10. Matias

10

MATIAS

I slam my fist against the concrete wall, the pain barely registering through the haze of rage clouding my mind. Three days. I only have three more days with my girl before she's ripped away from me and sold off to the highest bidder.

The thought of another man's hands on her makes my blood boil. She is mine. I was the one who claimed her, who tamed her spirited defiance until she submitted to me. No one else has earned the right to possess her.

I pace the small room like a caged animal, my muscles taut, fists clenched. How could Ileana do this? Kali was meant to be here for at least another month. I need more time to break her, to bind her to me so completely that she can't function without my touch, my voice commanding her.

Taren and Thiago's plan to overthrow Ileana can't happen soon enough.

A growl rumbles in my chest as I think of Kali's soft skin, her scent when fear and desire war within her. I want to tear through this compound until it's one me and her, lock her away where no one else can touch what's mine. Being without her makes me feel unhinged—more unhinged than normal. I've never wanted to possess someone like this.

Ileana's rules still bind me, even as I strain against them like a wolf gnashing at a chain. Patience has never been my strength. I must imprint myself onto Kali so that no matter where she goes, she'll never be free of me.

I stop pacing. Tonight and every night left until the auction, I'll go to her and remind her of the power I hold over her. I'll make her beg for my touch, plead to stay here with me. And when I deny her, the loss will break something deep inside. She'll be ruined for anyone else.

Kali belongs to me. The man who buys her won't understand her light and darkness like I do. They only see fragile beauty, whereas I see the steel in her soul. I created that darkness within her. It makes her mine.

When she's taken away, Kali will be shattered, missing a vital piece of herself. And I'll know that only I can fill that hollow place. My little rabbit will find a way to come running back to her wolf, unable to resist what we've awakened in each other. And when she returns, I'll never let her go again. I'll keep her here, bound so tightly she'll forget any life before me.

"Matias!"

I spin around with a snarl as Thiago strides into the room, his eyes flashing with irritation .

"What the hell do you want?" I snap. My hands curl into fists, the rage still simmering beneath my skin.

Thiago's jaw tightens, but he doesn't rise to the bait. "We're moving the plan up. The auction can't happen."

I go still, my pulse kicking up. "What? Why?"

"Taren won't let them take Alice," Thiago says. "And I'm not about to lose Luna either."

I stare at my brother, hardly daring to believe it. They're stopping the auction. Which means that Kali gets to stay. Relief hits me so hard that I nearly stagger. I'll have more time with her.

I force my expression to remain hard. I can't show weakness, not even to my brother. "About damn time you grew a spine when it comes to that bitch Ileana."

Thiago's eyes flash with anger. "Watch yourself, Matias."

I bare my teeth in mockery. "Or what? You know I'm right. We're Acostas. We don't get leashed by anyone." I turn and slam my fist into the wall again, the pain centering me.

"Just be ready when I give the word," Thiago says tightly. "We end Ileana once and for all on the night of the auction."

He leaves without another word. I sag back against the wall, exhaling slowly. If the plan succeeds, which is a big if, Kali will stay. I'll have all the time I need with her. The thought sends a dark thrill through me. She has no idea what's coming for her now. I'll break her so completely that she'll never recover, never be anyone's but mine .

Rolling my shoulders back and tilting my head from side to side, my neck cracks. I have preparations to make. Knowing she thinks she'll be sold in three days, it'll be all the sweeter when I go to Kali tonight.

Walking out of my room, I rush through the compound toward the basement.

"Whoa, watch it, Matias!" Andre laughs, holding up his hands. "Where's the fire, man?"

I barely suppress a snarl of annoyance. I don't have time for Andre's pathetic attempts at camaraderie. "Out of my way," I growl, shouldering past him.

But Andre, the fool, doesn't take the hint. He falls into step beside me, grinning like an idiot. "Hey, I heard about the auction moving up. Tough break, losing your plaything so soon. Maybe I'll bid on her myself, see what all the fuss is about."

Red bleeds into my vision. Before I can even think, I have Andre slammed up against the wall, my forearm pressed against his throat. "You even look at her," I hiss, grabbing the knife from my belt and hovering the tip over his eye. "And I'll prick your fucking eyes out with this knife."

Andre's eyes bulge, his face turning a dark shade of purple. "J-Jesus, Matias," he chokes out. "I was kidding around. You know none of us have the cash to buy those girls."

I lean in closer, baring my teeth. "Do I look like I'm in the mood for jokes?"

He shakes his head. I hold him there a moment longer, relishing the fear in his eyes, before I release him with a disgusted shove and slip the blade back into my belt. Andre slumps against the wall, gasping for air.

"Stay the fuck away from what's mine," I spit at him. "Or I'll show you exactly why they call me the Wolf."

The desire to rip his throat out with my teeth is strong, but I ignore it and move down the hall. I got the nickname because I literally did rip a guy's throat out with my teeth once.

The rage courses through me, hot and familiar. How dare he even suggest bidding on Kali? The thought of anyone else's hands on her makes me want to tear this place apart with my bare hands. To paint it with the blood of every bastard in here.

Taking deep breaths, I force myself to calm down. I can't let my temper get the best of me, not when I have such delicate work ahead tonight. Breaking Kali will require finesse and a careful balance of pleasure and pain. I can't let my own volatile emotions interfere.

By the time I reach the door down to the basement, I've managed to tamp down the worst of my fury. In its place, anticipation coils tight in my gut. I allow myself a small, vicious smile. Kali has no idea what's in store for her.