Chapter 9- Why Aren't You Ready Yet
AVA ~~
"I swear on my dead parents," I cried out, my voice trembling as my knees weakened under me. "I wasn't spying on you, sir. I swear with everything I have left in this world."
My head was still bowed, my forehead nearly touching the cold floor. I was shaking so badly I could barely breathe.
There was a heavy silence after my words… but then he spoke.
"It's shameful," he said coldly. "For your parents to be dead, and you swearing with their names like it means anything. The way you behave, I doubt they're even resting in peace."
His words cut through me.
Pain rose in my throat and pressed behind my eyes.
How could he say that?
He didn't know them. He didn't know me.
He had no idea how much I'd lost.
And now… he was dragging their names through the dirt as if they were nothing.
I bit my tongue so hard I almost tasted blood.
I didn't want to scream. I didn't want to break.
But Goddess, it hurt.
Still, I didn't say a word. I couldn't.
Then his voice rang again.
"How should I deal with you?"
My head stayed low, and my body stiffened.
He chuckled.
"Tell me. I want suggestions. Since you're already in this much trouble, you might as well help me decide your punishment."
My heart stopped.
What does he want me to say?
Yes sir, please torture me? Beat me? Lock me in chains?
I was already choking on my fear. There was no way I could speak something like that.
I swallowed hard, and tears spilled down my cheeks.
"Please…" I whispered, shaking like a leaf in the storm. "Please forgive me. I promise, I swear—it won't ever happen again. It was a mistake. I was scared and rushed back without thinking. Please… let me go. I still need to meet the Alpha."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
I blinked.
"Why should I forgive you?" he asked again. "Give me one good reason."
I had none.
I was frozen in place, hands clasped together, knees sore from the cold floor. My whole body trembled from fear of what his decision might be.
"Do you even know the punishment," he said slowly, like he was tasting each word, "for walking in on someone important, naked, twice—without knocking?"
I shook my head quickly, terrified.
He gave me a cruel smirk.
"It's simple," he said. "We cut off your fingers. One at a time. The same fingers you refused to use to knock on my door."
I gasped loudly, clutching my hands like someone had already brought the knife out.
"No… no, please," I whimpered, my voice breaking. "My hands… my body… it's the only thing I have left. Please don't…"
I fell on my knees again, properly this time, chest on the floor as I begged him with everything inside me.
"Sir, please! Forgive me! I'm so sorry! I swear I'll never, ever make that mistake again. Please don't hurt me. Don't take my fingers. I'll do anything. I'll be careful. I'll knock a thousand times if you want. Just don't…"
But it was like he didn't even hear me. Like my voice didn't matter. Like my fear was entertainment to him.
"LOOK at me!" he snapped suddenly, his voice thunderous.
I froze.
"I said, look at me this very instant!"
I lifted my head, slow and shaky, and—
There it was.
His Dick—still hanging there.
Why on earth wouldn't he put something on?
A towel? A cloth? Anything?
I quickly turned my eyes away, mortified. My cheeks burned like fire.
Goddess, help me.
The man had the audacity to look like a carved god in the middle of my breakdown.
His muscles. His body. His—
No. I forced myself to focus.
I took a deep breath and finally dared to look into his eyes.
"You have two options, whoever you are—because frankly, I'm not interested in learning your name."
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Either I take you to the pack chamber right now and report you for spying on me…"
My heart dropped.
"…or you apologize to me—in my own way."
My mind stopped working.
Everything in my head froze.
"Apologize… in my own way."
What does that even mean?
No… No, please… he doesn't mean that, does he?
Does he want me to—?
No. Ava, stop. Maybe you're just overthinking. Maybe he doesn't mean it like that.
But the way he looked at me… the tone of his voice… the slow, dangerous smile on his face…
It didn't feel innocent at all.
My voice cracked as I spoke.
"P-please… what way?" I asked, barely able to look at him. My eyes were red and sore. My lips trembled.
"Just… just let me go. Please," I begged. "Let me leave. I'll never come back here again. I'll knock a million times next time, I swear—just let me go."
But he only smirked.
"I'm not letting you go," he said slowly, calmly. "And you'll find out what I mean… very soon."
He began walking toward me.
Still naked.
My heart jumped into my throat.
I panicked. I stood up quickly, nearly tripping on my own feet, and started walking backwards. My legs were trembling.
With every step I took back… he took two steps forward.
No.
No, no, no.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening.
My back suddenly hit the door.
I reached behind me, fumbled with the handle
I couldn't open it. Why is it suddenly so hard go open?
No.
I was trapped.
My breathing quickened. Tears pooled again in my eyes.
"Please… Moon Goddess… not like this," I whispered under my breath, but it felt like my prayers were going nowhere.
He finally reached me.
His bare chest was right in front of my face.
He smelled so good.
His wet hair hung over his forehead, messy and wild, still dripping a little.
And Goddess…
His lips.
They were a soft pink, full and inviting, and completely at odds with how threatening he was.
His body…
His whole form looked like it had been sculpted from desire itself.
And I hated that I noticed.
My heart pounded so loud in my chest, I was sure he could hear it.
He leaned in, his face now inches from mine.
His eyes locked onto mine, intense, unreadable.
"So…" he whispered. "Are you ready to pay… in kind?"
I couldn't speak.
I didn't want to "pay" anything.
All I wanted was to get away. To run back to the tiny room I was assigned and never come out again until someone gave me an actual job far, far away from him.
He leaned even closer, and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself.
Is he going to kiss me? Is that what this is?
But instead…
His mouth moved—
Not to my lips—
But to my ear.
His lips brushed against my skin. His warm breath made my whole body freeze up.
He whispered, low and slow, so close that I felt every word like a spark on my skin:
"What am I going to do with you… little spy?"
My eyes squeezed tighter.
His voice was dirty and teasing.
I didn't know what was happening to me.
His voice was doing something to my body I didn't understand.
A soft moan slipped from my lips—before I could stop it.
Oh no. Oh no no no.
Why did that happen?
I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.
He pulled back slowly, his eyes now on my lips.
His mouth hovered just an inch from mine.
So close I could taste his breath.
My heart was slamming into my ribs, and I couldn't breathe—
And then—
BAM!
The door BURST open.
"Why aren't you ready yet?"