CHAPTER 6: BOUND BY TENSION

"What is so special about her?" Summer snarled, hoping to hear more about the so-called Jessica because she felt her action earlier simply meant that she was related to a higher authority.

"She is one of the council members' daughters," Hilda replied cautiously, not ready to get on her toes, although she was happy Summer was talking to her calmly.

Summer's lips drew back in a snarl. "Just that?" she questioned, wanting to get more information. She saw no reason why Jessica acted like a peacock when she didn't hold any high authority, and, as she saw it, a council member was not high authority to her.

"She likes the king too," Hilda added, earning a scowl from Summer, whose face was filled with irritation.

"Gross!" Summer spat, now understanding why Jessica acted that way. Maybe some lycans had told her about the special treatment she was getting in the palace, and that was what was pissing her off.

"She better stay in her lane and not cross mine to avoid a story that touches the heart because I don't give a damn," Summer muttered fearlessly, while Hilda said nothing. She only spoke when asked to, to avoid getting on Summer's nerves.

"I want to be left alone," Summer ordered, reminiscing about her turbulent thoughts before bumping into Jessica earlier.

Hilda raised her brows, confused, wondering what was going on in Summer's head. "But I was—" Summer cut her off before she could complete her statement.

"Just leave before I lose it!" Summer yelled, glaring at Hilda furiously, instilling fear in her.

"Fine! But please, I hope you don't want to do anything crazy this time around," Hilda pleaded with her but was met with a sharp glare that made her leave hastily.

"Finally, a breath of fresh air," Summer murmured and continued her journey to escape.

When she got to a secluded area in the garden, she calmed herself down, took a deep breath, and changed into her wolf form, ready to escape and cause trouble if possible.

As the transformation was completed, she felt the surge of power coursing through her, and with a swift motion, she sprinted off into the trees, eager to leave her worries behind and reclaim her lost freedom once more.

She had had enough of the hostage situation, and she couldn't keep up with it anymore or let her sister rule her pack. Guards were alerted when they saw her coming at speed; they all surrounded her, determined not to let her leave. Some of them were scared, while others knew it was her and were determined to capture her.

She launched at them and began scratching some with her claws, but no matter how hard she tried, they overpowered her when they all changed into their wolf forms. They lunged at her but tried not to harm her to avoid punishment from Dominic.

Exhausted and weak, it dawned on her that she wouldn't be able to defeat them all because of how strong and trained they were.

She passed out on the floor when one of them stabbed her with an injection that made her view blurry.

—

Summer's eyelids fluttered open, but she could barely see because her vision was blurred. She blinked repeatedly, trying to remember what happened and why she was back in her room.

After a few minutes of battling her blurred vision, all the memories of what happened rushed into her head, and she panicked as she recalled the last moments before she blacked out. The fear and confusion overwhelmed her.

The realization hit her: she was stuck with the Lycan king, unable to run away from this place or return to her pack. She had underestimated the guards; they were stronger and better trained than she was.

Her breaths came in short gasps, each one reminding her of being trapped here. She squeezed her eyes shut, reminiscing about the mess she had created again. Not that she felt guilty, but being defeated by the Lycans hurt her ego deeply and made her furious.

A shuffling sound drew her attention. She turned her head toward the direction of the sound and shivered slightly when she realized the Lycan king had been watching her all this time, an imposing figure in the dim light.

He stood there with folded arms, observing her every move as she fidgeted. But she quickly regained her confidence when she remembered she was stuck with him.

"Aren't you tired of trying to escape?" he demanded with a scowl. Sadness glinted in his eyes, but she couldn't see it. He wished she could remember everything and stop stressing him by doing this, but it seemed that wouldn't happen anytime soon, leaving both of them frustrated and on edge.

"Why can't you just let me go?" She groaned, glaring at him hatefully. She hated the fact that she had no freedom and couldn't do anything she wished because of this cold-looking man in front of her.

Dominic's scowl deepened as he stepped closer to her. She shifted back from him, and he sighed.

"How do you intend to leave here when you know you are not safe out there?" His voice was low, almost a growl. He was a bit annoyed by her stubbornness; she never listened to him but rather did what she chose.

"Why act like you care? I don't even know the damn reason why you brought me here. Nothing makes sense! Are you even working with Alan? Stop messing with my head!" Summer ranted, getting up from the bed abruptly.

She didn't care about his reasons anymore; all she wanted was her freedom, and he wasn't ready to release her.

"You are beginning to sound ungrateful. Have you forgotten that you almost got killed and I saved you? I brought you to my kingdom, and all you do is cause trouble," he thundered at her, a painful look lingering on his face, but Summer didn't care.

"I will create more trouble if you don't let me get out of here! Not that I asked you to come save me. Who knows if you plan to hurt me too?" She snapped harshly, folding her arms while pacing to and fro in the room.

He groaned tiredly, wondering if she was the same person he had fallen in love with years ago. Her reincarnation was a lot to handle, and he was trying his best, but she didn't understand him at all. He still wouldn't let her go, determined to make her fall in love with him once again.

"I don't even know what to say to you anymore," he muttered, about to leave her room, but her next words made him stand still.

"You are just like Alan, manipulative and controlling. I hate you both!" She roared, clenching her fists, anger coursing through her veins.

His eyes narrowed for a moment; the unexpected statement sent an electrifying jolt through his body, leaving him speechless.

"You think I enjoy doing this? Keeping you here against your will, huh?" He finally gained composure after staying silent for some minutes while Summer kept on hissing like she didn't just say something hurtful to him.

"Then let me go! Let me return to my pack!" She demanded, raising her voice at him.

"The so-called pack that wants you dead?" He snapped, not knowing what else to say to her that would make her change her mind.

Summer's heart raced at his words; memories of betrayal from her pack flashed through her mind.

"Why do you care so much? I don't even know you!" She blurted out furiously, ruffling her hair frustratedly.

Dominic took a step closer, He was already frustrated by her outburst. "You don't need to know me, maybe sooner or later. You will get to know why I am doing all this, but for now, just listen to me and stop being stubborn." He explained calmly, earning a scoff from her. She crossed her arms tighter against her chest.

"I don't even trust you! I just want to leave here. Is that too hard to ask for?" She wailed, and her nostrils flared up.

He ran his hands through his dark hair, his patience wearing thin. "No one asked you to," he uttered rudely, and she shot him a fierce glare.

"I hate you!" She screamed, feeling the urge to punch his pink lips, but she dared not try that. He already looked scary; who knows if he would kill her for real if she tried it?

That look came over his face again, which signified he was using the mind link. After a moment, he gave her a cold look. "Suit yourself." He muttered and stormed out of her room.

"I hate everything about him—his guts, arrogance, and coldness!" She screamed and began destroying everything in the room. Pushing her bed and the wardrobe that is built with glass, she pushed it down, and a loud sound filled the mansion.