Chapter 4 - The Art Of Domination

• Alina
• Damon's deep voice echoes through the solid wood of the door. There is no room for retort.
• - I'm not a slave," I muttered through my teeth.
• A second blow, louder this time, startled me.
• - Alina.
• I pull the sheets tighter around me, my inner wolf quivering with anxiety. Why this instinctive submission to him? Why does my body react like this when my mind rejects this domination?
• - If you're not out in ten seconds, I'm coming to get you.
• The threat is clear. My muscles tense with an involuntary shiver. Finally, I stand up, my bare feet meeting the icy floor. I clench my jaws and walk to the door.
• I open it suddenly.
• Damon is there, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his bare chest. His dark hair is slightly mussed, a shadow of beard highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw. His dark eyes scan my body with a penetrating gaze.
• I'm still wearing that torn dress from the day before.
• - Get dressed.
• - And if I refuse?" I replied, lifting my chin.
• A flash of amusement crosses his eyes. He approaches, forcing my body to recoil instinctively. He crossed the threshold into the bedroom, closing the door behind him with a sharp slam.
• - Do you want to play, little she-wolf?
• My back meets the wall. Damon steps forward until his torso brushes against the light fabric of my dress.
• - I saved you, Alina. You belong to me now.
• I put my hands against his burning chest to push him away, but he grabbed my wrists in one precise movement and pulled them over my head.
• - Let go of me!
• - No, it's not.
• His breath caresses my throat, his burning gaze gazes into mine.
• - You think you can defy me? That you can escape me?
• I struggle, but his hold is unshakeable. The heat of his body against mine inflames every cell in my body. My inner wolf lets out a confused moan. Submission. Desire. Anger. Everything blends together in a chaotic storm.
• - I hate you," I whispered breathlessly.
• A twisted smile grazes his lips.
• - Your body contradicts me.
• He moves his hand down my arm to my hip, his thumb tracing a burning caress through the fabric. My breath becomes erratic.
• - Don't...
• - Tell me to stop.
• His lips are close to mine. Too close. I can feel the heat of her breathing, the magnetic tension that draws us inexorably together.
• - Say it, Alina.
• My lips part, but no words come out. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it's going to explode.
• He suddenly releases my wrists and steps back, his dark eyes shining with a dangerous glint.
• - That's what I thought," he says with a cold smile. Now get ready. Training starts in an hour.
• He turned and walked out of the room, leaving me panting, my legs shaking from the shock.
• I let myself slide against the wall, short of breath.
• Why is this?
• Why does this link burn me so much?
• Why does one part of me want to submit to him while the other screams to fight?
• I take a deep breath and struggle to my feet. I can't let him win. If Damon thinks I'm going to give in to him, he's wrong.
• I get up and walk over to the large wardrobe in the corner of the room. Inside I find a simple outfit: tight-fitting black trousers and a white tank top. I tie my hair up in a tight plait and look at myself in the mirror.
• My reflection gives me an image of vulnerability, but in my eyes there's already a glint of defiance.
• - All right, Damon. Want to play?
• I leave the room and head for the main hall of the manor house. The large black marble columns and crystal chandeliers accentuate the dark, oppressive aura of this place.
• Damon stands in the centre of the room, shirtless, his black trousers hanging low over his hips. Beside him is a training circle marked on the floor.
• - Enter the circle.
• I squint.
• - Why is this?
• A toothy grin lights up his face.
• - You have to learn to defend yourself.
• - And you're going to teach me?
• - Exactly.
• I step forward slowly, entering the circle. Damon follows me with his eyes, his posture relaxed but predatory.
• - Attack me.
• I laughed in disbelief.
• - What is it?
• - If you want to survive in this world, Alina, you have to learn to strike first.
• I clench my fists. Does he want to play? Yes, he does.
• I leap forward, aiming for his chest. But Damon dodges with disconcerting ease. Before I know what's happening, he turns me round and slams me to the ground.
• His warm breath grazes my ear.
• - Too slow.
• I growl, rage burning in my veins. I strike out with an elbow towards his ribs. This time he grabs me around the waist, lifts me up and throws me on my back.
• - Try again.
• I leap to my feet, breathless. My muscles are burning, but the adrenaline is fuelling my determination.
• I lunge again. He grabs my wrist, but this time I use his weight to tip him over. He falls, but in the next second he's already on top of me, his body pressed against mine, his dark eyes shining with amusement.
• - Better.
• He releases me slowly, his breath caressing my neck. My heart is pounding.
• - I'll learn," I murmured, glaring at him.
• A dark smile lights up his face.
• - I'm sure of it.
• I stare at him as he walks away, my heart still pounding from the shock.
• Damon plays with me. He's pushing my buttons.
• But he doesn't know how much I'm prepared to fight.
• For my freedom.
• For my heart.