Chapter 45: Don’t Hurt What’s Mine
Ariana’s body shivered, and what made it worse was that this was the first time he had ever acted this way toward her. She had never seen this side of him before. As she tried to stand, her limbs moved stiffly, her mind reeling—she had been wrong to think she knew him.
She didn’t. Not even close. If anything, this was merely the tip of the iceberg, and he had just given her a terrifying glimpse beneath the surface.
The moment she rose to leave, Zavren’s hand clamped around her waist, forcing her back down with calculated ease. His expression had darkened now, a shadow of menace in his eyes.
"That," he said slowly, his voice low and unforgiving, "was just a little advice—from me to you."
L... Little advice.
Ariana’s breath came out in a trembling gasp, fear clawing its way up her throat. Advice? He called that little? Oh, God.
Zavren’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk as he watched the stiffness in her posture—the way she froze like a statue, reconsidering every life choice.
"If you’re still entertaining the idea of running," he said, voice laced with mockery, "I know you’re not that dumb."
Her eyes widened in shock—he had just called her dumb, but in the most twisted, backhanded way.
Her gaze snapped to him, now filled with fury and hatred.
"Don’t overthink it," he murmured. "We were in the middle of something..." He paused as he realized the way her chest began to move up and down. Her face paled, her eyes shaking. Zavren held her to him gently.