Lucian lay sprawled on Selene's massive bed, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. The plush mattress cradled his aching form, but it did little to alleviate the exhaustion weighing him down. Each breath felt like a chore, his body sluggish and sore from the relentless training sessions Amelia had inflicted on him. He winced as he shifted slightly, his arms and legs heavy as if weighted by lead.
His gaze drifted to the intricately carved ceiling, his mind swirling with fragments of the day. Lyra's teasing "training" lingered in his thoughts, her smug smirk flashing behind his closed eyes. The mixture of frustration and confusion she left him with only added to his mental fatigue. Is this how I'm going to die? Death by training and humiliation? he thought bitterly.
A soft, rhythmic tapping broke his reverie—the unmistakable sound of heels clicking against the polished floor. His body tensed instinctively as his head turned toward the door. Selene entered with her usual commanding grace, her presence filling the room like a shadowy storm. Her long black hair framed her flawless face, and her amethyst eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and predatory intent. She wore a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, its dark sheen catching the faint glow of the room's enchanted lights.
Without a word, she approached the bed, her movements fluid and deliberate. Perching on the edge of the mattress, she crossed one leg over the other, her gaze fixed on Lucian's weary form.
"How's my pet feeling after his hellish training?" she asked, her tone playful yet laced with authority.
Lucian groaned, forcing himself to sit up slightly despite the protest of his muscles. "Like I got hit by a truck. Twice."
Selene chuckled softly, the sound low and rich. "You'll survive. I didn't bring you here to be weak."
Lucian met her gaze, his expression a mixture of irritation and curiosity. "You didn't just come here to check on me, did you?"
Her smirk widened, and she leaned in slightly, her hair cascading over one shoulder. "No, I didn't. I heard you had some… fun today." Her voice dipped, feigning displeasure as she reached out and pushed him back down onto the bed. In one swift motion, she climbed on top of him, straddling his waist and pinning his wrists above his head.
"Care to explain, pet?" she asked, her tone dripping with mock fury. Her amethyst eyes gleamed with amusement, but her grip on his wrists was unyielding. "What exactly were you and Lyra doing?"
Lucian's breath hitched at her sudden dominance, his heart pounding in his chest. "It wasn't what you think," he began, squirming beneath her hold. "She was—"
"Oh?" Selene leaned in closer, her face inches from his. Her breath was warm against his skin. "Then explain why my little pet was all over her."
His frustration bubbled over, mingling with the exhaustion clouding his thoughts. Summoning his courage, he locked eyes with her, his voice steady despite the fire in her gaze. "Fine. Let's talk about boundaries, starting with this." He tilted his head, exposing the faint trace of a bite mark on his neck. "Care to explain why I woke up with this?"
Selene's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened. "Oh, that? Just a little mark of affection. Pets need to know their place, after all."
Lucian's jaw tightened. "And what about the other things you do when I'm asleep? You think I don't notice?"
Selene tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, you notice? How interesting."
"Don't dodge the question," he said, his voice firm. "If you're going to treat me like a toy, at least admit it."
For a moment, Selene simply stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, to his surprise, she leaned down and captured his lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn't like the teasing brushes of affection he'd received before—this was something deeper, more possessive. Her grip on his wrists tightened as her lips moved against his, her dominance radiating through every touch.
When she finally pulled back, her voice was soft but resolute. "A pet has his duties," she murmured, her fingers tracing along his jawline. "And you, Lucian, are mine."
Lucian stared up at her, stunned. But as the shock faded, a new resolve took its place. Enough is enough, he thought. If she wanted to play this game, he would show her he wasn't just some passive pawn.
"Alright," he said, his voice low and steady. "If that's how you want it."
Before Selene could respond, Lucian twisted beneath her, freeing one of his wrists. In a single fluid motion, he grabbed her waist and flipped their positions, pinning her beneath him. Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face for the briefest moment before intrigue and excitement took over.
Lucian leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "You like being in control, don't you? Let's see how you handle losing it."
Selene's lips parted, but no words came out as Lucian's hands trailed along her sides, his touch firm yet deliberate. His fingers grazed her exposed collarbone before slipping beneath the thin straps of her dress, pushing them aside. Her breath hitched as his lips followed, planting slow, purposeful kisses along her neck and shoulders.
"You're enjoying this," Lucian murmured, his voice laced with both defiance and satisfaction.
Selene's sharp inhale was answer enough. She arched slightly beneath him, her hands gripping his arms as if to steady herself. "Don't get cocky, pet," she managed, though her voice wavered with a mix of amusement and desire.
Lucian's smirk grew. "Too late."
The room seemed to hum with energy, the charged tension between them thick enough to cut. For the first time, Lucian felt as though he had wrested control from her, however fleeting it might be. Her usual dominance was tempered by a vulnerability she rarely displayed, and he reveled in the shift.
As his lips hovered just above hers, Selene's eyes met his, blazing with a challenge. "You're learning," she said softly, her smirk returning. "But don't think for a second you've won."
Lucian grinned, his voice a low growl. "We'll see."