Chapter 5 Lose Control

Kael’s POV I was starting to regret rescuing this woman. She was stubborn, and had a mouth like a sharp-edged sword. Every woman that crossed my path were quick to bend to my will, and submitted to my dominated ambiance. This on was rude, and didn’t dance to my tune. This was barely our first conversation, and I already concluded she was nothing but a pain in the ass. But if there was one thing I approved of, it was her beauty. She had the kind of beauty you see once in a lifetime. Her long, red hair cascaded down her back gracefully, like a sea of fire, complimenting her smooth, porcelain skin. Her green eyes gleamed like emeralds, full pink lips that didn’t hold back when she spoke, and faint freckles staining her cheek. She was a feet shorter than me, and had a slim physique. Her slender legs and waist, with a full chest added a seductive touch. “Perfect fit for what?” her brows furrowed. “To be my Luna.” Her eyes widened, a reaction I had already anticipated. “Does your wolf feel it too?” was the first thing she said. It was my turn to be confused. “What are you talking about?” Her expression shifted into something I couldn’t read, and she responded curtly. “Nevermind that.” As if recalling my request from earlier, her eyes narrowed. “Be your Luna? Can you even listen to yourself?” her tone was sharp, earning an irritated response from me. I wanted nothing more but to shut her mouth, but I thought better on it. “You heard me, Aria.” I said cooly, my gaze hardening on her. “Or do I explain slowly for your slow brain to process it?” She sprang up on her feet, seething in anger. “You may have saved my life, but that doesn’t give you the audacity to throw senseless words at me.” “You will show the Alpha some respect,” Ronan cautioned her. She didn’t even spare him a glance as she snapped. “He doesn’t deserve my respect if he keeps talking to me that way,” she paused to heave a deep breath. “I have a pack, and I’m an Alpha just like you.” I was starting to overlook her beauty, holding back from taming her mouth. I hesitated, pausing to consider my next words carefully. I wasn’t going to be pushed into doing something irrational, but if she kept talking, I swear I wouldn’t mind. “I can save you from the aggressive rogues or end you in a second. Watch your mouth.” She crossed her arms across her chest, staring anywhere but my face, and that angered me further. “Look at me!” I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You will pay for my troubles. Or else…” On hearing that, her eyes widened in confusion. “Or else, what?” she drawled, daring me to finish the thought. I drew my breath. “Or I’ll lead the rogues right to you again, and this time, I’ll let them finish what they started. Then, being the ever-generous Alpha, I will sweep up your remains and take them to your pack myself.” “It hasn’t gotten to that, Kael,” Ronan looked at me incredulously and turned to Aria. “Look Aria, the only way back to Silver Moon is through our borders, and Kael isn’t bent on letting you get past.” I watched her hard expression falter, and for the first time, she seemed to listen. Ronan continued. “The rogues taunt anyone—not just you, but whoever they mark as a target…” he trailed off. “...they’ll do whatever they can until they’re killed. If you leave, you’re as good as dead.” “Why do you think I can't get back to Silver Moon pack by myself?” she retorted, and I almost laughed. “We’re talking about more than twenty wolves. You’re easily outnumbered,” Ronan said. She gave it a thought, her eyes flickering through Ronan and me. What she didn’t understand was that refusing wasn’t a choice. No matter what decision she concludes, my decision was final. “So, what now?” she finally broke the silence. “We could ally forces,” said Ronan as he looked at me, awaiting consent. “If you accept Kael, your pack will have a larger force for strengthening your pack’s defenses.” Even with a compromise, her face wasn’t lit up. I cut in. “I’m offering you a chance to see your people again. The least you can do is thank me.” I met her eyes as an air of annoyance sparked between us. “Why do you even need a Luna so bad?” she scrutinzed me with a curious look in her eyes. “You almost seem desperate.” Anger flared through me. “That is none of your business,” I growled. She wasn’t shaken in the least, as her lips curved slightly. “It seems I’m doing you a favor, Kael… So you better act right, before I change my mind.” A growl rumbled in my chest as I fought hard to hold back my wolf; Orion. What an insufferable woman. Ronan didn’t even hesitate to speak on my behalf and said yes. She accepted, and we quickly rolled out of the clinic after much convincing. I stormed out of the room, with Ronan following behind me until we got to my office. “You’re letting her get on your nerves,” Ronan said. “She’s annoying. It’s impossible to be level-headed with her.” I pulled out the file from my desk’s drawer. I recalled our conversation and narrowed my eyes at Ronan, who leaned against the door. “You sounded weak, Ronan. We needed her intimidated so that she knows her place.” “She’s the alpha to the SilverMoon pack and a Sinclair; the only Sinclair alive,” he ran a hand through his hair. “We can’t intimidate her even if we tried. She’s as stubborn as they come.” I brought out the sheet of paper from the file, and signed neatly on the right side of the page, leaving the left side vacant. “I knew she was trouble the moment I laid my eyes on her.” “Do you think this would work? Do you think she’s the one?” Ronan spoke indirectly, but I understood what he meant. The image of Aria flashed through my mind. She seemed fragile and physically weak, not even as strong as the other women that had failed. But there was a strength she carried around her, apart from being a Sinclair, who were a strong, well respected bloodline. She was also the only Sinclair left. “We won’t know until she proves herself.” When we went back to the clinic, she stood by the window, staring into space. She turned when she noticed us. “You need to sign this.” I stretched out my hand, handing over the paper. “What’s this?” “You can read, can’t you?” She scowled, lowering her head and trailing her finger along the written letter. A contract I had arranged to make sure she didn’t couldn’t leave unless I allowed her to. “You’re kidding, right?” “The terms of our agreement are clear—you’re mine until I release you.” She flipped the paper aside and rushed toward me, but Ronan intercepted, pinning her in place and obstructing her. “I’m not a prisoner!” she seethed, her face flushed from anger. “You can’t decide my fate.” “The sooner you sign it, the better,” I replied coolly, ignoring her tantrums. I turned to Ronan who was struggling to keep her still. “And please, find her someplace to sleep and heal. She’s had a long day.” I didn’t wait to hear anymore of what she had to say. That same night, right before the full moon hung in the night sky, I woke up and headed down into the deepest part of dungeon. The air was thick and cold, and the torches barely burned, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Descending the stairs, I walked until I found the last door. The iron was rusted, the lock stiff. I pushed it open, stepped inside, and locked it behind me. Chains hung from the walls—thick and heavy. I wrapped them around my wrists, ankles, and my neck, tight enough to restrict my blood flow. I picked up the muzzle and clamped my mouth shut, breathing heavily as my heart pumped blood faster to my veins. My hands trembled as I felt it coming, crawling under my skin like poison. Then the pain hit. My bones twisted and broke, my fangs and claws elongating. The chains rattled as my body jerked violently, my vision turning blood red. Orion clawed out with an aggression that battered my soul. Excruciating pain surged through my body, and a pained cry escaped my mouth, the muzzle suppressing the sound. A howl ripped through the dark, and like other nights, I lost control.