ItremblewithrageasI glare at the massive red bore in disbelief.
He is such a rude prick!
Here I am, doing something I’ve never done before—opening up, being vulnerable, admitting that Ilikehim—and for what? To be rejected? No, worse—ignored.
The fury in my chest boils over, searing my veins like lava. Just like with my father, just like every time I’ve let my guard down—when I finally let myself care about someone, reach out,feelsomething, anything—they turn away.
I’m fucking sick of it!
“Put me down, you asshole!” I shout, my voice trembling with raw emotion as I push against his rock-hard chest, scootingforward. His massive hand hesitates for just a moment before lowering me gently to the ground.
It only heightens my anger—that he lets go so easily. Of course. So quick to drop me, so quick to cast me aside.
I glare up at him through clenched teeth. Dracoth, in typical fashion, stands there like a giant red statue—no anger, no shock, no concern.
Nothing.
He doesn’t care; he never did. He just wants to use me. That’s fine. I was going to use him too, but I made the mistake of liking him. Stupid. So fucking stupid.
But this—thisis his fault! He did this to me, with that strange heat he radiates, which I crave. Luring me in like a drug addict. But no more. I hate him—hate his stupid, cold, unreadable expression. I wish I could hurt him, but I tried that before in the shower. Physically, he’s untouchable, indestructible. The only way to wound him is with words, and I know exactly what he is underneath all that size and muscle—a scared little boy.
“You know what you are, Dracoth?” I spit, every word dripping with venom. “A scared littlebitch.” My voice rises, my chest heaving with fury. “You’re not man enough for someone like me.”
I step closer, fists clenched tight at my sides. “You think you’re so tough? All those big muscles and scary attitude. But you’re just frightened. You think you hide it so well, but I saw it, before the bond. You can’t hide who you are from me.”
Dracoth’s crimson eyes flash for just a moment, but he says nothing. He just stands there, as silent and unmoving as a mountain, unflinching under my attack. His complete lack of reaction only fans the flames of my rage.
I hate him so much!
“Nothing to say?” I scoff, jabbing a finger into his immense chest. “Just going to stand there like the giant fuckingboreyou are?”
Through the bond, I feel the faintest flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps—a tiny ripple of emotion, barely a reflection of the seething rage that’s consuming me. It’sinfuriating!
Dracoth turns without a word, his massive clown feet sinking deep into the soft orange moss with each heavy step. He stoops, calmly gathering fallen branches and twigs, completely ignoring me. I watch, stunned, my mouth working soundlessly, wondering if I’ve somehow faded out of reality. The rage swirling inside me sharpens, turning dangerous as my mind races, sifting through everything—anything—that I could use as a weapon to hurt him.
And then something comes to mind.
I smirk, feeling the dangerous thrill of it course through me. I don’t care what happens anymore, swallowed whole, carried away by my rage. It’s intoxicating and cathartic!
“My ex-boyfriends were real men. They knew how to treat a woman—they weren’t weak like you!”
The words echo through the darkening forest, and for the briefest moment, Dracoth freezes. I can see it—just the smallest flicker of recognition as his shoulders tense. But then, as if nothing happened, he resumes picking up wood, his back still to me.
Coward.
My heart slams against my chest, adrenaline shaking me with raw, unrestrained rage.I almost had him!He almost acknowledged me—almost cracked.
“Oops,” I say with fake innocence, covering my mouth in mock regret. “I wasn’t supposed to mention my exes, was I?” I let out a bitter, mocking laugh that reverberates through the towering trees like a wailing banshee. “Silly me! I guess now you’ll berushing off to... what was it you said?” I pause, tapping a finger to my chin in false forgetfulness. “Oh, right. Skin them alive, was it?” I shake my head with a loud sigh. “But that was another one of your lies, wasn’t it? Just like all thatbullshitabout you being the War Chieftain.”
My fury blazes like molten mercury through the bond, and despite his continued inaction, I sense his rage simmering in that strange realm that links us. The realization sends a rush of manic laughter spilling from my lips—mocking, cruel, scorching the cool air.
“How odd. I remember in the shower, you said I reeked of lies.” I wave a lazy hand over my nose. “But you? You’re rotten with them. A liar and a hypocrite. How lovely.” The words slice through the air, sharp and venomous, but deep inside, I sense that I’ve pushed him to the edge. He’s close—so close to snapping.
And a dangerous idea flashes through my mind—the last twist to drive the knife into his stony heart. This might get me killed, but strangely, I don’t care. It only excites me more.
“What’s wrong?” I sneer, my breath coming in fast, heaving gasps. “Didn’tMommyandDaddyteach you any better?”
The words hang in the air, heavy as a hangman’s noose, tightening with each passing second.
