Chapter 16
The moment my fingers curl around the handle, I hesitate, my heart hammering against my ribs. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open.
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I gasp, my eyes widening at the sheer size of the mating room–it’s far larger than I expected. Massive, more extravagant than anything I’ve ever seen. Grand chandeliers cast a golden glow over the space, while deep mahogany walls give it a dark, intimate feel. For a brief moment, the fear that had gripped me—the haunting memories of Luna Diana’s warriors dragging me, stripping me bare to force me into mating with Travis–disappears.
I should feel terrified.
But I don’t, and something else stirs inside me. A strange, unfamiliar warmth.
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My gaze drifts to the enormous bed. God, the bed -it’s something out of a sinful dream. The frame is sturdy, built to withstand anything, and the deep crimson silk sheets look almost too inviting. My breath catches as an entirely inappropriate thought creeps into my mind–Jack lifting me roughly, throwing me onto the mattress, his strong hands gripping my hips as he towers over me. His mouth trailing fire down my neck before capturing my lips, his voice husky as he claims me, making me his.
My thighs clench at the sheer audacity of the thought, heat pooling low in my stomach.
What the hell is wrong with me?
The sudden creak of the door snapping open makes me jolt back to reality. My eyes widen in panic as I spin around, slapping a hand over my mouth. Two women enter, their heads bowed in submission.
Shit.
Did they see my reaction? Do they know what I was just thinking about?
I curse myself inwardly. How could I, even for a second, entertain such a thought about Jack? He’s a monster, a killer without remorse. He even said he would break me. Shame burns hot in my cheeks.
It has to be the mate bond that was making me feel this stupid. The brief physical touch when he held my wrist must have triggered this madness inside me. But then again, with or without the mate bond… have you seen Jack? The bastard is unfairly gorgeous–a walking sin, temptation wrapped in muscle and arrogance.
I shake my head sharply, trying to rid myself of these ridiculous thoughts. Straightening, I clear my throat as if that will erase my sinful imagination.
One of the women moves toward me, her hands reaching for the tattered remains of my dress. My body tenses instantly, my instincts flaring. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demand stepping back.
“We need to prepare you for the Alpha,” she says evenly, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. She keeps her eyes lowered. “You must be bathed and dressed appropriately.”
Prepare me?
My gaze flicks to the side, where a revealing dress is laid out on a chair–thin, sheer, and barely enough to cover anything.
“No.” My voice is firm. “Itt dress myself. And bring me something that actually covers my body.”
The women hesitate, their eyes darting between each other, clearly not used to being defied. One of them opens her mouth to protest, but I let out a low growl, and they freeze. Surprise flickers across their faces, as if the very thought of a woman asserting herself is something unheard of.
Finally, they nod and step back. “As you wish.”
Once they leave, I take the opportunity to strip out of my dirty clothes and sink into the large tub, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles, easing some of the tension that has knotted inside me since I arrived in this pack. I close my eyes, letting myself have this one moment of peace. By the time ! step out, the women are back, this time holding a far more suitable dress. Relief washes over me.
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Chapter 16
“Thank you,” I murmur as I take it, slipping it on.
Then my stomach growls. Loudly.
Embarrassed, I press a hand against my abdomen, suddenly aware of how long it’s been since I last ate.
One of the women notices and gestures toward a chair. “Sit. I’ll get you some food.”
The other hands me a fresh towel before leaving the room. I murmur a quiet thanks and take a seat, exhaustion settling into my bones. Within minutes, a large tray of food is placed before me, and at the mere sight of it, I dig in like a starved animal.
“Eat like a proper lady,” one of them scolds lightly, but I ignore her, shoving another bite into my mouth. They sigh in frustration before leaving, finally granting me some privacy.
I don’t know when I’ll get a meal like this again–especially once I leave Jack’s pack.
When I finally lean back, rubbing my full belly, I can’t help but admit–his pack may be cruel, but they have damn good food. The taste almost reminds me of my mother’s cooking, a pang of longing hitting me as I think of her. I need to send a letter. To her. To Caspian. Let them know I’m okay.
Before I can dwell on the thought, a deep voice cuts through the silence, making me freeze.
“Now that you’ve eaten your fill, don’t you think it’s my turn to eat you to mine?”
My head snaps up, my entire body stiffening.
Jack.
He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. His silver eyes gleam with amusement–and something darker, something that sends a shiver down my spine.
I sit up straight, shooting him a glare. “Stay the hell away from me.”
He chuckles, stepping inside with slow, deliberate movements, like a predator stalking its prey. “You say that,” he muses, “but your body tells me something else.”
I scoff, crossing my arms. “You’re delusional.”
“Am I?” His voice drops lower, huskier, sending an unwanted heat rushing through me. “Because I can hear your heart racing, mate. I can smell it–the way your scent changes when I’m near.”
I open my mouth to fire back, but nothing comes out. Damn it. He’s too perceptive. He steps closer, and I instinctively rise to my feet.
“Fuck,” he murmurs, his gaze darkening as he stops mere inches from me. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
Anger surges through me, burning away every other feeling. “That will never happen,” I snap. “Let’s end this as soon as possible. I don’t know why I didn’t do it the moment I saw you.”
Jack cocks a brow. “What’s that? Kiss me?”
I smirk. “No, reject your ass. I, Kali, reject Alpha Jack as my-”
I don’t get to finish.
Because suddenly, his lips crash against mine.
A gasp gets trapped in my throat as his mouth claims me–hot, demanding, and possessive. His hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him, and damn it–my knees nearly buckle at the sheer intensity. His lips are rough, his movements both punishing and desperate, as if he’s furious with me, with himself, with this whole damn situation.
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Chapter 16
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And yet… I don’t push him away.
I should. I really, really should.
But I don’t.
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Because the moment he kisses me, every thought in my head vanishes. My body betrays me, heat surging through my veins, and all I can focus on is the way he feels, the way he tastes–like danger, like temptation, like something I swore I’d never want.
And yet… here I am, melting into his touch.
I try to fight the pull, but it’s impossible. My traitorous body leans into him, my eyes fluttering shut as I return the kiss.
Then
A flash.
A little girl. Sitting on a bed. Clutching a familiar blue necklace.
I gasp into the kiss, my breath stuttering as dizziness crashes over me. The room tilts, my vision blurring. Jack’s lips leave mine in an instant, his hands gripping my arms to steady me.
“Mate,” he breathes, his voice laced with concern. “Are you okay?”
The last thing I feel is Jack gently lowering me onto the mattress before everything fades to black.
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