12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Nyx
"I'm not an item that can be bought or auctioned off," I snap back. "I'm my own person, and I say where I go and who I go with."
Cade stares at me, his light eyes carefully scanning my face, taking in my heated response.
"We'll see," he murmurs, standing up. "I can be very persuasive, remember?"
I push to my feet, glaring at him. All the previous anger and hatred I felt for him has come rushing back. Even if I believe what he says about not being responsible for the attacks and Tyler's death, and his bullshit excuse about taking wolves to help find their mates, all of that has been undone by the inference that I'm just a possession up for grabs.
I'd never leave Lex behind. I love him, more than I ever thought possible. Even more so because he was the one who had to struggle with the fact I was mated to more than one wolf. He didn't have time to prepare, and even when he defended me, staking a claim as my mate, he still made the effort to learn to be okay with it . It took time, but when I accidentally lost control in the woods with Maverick, he didn't walk away from me.
So, I'm sure as fuck am not going to just walk away from him because this asshole thinks he has some twisted ownership on my existence that can be negotiated.
"I don't care how persuasive you think you are," I shoot back. "I'm not going to leave behind who I love. I'm not a parcel of land that you can fight over. Besides, in what damn universe do you think I would want you? You kidnapped me—well, not even you . You sent your people to take me—not even man enough to come get me yourself. I have no desire to be mated to a coward, a liar, or a thief."
Cade smiles warmly at my outburst. "And which of those do you think I am?"
"All of them," I answer quickly. "And the fact that you can sit here, treating me like a toy is disgusting. I'm a Luna. Even if you can't grasp the fact that I'm not yours, you need to respect me."
The words are falling from my lips so fast that I barely have time to register anything. I'm blinded by burning rage, the temperature rising as my body shakes with anger. My fists curl by my sides, the desire to inflict harm on him growing more and more by the minute.
He's so calm and collected about the whole situation, leading me to believe that there's an unspoken danger brewing. He knows that they are coming, and the thought makes me sick.
I can't believe anything he says. Negotiate? That sounds like a bullshit term for violence. For all I know he's lying and fully intends to take me against my will.
"Sit down, Nyx," he says coolly. "Make another coffee or something—if you can resist the urge to fling another mug at my head."
I gape at him. "Don't tell me what to do."
"I'm not," he replies dryly. "Just making suggestions. I can feel the rage emanating from your body. I'll have to put the air conditioner on shortly if you keep this up."
Scowling, I pick up the nearest object—a pen—and chuck it at him. This time, it lands exactly where I want it to, bouncing off his forehead before landing somewhere on the floor.
"Really?" he mutters, exasperated. "You have this wild obsession with throwing things at my head."
"You have this uncanny ability to piss me off," I snap back, immediately grabbing a stapler from off the desk.
Suddenly, he's on his feet, swinging around the desk before I can pull my arm back. I let out a yelp when he rips the stapler out of my grasp, twisting my arm behind my back and slamming my chest onto the desk.
"That's enough," he growls, and I try not to focus on the fact that I'm bent over his desk—or the rush of heat I feel as he presses into me.
"I'm so tempted to say it right now," I grumble, feeling the curse words on the tip of my tongue.
Cade leans down, pushing his chest into my back as he whispers into my ear. "Try it—I dare you."
" Fuck you ," I say, even more inclined to do it now that he's daring me.
Large hands grab me, swinging me around to face him. I can't help the gasp that escapes when his hand clutches my throat, squeezing the sides of my neck. My stomach clenches, body overwhelmed by his touch and scent. What is wrong with me?
"You want to talk about respect?" he murmurs, voice oddly calm for someone who has me by the jugular. "Then respect me, Nyx. I may not be your alpha, but I am one, nonetheless. And you are a guest in my territory."
I narrow my eyes. "Guests are usually there voluntarily," I manage to choke out. "I'm not here on my own free will."
"Because you're too stubborn to listen," he argues, giving me a warning squeeze.
"So I've been told," I argue back.
The tension between us is thick, nearly choking me as much as Cade is. Neither of us move, except for when I wrap my fingers around his wrist, digging my nails into his pale skin. I know it's enough to break the skin, but he doesn't flinch—if anything, his grip tightens more, finally restricting my air intake completely. Against my leg, I feel his growing length, and I'm horrified that we are both enjoying this far more than we should be.
Still, I refuse to relent, shooting daggers with my eyes. I can feel my lungs screaming for oxygen, but I make no move to struggle, only gripping him harder with my fingers.
Finally, as spots start to appear in my vision, his hand eases, releasing some of the pressure from my neck. I suck in a breath, somehow still managing to hold my glare.
"I have no problems playing these games with you," he murmurs, locking eyes with me. "In fact, I enjoy it. But I'm not going to continue to let you slander me and my pack."
"You've given me no reason to trust you," I growl. "How do I know you won't attack them as soon as they arrive?"
"You don't," he answers, sending another rush of anger through me. "But as for the trust, I've made no move on you—despite everything."
My brows furrow in confusion. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"
There's a glint in his eye, almost uncaged and animalistic. "You're going into heat," he remarks. "I could smell it last night when I chased you through the woods. But in spite of the bond trying to drag me to you, I had Marie mask it. That way, both of us can stay in control. I would love nothing more than to shut you up with my cock, but non-consensual isn't my thing. When I finally take you, it will be after you beg for it."
At his words, the anger evaporates, replaced by another rush—and pure anxiety. I can feel my body burning, but I thought that was from blind rage. Worst still, my stomach twists with heated desire. How the fuck can I be attracted to this man? Why is my body craving his touch, especially after he's placed those images in my head?
All I can think of is the last time I went into heat, how easily I lost control—fucking Maverick in the woods. Nothing could hold me back, not even my hatred toward him, somehow managing to snap metal chains in my sleep as my feral side took over, giving in to the urges. But right now… I don't feel like I'm out of control. Even though I do feel the torturous warmth in my entire body. I didn't even recognize that my heat was creeping in, too focused on the situation at hand.
I don't have much experience with my heat, but I do know that usually I lose all sense of rationality—regardless of how I feel about someone or the situation I'm in. I had to go as far as running away from Lex and Maverick when I went into heat upon Maverick's arrival in Shadow Creek. Still, once I was in the middle of the fully-fledged, literal meltdown, nothing was able to stop it.
I frown, immediately letting go of his wrist as emotions threaten to consume me. As soon as I release him, Cade slowly moves his hand away, stepping back to put space between us.
There's a knowing look on his face—a smile as he notices that I realize he's correct. But I don't even want to wipe it off to my surprise. I want to run away, to hide. Not out of fear of what I might do, but out of humiliation and discomfort.
In line with my ridiculous ability to accumulate mates, I seem to go into heat at the most inappropriate times. It would be almost laughable if the situation wasn't so serious.
But I'm also embarrassed. I want to believe that he's the bad guy. Every time I point out a questionable move on his part, he retorts it with an excuse—not a reasonable one by any measure, but one that leaves doubt, nonetheless.
I almost feel like Maverick; except I'm forcefully trying to find reason behind his decisions. I'm not sure if it's my Luna nature, becoming attune to questionable decisions for the sake of pack survival, or the desperate need to believe I'm truly safe, but either way, I'm struggling to truly hate him.
"Nyx," Cade says firmly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"What?" I mumble, glancing away.
It's silent for a few seconds before he steps back again, a strange expression crossing his face.
"I'm going to send you back to the room to cool off. I'll have someone come check on you shortly."
My face snaps back to his, searching his face for… I don't know, anything?
There's a new flash of concern that takes me by surprise, and all I can do is just nod my head. Realizing that I've reached my breaking point, Cade slips past me, disappearing into the hallway. He returns a few moments later with Sawyer, the older man gesturing for me to follow.
It gives me the opportunity to do what I do best in these situations, running away from Cade's office as he walks back to his desk from the door. I glance over my shoulder once before turning the corner, still spotting the concern on his face. But this time, there's a hint of pain too.
I don't focus my attention on it any more than I need to, keeping my head low until I'm back inside the bedroom. Sawyer closes the door behind him as he leaves, and I can't help but notice that I don't hear the distinctive sound of the lock. Yet, I have no desire to try to escape. Not when Lex, Maverick, and Alpha Daxton are on their way here.
And certainly not because I'm starting to feel something for the frustrating man downstairs. Definitely not.
My heart races as I sit by the window, pulling the chair closer to the glass as I perch myself in front of it.
A part of me still worries about an impending fight between the packs, but against my better judgment, I find myself starting to believe Cade.
But even if Cade is being honest and has no plans to hurt the other alphas, there's one truth I do know.
Lex, Maverick, and Alpha Daxton are one hundred percent going to want to hurt him.
And I have no idea what will happen when they do.
The sound of the door opening grabs my attention, temporarily making me forget about the nausea that's threatening me.
I look over, spotting a tall, dark-haired woman stepping into the room. She offers a warm smile, giving me a little wave as she slows her approach.
"Hi, I'm Annabelle. You must be Nyx," she says softly, stopping halfway across the room.
Standing up from my chair, I give a small nod. "That's me."
I'm not sure what else to say, so I hug my frame, waiting awkwardly for her to speak again.
"Alpha Cade mentioned that your heat is starting," she murmurs, reaching into the pocket of her black shorts. Pulling out a small vial, her hazel eyes check the contents before she bravely closes the distance to me. "This should help."
"What is it?" I ask suspiciously, but much nicer than I have been to the other New Moon members.
Annabelle holds it up, displaying the white, creamy liquid inside. "Marie makes it for us," she answers. "I'm not sure exactly what's in it—some natural herbs and ingredients. Either way, it helps stop the pain and burn."
Frowning, I reach out, gently taking the vial from her. I look at it closely, tipping it back and forth as the fluid swirls around. "It looks… gross."
"It's not the best taste," she admits. "But it works really well. I remember the first time I went into heat. I broke my bedroom door by clawing it with my nails—snapped three of them clean. And spent a week trying to pull out splinters." She shudders, clearly recalling the event.
I give her a sheepish, sympathetic smile. "I snapped metal chains."
"You badass," she muses warmly. "The second time, I was in the cells downstairs, so no breakage, thankfully. But then the third time, I had this and it was a huge relief."
Surprisingly, I find her friendly demeanor believable. I pop the lid off, taking a whiff of the potion—it's scentless, but I suspect it's going to taste funky. Holding my breath, I pour the vial's contents into my mouth, quickly swallowing. My face twists at the sour taste, making Annabelle laugh.
"Yeah, I did warn you it wasn't the best," she grins. "But trust me—it's so worth it."
"Thanks," I mumble, handing her the empty bottle back.
She pockets it before threading her fingers together. "So, you're Alpha Cade's mate?"
"Not really," I quickly answer. "I don't know. It's all very complicated."
Annabelle nods, seemingly understanding. "Also, not the most ideal for first introductions."
I can't help but laugh at her statement, feeling relaxed for the first time since being dragged here. "Not at all."
More words threaten to fall from my mouth, but I do my best to curb my tongue—not wanting to insult her alpha and risk ending this nice interaction.
To my astonishment, I feel the anti-heat medicine working already, my body significantly cooling down as the tension in my stomach eases. Well, at least I wasn't poisoned.
"Come grab lunch with me," Annabelle offers. "There's this cute little café around the corner that does the best wraps and milkshakes."
"Are you sure I'm allowed?" I ask hesitantly.
She frowns at me for a second, as if I've puzzled her with my question. "Of course, silly. Besides, it was Alpha Cade's idea."