LILA'S POV
His cold gaze pins me in place, his lips curling into a half-smirk. But then, his gaze narrowed into mine. His eyes darken as he narrows them at me, his stare turning sharp, cutting.
Brown eyes, filled with something unreadable. Hatred. Loathing. Disdain. And something else I can't name.
He looks at me like I'm nothing. Like I'm just a pathetic object he's acquired, a mere possession. A pet.
The mockery in his eyes tightens the knot in my chest, pressing down on the pain that never truly left. He owns you now, that look says.
I suddenly feel small. Trapped. The walls of his office seem to close in, and for a second, I wish the ground would just split open and swallow me whole.
But I know better.
This isn't the end.
It's just the beginning.
Rafael pulls out his phone and holds it out for me. His way of telling me to input my account number.
I take it without a word, my fingers shaking as I type. I don't dare meet his gaze, but I feel it. That scorching intensity burning into me, watching me like a predator watches its prey.
Once done, I pass the phone back.
Ping.
The sound of my phone vibrating in my pocket nearly makes me jump. My breath catches as I glance down at the screen.
My eyes widen.
Six figures.
Way more than I asked for.
Fuck.
My throat dries. I haven't even thanked him yet, but my fingers move on their own, transferring the required amount to the hospital. Then I quickly forward the confirmation receipt to Ava.
A shaky breath leaves me. "Thank you so much," I say, finally looking up at him again.
Rafael smirks. Slowly, he pulls his hands out of his pockets and steps closer.
One step.
Two.
My chest begins racing again. Butterflies swimming right in my stomach. Screw me!
"Thank you?" His voice is a dark purr, laced with amusement. "You'll start paying your dues now, hornet."
Hornet.
Not Lila.
My heart slams against my ribs. He's stripped me of my name, just like before. Just like back then.
"Strip."
My breath hitches.
His voice is low, commanding-merciless.
I freeze. My eyes dart around the room, panic twisting inside me. Here? In his office? What if someone walks in?
I knew what I was agreeing to when I signed that contract.
But not like this.
Not like this.
His smirk widens, as if he can hear my thoughts. As if he's enjoying my struggle.
"You're wasting my time, hornet." His voice turns sharper, colder. "I said. Strip."
My pulse pounds in my ears.
I grip the hem of my blouse, hesitating. Every nerve in my body screams at me to run. To fight back.
But Derrick's face flashes in my mind. His small, fragile body lying in that hospital bed.
I have no choice.
My fingers tremble as I begin to unbutton my blouse.
His smirk deepens, eyes glinting with cruel amusement as he tilts his head. "Crawl to me on your hands and knees."
My stomach twists.
I freeze, fingers still gripping the half-unbuttoned fabric of my blouse.
Did I hear him right?
The room suddenly feels smaller, a weird feeling settles right at the pit of my tummy. My pulse pounds so hard it drowns out every other sound.
"Crawl, hornet," he repeats, voice like ice. "Or do you need me to remind you who owns you now?"
A chill runs down my spine.
I force myself to breathe, but it doesn't help. Every part of me screams to stand up, to run. But I can't.
"You know the rules, Lila," his voice drips with amusement, yet his Alpha tone so commanding . "Or do you need me to remind you?"
A shiver runs down my spine.
I do know the rules. Every single one. I've lived them, breathed them, suffered under them.
Rafael doesn't just demand obedience, he owns it.
I clench my teeth, swallowing the last shred of my pride as I slowly lower myself to my knees. The cold floor bites into my skin, however it's nothing compared to the humiliation burning deep in my chest.
He doesn't move. He just watches. Amused. Expectant.
I press my palms to the floor, fingers trembling as I inch forward. Each movement feels like a fresh cut, like I'm selling away pieces of myself.
Of course I am.
I hate him.
I hate that smirk.
I hate the way my body remembers him, remembers the nights he took, owned, ruined me.
I keep crawling.
I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself forward, each inch draining the air from my lungs.
Like the Alpha he is sitting on his throne, he just watches, enjoying the sight of his subject breaking at his feet.
I stop just before him, my breaths shallow, my hands curling into fists against the floor.
I didn't look up in as much as I'm tempted to, I can't bear to see those mocking looks again.
If this is what I have to do to make Derrick survives. Then I don't give a fuck. My son first.
Fingers.
They slide beneath my chin, tilting my head up. My breath shudders at the contact, at the way his thumb caresses over my jaw, teasing, claiming.
"Good girl," he murmurs, satisfaction present in his tone.
I want to recoil. Slap his hand away. But I don't.
Not like I have an option.
"You had guts to hide, little hornet," he muses, his grip tightening just enough to make my pulse stutter. His eyes glint with fury. Dark with revenge. "Not even death could keep you from me, Lila."
His thumb drags lower,"tracing the hollow of my throat. A reminder. Maybe a promise.
"You're mine until I say you're not."
"Look at me, little hornet." His voice is a whisper now.
I hesitate. My fingers twitch at my sides, my breath catching in my throat. But I know better than to disobey. Slowly, I lift my gaze, meeting his.
Dark. Intense. Predatory.
"Touch yourself." His voice is a command , leaving no room for argument.
My pulse pounds against my ribs. My body tenses.
I swallow hard, my nails digging into my palms.