I glared at Alpha Kaene, gulping down hard. "What do you mean I'm not leaving this mansion until we come to an agreement?"
His smile was as cold and lovely as frost on a windowpane. "Well…"
He spread those sturdy hands of his. "…maybe because my future depends on it."
I raised an incredulous eyebrow. "How does keeping me prisoner, just like you've done to my brother, affect your future?"
"That's none of your business."
I didn't know which was more provoking – the fact that he just eyed me with disdain or how he stepped further inside, making himself feel at home like he owned the place.
Well, technically—he did.
I had to bite back my retort.
"And what about my brother? What happens to him after I accept this so-called diabolical deal?"
Alpha Kaene's gaze locked onto mine. "If you agree to my deal, I'll see to it that he's set free."
Whoa… now, that was easy in a not-so-easy way. I pondered his words and weighed my options.
Caleb's freedom was paramount, but I couldn't trust this bloody obnoxious Alpha. But beggars couldn't be choosers.
"Okay, I'll agree," I said finally, "but only if your deal isn't something difficult."
His smile returned, and he leaned against a pillar in the room. "It's not."
"What do you want me to do?"
He pushed off the pillar and stepped closer, his voice toning down. "I want you to accept my rejection and stand your ground. Tell everyone that you don't want me as your mate because I most certainly do NOT want you."
Seriously?! Why, this egocentric bastard!
I laughed, unbelieving. "What makes you think I wanted you in the first place?"
I wanted to feel anger, but my wolf's cry of despair at the repetition of his rejection was excruciating. I winced internally.
Breathe, Phoebe, breathe.
"That's what lowlife opportunists like you do. You see an opportunity and grab it, no matter the cost." The disgust returned to his gaze as he spat at me.
Oh, my God. He didn't just say that!
I had already done my best to keep my cool tonight, but no more! First, they humiliated me and my brother publicly, and now, this is the cherry on top of their toxic behavior!
Gnashing my teeth so hard, I could hear the sound loud and clear, I slapped him across the face.
It was one hell of a resounding slap too. My wolf kicked and jerked, protesting for what I had done to her mate. I didn't care.
"How dare you!" I spat, my voice vibrating. "Don't speak about me like that. Just because I tolerated your mother's unjust behavior doesn't mean I'll tolerate yours. My brother and I have done nothing wrong, and I won't let us be victimized again."
I bet Alpha Kaene's eyes had never widened as they were right now. For a moment, he stared at me, frozen.
I swallowed, realizing what I had done. Gosh, my anger issues had gotten in the way yet again. This was the Alpha of the Bluemoon pack and I had just hit him!
I watched his frozen demeanor transform and he began to move closer, his eyes burning with a devious vigor.
Oh, no.
I retreated as he advanced, my heart thumping loudly. My wolf wanted me to wait and collapse into that muscular chest of his but I fought back the urge.
"Back off, Alpha Kaene," I warned, trying to keep my voice from betraying the hunger rearing its head from within me.
But he didn't stop. Before I knew it, he pulled my wrist and dragged me closer, pulling me into his chest.
I gasped when his arms wrapped around me like a vice. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body, and my wolf howled in response.
"You've done something crazy, Phoebe," He whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "And now, you'll suffer for it."
What the heck was he doing?
"Let me go!"
I struggled against his hold, but he was too strong. His eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I hated the jittering it caused my heart.
"What are you going to do to me?" I tightened my jaw and asked.
The corners of his mouth turned up. "You'll find out soon enough when I do this…"
He raised his index finger and my eyes followed just to see him stick it in the hole between my shirt buttons.
What in the unholy hell did he think he was doing?!
"What the hell are you doing?!" I blurted out, pushing him by the chest and stepping far away from him.
Alpha Kaene's eyes never left mine as he stepped closer. I was supposed to run. Phoebe, run.
Yet, I didn't. The shock had rendered me immobile. I lie… for some reason, I didn't want to run away from this disgusting man.
"You think you can slap me and get away with it, Phoebe?" He arched a brow.
I stood my ground, crossing my arms. "You deserved it."
"Feisty. I like that."
Before my very eyes, he smacked his lips and broke the distance between us. I tried to step back, but he was too close. His arms caged me in and his hands rested on the doorframe above my head.
"You're not going anywhere," he whispered, his breath grazing my ear teasingly.
For some reason, my senses came flooding back and I could finally fight back.
"Let me go, Alpha Kaene!"
Know what he did? The exact opposite.
He inclined closer, letting his lips brush against my ear. "Not until you understand the consequences of defying me."
I felt my heart go haywire as his words gave me cold feet. I tried to push him away, but he wouldn't budge.
Suddenly, his fingers stroked my cheek, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. I gasped, mouth parted in longing while my wolf responded to his touch.
Next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. It was magical. His lips were so soft—too soft for a man.
They were curved and full. Evenly moisturized. Oh, my Goddess, and the subtle sweetness? It reminded me of strawberries.
I think my new favorite flavor was strawberry. Divinity, that kiss will forever stay in my mind. I could feel the sparks between us.
Hold on a sec…
No, this wasn't right.
"Stop."
But Alpha Kaene just smiled. "You're so responsive, Phoebe. It's... intriguing."
His eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I felt trapped, unable to look away.
"What do you want from me?"
His smile grew wider. "What I want from you, Phoebe, has changed. If you want to save your brother, you must not accept my rejection. You must become my Luna and then, watch me make your life miserable. Every night, I will be in your bed, plunging into you in the wildest way possible."
He inclined closer, his lips inches from mine. I felt my wolf's panic rising, but also... something else.
Something that terrified me. Something that sounded like 'mating'. I didn't care if I suffered from the side effects of being in heat after this.
I would never sleep with Kaene.
"I will tie you to the bedpost, fuck you like a slut until you're screaming and pleading for mercy in fifty different languages, Phoebe. Mark my words." He finished and my face seared with humiliation.
Wasn't it laughable that I was not humiliated because of his words but because of what the thoughts that lingered at the back of my throat were?
I wanted every bit of it. The crazy wild sex, the toxic bond… somehow, the sound of it set my soul on fire. I wanted it all.