Claimed By The Alpha.

ra'

osed behind us with an ominous clang, sealing my fate within these walls. I should have been used to the feeling of bein

with anger, but I had learned long ago that fighting wasn't a

known. His authority was untouchable, like an invisible force that wrapped around him, demanding respect. I didn't know what I had

High ceilings, lavish decor, and the sharp scent of expensive wo

y asked, my voice clipped, tho

as he led me down a long

sk more questions, demand answers, but I knew that wouldn't get me a

other hand, struggled to keep up with him. I couldn't make sense of anything. How had I gone f

t was also cold. No warmth, no comfort-just stark elegance. There was a large bed in the center of the room, dressed in dark,

ice cutting through my thoughts. "Get

nd, my jaw tightening.

was a flicker of amusement in his eyes,

what I am," I added, strugg

ion, but his presence loomed over me like a storm, threatening to break. He stopped ju

erous. "You're not a prisoner." He reached forward, his fingers

he same word that Jaxon had spat out

" I said through gritted teeth

unyielding. "You don't have a choice. Wh

was acutely aware of the power difference between us. I knew what he w

if he had lost interest in the interac

ehind him. I stood there for a moment, stunned by the encounter. My hands

going t

te'

She thought she could defy me, act like she had control, but I saw through it. Beneath her

was broken, humiliated, and yet she was trying to stand tall in front of me. I should have appr

I had bought her to settle a score, nothing more. But th

ge pull toward her, the desire to protect her when I knew I

ell with shallow breaths, her face pale from the whirlwind of emotions she had just experienced. Her defi

help but

on my plan. But the part of me that wanted her-the part that I kept burie

o stay col

the hall, my thoughts swi

ra'

e, in Dante's home, under his control, felt like I w

couldn't stand being here. I didn't belong with him. But there was nothing I could d

bo

t were nothing but a detail in our twisted arrangement. The thought of being

o unite two souls, to share love and trust. But Dante Morett

from my thoughts. I froze, m

alled from the other sid

im again, but I had no choice. Slowly

doorway. He didn't wait for me to speak. "

re with you," I snapp

ld feel the shift in the air

knew, deep down, that resistance w

hing flicker in his eyes-something softer, almost regretful. But it was gone as quick

epeated, his tone not quite

game to him. I was his pawn, nothing more. But some

No matter what Dante thought, I wouldn'