Chapter 16: Something Unexpected

Natasha's POV

"I'm not going to go inside and greet my brother anymore, it's already getting really late," Elyse said.

I just nodded at her.

Just like what Elyse said, it's already getting late. When I thought we were going home after shopping for clothes, I was wrong. Elyse would drag me to another boutique and another and another that I lost count of how many boutiques we went to anymore. We would also go to different expensive shops and restaurants that we didn't notice the time.

It was already dark outside when we went out of the mall.

We were both so tired after but I can say that it was worth it. It's the first time I did something like what we did back in the mall, and I really enjoyed Elyse's company, and I'm confident to say that she enjoyed my company too. She may be didn't tell me directly and verbally- she showed me; which is far better than saying it.

It's like I have a new best friend of all of a sudden. It's like she's a replacement for Sayna while I'm here.

If only I'm here because of another reason. . .

If only we have met in a different circumstance.

"Bye." Elyse gave me a peck on the cheek.

"Drive safe," I said as I waved at her and I opened the door of her car.

I smiled at her for the last time before I went out of her car holding all the paper bags containing everything she bought for me. I even had a hard time trying to carry every paper bag because there are just a ton of them.

I stood there and watched her drive off before I went inside the house.

A cold feeling washed over me the moment I set foot inside.

I don't know if it's because it's dark and silent or because of the fact that I know Valerian is here.

"Natasha."

I halted.

Hearing the cold voice of Valerian call my name made me shiver.

I guess I will never get used to it and he will always scare me in some way because I'm aware of how dangerous he is.

I saw him standing at the foot of the staircase and even though it was dark I can see him looking at me sternly.

I sucked on my lower lip.

Fuck.

Seeing him looking at me like that- I don't know what to do.

"Come here." Valerian's baritone voice filled the silence.

With my heart thumping inside my chest, I started walking toward him.

Shit.

It's like I'm a kid who got caught going home late at night and is now being scolded.

I stopped right in front of him.

"Where have you been?" Valerian questioned.

I creased my forehead because of his question. "I was out with Elyse," I answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

Valerian glanced behind me. "I don't see Elyse."

"Yeah, she went home already because it's already late," I told him.

Valerian raised an eyebrow at me. "You're aware that it's late, huh."

He gazed at me from head to toe and then head again and his gaze suddenly fell on my chest.

I swallowed.

He wasn't even trying to be subtle about it!

What the hell is he doing?

I cleared my throat breaking Valerian's stare at my chest.

He looked at me with cold eyes.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

I creased my forehead at his question.

He already asked me that, why is he asking again?

"I told you I was out with Elyse," I answered, however.

Valerian didn't say anything.

I stiffed on my spot when I felt his hand on my chin as he made me look straight at him.

"I don't want you near anyone," he spoke.

I swallowed.

"Not even Elyse?" I asked, hoping to ease the tension that is rising between us.

"I'm not playing around with you, Natasha." His voice came out cold and it made me nervous.

"I don't know anyone here except you and Elyse," I told him. "And besides, why can't I be with other people? Even though you held me captive here, I'm still entitled to my own freedom and decisions."

"I--" He paused. His eyes darkened.

My heart started rapidly beating inside my chest when I felt Valerian's hand tighten as he held my jaw.

"I don't want you near any man," he said, his voice is as firm as his hand on my jaw.

Fuck.

"Do you understand?" Valerian whispered.

I glared at him. "What is your problem?"

I winced when he pinched my jaw.

Fuck.

I hold his hand and try to remove it but to no avail.

"I own you," Valerian said while looking straight into my eyes.

"You don't own me," I said with gritted teeth.

I saw how Valerian's jaw clenched upon hearing what I said.

"You come to me and put yourself into this. This is all your doing." Valerian's hand keeps tightening around my jaw as every word comes out of his mouth.

"I own you and you will do everything I'm going to say, woman."

I winced at his grip. "Y-you're hurting me."

Saying those words is like a cue for Valerian. He finally let go of me but his eyes are never leaving me.

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.

I'm so mad right now not just because of all the ridiculous shit he's saying right now but at the fact that he really hurt me.

I took a step backward.

"I'm going to say it again and again. I didn't do anything for us to be mates," I said as I glared at him. "And, you don't fucking own me, Fenrir."

I gasped when Valerian ran to me using his speed and hold my neck.

"Say it again."

I swallowed and made sure I'm looking straight into his eyes.

"You don't own--"

He pushed me to the wall making me gasp so hard when my back hit the hard wall.

Fucking Valerian Fenrir.

Valerian transferred his hand from my neck to my jaw.

Shit shit shit.

I'm so going to kill him.

"Say it again and you're dead," he threatened.

I balled my fist as I looked at him.

My teeth are already starting to hurt at how hard I grit them but I can't find any way to put my anger to.

Even though I'm so mad at Valerian, I chose not to speak because I know it's the right thing to do right now.

His threats might be not just a threat considering that he actually hurt me.

"Good girl," Valerian spoke, amusement is rising in his voice.

Hearing him sound amused made my blood boil in anger.

"Fuck you!" I shrieked.

Valerian hardly clenched my jaw hurting me once again.

I could just close my eyes at the pain he gave me.

"Language," he whispered.

"No! Fuck you! Let me go you fucking bastard!"

My lips parted upon seeing Valerian's eyes turned bloody red.

What the fuck?

"Natasha," he called my name. His tone is warning me. "Stop cursing."

I know he said that I should obey him but fuck that, I don't see any reason to do that.

And me cursing is the least of what we should be discussing right now and should be the least of my concern.

His eyes just fucking turned red!

I could almost hear my heart hammering inside my chest upon seeing what just happened.

What the fuck?!

I have no idea what exactly happened but one thing is for sure: Valerian's eyes turning red means nothing but danger.

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm so scared for my life right now that I could not even move or at least lift a single finger.

Valerian got angry before but something like this never happened.

If he's scary with his normal look, he's more than scary with his eyes literally turning red.

Fuck.

I just want to get away from this hell.

Please.

"L-let me go," I managed to say.

"I'll let you go when I decided to," he whispered.

His voice may be low but it's more than enough to make my knees wobble.

"I own you," he repeated. "You made yourself my mate, you should act like it."

"Submit yourself to me, Natasha."

I looked at him unbelievably.

"You're sick, you bastard!" I hissed.

I was completely taken aback when I saw him move his hand.

I could just close my eyes as I expect pain.

Valerian is really cruel and would not hesitate to hurt me

But, I was more than shocked when instead of pain, I felt his lips crash into mine.

Oh fuck.

I'm rooted in my spot completely flabbergasted.

This is far different from what I expected him to do.

I thought he's going to hit me. . .

His lips are pressed into mine, and I could feel how soft his lips are but it's like I could hardly process anything as my mind went static.

"Cleaned your lips." I heard Valerian whisper as he broke off the kiss.