36. Chapter 36

Chapter 36

-Jared-

Groaning, I gradually regained consciousness, the world around me slowly coming back into focus. However, as awareness dawned, a chilling realization hit me like a thunderbolt, causing me to jolt awake. Alison's piercing screams echoed in my mind, catapulting me into a state of alertness.

Taking in my surroundings, I found myself in Astrid's office, hands bound behind my back. Directly in front of me sat Astrid, accompanied by her father and Finn, who were sharing a toast to celebrate their nefarious schemes.

I began to writhe and struggle against my restraints, but a mere signal from Henrick prompted a man beside me, previously unnoticed, to deliver a brutal blow to my face, sending my head spinning and muffled groans escaping into the fabric that silenced me.

Meeting Astrid's smug gaze, I felt an overwhelming surge of dark hatred toward her. I then glanced at Henrick, his lips twisted into a sinister smile, before shifting my gaze to Finn, who casually sipped his drink while observing me.

"Did you honestly believe blood wouldn't matter?" Henrick taunted, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

Exhaling heavily through my nose, I took a moment to regain composure, acutely aware of the perilous situation I was ensnared in. Finn chuckled as he drained his glass and placed it on the table. Astrid, seemingly unperturbed, had barely touched her own drink, perhaps due to her pregnancy, though I suspected it was because she took more pleasure in observing me in such a vulnerable state.

"He's a damned fool," Finn declared, rising from his seat and adjusting himself conspicuously. "And now I'm going to have my way with his slave, to remind her of where she truly belongs."

Once more, I struggled against my bindings, Alison's plight serving as my catalyst, yet all it earned me was another merciless beating until I turned quiet. The wolves laughed at my predicament as Finn departed, undoubtedly intent on exacting retribution upon Alison for my transgressions against his brothers.

A chilling wave of dread washed over me at the thought of the torment she would endure because of my choices. How could I have failed so miserably in keeping her safe? How had things spiraled out of control so swiftly? These questions gnawed at me, though I knew answers were beyond reach. Henrick, relishing in my anguish, made it abundantly clear that my betrayal would not go unpunished.

Taking another sip of his drink, Henrick fixed me with a malevolent glare. "I'm sure you have plenty of questions, boy," he taunted, eliciting a low growl from me. "But you see, my daughter and I have reconciled our differences. She's made her desires known, desires I have regrettably neglected. I intend to rectify that by rewarding her and designating her as my heir, especially considering her success in securing our legacy."

Astrid beamed at her father's praise before turning her gaze to me. "Indeed, I've devised a plan to attain everything I want. You were foolish not to accept my offer," she taunted, though I remained steadfast, refusing to allow her to provoke me. My thoughts were consumed by Alison—her impending agony, the torment she had endured and now faced anew. I would never forgive myself, but I vowed to ensure they all paid dearly for their atrocities.

"Now, my father will deal with you. He has numerous plans in store," she remarked coldly. "As for Finn, well, he'll amuse himself with your pet until he tires of her. After that? Who knows? Perhaps he'll pass her around or simply dispose of her. Frankly, I couldn't care less."

I maintained my silence, understanding that patience was my greatest ally. As Henrick rose from his seat, signaling the conclusion of this macabre assembly, Astrid placed her glass down and he reached out to take her hand, smiling warmly at her before kissing it tenderly.

"I'll be seeing you soon. Take care of yourself," he said.

"Of course, Dad," she replied, as Henrick gestured for the man behind me to escort me. With a malevolent smirk, Henrick motioned for us to follow. Glancing over my shoulder as I was led away, I watched as Astrid waved tauntingly, igniting a fire within me. In that moment, I vowed that what awaited her would be far worse than anything she could imagine.

She gradually faded from view as we rounded a corner, heading down the hallway toward the staircase. However, just as we reached the stairs, Henrick abruptly stopped. We followed suit, puzzled by his sudden pause, but then he began coughing.

Despite his efforts to ignore it, his hand reached out to steady himself on the railing as the coughing fit intensified. Concern etched on the face of the man beside me, he moved forward to assist Henrick, leaving me behind.

But before he could reach him, Henrick lost control, pitching forward and tumbling down the stairs. A gunshot echoed through the air, and the man in front of me cried out, collapsing to the floor in agony. Shock immobilized me as I watched the chaotic scene unfold, the clicking of heels drawing my attention.

Astrid approached in her elegant dark blue dress, a smile playing on her lips as she held a smoking gun. Confusion clouded my thoughts as she removed the gag from my mouth and then my restraints. The moment I was freed, I seized her, pinning her against the wall and glaring into her eyes, but her smile remained as I wrestled the gun from her grasp.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed. "We had a damn deal!"

"We did, and I upheld my end, didn't I?" she countered calmly, as a strange gurgling noise emanated from downstairs.

I pushed away from Astrid, her presence trailing behind me as I placed myself at the top of the staircase. At the bottom lay her father, blood spurting from his mouth, yet it was evident that his fall down the stairs wasn't the cause. He was choking, as if poisoned. The memory of them sharing drinks flooded my mind, and realization dawned on me. Turning to Astrid, still wearing her enigmatic smile, another thought seized me.

"Alison," I breathed, charging down the stairs.

"In the living room!" Astrid called after me.

-Alison-

Finn had explicitly instructed everyone to refrain from laying a hand on me as he joined his cousin and uncle in Astrid's office. Prioritizing the celebration with his family, he had deferred indulging in his newfound ‘prize'. Meanwhile, I found myself seated on a couch, hands bound behind me, with two guards posted at the door, awaiting the arrival of my tormentor.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I braced myself for the inevitable, my thoughts also consumed by concern for Jared. Where was he? What had befallen him? I could only envision the worst possible scenarios. I squeezed my eyes shut momentarily before forcing myself to focus. I had to remain alert for Finn's arrival.

But maybe I could find a means of escape? Glancing to my right, I noticed doors leading out, yet my bound hands rendered them inaccessible, and the guards stationed nearby would surely thwart any attempt to reach my freedom.

My gaze shifted ahead, catching sight of a slight opening in one of the windows, allowing a gentle breeze to filter in. However, I knew I couldn't free myself quickly enough to exploit it for escape.

As I pondered my predicament, the sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears, accompanied by an unsettling noise—coughing. Suddenly, the doors to the living room swung open, revealing Finn's entrance. Though he wore a smile, his sweaty pallor and slight coughing fit betrayed an underlying discomfort. Nonetheless, he strode toward me, indifferent to any onlookers.

"No!" I cried out, springing from the couch, but he swiftly overpowered me, forcing me back onto the cushions and looming over me.

"Shit, I've been waiting for this," he rasped, his gaze lingering over my form. "Ever since my cock got a taste, I've been craving this moment."

"Get off!" I screamed, kicking and wriggling, even attempting to knock our heads together, but Finn was quicker, evading my blows before delivering a stinging slap that sent my head reeling and left a ringing in my ears.

"Shut the hell up!" he growled, his voice dripping with menace. "I should gag you with something."

An idea seemed to dawn on him as he reached into my dress, only to find me bare beneath. A shiver ran down my spine at his touch as he pushed my dress higher, revealing the evidence of Jared's presence.

"Possessive bastard," he remarked with a smirk. "He enjoys marking you as his own, doesn't he?"

I swallowed hard, but Finn pressed on undeterred. As he reached for his belt, I renewed my struggle, but just as he moved to restrain me, another fit of coughing seized him. This time, however, he couldn't seem to stop. Coughing violently, he clutched his mouth with one hand, and as he lowered it slightly, I noticed blood staining his palm.

"What the..." His words trailed off as he slumped forward, moving toward the coffee table before crashing into it. Despite his efforts, the coughing persisted, each gasp for air sounding more strained than the last.

I sat up slowly, bewildered by the sudden turn of events, while his men approached him, equally perplexed. Yet, before they could reach us, hurried footsteps echoed toward us. In a flash, Jared appeared in the doorway, his movements swift as lightning.

Without hesitation, he took aim and fired, striking down the two men just as they turned, caught off guard by his unexpected arrival. They crumpled to the ground, their bodies hitting the floor with a dull thud, amidst the continuing sounds of choking.

"J-Jared?" I whispered, scarcely daring to believe my eyes.

Jared's face bore the marks of a brutal encounter, his eyes still carrying a hint of wildness as he surveyed the fallen men. Drawing closer, he swiftly brought a proper end to one of them with a gunshot, causing me to jump and release a small scream.

His intense gaze then locked onto me, reminiscent of a predator zeroing in on its prey. As he approached, my heart raced in my chest, but his attention was momentarily diverted by Finn's struggles. Finn's body convulsed, emitting guttural sounds, and though I couldn't comprehend what was happening to him, Jared seemed unwilling to allow him the chance to recover.

Stepping forward, Jared calmly pressed his foot onto Finn's back, his demeanor strangely composed as he aimed the gun at Finn's head. With a single shot, Finn's life was abruptly extinguished. Unable to bear witness to the aftermath, I closed my eyes, refusing to confront the carnage that lay before me. Nothing about this ordeal made sense, and I resolved to keep my eyes shut until I felt the weight of the couch shift.

Opening my eyes, I found Jared hovering over me, shedding the blood-stained jacket before he released me.

"Jared?" I called out, seeking some semblance of reassurance, but instead of replying, he captured my lips in a fierce kiss. I moaned in response, my body trembling with the potent rush of adrenaline coursing through me.

Jared pushed my dress higher, parting my legs as he swiftly unbuckled his belt. Not a word was exchanged, yet the tension between us crackled with obvious desire. I didn't understand the sudden intensity of my arousal, but as Jared's movements became more urgent, I found myself consumed by a fiery passion.

"Tell me he didn't lay a hand on you," Jared breathed against my lips, his tone laced with a mixture of concern and ferocity. "Or I'll bring the bastard back to life and—"

"He didn't," I interjected, reaching for his pants as he widened the space between my legs, making room for him. "He only saw the little surprise you left on me."

A low, primal growl escaped him, relishing the remnants of his dry cum on my skin, eager to leave another mark. He pressed me into the couch, thrusting forcefully. My body wasn't quite prepared, and I cried out in a mix of pleasure and discomfort at the sudden, intense sensation of being filled.

Jared seemed possessed, unable to restrain himself as he pounded into me, our bodies colliding with each thrust. Yet, his hunger remained insatiable. Lifting me up, he guided me to ride him while he reclined on the couch. I clung to him desperately, riding with a fervent longing, my body yearning for the release denied to me earlier.

"Faster, Alison," he demanded, his voice urgent. "You need to go faster."

I cried out, on the brink of orgasm, striving to reach it, but it wasn't enough for Jared. Changing positions once more, he withdrew, maneuvering me onto my hands and knees before thrusting back into me from behind. He rammed into me relentlessly, our hips meeting in a primal rhythm as he surrendered to his frenzied desire.

I was propelled into a crashing wave of ecstasy, my body convulsing as I screamed his name, while he continued to ravage me. Amidst the euphoria, I heard him panting the word ‘mine' repeatedly, intensifying the pleasure coursing through me.

Jared teetered on the edge alongside me, thrusting a few more times before succumbing to release. His deep groan reverberated through me, sending shivers of delight down my spine. Exhausted, we both collapsed forward, spent from the intense climax.

"Well, what a spectacle," a voice remarked, pulling us from our post-orgasmic haze. We turned to find Astrid standing in the doorway, her presence casting a shadow over our intimacy.

I distanced myself from Jared, adjusting my dress while a surge of seething anger consumed me. Jared sank back into the couch, straightening his clothes, as I rose to my feet and marched over to Astrid.

Despite her persistent smile, she likely didn't expect me to take action. However, the instant I stood before her, I slapped her across the face. The resounding crack reverberated through the spacious room, and her smile vanished when she turned to face me.

"It was all a trap," she snapped at me.

"I began piecing it together when Jared intervened and you're still standing here. But that doesn't change the fact that Finn could've easily decided to indulge himself before celebrating. You wouldn't have stopped him, would you?" I accused, my voice laced with fury.

She stared back at me, her expression blank, as I closed the distance between us, confronting her directly. Our similar heights ensured I lacked the dominant presence to overpower her. Yet, we locked eyes in a silent standoff. If she expected gratitude for her betrayal of her own family, she was sorely mistaken. She would have willingly allowed Finn to violate me repeatedly for her scheme to succeed.

"Alison," Jared called out, attempting to intervene, but I remained fixated on Astrid.

"I made a pact with Jared, not with you," she whispered.

"And that's just fine because if the decision ever falls into my hands whether you live or die, we both know what I'll choose," I spat.

"Alison!" Jared's voice rang out once more, clearly uncomfortable with my proximity to Astrid.

As I turned to leave, I couldn't resist making one final declaration.

"You can't have him, Astrid. He was mine long before he became yours," I whispered through clenched teeth, ensuring only she heard me.

Jared seemed hesitant to accept my assertion that Astrid held a fascination for him, perhaps reluctant to acknowledge the truth, but I could discern it in the jealousy that flickered in Astrid's gaze. With a smile, I distanced myself from her, just as Jared rose from the couch, poised to pull me away. Meeting me halfway, he enveloped me in his arms, holding me close.

Turning his attention to Astrid, who adopted her practiced fa?ade of indifference, Jared's voice was tinged with irritation, "Next time, involve me."

"It wouldn't have appeared authentic," she countered. "But we achieved our goal. My plan was a success."

Surveying the room, it was evident that Astrid's scheme had succeeded, despite the impending turmoil among the wolves. However, I trusted her ability to maintain control. She wouldn't have embarked on such a bold plan without confidence in her ability to manage the aftermath.

"I admit, I'm not entirely sure what your plan was," Jared confessed, his gaze fixed on Astrid. "Your father mentioned reconciliation. He said he would take you seriously."

"He would," she acknowledged. "But it was all a charade. I know him too well. Ultimately, he wouldn't relinquish power to me. He's too deep in tradition. Besides, I wanted to demonstrate the true capabilities of a woman. I refuse to be underestimated any longer."

Though her words seemed directed at us to some extent, Jared nodded, appearing impressed by her resolve.

"Consider yourself saved from a midnight assassination, solely because it went smoothly," he quipped, Astrid finding his words amusing. While Jared had endured a beating, Astrid was committed to ensuring his safety. It was I who had once again teetered on the brink of ruin.

"Well, at least I get to keep my heart," she remarked, attempting to inject a bit of levity into the tense atmosphere.

"What heart?" Jared teased, eliciting a smile from Astrid.

"Anyway, we still need to lure someone out," Astrid continued, her tone businesslike. "Once he hears of my father's demise, he'll want to bury himself even deeper to avoid detection."

Jared nodded thoughtfully before casting a glance down at me. I could tell he was contemplating his backup plan, but I remained silent, uncertain about my willingness to serve as bait. Yet Jared didn't press me for agreement. Instead, he turned to Astrid, acknowledging her with a nod.

"Do you need assistance with the cleanup?" he inquired.

"No, I can handle it," she replied confidently, her eyes lingering on me for a moment. "Go and enjoy some time with your little pet. I know that quick round wasn't enough for you."

Jared's gaze narrowed slightly as Astrid departed, taking the tension with her. I let out a sigh of relief, but before I could fully relax, Jared's lips were on mine once again, kissing me with a fierce intensity. The kiss shifted from passionate to gentle, as if he were worshiping me with each tender peck.

While I enjoyed the attention, it became difficult to catch my breath, prompting me to turn my head slightly. Undeterred, Jared continued to lavish attention on my cheek and neck, eliciting happy giggles from me as I wrapped my arms around him, drawing him closer.

As we stood there, I felt him trembling against me. I couldn't discern if it was from the adrenaline wearing off or sheer relief at my safety. Nevertheless, I held him close, reassuring him with my presence and conveying my own gratitude.