Chapter 3 0003

He said those words with utmost pride, but my stomach churned at the title. Regardless, I forced a smile, not wanting to embarrass him. Yet in my mind, I was already crafting the perfect plan to hurt him.

Everyone returned to their conversations, but my attention remained on the woman he had been flirting with earlier. If I couldn't openly defy him, I could still wound his pride. And what better way than by targeting someone who held even a sliver of his affection? I doubted Luca was capable of love, but if he had any weakness, I would find it.

I studied her closely. She was beautiful-ageless, almost ethereal, with flawless skin and striking blonde hair that cascaded over her elegant blue dress. I approached her with a forced smile, and she welcomed me warmly, completely unaware of my intentions.

The moment she was comfortable, I reached for a nearby glass of red wine and poured it over her dress.

A collective gasp filled the room as she let out a startled cry. Conversations ceased. All eyes turned to us.

"What are you doing?" she shrieked, staring at the spreading stain on her expensive fabric.

I remained silent, standing firm as I waited for the inevitable reaction.

"Zuriel," Luca's voice cut through the heavy silence.

A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to look at him.

What was I thinking? Had I truly just done that?

Before I could gather my thoughts, his hand clamped around my wrist, his grip like iron. Pain shot through me as his claws partially extended, pressing into my skin.

He didn't yell. He didn't need to. The sheer force of his anger radiated from him like an impending storm. Without another word, he dragged me away from the gathering, his movements quick and merciless. The moment we reached my chambers, he threw me inside.

I landed hard on the floor, the impact rattling through my bones. He shut the door with a sharp thud, sealing us in.

"You just humiliated my mother," he said, his voice dangerously low.

My breath caught in my throat. His mother?

I had just poured wine on the former Luna.

Realization struck me like a slap. The room felt smaller, the walls pressing in. But I swallowed my fear, lifting my chin. "I don't regret it," I whispered.

His eyes flashed red.

"You are testing my patience, Zuriel." He took a slow step toward me. "I told you to behave."

"And I told you to go to hell," I shot back, though my voice wavered slightly.

That was the wrong answer.

Luca moved faster than I could react, grabbing my chin roughly. His fingers dug into my skin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"You're mine," he murmured, his voice dark, possessive.

I jerked my head away, disgust curling in my stomach. "I will never be yours."

He chuckled-a low, mocking sound. "Oh, but you already are, Zuriel."

Before I could respond, he crushed his lips against mine.

I froze.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't tender. It was a display of dominance, a reminder of the control he had stolen from me. My stomach twisted in revulsion as I pushed against his chest, but he was immovable.

Panic surged through me.

This wasn't happening.

I bit down on his lip, hard enough to taste blood. He pulled back sharply, touching his mouth before smirking.

"I like a fighter," he said, wiping away the red with his thumb. "You'll come around soon enough."

His words sent ice through my veins.

Satisfied with my silence, he stepped away, adjusting his shirt as if nothing had happened. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll learn what it truly means to be my Luna."

With that, he strode toward the door, his presence leaving a suffocating weight in the room.

I sat frozen on the floor, the taste of blood still lingering on my lips.

Anger. Humiliation. Hatred.

It burned through me like wildfire.

I touched my throat, where his grip had lingered, and felt the faint sting. It wasn't the pain that shook me-it was the violation. He hadn't marked me yet, hadn't sealed the bond completely, but I knew this was only the beginning.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back.

I wouldn't break.

I wouldn't let him win.

Instead, I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

If fate wouldn't deliver justice, I would take it into my own hands.

I would kill Luca.

Even if it was the last thing I ever did.