Chapter 27: Slow Ruin

Alessio didn't rush.

He never did.

Power wasn't about force.

It wasn't about taking.

It was about making her give.

And now, she finally had.

But that wasn't enough.

She had said the words.

Now, she had to feel them.

So he took his time.

Let her stand there, waiting, anticipation thick in the air.

Her breath shallow.

Her pulse frantic.

Her body taut with something she didn't quite understand yet—

But he did.

Because he knew her better than she knew herself.

She had spent so long resisting.

So long fighting.

But now?

Now, she was his.

And he was going to make sure she never forgot it.

The Lesson Begins

He lifted his hand.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Brushed his fingers over her cheek.

Light.

Barely there.

But it sent a shiver down her spine.

Because he wasn't touching her.

Not really.

He was waiting.

Watching.

Giving her a chance to pull away.

But she didn't.

Because she knew better now.

So she stayed still.

Let him command the moment.

Because that was what this was.

A test.

A reminder.

That from this point forward—

Every part of her was his to claim.

His fingers traced lower, sliding down the line of her throat, lingering over the delicate pulse there.

Beating.

Racing.

For him.

Always for him.

Elena's breath hitched, and his lips curled.

Slow.

Satisfied.

She was finally learning.

But he wasn't finished yet.

Not even close.

Because she had given him her words.

Now, he would take everything else.