27. Kali

27

KALI

M y backpack is slung over my shoulder as I make my way across the quad toward the cafeteria. A week has passed since Matias moved me away from my friends to his apartment. While part of me resents how he went about it, I've grown almost comfortable there.

When I told Alice and the others that I was staying with Matias by choice, I could see the doubt in their eyes. I hated lying to them, but the truth was too complicated to fully understand.

How can I explain how his touch ignites a fire within me, even as it terrifies me?

As I near the building, a voice calls out, "Hey, Kali! Wait up!"

I turn to see Jake jogging toward me, the guy from my architecture class. He flashes me a warm smile that makes my stomach flutter.

"Hi, Jake," I reply.

"I'm glad I caught you. I was hoping we could grab coffee sometime. Maybe after architecture class?" His eyes are hopeful, and I can't help but be flattered.

I want to agree and experience something normal and uncomplicated for once. But Matias would probably murder him. He lost his shit and beat up Carter at that party. I belong to him now.

"I'm not sure," I stammer. "I've got a lot going on right now, and-"

"Is everything okay?" Jake asks, his brow furrowing with concern. "You seem a little on edge."

I force a smile, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's just-"

Before I can finish my sentence, a shadow falls over us. I turn to see Matias standing behind me, his eyes narrowing and jaw clenched.

"Kali," he growls. "I thought I told you to come straight home after class."

Jake takes a step back, his eyes widening as he comprehends Matias's imposing presence. "I, uh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

Matias cuts him off with a sharp gesture. "You didn't realize what? That Kali is spoken for?" His gaze sweeps over Jake, and I can feel the tension crackling.

I want to speak up and tell Matias he has no right to interfere, but the words die in my throat. All I was doing was chatting to him.

Matias's hand finds the small of my back. "Come on, Kali. We're leaving."

I glance at Jake apologetically while I allow Matias to lead me away. Whirling around to face Matias, my anger hits a fever pitch. "What the hell was that? You can't just swoop in and scare off my friends whenever you want."

His grip on my back tightens. "That boy was trying to take what's mine. I won't allow it."

I jerk away from him, putting some distance between us. "I'm not yours. I can talk to whoever I want whenever I want."

He takes a step closer, his jaw clenched. "You're wrong. You're mine, and I won't share you with anyone else."

"That's not how this works. I'm not some object for you to claim. I'm a person with my own life and friends."

Matias's eyes narrow. "That boy asked you out, didn't he? I saw the way he was looking at you."

I hesitate, not wanting to admit the truth. "So what if he did? I'm allowed to have a life outside of you."

His hand darts out, grabbing my arm in a vice-like grip. "No, you're not. If you keep defying me like this, I might have to take drastic measures to make you realize it."

I wince at the pain, but I refuse to show any weakness. "Let go of me. You can't control me like this."

"I can, and I will," he growls, his face mere inches from mine.

I glare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not some pet you can keep locked up in your apartment. I have a life, and I'm going to live it." Matias's grip tightens on my arm, and I wince at the pain. "Let go of me," I demand .

His eyes narrow as he pulls me closer. "You think you can defy me? You think you can run to another man and expect me to let you go?"

A shudder of fear races down my spine at the intensity of his gaze. "Matias, please. I want?—"

"What you want doesn't matter," he growls, his grip tightening. "All that matters is what I want. And I want to possess every part of you, to make you mine in the most primal way possible."

"Matias, you're hurting me. Let go."

His lips brush against my ear. "That's the point, Kali. I want to remind you of your place and the animal instincts beneath the surface. You and I, we're not like the others. We're predator and prey, locked in a dance as old as time."

"What are you saying?" I ask.

Matias's eyes gleam with predatory hunger. "I'm saying that I'll take you back to our roots, Kali. Back to a time when we were nothing more than animals, driven by our most basic urges. And when I'm done, you'll know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you belong to me." Matias must see the conflict in my eyes because a slow, wicked smile spreads across his face. "That's it, Kali. Let the fear and the desire war within you. Because when I'm finished, the fear will be eradicated. Time for a vacation."

My heart gallops frantically in my chest. "A vacation?" I echo. "Just the two of us?"

Matias nods. "That's right, Kali. I think we both need a little... getaway. Away from all the distractions, just you and me."

"And there'll be no way for me to contact the outside world?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

Matias steps closer. "That's correct. It'll be just the two of us, surrounded by nothing but the forest. No one will interrupt us. No one will hear your screams."

I shudder at his words. "Matias, I don't know..."

"Shhh," he murmurs, his thumb tracing my jawline. "Don't overthink it, Kali. Just trust me. I promise you'll enjoy it."

I want to protest, to tell him I don't trust him and can't be alone with him like that. But the words die on my lips as his breath ghosts over my skin.

"It'll be just the two of us, Kali," he whispers, his voice low and seductive. "No one to interfere, no one to judge. Just you and me, lost in the wilderness, free to explore our desires."

I feel my resolve crumbling, my body betraying me as I lean into his touch. "Matias, I..."

He silences me with a kiss, his lips crashing against mine in a bruising, possessive gesture. I melt into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I surrender to the heat of his embrace.

When he finally pulls away, I'm breathless. "I'll go with you," I murmur.

Matias's eyes sparkle. "That's my good girl," he purrs. "You won't regret this, Kali. I promise."

I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking straight into the wolf's jaws willingly, and for some strange reason, I don't care.