Chapter 13

Rae

When I saw Von, my chest tightened, and every nerve in my body screamed at me to run.

Without thinking, I turned to flee, but his strides were longer and faster, and in no time, he caught up to me.

His hand gripped my arm tightly, and I froze, too angry and too afraid to fight.

“You had me worried.” He said in a firm voice. “I don’t want you wandering off ever again. Do you not understand that you’re mine now? My breeder.”

His words ignited a fire in me, and I laughed bitterly, shaking my head.

“I will never be what you want, Von,” I said. “Never.”

His eyes darkened, and a cold smile played on his lips. “After what happened yesterday,” he said, in a stern voice, “you already are.”

My breath hitched. The audacity of his words made my blood boil.

“How can you talk about yesterday so casually?” I hissed, glaring at him. “After what you did to me?”

For a moment, just a fleeting second, I see something flicker across his face—regret? Pain? But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual hardened expression.

“You killed me yesterday, Von,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “You destroyed the person I was.”

I turned to walk away. I couldn’t bear looking at him for a second longer, but Von stepped in front of me, blocking my path. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to apologize.

His expression softened, almost looking compassionate. But then, just as quickly, it hardened again.

“I want you to head back to our room and get dressed,” he said coldly. “You’re coming with me.”

I yanked my arm free from his grip.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snapped, turning on my heel.

“You have no right to decide what you want.” He yelled, walking behind me.

“I do.” I increased my steps, marching back to the room.

The minute I stepped inside, slammed the door behind me. My hands trembled as I locked it, the sound of the bolt sliding into place giving me a false sense of security.

I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath, but then I heard the sound of Von’s footsteps.

“Open the door,” Von commanded.

I didn’t respond. My silence only seemed to anger him further. He started banging on the door continuously.

“Rae, open the door!” he shouted, his voice growing louder at each passing second.

When I didn’t respond, the banging grew louder and more violent. I heard him slamming his body against the door.

“I’m going to make you regret doing this.” He screamed, and I felt my heartbeat increase in my chest.

The sound of his body hitting the door continued, and then suddenly there was a pause.

For a moment, I thought he had given up, but then I heard him bark orders to his guards. I got even more scared as I heard multiple footsteps approaching. They were going to break the door down.

I backed away, pressing myself against the far corner of the room. Moments later, the door crashed open.

Von stepped inside, his guards trailing behind him. He turned to face them after shooting me a glare.

“You can leave!” He ordered. They bowed their head, obeying his orders.

The room felt suffocating with just the two of us. Von turned to look at me after the guards had left.

“Have you lost your mind?” he asked.

“You pushed me into this!” I spat. “You made me like this. And I’m not going to stop doing whatever I want.”

He narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening. “I see what you’re trying to do,” he said, his voice filled with frustration. “You’re trying to provoke me, to frustrate me.”

“You’re smarter than I thought,” I replied sharply.

He stepped closer, his body towering over me. “You can do whatever you want,” he said, in a voice that made my skin crawl. “But nothing changes the fact that you will bear me an heir. Whether you like it or not.”

My stomach twisted at his words, but I refused to let him see my fear.

“Get dressed,” he said again, this time with finality. “You’re coming with me.”

I glared at him, but I knew better than to argue further.

Von took a seat on one on the edge of the bed, and I realized he was not going to leave until I complied.

I walked to the wardrobe, my hands shaking as I pulled out a dress that happened to be one of Calister's. His eyes followed my every move, and the weight of his gaze felt like a chain around my neck.

I retreated to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me but leaving it unlocked. I dressed quickly, trying to calm my breathing. When I stepped out, Von was still there, waiting.

Together, we made our way downstairs. He led me to the car, and when we reached the vehicle, he opened the door and motioned for me to get in.

The drive was silent and after what felt like forever we finally arrived in front of a little house covered with roses.

The moment the car parked, Von leaned forward.

“You are to stay in the car,” he said. “You are not to leave. Do you understand?”

I didn’t respond, but my silence seemed to satisfy him. He slammed the door shut and spoke briefly to the driver before walking away, his tall frame disappearing into the building.

As soon as he was gone, I decided that I was not going to sit here, feeling trapped like a prisoner.

So, I pushed the car door open and stepped out.

“Miss!” the driver called after me in a panicked tone. “You’re not supposed to leave the car!”

I ignored him, quickening my pace as I moved toward the building. My heart raced as I slipped inside.

Von spotted me almost immediately. His eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in anger. His expression said it all—I’d just crossed a line I couldn’t come back from.