Chapter 5 A Predator's Claim

Damian Blackwood is the infamous Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack and is known for his ruthlessness. He was merciless in every story ever told and a huge predator among wolves. The thought of having someone like him as a mate was terrifying and infuriating. The mate bond was undeniable because it tugged hard at my soul, leaving no room for me to breathe, but I would never be his. I’d rather die than let him have me, and he was not letting me make any of those decisions. He had forcefully taken me along as he left the human town. I was tied hard and placed next to him in his chariot as we moved out of the town that had shielded me for four years. How he found me, I knew not, but I had never dreamt of meeting him this way. All I wanted was to hate him peacefully till my last breath because I knew getting revenge was useless. He was way more powerful than I could ever be, so there was little to nothing I could do to avenge my family. As the rough road threw us closer to each other, he refused to move back when the chariot became balanced. I clenched my fists. “Stay away from me.” “You’re trembling,” he observed, his voice deceptively soft but filled with his toughness. “Your wolf knows what we are. Why do you fight it?” “Because I don’t want you.” I spat out the words like venom; my chest was furiously heaving. “I will never belong to you.” His jaw tightened, but instead of anger, he only smiled. It was as if he had already anticipated my defiance. “Want has nothing to do with it, little rogue,” he murmured, stepping closer. “You are mine.” The words were final and absolute. All my insides exploded with fury. My body was consumed by anger, and before I could think, I lunged. My fists swung, aiming for his face, his throat, anything to kill him in a swipe, to make him regret thinking he could claim me like some possession. But he was extremely fast like he had expected it. He caught my wrist effortlessly; his grip was firm but not painful. I twisted, trying to break free, but he used my momentum against me, flipping me in one swift move. I gasped as my back hit the edge of the chariot; a huge amount of air escaped from my lungs as I gasped. Damian loomed over me, pinning me beneath his weight without even breaking a sweat. “Are you done?” His voice was calm, too calm, which only made my anger burn hotter. I protested, kicking out, snarling, but he didn’t budge. His strength was overwhelming, like an immovable force against my defiance. His scent surrounded me. It was of dark pine, fire, something raw and untamed. It made my head spin and made my wolf whimper in submission immediately. But I gritted my teeth, fighting against the traitorous pull of the bond. “I hate you,” I hissed, glaring up at him. For a split second, his expression went blank. Then, his lips curled into the faintest smirk. “Good,” he murmured, his breath roaming over my skin. “Hatred means you feel something.” I sucked in a sharp breath; my pulse was hammering against my ribs. I had expected rage and cruelty. But this… this unnerved me more. “You may fight, little rogue,” he continued, his voice carrying a dark promise. “You may hate me all you like. But it won’t change what we are.” I struggled again, my chest rising and falling rapidly, but his grip remained firm. “I will never accept this.” “You don’t have to.” His eyes burned with intensity. “But you will.” I bared my teeth at him, my wolf surging forward in defiance. “I’d rather die.” “You won’t.” His voice was quieter now, more dangerous. “Because I won’t let you.” A low growl rumbled in his chest, echoing through me. My body betrayed me, heat pooling in my stomach at the dominance in his tone. I cursed myself, cursed this bond, and cursed the gods for playing such a cruel joke. With a deep breath, Damian finally released me, rising with effortless grace. I scrambled up; my body was tensed, and I tried to adjust my position as the horses raced faster. But he didn’t move to grab me again. Instead, he merely watched with his golden eyes. “Run if you want,” he said, his tone was calm. “But know this, Aria.” I flinched at the way he said my name. Like it belonged to him already. “I will find you,” he continued, “You are mine. And no matter where you go, no matter how hard you fight…” He put a foot forward, grabbing my shoulder without breaking the stare as he held me from falling off the chariot as the horse ran into a pothole. “I will always come for you.” A shiver ran down my spine, but I refused to let him see my fear. Damian Blackwood had made his decision, but so had I.