. To my surprise, my powers remained dormant. I reached for them, but felt like our connection had been severed. My nose burned.

“Now, this? This is how to be tough.” His grip tightened, confidence pouring off him in waves. I loathed it. 

“Fuck you,” I gritted out, taking quick breaths through the chokehold.

I barely registered the light chuckle which left his mouth, before heat filled my body, making my mouth part in a silent scream. 

“W-what are you doing?” I clenched my jaw, falling down to my knees. For the second time. 

The heat moved upwards until my entire body, down to my fingers, was engulfed with fire from within. My powers remained dormant still.

“Getting answers.” He replied, snapping his fingers. I felt something slither down my chest, settling down in my stomach. My teeth clattered against each other. 

“And did you find anything?” I managed to ask on a gasp. His scoff came as a response. 

“Still faking to be tough, aren’t you?” 

I felt my skin peel, my knees unable to bear my weight even though I was kneeling. I was literally scorching.

“Is this all you’ve got?” I taunted, even though I was on fire. I found it hard to breathe. “If this is all you have, then I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep me as your prisoner.” 

I didn’t see him move. He pulled me into his arms, and slammed his lips on mine. My eyes widened, then the shock cleared enough for me to try and struggle my way out of his grip. He held on fast, his tongue pushing at my lips and forcing his way in. I’d never been kissed that way before. 

Hot, fierce, demanding. He sucked on my lower lip briefly, before pushing his tongue in, and exploring my mouth. Against my wish, I moaned, and I could’ve sworn that I felt him grin. He kissed me until I felt dizzy, then he pulled back in a snap.

“Too easy,” he mocked, and humiliation washed over me. My chest rose and fell, and I turned away. 

“Why were you crying in that forest?” He asked, the question taking me by surprise. I wasn’t a fool to think that he cared. It was a trap. 

“I wasn’t crying.”

“Another lie. Should we take you down memory lane?” He asked with that chilly smile of his, and I took a subconscious step backward. 

“Do you think you can get away from me? I  don’t think so.” He intensified the heat level, and a loud scream filled my ears. It took twenty seconds for me to realize that the scream was mine.

“Finally the sound I was hoping for.” His lips curled up into a wicked smile.

I lost it.  With a feral growl, I connected to my powers, and willed him to fall. He didn’t. But the cell bars behind him went up in smokes.

“There it is. Fight back. It’s more fun that way.” He crooned.

I heaved. “What?” I was seeing red. 

“I know Marcus. I saw the fear in his eyes when he looked at you. And now I know why.” His eyes narrowed on me. His words made no sense. But I didn’t bother saying so. I focused my attention on steadying my breath once more.

When he spoke again, his voice was icy and full of hatred.

“What inner wolf are you bonded to?” He asked, and my heart skipped. Goddess above. 

“What the hell are you talking about?! I have no inner wolf.”  I pivoted towards anger, hoping to divert his attention. 

He didn’t budge.  “I’ll find out soon enough.” Dread clenched my stomach, and I tried to ignore it. His tone, very full of promise, very confident, assured me that he might actually find out. 

As if I’d let him. 

“Haruki!” He called out to no one in particular. Footsteps sounded outside, and someone came in. 

“Your Highness?” He bowed. 

I studied him. He was dressed in a blue tunic, his white hair packed in a long ponytail. That was the only feature he shared with the man addressed with the title of royalty. White hair. His pale skin had a slightly red tinge to it and he was a foot shorter. 

“Tell Alpha Marcus to prepare the weapons. We leave immediately.” White-hair said. 

“Noted.” Without looking at me, Haruki disappeared.

“Let’s go.” He ordered me, and I crossed my arms, backing away from him. 

“I'd rather die.” I spat.

“Commendable. Your people gave you up as a treaty offer. Do you think you have a choice?” There was no amusement in his tone, and I couldn’t help but shake slightly. 

“If you want to kill me, get it over with.” I demanded.

 He leaned in, and a shiver coursed through me. “I’m going to kill you alright, Prisoner. But a quick death has never been my thing. Your death will be slow.” His promise made my heart skip. 

“You wish.” I spat.

“I know.” He said. “You’ll die by my own hands.”