CHAPTER FIFTEEN: ATTITUDE CHANGE part 3

[©Lynnifer Ice – January 12, 2023]

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       "Fucking hell…," Xinith groaned, "I take it back…," he continued before lifting his head just enough to look at me. "That DID actually hurt. No wonder you were able to fuck up that werewolf." He dryly laughed as he straightened his back into a crouching position, leaning back against the door, still clutching his abdomen, "I applaud you for actually landing a blow on me. I don't recall the last time I met a human that could do that."

      "Well, YOU should learn not to try my patience," my lips thinned in a straight line, my arms in a defensive position in front of my chest in case he decided to strike back.

       "Is that so?" Xinith sloped his head to the side in amusement before an evil glint traversed his features, and I observed his eyes turn from their dark blue hue to silver.

       Oh shit.

       I started to back up in alarm, my eyes growing vast and my muscles tensing. My fight-or-flight instincts started to pump adrenaline through my veins. I realized too late that I indeed fucked up. Demons were in a completely different class than werewolves; at least, that was what I had read about in old urban legends.

       "Well, let me Remind you that YOU shouldn't test ME. The last human to land a hit on me, didn't live to tell the tale," his voice deepened, sending nervous shivers down my spine. He stood with a half groan, half growl, his eyes honed in on me. "It may be only less than 48 hours since we met, but you have troubled me over and over again. I have shown the utmost restraint and patience with you, but my patience has worn thin. I said I would not touch you intimately until you were ready, and I'll uphold my word, but you obviously need to learn to respect your partner and not let other males touch even a hair on your head," he bickered on as he took slow but powerful strides toward me.

       Why the hell should it matter if other guys have contact with me if we're just friends? It's not like I'm sleeping around with any guy I meet… Possessive much?

       "You are NOT my partner! I haven't even remotely agreed to that! Now stop moving toward me!" I shouted, although my voice lacked commitment and courage.

       I kept backing up until I bumped into a dresser, only causing my heart to race. Xinith looked like he didn't have any good intentions as he continued his advance. I frantically looked for something to arm myself with, but I couldn't find anything suitable; alas, it was too late. He stood in front of me, nostrils flaring, a small inferno burning in his silver gaze.

       "Your future is intertwined with mine, whether you agree or not," he breathed down my neck as I turned my head, my eyes shutting tightly. I felt him harshly grab my chin, turning my face back toward him. "Open your eyes, right this instant," he ordered without resolution.

       Why did I have to be so impulsive? I must be an idiot to pick a fight with a demon. Then again, I was whimsical enough to fight a werewolf, as much as I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around that. Still, this guy keeps overstepping boundaries!

       "No way," I defiantly replied while physically trembling. I was scared he was actually going to hurt me this time, even though before, I thought he might not because of some stupid superstition. Where had my courage gone? Apparently, it fled the moment I nailed him.

       "You want to do this the hard way then? Fine," he growled, his body pressing against mine as my hands grasped the edges of the dresser. "Open. Your. Eyes," he breathed each and every syllable against my skin in a command that felt unnaturally natural to me and I found my muscles reacting to his command despite my internal protest.

       My bottom lip quivered as his silver eyes searched my now open ones, as if he were trying to search for buried treasures or something more. The heat of his body against mine did not help in calming me whatsoever. My nerves only unraveled more as he pushed a knee between my legs, separating my thighs apart from each other. My breath got caught in my throat, my body going rigid in his hold as I felt him tear the shirt at my left shoulder, exposing the skin beneath it. I felt a scream die in my throat, unable to find a way out.

       "A temporary mark will help teach you obedience," his eyes left mine to trail down my neck to my exposed shoulder. "The vamps and mutts leave their marks in the crook of the neck and shoulder, but demons do elsewhere. Just an inch or two from the edge of your shoulder, I'll leave the temporary impression because our actual mating marks are made intimately, a mark showing up on your skin depending on your heart's stance."

       Did I hear him right? MARK ME?! No! No way in hell! I don't want this! I didn't sign up for this shit!!!

        I felt my mouth go dry as I witnessed his canines protrude much longer than normal; the length was similar to a vampire in books but not as sharp looking and definitely not like a wolf's either, at least what's shown in illustrated books. I wanted to move, to get away, but it was like invisible chains were holding me down, preventing me from moving at all without his physical guidance. I could feel a cold sweat breaking out against my backside.

       "Xi-Xinith," I whimpered like a coward, any trace of bravery completely neutralized, "S-stop, please." I desperately tried in vain to move my body, but my limbs refused to listen to me, as if they would listen to him only.

       "Alex, don't you know begging only entices me further?" He replied, placing a lingering peck on my collarbone and then to my shoulder. "If you had just behaved, I wouldn't have to go to this extreme, but words just aren't enough to get through to you," he drawled against the skin on my shoulder.

       Come on, Alex! Get a grip! Move! MOVE!

- End of Chapter Fifteen -