A playful smirk twisted his mouth as he leaned his broad frame against the doorframe.
He dragged an index finger slowly across his chin while his wolf chuckled in his head.
*(Don’t just open it!
Let’s savor this…
I want to hear how the haughty human begs a royal Alpha for help!)* Zane raised his hand and tapped his knuckles three light times against the heavy wood.
“Oh…” He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into a sarcastic drawl.
“…is this the fierce Roxy from the human world?” He rested his shoulder against the panel.
“Did she think she’d burn the academy down while trapped between mops and cleaning supplies?” Inside, Roxy heard his voice loud and clear.
Despite the pitch-black space and the fire burning in her wrists, her posture didn’t yield an inch.
She closed her gray eyes for a microsecond before snapping them open, staring into the dark.
She exhaled a long, slow breath before parting her lips.
“If you’re here to gloat, Zane…” Her tone was bone-dry and cutting.
“…I suggest you round up the trash you hired for this little stunt.” She shifted slightly against the pillar, the ropes biting deeper.
“Because they forgot to gag me.
And that means they’re going to pay double.” Zane’s low chuckle rumbled through the heavy wood.
His broad chest shook against the frame as his wolf howled with delight in his mind.
*(Hear that?
She didn’t scream, she didn’t cry, she’s threatening us!
This human is genuinely insane, Zane…
Open the door, I want to see her proud face in the dark!)* Zane pulled his arms from his pockets.
With a single fluid movement, he clamped his hand over the rusted iron padlock.
He didn’t bother hunting for a key.
He squeezed with bone-crushing force until the metal groaned and the cold latch shattered, clattering loudly against the floor.
He shoved the door open slowly.
Pale corridor light sliced into the closet, illuminating Roxy sitting on the floor her wrists bound tight behind the iron pillar, her auburn hair spilling wildly over her shoulders.
Zane stood at the threshold.
His dark irises glinted with amusement as he tilted his head to study her.
“My trash?
Oh, sweetheart…” He rested a hand on the doorjamb.
“When Alistair’s pack wants to lock up a daring woman like you, they pick golden cages worthy of her pride.” He glanced around the cramped room, shaking his head.
“Not a dusty broom closet reeking of stale bleach.” Roxy didn’t blink against the sudden wave of light, nor did her icy features betray a shred of gratitude.
She hoisted her chin up with rigid pride, locking her sharp gray gaze onto his.
“Whether it’s a broom closet or a golden cage, Zane…” She didn’t break eye contact.
“…standing here cracking jokes doesn’t change the fact that someone had to resort to ropes and numbers just to bring down a mere human.” Zane took a step inside the closet.
He lowered his massive torso until he was eye-level with her, his muscular, masculine scent instantly filling the suffocating space.
He reached out with brazen confidence, trailing the tip of his finger beneath her chin to force her gaze higher.
*(Untie her hands right now, Zane…
Let’s see how this auburn flame plans to scorch the welcoming banquet tonight!)* Zane flashed a wicked brown-eyed wink.
His lips curved into a mocking smirk.
“So, my fierce little cat…” He grazed his thumb softly along her jawline.
“…are you going to ask your Alpha to undo these ropes with a thank-you kiss?” He hovered just inches away.
“Or would you rather stay right here until the banquet starts?” The corner of her mouth hitched into a sharp, bitter smile.
Despite the biting cold of the raw skin circling her wrists, she held her ground, her breath brushing his skin.
“A thank-you kiss?
You’ve got quite an imagination, Zane.” Her voice was a dark whisper.
“I’m afraid if you lean in any closer, that playful tongue of yours is going to end up bitten clean off.” A flash of raw adrenaline flared in his brown eyes.
A stifled laugh rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating through his ribs while his wolf raised absolute hell inside his head.
*(Did you hear that, Zane?
She’s threatening to bite your tongue off while she’s tied up!
This female doesn’t have a single drop of fear in her veins…
I love this game!)* Zane pulled his torso back with a light shake of his head.
He reached his heavy hand past her back toward the iron pillar.
He didn’t waste time untying the complex knots.
He simply clamped his thumb and forefinger around the thick rope and exerted a burst of sheer force, shearing through the fibers as if they were nothing more than a frail thread.
The frayed ropes fell dead to the floor.
Roxy instantly yanked her hands forward.
She massaged her raw, reddened wrists with slow, deliberate strokes, refusing to let a single flinch of pain show on her face.
Then, in one smooth motion, she sprang to her feet, standing chest-to-chest right in front of him.
Zane dragged his gaze down to the angry red rope burns circling her skin.
He looked back up, his voice dropping into a deliberately provocative hum.
“I untied you for free, Roxy.” He leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming.
“Consider it another personal favor the Alpha Zane Alistair is adding to your tab.” He glanced down at her hands again.
“But tell me…
how do you plan to walk into the welcoming banquet tonight with those marks wrapped around your wrists?” Roxy brushed the closet dust from her skirt with absolute indifference.
Then she raised her head, locking her gray eyes onto his with an even harsher, more regal glare.
“These marks aren’t proof of my weakness, Zane.” She stepped closer, her chest almost brushing his.
“They’re a sharp reminder to every wolf in this academy that your ropes aren’t enough to break me.” She tilted her head, a cold, ruthless promise gleaming in her eyes.
“And very soon, you’re going to watch firsthand how I make whoever locked me in here regret the moment they ever thought to touch me.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Z_Hira Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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