Kieran
She was shaking.
I could feel it in the way her arm tensed under my grip, the way her breath came in uneven, shallow gasps.
She was terrified.
And I couldn't blame her.
I had just declared her as mine in front of every council member in this godforsaken countinent. I had torn her out of Garrick's grasp and made it very clear that if anyone so much as looked at her the wrong way, I'd rip their throats out.
I had done it to protect her.
But I had also done it because it was the truth.
She was mine.
And now, the entire continent knew it.
I didn't stop walking until we were out of sight of the council chamber, away from the murmuring voices and judging eyes.
Only then did I release my grip.
Cassidy stumbled back like I had burned her, her amber eyes flashing with something sharp—anger, maybe even hatred.
"How dare you," she rasped.
I exhaled through my nose, keeping my voice even. "Watch your tone, Cassidy."
"Watch my—?" Her voice rose before she caught herself, glancing toward the guards stationed at the end of the corridor.
She knew she couldn't make a scene.
Not here. Not yet.
So instead, she lowered her voice to a furious whisper. "You lied to them."
I arched a brow. "Did I?"
Her fists clenched. "I am not your mate."
My wolf snarled inside me at the denial, at the refusal to acknowledge what we both felt.
I stepped forward, closing the space between us. She flinched but didn't back away.
Good.
I didn't want her weak.
I wanted her fighting.
"You feel it," I murmured, watching the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "The pull. The bond. I see it in your eyes."
"I feel nothing," she hissed.
I reached up, brushing my knuckles against the mark Garrick had left on her cheek. She stiffened, breath hitching.
"Liar," I murmured.
Her fingers curled, like she wanted to slap me but knew better than to try. "You don't own me."
I leaned in, just enough to make sure no one else could hear what I was about to say.
"You belong to me, Cassidy," I said, voice low and dangerous. "Deny it all you want. Run if you think you can. But you'll never escape what's already written into your blood."
Her breathing was ragged, her pulse hammering against her throat.
Not just fear.
Something else.
Something she refused to acknowledge.
She yanked away from my touch. "I hate you."
I smiled. "Good."
Let her hate me. Let her fight.
It wouldn't change the truth.
I straightened, my expression smoothing into something cold, unreadable. "Come."
She didn't move.
I sighed, rubbing my temple. "I'd rather not have to carry you, but I will if you make me."
Her jaw tightened, but she followed.
Smart girl.
Damon was waiting for us outside my chambers, arms crossed.
"That went well," he mused.
Cassidy shot him a glare, but he ignored her, his golden eyes flicking to the mark on her face. His smirk faded slightly.
"Sorry I didn't stop him in time Luna," he muttered. with a bow of his head.
I exhaled sharply. "It won't happen again."
Cassidy scoffed. "Oh? So I'm just supposed to trust you now?"
Damon smirked. "Not trust, little human. Just obedience."
Cassidy's glare deepened. "Screw you."
Damon grinned. "There she is. Knew there was more fire in you somewhere."
I pushed open the door and gestured inside. "Go."
Cassidy hesitated.
"You have two choices," I said. "Step inside on your own, or I throw you in."
Her hands trembled at her sides.
But she stepped inside.
I shut the door behind her, locking us both inside.
Her back was to me, her shoulders rigid.
"Just let me go. You don't want me, why are you doing this?" she whispered.
I could have told her the truth.
That the Moon Goddess had cursed me with the one mate I could never have. That the second I laid eyes on her, my fate had been sealed.
But she wasn't ready for that truth.
So instead, I said, "Because you're mine."
She shuddered.
And for the first time since I met her, I saw something crack in her defiance.