chapter 31
The room felt different the second the lock clicked. The air thickened with something I couldn’t name—something that made my pulse hammer inside my throat.
Rudra stood there, sleeves rolled up, dark eyes locked on me like I was the only thing breathing in his world. Every slow, measured step he took toward me was a silent warning, a promise of what was coming.
“You know what drives me insane, Ishni?” His voice was a low, molten growl, curling against my skin like fire.
I shook my head, barely whispering, “W-what?”
His fingers brushed my jaw—just a graze, yet my body arched like I’d been branded.
“That you think… you can smile at him, laugh with him, and then come to me like nothing happened.”
Phoenix.
God, he was jealous of Phoenix. My lips parted, ready to explain, but his thumb pressed against them, silencing me.
“No excuses tonight, jaan.” His breath fanned my cheek as his mouth dipped dangerously close to my ear.
“You belong to me. And I’m done being polite about it.”
Before I could blink, he spun me gently, my back crashing against his chest, his arm snaking around my waist. His other hand trailed down, slow and possessive, until it rested on my hip.
His lips grazed the curve of my neck—soft at first, then biting, leaving a mark that screamed mine.
I gasped, clutching his forearm, but he only chuckled darkly.
“Say it, Ishni.” His voice was pure sin. “Say who you belong to.”
My throat went dry. The words tangled, but his fingers slid under the hem of my top, brushing my bare skin, and my resolve shattered.
“…You.” My whisper was shaky, desperate.
“Louder.”
“You, Rudra.”
The sound he made—deep, guttural, primal—lit a wildfire inside me. He spun me again, and in one swift motion, I was in his arms, then on the bed, his body caging mine.
The world outside ceased to exist. It was only his weight pressing me into the mattress, the raw heat of his stare, and the way his hands explored me like a starving man worshiping his last prayer.
His lips claimed mine, and God, the kiss was not gentle.
It was hungry, punishing, yet achingly tender—like he was devouring every laugh I’d shared with someone else, replacing it with his name.
Our breaths tangled, ragged and desperate, as his mouth trailed down my jaw, to the hollow of my throat, to the soft edge of my collarbone.
Each kiss left sparks dancing across my skin. Each bite left me trembling, craving more.
“You think I’ll let anyone steal a second of you from me?” His words vibrated against my skin as he kissed lower, his voice a weapon that left me defenseless.
“Never, jaan. Never in this lifetime.”
His hands roamed, slow and deliberate, as if memorizing every inch, every curve, every shiver. Clothes melted away like they never existed, and with every layer he peeled, every whispered “mine”, he built a world where nothing existed but us.
Ishni’s POV
I didn’t realize when our clothes were thrown out of our bodies, my hair messy, skin burning under his touch. He buried his face in my neck, his warm breath fanning over my skin.
“Jaan… are you ready?” he mumbled softly, his voice deep, laced with restraint.
I gulped, my hands instinctively wrapping around his strong back. “Will… will it hurt?” I asked, my voice barely audible, trembling with nervous anticipation.
He pressed a soft kiss to my neck before pulling back just enough to look into my eyes.
Those dark, intense eyes that could command the world yet were so gentle for me.
“Yes… it will hurt,” he admitted honestly, “but only once. After that, it won’t.
And if you’re not comfortable, let’s not do this, Ishni.
”
He smiled tenderly, brushing his lips over my forehead.
“I don’t want to hurt you, even if you’re willing. ”
That care… that raw sincerity in his tone… it melted me completely. A small smile tugged at my lips as I whispered, “How long are you?”
My teeth caught my bottom lip as heat crept to my cheeks.
His chuckle was low and sinful, like a warning wrapped in velvet. He leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of my ear before whispering in that deep, sexy voice that could make the strongest woman weak—
“Enough to show you hell… and heaven.”
Then slowly… slowly… he started trailing kisses all over my body, worshipping every inch like it belonged only to him. My breath hitched when his fingers teased me, and then—he slid one inside.
“Ahh… Rudra…” I moaned, my voice breaking in pleasure, my back arching instinctively.
He kissed my forehead softly, then the tip of my nose—comforting me even while setting my body on fire. His lips lingered, tender, as if telling me, I’m here, don’t be afraid.
And then, his pace changed. His fingers began moving faster, deeper, pounding into that most sensitive part of me, pulling sounds from my throat I didn’t even know I could make.
“Uhm… ahh… Rudra… mmm…” I moaned louder, my voice trembling with helpless pleasure. My nails clawed into his bare back, leaving marks, needing something to hold on to as the waves consumed me.
His fingers left me trembling, but before I could catch my breath, he hovered above me—his lips brushing against mine, soft and deep, tasting the moans he had just pulled out of me.
“Jaan…” he whispered against my mouth, his voice husky, dangerous, yet laced with love. “Last chance… if you’re not ready, tell me now.”
I opened my eyes, drowning in his stormy gaze. “I… want you,” I breathed, my voice shaky but certain.
Something dark flickered in his eyes. His jaw clenched as if holding back everything he had kept buried for so long. And then—he kissed me again, harder this time, pouring all his obsession and hunger into me.
I felt him align himself against me, his heat, his size… and suddenly I realized what he meant earlier. My heart thudded wildly. “R-Rudra…” I whispered, biting my lip.
“Relax, jaan… just breathe.” His lips moved to my ear, his voice a sinful melody. “It’s going to hurt… but then, I’ll make you forget the pain.”
Before I could respond, he pushed—slowly, carefully—stretching me inch by inch. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as tears pricked my eyes. I clutched his shoulders desperately.
“It hurts…” I whimpered, burying my face in his neck.
“I know, baby… I know.” His voice softened, his hand cupping my face as he kissed away my tears. “I swear… after this, you’ll never want me to stop.”
He stayed still for a moment, letting me adjust, whispering sweet nothings in my ear, his thumb stroking my cheek. And then—he moved. Slowly at first, gentle, rhythmic, as if learning my body’s language.
A moan tore from my throat. “R-Rudra…”
“Say it again…” he groaned, his pace quickening, passion overtaking restraint. My nails dragged down his back, my cries mixing with his deep, guttural sounds. The room filled with the symphony of our love, raw and unapologetic.
And when he finally claimed me completely, his lips at my ear, his voice broke through the haze—
“You’re mine, Ishni… only mine.”
I lay there, trembling, my body still humming from what just happened. Rudra’s weight was warm against me, his lips trailing lazy kisses across my jaw. His breath was ragged, his chest rising and falling against mine.
“Jaan…” he whispered, his voice deep, dangerous, like a growl from the shadows. “You’ve no idea what you’ve started.”
Before I could even process his words, he flipped me over—his strength pinning me effortlessly beneath him, my gasp swallowed by his mouth crashing onto mine. This wasn’t slow anymore. This was hunger. Desperation. Obsession unleashed.
“Rudra…” I tried to speak, but the way his lips devoured mine left me breathless. His hands roamed everywhere, gripping, squeezing, claiming.
“You think one time was enough for me?” His voice rasped against my ear, his teeth grazing my skin. “No, jaan… tonight, I’m going to ruin you for anyone else.”
A shiver shot down my spine. My pulse throbbed. I could feel him—harder, needier this time—pressing against me. And then, without warning, he thrust into me in one smooth stroke, stealing the air from my lungs.
“Ahh—Rudra!” I cried out, my nails clawing at the sheets.
“Louder,” he growled, his pace brutal now, each thrust harder than the last. “Let the whole damn world hear who you belong to.”
His fingers tangled in my hair, yanking my head back so he could bite down on my neck, marking me. My body burned, pleasure and pain mixing into something sinful, something addictive.
“You’re mine,” he snarled, slamming into me again, making the bed creak beneath us. “Say it, Ishni.”
“I—I’m yours!” I screamed, my voice breaking as waves of ecstasy crashed over me.
“Again.” His hand gripped my jaw, forcing me to look at him, his eyes blazing like a predator who had finally claimed his prey.
“I’m yours, Rudra! Only yours!”
His lips curved into a dark, satisfied smirk before he kissed me—deep, possessive, almost devouring. His rhythm grew wilder, faster, until everything blurred—the room, the air, even time. All I felt was him. All I heard was his deep growls and my own shattered moans.
And when we both finally collapsed, breathless and drenched in sweat, he didn’t let go. He caged me against him, his arm tight around my waist, his voice a dangerous whisper against my ear—
“Remember this, jaan… even death can’t take you from me.”
Next Morning – Ishni’s POV
I woke up feeling sore in places I didn’t even know existed. Every muscle in my body ached, and the memories of last night burned like fire in my veins. God, Rudra… what did you do to me?
I let out a soft sigh and turned my head. There he was—sleeping so peacefully, like the storm from last night never happened. His face looked calm, sharp jawline resting against the pillow, lips slightly parted. For a second, I just stared at him. All mine…
Slowly, I tried to get up, but before my foot even touched the ground, a warm, strong hand shot out and gripped my wrist tightly. “Where do you think you’re going?” he mumbled, eyes still closed, voice husky and rough from sleep.
“Rudra… it’s morning,” I whispered, my voice shaky, “and time to get up…”
He cracked one eye open, and then, without a single warning, he pulled me hard—making me fall on his bare chest with a gasp. Before I could protest, he rolled us so effortlessly that I ended up straddling him, and then he tugged the blanket over us, cocooning us together.
“Rudra!” I squeaked, palms flat against his chest. “What are you—”
“Shhh,” he cut me off, that sinful smirk spreading across his lips as his arms locked around my waist. “You really think… I’m letting you go after what you did to me last night?”
I blinked at him, stunned. “What I did to you? Excuse me—who ruined who?”
He chuckled low, that deep sound vibrating through my body. “Jaan… last night was just the beginning.” His fingers brushed down my spine, making me shiver. “You woke up sore because I was being… gentle.”
My breath hitched “G-Gentle?”
His eyes darkened as he leaned closer, lips brushing my ear. “Mm-hmm… imagine what will happen when I stop being gentle.”
I swallowed hard, my heart racing like crazy. “Rudra… it’s morning—”
“Exactly,” he whispered against my lips, “a perfect time to make you scream my name again.”
And before I could even breathe, his mouth captured mine in a slow, possessive kiss, his hands roaming my bare skin under the blanket. My protests melted into moans as his dominance wrapped around me like a second skin.
Time skip
After getting freshened up, I made my way downstairs. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toast filled the air, and the staff were busy doing their morning chores—some setting the table, some preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Everything felt… calm.
Until my eyes landed on him.
There he was, standing near the glass wall, phone pressed to his ear, his jaw sharp and tight as he barked orders into the call.
His voice was deep and commanding—sending chills down my spine without even trying.
The veins in his forearm flexed as he clenched his fist, his entire aura radiating raw authority.
I stood there for a moment, just watching him. God… how could someone look so devastatingly handsome even when he was angry? That perfectly fitted black shirt hugging his broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing those strong veins that I may or may not have kissed last night.
Before I could stop myself, my legs moved on their own. I walked up to him quietly and, without a word, slid my arms around his waist from behind, pressing my cheek against his strong back.
He froze mid-sentence.
For a second, there was silence—then, his voice dropped low, calm yet dangerous, “I’ll call you back,” and the next thing I heard was the soft click of the call ending.
“Jaan…” His voice came out like a growl, husky, sending shivers down my spine. His big hands slowly covered mine, locking them tighter around his waist as he tilted his head slightly, his lips grazing my ear. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now?”
I smiled against his back, closing my eyes. “Hmm… maybe I do.”
In the next second, he spun around so fast that I gasped, and before I could blink, my back was pressed against the wall, his towering frame caging me completely. His breath was hot against my lips as his eyes burned into mine.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mrs. Rajput…” he murmured, his voice dripping with warning and desire.
I smirked softly, pretending to be bold, though my heart was hammering like crazy. “And what if I like danger?”
His lips curved into that wicked, slow smirk—the one that promised nothing but chaos.
“Oh, jaan…” he whispered, lowering his head until our lips were a breath apart. “Then get ready… because you’re about to lose.”
Before I could even take a breath, his mouth crashed onto mine in a kiss so deep, so possessive, it stole every thought from my head. His hand gripped my jaw, tilting my face as he kissed me like he owned me—because he did.
“Rudra… someone will see…” I somehow managed to whisper against his lips, breathless and trembling under his hold.
His dark eyes burned into mine, his forehead resting against me as he smirked devilishly.
“Let them…” he growled before crushing his lips back onto mine, deep and devouring, stealing every word I had left.
“But—” I tried again, but he didn’t let me finish. His kiss became harsher, almost punishing, his hands gripping my waist as if daring me to move away.
Just when his lips began trailing down my jaw, a sharp bark echoed through the hall.
BARK!
We froze. Slowly, both our heads turned.
There he was. Phoenix. Standing a few feet away, tail wagging, tongue out… looking way too happy about ruining the moment.
Rudra’s jaw ticked. Mine dropped.
Phoenix barked again as if saying: “Gotcha! Caught in 4K!”
“Really?!” Rudra hissed, glaring at the dog like he was ready to put him on a wanted criminal list. “You little brat—”
Phoenix tilted his head innocently. Who? Me?
I bit my lip, trying so hard not to laugh, but then Phoenix did the ultimate betrayal—he jumped right between us, pressing his big furry head against my stomach, barking like he owned me.
Rudra stepped back slowly, running a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath, “I swear, one day I’m sending you back to that goddamn forest…”
Phoenix barked louder this time, wagging his tail like, “Try me, big guy.”
I couldn’t hold it anymore—I burst out laughing, hugging Phoenix while Rudra glared at both of us like an angry possessive husband plotting a double revenge.
Time skip
It has been three days since I killed them.
Honestly… I feel no guilt. Not even a little.
They deserved it for what they did—for what they took.
If anything, a strange calmness sits inside me now.
Maybe because I know I am no longer alone.
Rudra is with me. His strength, his fire… it keeps me steady.
I was lost in thought, fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup when my phone buzzed on the table.
A message from my assistant.
"Mam, all the proofs and victims are ready. We also visited Naina’s family—they’re okay. Tomorrow we’ll win the case."
My lips curved into a smile. I typed back a simple thumbs up, but my heart whispered something louder: Tomorrow, I’ll win. This time I’ll give justice to Naina. This time no one will silence us.
Next morning
I woke up tangled in my husband’s arms, his chest rising and falling steadily against my cheek. For a moment, I allowed myself to stay there—wrapped in his warmth, feeling safe in a world that never gave me safety before him.
But today wasn’t an ordinary day.
With a soft sigh, I carefully slipped out of bed, though his hand instinctively tightened around my waist. “Rudra…” I whispered, brushing my lips against his jaw. He groaned dramatically, opening one eye.
“Jaan… you’re really leaving me for the court?” he muttered in his half-sleep voice.
I smiled. “I have to.”
After getting freshened up, I wore my crisp white shirt and tied my hair neatly, every detail reminding me of the war I had to fight today. Downstairs, breakfast was already set. Rudra sat at the head of the table, Phoenix curled loyally by his side, watching me like a hawk.
We ate together in silence, but his eyes never left me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, protective and proud.
When I finally stood, clutching my case files, Rudra rose too. His hand brushed over my cheek, then slid down to cup my chin. “Win this, jaan. For Naina… and for yourself.” His voice was low but sharp, the same way he sounded before going to battle.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I will.”
Phoenix padded forward, pressing his head against my thigh as if saying, Don’t worry, I’m with you too.