Chapter 3 - The Game Of Submission

Alina I wake up with a start, gasping for breath. My heart pounds violently in my chest, a painful echo of the fear still lingering in my mind. The darkness of the room oppresses me, every shadow cast by the faint moonlight seeming to watch over me. I put a trembling hand to my throat, still feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin. Damon. His dark eyes haunt my thoughts. That burning gaze, that cruel smile... He saved me, but at what price? I'm lying in a huge bed, covered in black sheets that smell of sandalwood and leather. Too tempting. Too dangerous. I sit up slowly, my aching muscles protesting at the slightest movement. My dress is torn, exposing my bare skin in places. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember the way he held me, the warmth of his body against mine. - You're mine now. His words are still echoing in my head. I shake my head, refusing to let this unsettling feeling gnaw at me. I can't let him win. I inhale deeply and rise from the bed, my bare feet touching the cold marble floor. The room is huge, decorated with a dark opulence that perfectly reflects Damon's character. Black walls, paintings depicting hunting scenes, and a large bay window overlooking the dark forest that encircles the manor. A golden prison. A noise in the corridor startles me. The door handle turns slowly. My heart misses a beat. I recoil instinctively until my back hits the wall. The door opens with a slow creak. - You're awake. His deep, husky voice slides down my spine like a forbidden caress. Damon enters the room, his dark gaze immediately on me. He's shirtless, his black trousers falling low on his hips. The moonlight cuts the perfect contours of his muscles, the faint scars on his chest telling a story he'll never share. I tense up. - I want to leave. He approaches slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. - No, it's not. I clench my fists, the challenge in my voice stronger than the fear that twists my stomach. - You can't keep me here. A cold smile grazes his lips. - Look around you, little she-wolf. Do you really think you have a choice? He stops right in front of me, his body dominating mine by its mere presence. His scent invades me, a mixture of power and danger. My inner wolf moans, disorientated by this primal, violent attraction. - Why me?" I asked, my voice trembling. His fingers slowly graze my jaw, and I freeze. - Because you're mine. I close my eyes, trying to ward off the heat rising up inside me. - I'm not yours. He laughed softly. - You already are, Alina. You feel it, don't you? This bond that's growing between us? That warmth in your belly, that burning in your veins? He brushes his lips against my neck and I tense up violently. - You feel the call. You can't escape it. I try to push him away, but my hands are weak against his rock-hard torso. He grabs my wrists in one swift movement, pinning them against the wall on either side of my head. His breath grazes my throat. - Stop it. - Do you really want me to stop?" he whispers against my skin. My body betrays me. A moan escapes me as a shiver runs up my spine. I fight against the surge of desire that takes hold of me, against the instinctive submission that pulses in my blood. - It's not real," I whispered. It's just a link... He laughed softly, the deep sound resonating in my chest. - But you can't escape it. But you can't escape it. His lips brush my ear and I feel the tip of his fangs slide against my skin. My inner wolf howls, torn between the desire to submit and the need to defend myself. - I'm going to break you, Alina. I look up at him, fear and desire mingling in my eyes. - Why is this? His expression darkened, a reddish glow shining briefly in his eyes. - Because you were born to belong to me. He releases me abruptly, taking a step back. My breath is short, my chest heaving rapidly. - Get ready," he says as he heads for the door. Tomorrow we'll start your training. - Training?" I whispered. He turns round, his cold smile lit up by the moonlight. - To survive in this world, you have to be strong. You'll learn to defend yourself... and satisfy me. I feel a ball of fear settle in my stomach. - I would never do that. He laughed, his black, burning gaze piercing me. - Oh, you will. Because soon, little she-wolf, you won't have a choice. The door slams behind him, leaving me alone with the weight of his words. I let myself slide against the wall, my legs trembling. I won't let him win. I refuse to become just another submissive omega. But the growing bond between us... this warmth in my belly, this indecent desire... I could already have lost. The next morning, I was woken by a loud bang on my bedroom door. My heart leaps into my chest. I scramble to my feet, my tangled hair cascading around my face. - On your feet.