"Disappointing, darling," I said, my voice barely masking the hurt I felt. Before she could react, I grabbed her by the arm and slammed her into the wall, pinning her there with my body. She struggled, trying to break free, and I was forced to pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. Her fists pounded against my back as I carried her to my room, her screams echoing through the halls.
My frustration reached a boiling point as I threw Erica onto the bed. She scrambled to get away, but there was no escape from me now. I grabbed her foot and pulled her back down the bed before jumping on top of her, my body pinning hers in place. The scent of her fear mixed with something else, desire. My wolf howled inside me, craving her submission.
"Please, Jasper," she cried out, genuine fear lacing her voice. "Don't do this." I hesitated, my breaths ragged. I knew that if I took her by force, I would lose her forever. A growl tore from my throat as I jumped off her, my fist colliding with the wall. Pain shot through my hand, but it was nothing compared to the agony in my heart.
"Can't you see?" I roared, turning to face her. "With me, you could have everything! If only you'd give yourself to me!" Her eyes were wide, and she scrambled up from the bed, making a beeline for the door. I moved quickly, stopping her in her tracks and pressing her back against the wall.
"Your fated mate was going to reject you because you can't shift," I reminded her, my voice low and dangerous. "He's been lying to you about his past, about why he's so desperate to complete your bond." Her lips quivered as she stared at me, tears pooling in her green eyes.
"Jasper..."
"Erica, with me, you wouldn't have to be afraid of being less than the queen you are," I whispered, searching for any sign of hope in her eyes. "I already love you the way you are." My heart raced as I forced my lips onto Erica's, kissing her passionately and pouring every ounce of emotion I had into it. I was desperate to show her how much I felt for her, how deeply she affected me. To my surprise and elation, she responded, her body melting against mine, her arms wrapping around me as she kissed me back with equal intensity. The heat of passion radiated from her, the need in both of us growing more urgent by the second. I could sense that she was on the edge of accepting me, so close to giving in, and yet... she stopped. With a strength that caught me off guard, she shoved me away from her, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. I stared at her in devastation, feeling the crushing weight of her rejection. Her eyes were wild, wavering between desire and fear, as if she was trying to hold back from something too powerful for her to handle.
"But you don't love me," I sighed, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Not yet, anyway." I wanted her to tell me I was wrong, to say that she did indeed love me, but all she could do was stare at me with tears streaming down her beautiful face. I couldn't help but feel the sting of disappointment mixing with the swirling emotions inside me. It was a bitter cocktail of love, frustration, and impatience - one that threatened to consume me whole. The longing to be with her, to claim her as my own, warred with the knowledge that I still had work to do to win her heart. But even as I stood there, watching her struggle with her feelings, I couldn't turn away from her.
"Erica..." I murmured, reaching out to brush a stray lock of her red hair behind her ear. She flinched ever so slightly, but didn't move away.
I took a step back, unable to bear the weight of her gaze any longer. The disappointment and frustration churning within me threatened to spill over, and I couldn't risk losing control in front of her.
"Go," I murmured, hating myself for saying the words even as they left my lips.
"What?" Erica's voice was laced with shock and disbelief, the hurt in her eyes like a dagger to my heart.
"Go," I repeated, my voice bitter and strained. "Take your people away from my territory." Sending out a mind link, I commanded my pack to stand down from the attack and turn off the alarms. Seconds later, the blaring sound ceased, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake.
Erica hesitated, her green eyes flicking between me and the door. For a moment, I thought she might defy me, but then she turned and ran towards the exit, her red hair streaming behind her like a fiery comet.
"Erica," I called out just as she reached for the door handle, unable to let her leave without giving her one last piece of advice. She turned to look at me, confusion etched across her face.
"Ask your precious mate about Jessica, and about the curse," I told her, my voice cold and detached. "Maybe then you'll see how much Liam is keeping from you." Her eyes widened, but I continued before she could respond.
"When you realise how impossible it is to be with him, know that my offer still stands. All you have to do is come back to me willingly."
A single tear slipped down my cheek, and I felt my heart shatter like glass as she stared at me for one last moment before slamming the door behind her. The room seemed to close in around me, suffocating me with memories of her touch, her scent, her taste. I leaned against the wall, struggling to catch my breath as a torrent of emotions threatened to drown me. Love and desire warred with anger and impatience, each emotion clawing at me like a beast trying to break free.
Half an hour had passed, and the weight of my decision still bore down on me like a lead blanket. I stood by the window, looking out into the darkness, watching the taillights of the enemy's cars fade into the distance. The cold glass pressed against my forehead as I tried to make sense of everything that had happened.
"Jasper," Myron's voice cut through the silence, startling me. I hadn't even noticed him enter the room. He came to stand beside me. "Your father is furious right now." I let a small, sarcastic smile tug at my lips before responding.
"And what else is new?"
"Is it true?" Myron asked, his tone cautious. "You let her go?"
"Of course I did," I snapped, my anger boiling beneath the surface. But then I sighed and said more softly, "She needs to see for herself how much Liam is hiding from her. She'll come back when she does."
"Your faith in my spell is touching," Myron replied, deadpan. "But Erica's defences are stronger than yours. You need to do your part too."
"Is there any doubt that I am?" I turned away from the window, facing Myron with a hard stare. "I've done everything I can to show her that I'm the better choice. That I can give her the love she deserves."
“You think that’s enough?” Myron asked and I shrugged.
“I have to believe it is.”
“Okay, I will appease your father for now, but the spell is harder to maintain with such a distance,” Myron said, as he turned towards the door. As he left the room, I turned back to the window, staring out into the night. The taillights were long gone, but the memory of Erica's touch still lingered on my skin. And despite Myron's warnings, my resolve grew with each passing moment.
Chapter 27
Liam
