chapter 6

Felza's POV

For a moment I paused and all I could think of was to take a breath. I stood within the confines of the mansion and my gaze darted to Rhys's men who had cold expressions on their faces. 'Trying to get past these men is going to be a waste of time,’ I thought to myself and voluntarily returned back into the house.

I tried to stay calm and allowed my mind work its wonder. “What if Victoria was right and my stiffness and reluctance puts me in a lot of mess in the nearest future? What if my clan and people were forever captured and their lands and spoils forever transcended to the hands of Rhys and his allies and the end of my root is me?”

“what if I could build an alliance with Victoria and manage to convince my father to take a chunk of his time to plot with the valiant warriors left in our clan and secure a tight and fortified front for us to hold Rhys's allies and himself hostage or possibly ambush them. Because in the long run the people dear to me and all the glory of the land I grew up in would be to no avail,” I thought. 

I was lost in my thoughts and I couldn’t hear hear when my door knob was squeezed. It was Rhys.  

Instantaneously I felt so uncomfortable and bitter. 

The tension in the room  suffocated me and his presence made me sick.  

“Creek!” the door to my room cracked open and a figure materialized after a while. “Victoria.”

Victoria stood close by, worry I couldn't decipher the reason behind was etched on her face but my gaze traveled to Rhys who had just stepped into the room,his presence like a black storm cloud just waiting to release its wrath. Though I felt a quiver of terror deep inside, I tried not to show it.

"I'm not backing down, Rhys," I said with a steady voice my heart shaking.

"You don't own me; you may have forced this bond."The wicked glitter in Rhys's eyes gleamed. "You're testing my patience, Felza," he said, his voice low and hostile. “You have no idea what you're up against.” I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders.

"I know exactly what I'm dealing with," I shot back. "A nasty, callous Alpha believing he can influence all around him. But I won't be among your puppets, Rhys."

The room went into a heavy hush, the air loaded with unspoken threats. Then Rhys's lips gently curved into a chilly, vicious smile that sent shivers down my spine.

 

"You think you're strong, don't you?" he said, stepping in closer. "You believe you could confront me? Let me show you what actual power looks like. Rhys moved before my reaction could start. His hand rushed out and gripped my arm with such tightness it felt as though my bones would break. He bent in close, his breath sharp and hot against my flesh. "You belong to me now, Felza," his venomous voice growled.  “And I find disobedience unacceptable.”

As my wolf moved, a growl rumbled deep inside me, her presence became more prominent. She was prepared to fight and shield us from this monster. Rhys, however, was more seasoned, stronger, and I knew I couldn't bring him down alone. All these while, Victoria stood and watched the drama unfold before her. She made no attempt to help me and I guess she did that do I could have a taste of what I wss bargaining for.

"Let go of me, Rhys," I begged, struggling to release his tight grip.

He simply tightened his hold, his eyes ablaze with rage. "Or what?" he insisted. “Felza, what are you going to do? challenge me? you are nothing compared to me.” He said with contempt.

 

My wolf drove harder into the surface, her bravery and will coursed through me. I looked back at Rhys, not backtracking. Though my voice trembled somewhat, I answered, "I'm not afraid of you."

Rhys's grin grew wider, his hold slack enough to propel me backward. I staggered, hardly catching myself before I dropped. He stared me coldly, his eyes glittering with something terrible. "You should be," he said, his voice a lethal whisper. "You ought to be rather terrified."

Rhys surged at me without warning. His speed was astonishing; I hardly had time to respond. His nails tore across my side, like fire burning through me. I shouted out and dropped to the ground as blood leaked from the deep cut. The cut appeared like it would take a time before my wolf heals up with super healing abilities.

"Felza!" Victoria shrieked, running towards me. I gave her an angry stare. 'why was she concerned now?’ Rhys obstructed her path.

"Stay out of this, Victoria," he said, his voice loaded with lethal intent. "This falls between my wife and I." My wolf howled inside me, calling me to fight back, but my body was weak, shaking from the shock of the attack. I battled to clear my blurred vision from the pain.

Rhys stood above me, his satisfied-looking eyes shimmering "See Felza?” He asked. “You defying me results in this. You suffer." He spat disdainfully. Still, I refused to back down even as I laid there, injured and vulnerable. My gritted teeth let me say, "You... you're a monster." Rhys laughed—a sound harsh and contemptuous. “And you're a fool if you thought you could ever flee me." He added and I gnashed my teeth, trying to endure the pain. 

I sensed my wolf howl once more,  more ferociously this time; her presence gave me strength. I would forbid him from winning. Not as desired. Driven by a rush of will, I pushed myself—the agony nearly intolerable.

"I'm not... afraid of you," I said, but my voice trembled. "You can damage me, but you won't break me." Rhys's face turned emotionless and for a moment I paused to contemplate the reason and the consequences. I was already hurt and this was very strange. “Yes I knew he was ruthless but to the point of striking me? No way” I muttered. 

A strong, commanding voice sliced through the tension before he could act. " That's enough!"  We all turned in unison to face an elderly man who exuded a chilly aura and seemed more confident than anyone I had ever stumbled on since birth.  He had a domineering presence and his face was marked with the wisdom of many fights. He entered the room looking directly at Rhys.

"Father," Rhys murmured, his voice combining irritation with reverence. "This has nothing to do with you."

"It became my concern the moment you attacked your mate," the older man, Rhys's father answered sharply. "You have gone too far, Rhys."

The older Alpha turned to me, his eyes softening just slightly. "Felza, you should see a doctor. Come, we will get you assistance.”

I hesitated, then looked at Rhys. His face was burning with bitterness and pure rage. 

I spat in disgust and anguish as his father led me out of the room, sparing the monster no glance.

“Get lost!” He yelled at Victoria and she gave him a deadly glint before leaving the room.