CHAPTER 4- Possessive
CHAPTER 4
I stood there, my mouth agape, utterly flabbergasted by the sudden appearance of the dashing man before me. Who was he? And why did he look at me like he'd just found a long-lost treasure? His rugged features, chiseled jawline, and piercing blue eyes left me momentarily speechless.
But it wasn't just his appearance that left me reeling; it was the air of confidence and authority that surrounded him. There was something different about him, something otherworldly. It was as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet exuded a magnetic energy that drew everyone's attention.
And then he spoke, his voice smooth and deep, sending shivers down my spine. "You, my mate," he said, his words reverberating through my core. Mate? The word echoed in my mind. I barely knew this man, and yet he claimed a bond that seemed impossible. I searched for answers in Jake's eyes who stood by my side, but he seemed just as bewildered as I was.
Without warning, the man took a step forward, pushing Jake aside. Anger surged within me, and I instinctively raised my gun, firing a warning shot into the air. "Back off!" I yelled, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. How dare he lay a hand on Jake, my trusted companion?
But the man didn't flinch. He held his ground, unwavering in the face of my aggression. "Listen to me," he implored, his voice laced with urgency. "I know this is overwhelming, but I promise you, it's true. You are my mate."
His words struck a chord deep within me, setting my heart ringing like a bell. It was a sensation I couldn't ignore, a pull that tugged at my very being. But I fought against it, denying the possibility. How could I accept such a profound connection with a stranger?
Emotions surged through me, mixing with confusion and frustration. "I don't know who you are or what you want ," I spat, my voice laced with anger. "But I won't just accept it blindly. Give me answers, or Fuck off!"
The man's expression shifted from determination to rage, his eyes reflecting the pain of rejection.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as the man raged in annoyance, pointing out that I was his mate and that he wouldn't let any guy come in his way. His possessiveness sent a chill down my spine. How could he claim to own me? The very idea was suffocating.
"No one owns me," I retorted, my voice laced with defiance. "I am not some object to be claimed. I have my own agency, my own choices."
His eyes darkened with anger, his voice dripping with frustration. "You don't understand, Ava," he growled. "This connection between us, it goes beyond anything you've ever known. You're mine, and I won't let anyone take you away from me."
I felt a surge of anger rise within me, fueling my determination. "I am not a possession," I snapped back, my voice sharp. "You can't just barge into my life and dictate what I should do or who I should be. You don't even know me."
The world seemed to grind to a halt as the stranger's fingers wrapped around my wrist, an icy shiver snaking through my veins. His grip was tight and unyielding, a stark contrast to his smooth, almost velvety touch. His muscles rippled under his skin, a chilling reminder of the power he held, the dominance he exuded.
"Hey!" Jake's voice echoed through the dense forest, slicing through the tense silence. His usually calm, warm eyes were ablaze with a mix of fear and anger. He lunged forward, but the man was faster, stronger.
With a swift flick of his other hand, Jake was thrown backward as if he were nothing more than a rag doll. I barely had time to process what had happened. Jake hurled through the air by an unseen force. The man oozed terror, a terrifying realization that sent a fresh wave of fear washing over me.
The forest echoed with the thud of Jake's body hitting the ground, the underbrush rustling violently under the sudden impact. He vanished into the shadows, swallowed by the back of the forest, leaving me alone with the stranger.
"Let me go," I managed to whisper, my voice trembling as much as my body. His grip tightened, and I winced, biting my lip to stifle a whimper.
"You don't understand," he said, his voice a low, deadly whisper. There was a certain finality in his tone, a certainty that caused my heart to skip a beat. "You're mine. The Moon Goddess chose you for me, and me for you."
His words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. He believed in what he was saying, in this predestined bond he claimed we shared. His gaze drilled into me, a relentless storm of possessiveness and determination. I was his mate, he declared. I belonged to him and only him.
Fear coiled tighter within me, threatening to consume me whole. But beneath that fear, a spark of courage flickered to life. I wasn't his possession, his trophy. I was Ava, a woman with a voice, a will of her own.
"I... I don't belong to anyone," I retorted, swallowing hard. I could feel my heart hammering against my chest, a frantic, wild rhythm that echoed my inner turmoil.
The man's eyes darkened, his grip on my wrist becoming even more suffocating. His power simmered in the air, a tangible force that sent my senses into overdrive. But I stood my ground, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as I could muster.
"You're wrong, Ava. You belong to me, just as I belong to you," he said, his voice raw with conviction. "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. She chose us for each other."
His words washed over me, leaving me drenched in a mixture of fear and confusion. I didn't know this man, didn't understand this bond he spoke of. But I knew I wasn't ready to give up my freedom, my choice.
"I don't even know you," I said, pushing back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. "I don't believe in this... Besides, I already have a mate"
For a moment, he looked taken aback. But his surprise quickly melted into a cold, hard resolve.
I felt his grip loosen around my wrist, and before I could fully process what was happening, he transformed into a magnificent wolf right before my eyes. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying. His transformation was swift and fluid, as if he had done it a thousand times before. The wolf's fur glistened under the moonlight, its eyes piercing and wild. With a powerful leap, he bounded away into the night, leaving me standing there, stunned and breathless.
My heart raced in my chest, thudding against my ribcage like a panicked bird trapped in a cage. The adrenaline surged through my veins, leaving me feeling lightheaded and disoriented. I struggled to regain my senses, my mind racing to catch up with what had just happened.
As my breathing gradually steadied, I fought to calm the chaos within me. I needed to gather my thoughts, to make sense of this inexplicable turn of events. My mind raced through a whirlwind of questions. Who was this man? Jayden was my mate so how could you appear out of no where and claim me.
I took a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs, and made my way towards the spot where he had disappeared. With each step, the forest seemed to close in around me, the trees whispering secrets I could not decipher. Leaves rustled under my feet, and the haunting hoots of an owl echoed through the darkness. The world felt different now, as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a hidden realm of wonders and mysteries.
I pushed forward, my determination overriding any fear or doubt that threatened to consume me. The path ahead was illuminated by the pale glow of the moon, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. I followed the faint traces left by the wolf's pawprints, my senses heightened to every sound and movement around me.
Minutes turned into hours as I ventured deeper into the heart of the forest. The night stretched on, and a sense of unease settled over me. The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant howl of a wolf.
How far did the man push him?
Finally, I caught a glimpse of movement up ahead—a flash of fur, a glint of moonlight on eyes. My heart leaped in my chest as I quickened my pace, my legs propelling me forward with renewed determination. The forest seemed to come alive, whispering secrets in a language only nature understood.
And then, there he was—Jake, or what remained of him, lying on the ground in a crumpled heap. My breath caught in my throat as I rushed to his side, my hands trembling as I reached out to touch his motionless form. His fur was matted with dirt and blood, his eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber. But I knew better. This was no ordinary sleep.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered his name, "J-jake"
What has he done to him?"