Chapter 144
Lily POV
“I want to feel something,” I corrected him. “I want to know if there’s any… chemistry between us before we commit to something so permanent p>
“You never had a problem wanting me before,” he murmured.
“That was before,” I replied softly. “Before everything fell apart p>
Lucas seemed to consider this, his eyes never leaving mine. “And if I can’t arouse you p>
“Then you give me more time,” I said simply. “Time to develop those feelings naturally p>
He was silent for a long moment, and I feared I’d overplayed my hand. But then he smiled, and there was something almost boyish in his expression—as if I’d presented him with a challenge he couldn’t resist.
“I accept,” he said finally. “But no games, Lily. You have to be honest about what you feel p>
“No games,” I agreed, ignoring the bitter irony of the promise. This entire situation was a game, one with my freedom—possibly my life—as the prize.
Lucas stood and extended his hand to me. “Shall we begin now p>
My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my expression neutral as I placed my hand in his. “I thought you might want to… prepare something special. Like we could use the living room where there’s more space because I feel a little hemmed in here and nervous. I don’t want to remember I was kidnapped p>
He nodded and reached out a hand to help me up, and I let him, keeping my expression neutral. He led me to the living room—it was cozy, tastefully furnished space that would’ve been charming under any other circumstance.
He chuckled. “Always thinking ahead, aren’t you? Alright, we’ll start small. A test, as you suggested p>
We stood in front of the couch, and he turned to me. “What’s first p>
I glanced away, feigning nervousness. “Touch,” I said quietly. “Start with that p>
“Close your eyes,” he instructed.
I hesitated. Closing my eyes meant surrendering one of my senses, making myself even more vulnerable. But refusing would shatter the fragile trust I was trying to build.
Reluctantly, I let my eyelids fall shut.
“Good,” Lucas murmured. I felt him shift as he moved closer. “Now, I want you to focus entirely on what you feel. Nothing else matters p>
I nodded, fighting the instinct to pull away as I felt his fingers brush against my cheek. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he traced a path down to my jawline, then lower to the pulse point at my neck. I forced my body to stay still and kept my breathing steady, but my mind was elsewhere – far away from this room, from his touch.
“Your heartbeat is racing,” he observed, his voice smug.
“I’m nervous,” I said truthfully.
“Don’t be,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “I would never hurt you, Lily p>
The lie hung between us, as substantial as another presence in the room. He had already hurt me—kidnapping me, threatening me, planning to force a mating bond against my will. But I said nothing, focusing instead on staying perfectly still as his fingers continued their exploration.
When his lips replaced his fingers, pressing softly against my neck, I couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran through me. But it wasn’t desire—it was revulsion, pure and simple. Every cell in my body rebelled against his touch, screaming that this was wrong. My wolf, typically so vocal, had gone utterly silent, as if retreating to some deep, protected place within me.
I thought of Kai, my true mate, and how different his touch had been. How right it had felt, like coming home after a long journey. The memory gave me strength.
“What are you feeling?” Lucas asked, pulling back slightly.
I opened my eyes, meeting his heated gaze. “Curiosity,” I lied. “I want to see where this goes p>
His smile widened. “That’s a start p>
“Maybe… maybe try holding me p>
He obliged eagerly, pulling me into his chest. His arms wrapped around me tightly, almost possessively. I stiffened but quickly forced myself to relax just enough.
“Still nothing?” he murmured near my ear.
I swallowed, letting a small smile curve my lips. “A little,” I lied. “But not enough p>
“Maybe we could try another thing?” I suggested. “Something that might… accelerate things p>
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind p>
“Well,” I said, pretending to be embarrassed. “I’ve always been sensitive to scent. It’s a wolf thing, I guess. Maybe if I could get to know your scent better? Without any… barriers p>
It was a calculated risk. Scent was indeed powerful for werewolves, but I was counting on Lucas’s ego to overlook the obvious trap in my suggestion.
“You want to scent me?” He asked, clearly pleased by the idea.
I nodded. “It might help me connect with you on a deeper level p>
Without hesitation, Lucas pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a muscled torso that might have been attractive if it weren’t attached to such a monster. He tilted his head, exposing his neck in a gesture that was both vulnerable and arrogant.
“Be my guest,” he said.
Swallowing my disgust, I leaned forward, bringing my face close to his neck. I inhaled deeply, making a show of taking in his scent. While doing so, I carefully studied the room over his shoulder, noting details I hadn’t been able to observe before—the layout of the furniture, the distance to the door, the type of lock he used.
“Well?” Lucas prompted, his voice husky with anticipation.
I pulled back, offering him a small smile. “It’s… complex. I’d like to take my time with this, if that’s okay p>
He nodded, clearly flattered by my apparent interest. “We have all day p>
“Can I try something?” I asked, forcing a hint of eagerness into my voice.
“Anything,” he replied, his guard lowering exactly as I’d hoped.
I gently placed my hands on his shoulders, as if steadying myself. In reality, I was assessing his strength, the way he held himself, searching for any weakness I could exploit.
“Close your eyes,” I instructed, mimicking his earlier command.
Lucas complied without hesitation, his lips curving into a satisfied smile.
“Now, tell me what you feel,” I whispered, running my fingers lightly over his shoulders, down his arms, learning the contours of my enemy.
“Desire,” he answered immediately. “Anticipation p>
“Good,” I murmured, continuing my exploration while my mind raced with calculations and possibilities. Every touch was strategic, every response carefully analyzed.
As my hands moved across his skin, I wasn’t searching for passion or connection. I was looking for a way out, mapping his weaknesses, and planning my escape.
It was too much to endure, so I pulled back.
He pulled back too, scanning my face again. “What now p>
I tilted my head thoughtfully. “Maybe… words. Remind me why I used to want you p>
He chuckled, clearly enjoying this. “That’s easy p>
He stepped back, posture straightening as he slipped into a softer, almost romantic tone. “You used to look at me like I was the only person in the world who mattered. You told me once that you’d never felt safer than when you were in my arms p>
I felt bile rise in my throat, but I smiled sweetly. “I remember p>
He stepped closer again. “And you said you loved how I always knew how to touch you… how to calm you down p>
I nodded, taking a deliberate step back. “That’s true p>
It was a lie. I never said any of that.
But Lucas was too wrapped up in his own fantasy version of us to realize it.
He tilted his head, studying me. “So? How are we doing p>
I hesitated and let out a small sigh. “Better. But… I don’t know yet p>
I needed him to keep thinking he had to work harder—that the control wasn’t his yet. That he needed to let me move more freely if he wanted to win me over.
“Maybe tomorrow,” I added softly. “If you let me walk around the house. Stretch my legs. I’ll feel more… normal p>
He narrowed his eyes slightly but then grinned, cocky and triumphant. “Fine. Tomorrow p>
I gave him a grateful smile, one I hoped didn’t show how much I wanted to stab him in the chest.
“Thank you, Lucas p>
He reached out again, trailing his fingers along my cheek. “You’ll see, Lily. You’ll remember how much you wanted me p>
When he finally deposited me in my bedroom, and locked the door behind him, I let the smile drop.
It was only a matter of time p>
Because one thing was certain—I would never be his mate. Not tomorrow, not ever.