Tamed by the Beast

Raven Blackthorn had never been one to follow rules. From the moment she could walk, she had been unstoppable. Untamed. The world had always bent to her will-or so she thought.

That was before she met him.

Damien Valtor was the kind of man who didn't ask for things. He took them. Power, wealth, and control came easily to him. He was a storm, a hurricane in a well-tailored suit, and people whispered his name like it was a curse. The Beast, they called him. And in the underworld of high society, his reputation was enough to make even the bravest men tremble.

But Raven? She wasn't afraid of him. She'd never been afraid of anything.

It all started at a charity auction, one Raven never planned on attending. She had been dragged into the glamorous world of high society by a friend-an opportunity to make connections, to build her own empire, or at least flirt with the idea. What she hadn't expected was Damien.

He sat across from her at the silent auction, his gaze never straying from her, and in a moment of defiance, Raven had made an impulsive bid for a rare, priceless painting. A painting she didn't care for. A painting that wasn't even her taste. But she needed to show him-show them all-that she wasn't intimidated.

Damien hadn't been pleased. The look he gave her, cold and calculating, sent a shiver down her spine. He was used to winning. He was used to being the one to own everything, and here she was, throwing a wrench into his plans.

"Bold move," he had said when they finally crossed paths after the auction. "But not wise."

Raven had smirked, her chin held high. "I'm not here to play by your rules."

His response had been simple, a sharp edge in his tone. "Then you'll learn the hard way."

That was the moment everything changed. What was supposed to be a small interaction turned into a whirlwind. Raven's defiance sparked something in Damien, and his interest in her went from mere curiosity to obsession. His game had begun.

Now, as she stood before him, her pulse quickening in a way she'd never admit, she realized just how deep she had fallen into his trap. He wasn't just some man with a reputation-he was a force of nature, a beast wrapped in power, and no matter how hard she fought, she couldn't escape the gravity of his presence.

"You're a long way from home, Raven," Damien's voice was cold, deep, like a jagged blade cutting through the air.

She froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. "How do you know my name?"

Damien's lips curled into a smug, knowing smile, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Raven... You think someone like me doesn't know everything about you?" He took a step closer, his presence making the space between them feel charged with electric tension. "I've been keeping an eye on you since that little stunt at the auction."

Her eyes narrowed. "You've been stalking me?"

"Stalking?" He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that sent a ripple of unease through her. "No. Watching. There's a difference. And trust me, I've seen more than enough to know exactly who you are."

Raven stood her ground, refusing to show how unsettled she felt. "And what exactly do you think you know?"

Damien stepped closer, his polished shoes clicking against the stone floor, each step making her heart race faster. The grand chandelier above cast a soft, golden glow across the marble floors of the Valtor mansion, but nothing about this place felt warm. The walls were lined with dark, elegant art, and the faint scent of expensive cigars lingered in the air. Everything about Damien's world screamed opulence and power, and Raven was suddenly aware of how out of place she was.

"Does that scare you?" He cocked his head, his lips curling into a mock smile as he took another step closer. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Raven stood her ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "You don't scare me."

He leaned in, his scent-rich, intoxicating, like leather and whiskey-filling her senses. She hated how it made her stomach flip. "You should be scared. You're about to learn just how dangerous I can be."

Raven's fists clenched at her sides. This man was a predator, and she was his prey, whether she liked it or not. But she'd be damned if she let him see her fear.

"Do your worst," she said, her voice steady, though her heart hammered in her chest.

Damien's lips curved into a sinister smile. "Oh, I intend to." He reached out, his fingers brushing the side of her face, sending a shiver down her spine that she refused to acknowledge. His touch was like fire, his dominance seeping into her every pore. "You think you're untouchable, Raven? You think you're free? You're mine now. And I'm going to enjoy breaking you."

The words hit her harder than she expected. Her breath caught in her throat, her pulse roaring in her ears. Everything inside her screamed to resist, to run. But she couldn't move. Not under his gaze. Not under his control.

"I don't belong to anyone," she snapped, her eyes blazing with fury.

Damien stepped back, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. He surveyed her like a lion sizing up its prey, a predator enjoying the chase. "You will," he replied, his voice a growl. "I'll make sure of it."

The room felt smaller now, the tension between them thickening. Raven's chest rose and fell with each breath, her heart racing, but she refused to let him see her weakness.

Damien took a slow step toward her, his presence consuming the space. "You're not leaving this place until I've taught you a lesson," he said softly, his gaze unwavering. "A lesson in submission."

Raven felt the weight of his words settle over her like a cloak. She was trapped. The air in the room felt too tight, suffocating. She had always prided herself on being free, on answering to no one, but Damien had just shattered that illusion.

"And if I refuse to learn?" she asked, her voice a dangerous whisper.

He smirked. "You won't."

And with that, Raven's world shifted.