chapter eighteen

Nikolas's POV

I slammed the door shut behind me, my breath coming out in sharp, uneven gasps. My heart pounded against my ribs as I paced the room, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides.

Why wouldn't Caspian just let me go?

I couldn't be whatever he was asking me to be. I wasn't his. I wasn't—

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, stopping in front of the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, eyes wild with confusion.

I wasn't even gay.

I exhaled harshly and collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Maybe if I just laid here long enough, this would all feel like a bad dream. But the lingering heat from Caspian's presence, the way his scent still clung to my skin, told me otherwise.

After what felt like forever, I pushed myself up and decided to take a shower. I needed to cool off physically and mentally.

The warm water helped, a little. I let it run over my skin, trying to wash away the tension coiling in my body. But no matter how hard I scrubbed, the memory of Caspian's touch, his voice, his damn confidence wouldn't leave me alone.

I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist, and pushed open the door—only to freeze.

Caspian was standing by the table, flipping through a stack of papers as if he owned the damn place. His sharp eyes lifted the moment I entered, raking over me from head to toe.

A slow, wicked smirk stretched across his lips.

"Well, aren't you a yummy thing to chew?"

My entire body tensed. Heat crawled up my neck as I took a step toward the dresser, reaching for my clothes. But every time I moved, Caspian did too, closing the distance with a casual, predatory grace.

"Relax, Nikolas," he murmured. "I won't bite."

I swallowed hard, snatching up my shirt. "Look, Caspian, I want to go home. I don't want this."

He hummed in amusement. "You keep saying that," he said, voice thick with teasing. "And yet…"

His fingers trailed down my arm, featherlight. A shiver ran through me before I could stop it.

I tried to step back, but he was already there, pressing against me, his warmth seeping into my skin. His scent—something dark and heady—curled around me, making my head spin.

Then, suddenly, he kissed me.

I didn't know how it happened. One moment, I was protesting, and the next, his lips were on mine firm, demanding. He held me close, his fingers gripping my waist, and I was making noises I didn't even recognize.

His teeth scraped along my jaw, down my neck, biting, teasing. My body trembled, betraying me in ways I couldn't understand.

"See, Nikolas?" Caspian whispered against my skin. "Even your body says otherwise. It wants this."

I gasped as his lips found my shoulder, his kisses slow, reverent. "Give us a try," he murmured. "I promise to love you." Another kiss. "Respect you." Another. "Adore you."

Then, his mouth was on mine again, and something inside me snapped.

I didn't think I just acted.

With a low growl, I jumped on him, my legs wrapping around his waist. Caspian caught me instantly, his hands gripping my thighs, my ass. The kiss deepened, messy and desperate, all my frustration pouring into it.

Then—

Knock.

The door swung open.

"Wow, Caspian," came Ronan's amused voice. "Careful not to eat your mate alive."

Reality crashed down on me like a tidal wave.

I ripped myself away from Caspian, shoving him hard. My breath came in ragged gasps, my face burning. I barely registered Ronan's smug grin as I clutched the towel around me and bolted for the bathroom.

Slamming the door shut, I slid down against it, pressing my palms to my face.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I wasn't gay.

I wasn't.

Caspian's voice came through the door, softer now. "Nikolas, please come out."

I clenched my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut. "No, Caspian. Just… go away."

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

Then, finally, I heard him exhale. "Fine," he said after a moment. "I'll get one of the maids to bring you food."

His footsteps faded, and I was left alone.

Alone with the undeniable truth I wasn't ready to face.

I sat on the bathroom floor for what felt like forever, trying to steady my breathing, trying to make sense of what had just happened. My body still tingled from Caspian's touch, and that only made me more frustrated.

Then I heard a knock.

I ignored it.

Another knock.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself up, and slowly moved to the door. When I cracked it open, I saw a small man standing there with a tray of food.

"Hi," he said cheerfully. "I brought food."

He stepped in without waiting for permission, setting the tray down on the table. I expected him to leave after that, but he didn't. He just stood there, watching me with a knowing smile.

"So, you're that Alpha's mate," he said casually.

I stiffened, crossing my arms over my chest. "I really don't know," I muttered. "Don't know what that even involves."

"That's okay," he said easily. "My name's Ethan. I'm mated to the head warrior."

I glanced at him, noting the relaxed way he leaned against the table. He didn't seem bothered by the whole 'mate' thing, which made me feel even more like I was losing my mind.

"Believe me," he continued, "I know how demanding they can be."

I let out a sharp breath, pacing to the edge of the bed. "Tell me about it," I muttered. "Caspian moves around like he owns me, tells me what to do… God, I don't know what to do. He's so dominant."

I collapsed onto the bed, rubbing my hands over my face.

Ethan chuckled, flopping down beside me. "But they love us, though. We're their pets—that's why they make decisions for us."

I scoffed. "I don't need anybody making decisions for me. I belong to myself."

Ethan smirked, tilting his head at me. "But he's your mate."

"Yeah, whatever that means. It doesn't make him the boss of me."

Ethan burst out laughing. "No, Nikolas," he said between chuckles, "we are the bosses. You might think they have the power because they throw their dominance around, but the truth is, we have the real power."

I frowned, shifting to look at him. "What are you talking about?"

Ethan grinned, eyes gleaming mischievously. "You'll see soon enough."

Here's a continuation of your scene with more depth and emotion:

"Whatever, man," I muttered, shaking my head. "I need to get out of here before I lose my mind. I've been indoors this whole damn time."

Ethan grinned. "Then let me take you around."

I hesitated for a second, but honestly, anything was better than sitting in my room, drowning in my own thoughts. So after I finished eating, I got dressed, and we headed out.

Walking through the halls, I realized just how little I knew about this place. It wasn't just some cold fortress like I had imagined it was alive. Warriors trained in the courtyard, voices echoing as they sparred. Pack members moved through the halls, talking, laughing, living.

Then we entered a large room filled with laughter and the clatter of game pieces. A handful of smaller men and women were gathered around tables, playing cards, board games, and other things I didn't recognize. It felt… normal.

Ethan nudged me. "Come on, let's play."

For the first time since I got here, I let myself relax. We played round after round, laughter spilling freely from my lips as I let myself forget.

Forget Caspian.

Forget the mate bond.

Forget the war between my instincts and my will.

By the time we were heading back to my room, I felt lighter. Maybe this place wasn't a prison after all.

But then I saw him.

Ronan was standing at the base of the stairs, arms crossed, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

I stiffened, unable to meet his gaze.

And of course, he didn't let it slide.

"You know," he drawled, stepping closer, "for someone who keeps saying they don't want Caspian, you sure didn't mind him kissing you. Or holding you. Or what was that last part? Oh yeah, letting him dominate you."

My face burned. "Shut up," I snapped, pushing him hard.

He barely budged, just laughed louder. "I'm just saying," he teased. "You're fighting a battle you already lost."

Before I could snap back, a low, dangerous growl echoed from the stairs.

Caspian.

He stood at the top of the staircase, eyes locked onto Ronan like a predator catching another wolf sniffing around its mate.

Ronan, ever the smartass, raised his hands in surrender, backing away with a knowing smirk. "Relax, Alpha. Just having a little fun."

Then, with one last wink in my direction, he disappeared down the hall.

I turned to Caspian, expecting some smug remark, but he just watched me in silence, his golden eyes dark with something unreadable.

Something dangerous.

Something inevitable.