Possessive Protector

"Everyone out!"

Rhane's orders shook through the walls of the entire mansion. Even the servants who weren't close to him rushed out, afraid of meeting his wrath.

This time, Rhane didn't bother to hide behind a mask. He carried Jenna in his arms straight to his personal room. Kicking the door open with his leg, he held Jenna protectively close to his chest.

Once he got inside, he placed Jenna on his bed, making sure her back rested perfectly with her head on the pillow. Then he began slipping the jacket away from Jenna's body. The moment Jenna felt the jacket leaving her body, she opened her eyes and grabbed Rhane's hand.

"What... do you want to do to me?" Jenna asked, her hands trembling. Despite her weakness, she tried to hold Rhane's hand tightly.

Rhane glanced at her hand, then back to Jenna's face. It didn't even feel like she was holding him.

"I'm not trying to do anything to you," Rhane promised, placing his hand gently on Jenna's own. "I need to clean the wound." His jaw clenched as he said the word. It wasn't even right to have her body covered in scars, and this angered Rhane.

But that wasn't his priority at the moment. Jenna came first above everything, then losing his mind came later.

Jenna's eyes shifted from Rhane's hand on the jacket. She scanned the room they were in. The candles that lined the corners of the room were enough to light a whole house, and they left the entire room really bright.

"Where am I?" Jenna asked, doubt still in her voice and especially her eyes.

Rhane didn't move her hand, but he gently placed it down on the blanket. "This is my room, and we are on my bed. That's where we are," he explained slowly.

"Why? Why am I in your room?" Jenna asked softly. She noticed how large the bed she lay in was compared to any she'd ever used.

Rhane inhaled deeply before he said, "You're hurt, and I have to clean the wound... that's if you'll let me."

Jenna pushed his hand away, though it was a soft touch, but Rhane knew she wanted him to let go, and he did. "I'll do it myself," she groaned, pushing her body up.

"You think I'll let you touch me? I know what you're planning to do to me if I let you."

Rhane stood up from the bed with a frown. "What I'm planning on do, Jenna, I..." He closed his eyes and nodded. He couldn't blame her for being paranoid. She hadn't met the best species of men either.

"Fine. I'll get you a tunic and herbs you'll need. You can do it yourself." Rhane turned around, his jaw tightened. He walked straight to a small box and paused. Holding the box very tight, Rhane tried to relax a bit.

He knew he shouldn't forcefully ask Jenna to stop moving, it would only scare her but he didn't like the way she was acting around him either. He wasn't the one who hurt her.

Rhane turned to look at Jenna, and he found her darting her eyes around the room. Her tiny hands held the jacket closely to her chest, clearly, her guard was up.

Rhane tapped the box on his palm before walking over to Jenna. He handed her the box.

"Everything you'll need to take care of yourself is in there."

Jenna grabbed the box from Rhane and moved back. "Will you stand there and watch me?"

"Jenna, I—" Rhane pressed his lips, holding back the words in his throat. He turned around. "I'm sorry for being rude, master," he muttered.

Jenna eyed him suspiciously, shuffling on the bed to see if he would turn.

"I won't look, just clean up," Rhane remarked, with his head turned to the side and his hand dipped into his trouser pocket.

Jenna narrowed her eyes, wondering how he even knew what she was doing. She slowly slipped the jacket down her shoulder, then took the box. The first attempt to open it didn't work. Jenna inhaled deeply, then tried again to open the box. She grunted.

"I can open it if you give it to me," Rhane said with a sigh.

Jenna's nose flared. "You tightened it because you wanted me to ask for help, right? You did it on purpose!" she accused, pushing the box aside.

"You didn't want me to open it to start with."

Rhane's laugh was quiet, maddening. "You think I need tricks to make you ask me for anything?"

"What's funny?" Jenna asked, getting more annoyed.

Rhane turned without warning. "You are funny, master."

"Why did you turn?! You promised!" Jenna grabbed the jacket to cover her chest. "I knew you were lying! Liar!"

Rhane ignored her tantrum. He walked back toward the bed and grabbed the box. With one turn, he opened the box and placed it back on the bed. Not once did he look at Jenna's angry face or half-covered body.

"Will you turn around, or should I make you?" Rhane asked, slowly taking out the vial and cream he'd use.

Jenna's eyes flashed on the box and then on Rhane's face. "You'll do it yourself but you—"

"I know what I said, master. But I can't stand around and wait for the wound to fester because you're being stubborn. You can get angry all you want. It's okay as long as I keep you alive." Rhane lazily moved his eyes away from the contents he was holding, and before he could look at Jenna, she turned her body, showing him her back.

Rhane raised his brows and nodded. "I guess that works too." He sat down on the bed and raised his hand toward Jenna's bare back, covered in cuts and whip marks.

"I'm going to kill him," Rhane cursed under his breath, his eyes scanning Jenna's back before he dabbed it with a wet towel.

Jenna hissed when she felt the coldness on her back.

"It's going to sting a bit..." Rhane muttered, bringing his face close to Jenna's back, then blew soft air.

"Mm," Jenna shuddered, turning her head to the side.

Rhane squinted, concentrating on Jenna's back like it was a task that would save his life. He cleaned the wounds before applying cream carefully on each mark left by the whip.

"It'll hurt for some days but won't take time to heal," Rhane informed her when he was almost done. "If you don't miss your medication and cleaning the wound, you'll be fine in no time."

Jenna shrugged, still holding the jacket closely to her chest. "Let me guess, you're going to be the one to clean the wound?"

"You guessed right," Rhane replied. "Your hand can't reach your back... I'll help you clean the parts your hand can't reach." He closed the box and stood up.

Jenna turned the moment she felt Rhane get off the bed. "What will you do with me?"

"What do you mean, what will I do with you?" Rhane asked, one brow arched perfectly and his head tilted.

Jenna pressed her lips. "You're not planning on locking me here to stay with you like some obsessed madman in love, are you?"

Rhane's lips curled, but he didn't smile. "At least you acknowledge I'm madly in love with you... baby steps," he said with a nod.

Jenna's chest heaved, "You can't-" her body swayed to the side, she was beginning to feel dizzy.

Rhane noticed this, and he quickly caught her head before she fell. "Master, you need to rest. If you'll stop worrying about what I'll do to or with you and rest your head for me... I'll be glad."

Jenna narrowed her eyes and frowned. "Can you let me—"

"No." Rhane's voice cut clean. No anger. Just command. "Lie down."

He lowered her gently, slowly turned her to lie on her stomach, then he covered her with a blanket.

"I'll be gentle with you. I'll treat you like my master. And maybe one day, my woman." Rhane's tone shifted, deeper, colder. "But if you keep fighting me, I won't always use my gentle voice. And when I stop… don't hate me. Just remember...I had to."

Jenna scowled. "It doesn't change anything! If you let me go, you won't have to be hard on me."

"Same with if you listen to me." Rhane patted her head gently and hummed.

Jenna turned her head to the side, now facing Rhane. "You're holding me against my will." She muttered into the pillow.

Rhane brought his face closer to her, and Jenna closed her eyes shut, holding her breath. "For now, yes. Soon it'll change." He rubbed his nose on Jenna's own, a smile gracing his lips when she flinched. Her movement akin to a scared little rabbit.

"Now breathe… if you want to see the soon." His voice ghosted over her ear. "Sleep, my stubborn master."

And with that, he snuffed the lights out, one by one and left her in the dark with her heartbeat screaming in her chest.