Chapter 12
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“I don’t remember making a deal with you,” I say sharply holding his gaze despite the intensity in his eyes. “I gave you an option–if you wanted me out, then you had to bring him too. That’s only fair, considering I was thrown in there like a damn dog.” I spit the words at him, glaring. I don’t miss the way his lips press into a firm line, or the slight twitch of irritation in his jaw.
A low growl rumbles in his chest. “You weren’t in there for long,” he mutters, annoyed. “I was ready to pull you out immediately, but you-” he steps closer, his presence suffocating “–were stubborn. You made me go back on my word as an Alpha.” His fingers flex at his sides before he scoffs, shaking his head. “And yet, here you are, still talking back, still looking me in the eyes as if we are equals.” His voice lowers, dangerous. “I am an Alpha. Have you not been taught respect?”
Alpha. He was truly an Alpha.
I swallow, words sticking in my throat, unsure how to respond.
But before I can gather my thoughts, hurried footsteps echo through the tension, drawing my mate’s attention.
Peering over my mate towering form, I see the bastard commander–now sporting an eye patch–throw himself to the ground in a deep bow, forehead practically kissing the dirt.
“Alpha Jack,” he wheezes. “I deserve death for disobeying your orders, but I had to teach this stupid bitch her place.”
My eyes widen, and my fists clench. Did he just-?
A chilling silence follows.
Jack tilts his head slightly, as if amused. Then, in a voice that sends a shiver down my spine, he murmurs, “Stupid bitch?” His tone is light, almost curious. “You dare insult my mate in front of me?” He clicks his tongue, shaking his head like the commander is the biggest disappointment he’s ever seen. “Wow… you must have multiple lives.”
The commander stiffens, his breath catching. His head snaps up, eyes wide with horror, his face draining of color. “D–Did you just say… mate?” His gaze flicks to me, as if seeing me for the first time or worst I had just grown magical horns.“Your Luna?” His voice trembles, his entire body shaking as the gravity of his mistake sinks in. “Alpha, I—”
Jack doesn’t answer.
The commander uses the opportunity to immediately starts stammering as he presses his forehead even deeper into the dirt. “I didn’t know, Alpha! If I had known, I swear–I swear I wouldn’t have touched her. But she” his eyes dart to me with a sharp glare “–she clawed my damn eye out! She disobeyed me! She–she did what women aren’t supposed to do! She looked me in the eye—she talked back!”
Jack exhales sharply through his nose, his gaze drifting lazily to me before settling back on the trembling commander. His lips curve into a slow, dangerous smirk. “Tell me,” he muses. “How can a weak little female like her possibly hurt a fly… let alone beat up a commander?”
“She’s not weak!” the commander blurts out before he can stop himself. “This bitch is fucking strong!” His voice cracks with desperation, his wounded pride spilling out before he immediately sucks in a sharp breath, realizing what he just said.
Jack’s smirk grows colder. “Oops. There it is again.” His voice drops to a deadly whisper. “You never learn, do you?”
Then–before anyone can react–he moves.
One second, the commander is on his knees. The next–Jack’s massive hands are gripping his face, his fingers like iron. There’s a sickening crack. A
lifeless body collapses to the ground.
I inhale sharply. He killed him. Just like that. Without hesitation. Without remorse.
Jack merely dusts off his hands like he swatted away an insect.
I stare at the corpse, my mind struggling to process what just happened. Yes, I hated the man, but did he deserve that? Just like that? No trial. No chance to grovet. No warning.
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16:36 Thu, 19 Jun
Chapter 12
My heart pounds as I take a step back, instincts screaming at me to run.
This man–my mate–is heartless.
He really does live up to his name as the most feared Alpha.
356%
Jack exhales in mild annoyance, as if handling a minor inconvenience. Then, his piercing gaze lands on me. “Since you refuse to repay me, mate…” His voice trails off as he flicks his fingers.
Before I can even think, warriors step forward.
“What are you?” My words die in my throat as two of them grab the barely conscious man I had fought to save–without hesitation, they throw him
back into the black hole.
20
“No–1” My body moves on instinct. I lunge forward, but before I can reach the edge, a firm hand grips my wrist.
A shockwave of electricity shoots through my skin.
I gasp, body freezing at the contact.
It’s him. His touch. His scent.
Slowly, I turn my head, breath catching as I meet Jack’s gaze.
He watches me, eyes glinting with amusement, lips curving into something almost… predatory.
A slow smirk spreads across his face as he leans in, his voice low and taunting—a perfect mix of warning and seduction. “Tell me, little mate… do you want to love me, or do you want to fear me?” His thumb brushes over my wrist, sending another shockwave through me. “Either way… you’ll find out soon enough.”
My stomach twists–part horror, part something else I refuse to name.
“Take my mate to the mating room,” he orders, his tone disturbingly calm, as if he didn’t just murder someone right in front of me.
“No–let me go!” I thrash against his grip, but his hold tightens just enough to keep me in place.
“I wouldn’t fight too hard if I were you,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear. “I hate waiting… but I do enjoy breaking the ones who make me.”
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