Darren began to lead me through the house. I didn’t like this. Not one fucking bit. I
didn’t like to have to rely on his guidance to maneuver me through the house to
God knew where. I fucking hated that he had once again forcefully increased my
vulnerability.
My fists tightened in his hold as he pressed me forward. My feet remained on
the tiled floor while I tried to focus on where he was leading me. Eventually, we
stopped, and Darren released my hands to pull the blindfold away. I blinked several
times to adjust to the light before my eyes to finally settled on my painting. I took
an immediate step away from it only to have my retreat blocked by the wall of a
man behind me.
“Tell me about this,” Darren ordered, his hand gesturing to my painting.
I folded my arms in a huff. “No thanks,” I said and turned to walk away, but his
hands wrapped around my arms and hauled me back to him.
“I wasn’t asking, Jaden,” he growled.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You should know by now that I am done caring about what you want.”
On a scowl, I quickly turned in his arms and shoved him away from me. I mostly
ended up pushing myself away, but he did take a small step back.
“Then maybe I should just be done caring about myself altogether!” I shouted at
him.
“Jaden,” he warned, those dark eyes threatening and domineering as he took a
step toward me. I couldn’t help but take one step back, my heart rate now spiking.
“Don’t!” I yelled, pointing my finger at him because that was the smart thing to
do. “Don’t push me on this, Darren. You might be ready for that can of worms, but
I’m not,” I argued, now pointing at the painting behind me.
“I disagree, which is exactly why I’m going to push you, princess,” he said
dangerously, taking another step. He was approaching me as if I was some kind of
wounded animal, ready to pounce at any second. And I was ready to flee.
“You know I’ll just push back,” I replied, eyeing him carefully.
“You’ll fight me for as long as you can, but you know how that ends.”
“Shut up,” I spat, my fists clenching at my sides. I could feel my knuckles going
white.
“You painted some dark shit, Jaden. Own up to it,” he said, his voice deadly calm
as he continued to slowly advance. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I felt
the adrenaline begin to course through my veins. Things were about to get very bad.
“Of course, it’s dark, you asshole! I’m surrounded by nothing but darkness!”
“I’m very aware of what surrounds you, Jaden. Maybe it’s time you stop fighting
it and start embracing it.”
“Oh, fucking A. You wanna pull this shit again?” I groaned.
“Watch your mouth,” he growled, and I felt myself shudder. “Open your eyes,
Jaden. That shit you painted, I see that shit in my head twenty-four-seven. You’re
becoming more and more like me every day … and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve
ever seen.”
“Shut the fuck up!” I screamed, my hands going to my ears to block out his
stupid words. Suddenly, I felt his hand tangle with my hair and yank. A sharp pain
shot through my scalp as my head was forced back to look up at Darren, his other
hand wrapped around my throat. Again.
“Cuss at me one more time, Jaden, and you’ll find my sympathy for your injuries
cease to exist,” he roared down at me. I felt myself flinch as I shrank a little, my
eyes closing to protect them from his piercing glare. “Eyes, princess, now,” he
demanded.
Forcing them open, I looked up as far away as I could, hoping to avoid his glare,
but it was impossible with his height. Dark ocean blue consumed me all over again,
sending wave after wave of ice down my body. My hands pressed up against his
hard chest as I felt my fear get the best of me. Untamable tears formed at the
corners of my eyes, and I fought with everything I had not to let them fall in front
of him.
“I’m nothing like you,” I nearly whispered, somehow finding my voice.
The smirk on his face made my gut twist in agony. Darren then released my
throat and bumped my nose with the tip of his finger. “Not yet … but you’re so
close. My little wolf has finally caught the scent of blood.”
I struggled against him, but it was so useless with his fingers still wrapped in my
hair. “Careful what you wish for, Darren,” I breathed, watching as his brows
furrowed.
“Who do you belong to, Jaden?” he asked sharply, those eyes piercing and harsh.
“You,” I spat in disgust.
“Goddamn right,” he replied and kissed me.
The moment his lips met mine, my body ignited as if someone lit a match over
an oil spill. Hot blood rushed through my veins, heating every
