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.