Mine

Chapter 3

Before I could process what was happening, warm lips crashed into mine. My eyes widened in shock as I tried to push him away, but my hands barely budged against his iron grip. He pinned my wrists above my head with one hand while the other gripped my jaw, forcing me to stay still.

The kiss was anything but gentle. It was rough, desperate, and dominating—like he was trying to consume me. My stomach churned as his lips pressed harder, his actions more forceful with each passing second.

"S-Stop!" I managed to gasp between his brutal kisses, but my protest only seemed to spur him on. His tongue forced its way into my mouth, exploring it with a ferocity that terrified me.

How was he so strong? He held both my wrists effortlessly, as if I were nothing more than a doll in his grasp. My fear deepened with the realization of how utterly powerless I was.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally pulled away, his hot breath fanning against my trembling face. He stared down at me with a smirk that sent shivers up my spine.

"That's for running away without my permission," he said, his voice calm but laced with menace. He patted my head as though I were a pet, his fingers tangling in my hair. "You're mine."

My heart skipped a beat.

"What?" I stammered, shaking my head. "No, I'm not. I'm nobody's."

I shoved him with all my might, desperate to put distance between us. My voice, though shaky, grew louder. "You don't own me!"

His eyes darkened instantly, flashing with anger. Before I could react, his hand wrapped around my throat, slamming me back against the bathroom door.

"You're wrong," he hissed, his grip tightening just enough to make breathing difficult. "You're mine, Isabella. You've been mine since the moment I laid eyes on you. And you'll learn to accept that."

I clawed at his hand, trying to pull it away as the lack of oxygen sent my body into a frenzy. He seemed unfazed by my struggle, leaning closer until our faces were inches apart.

"You're Xavier Velders' girl," he whispered, his voice chillingly calm, "and you don't have a choice in the matter."

Finally, he released me, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as tears blurred my vision. He crouched down, brushing a strand of hair from my face as if he hadn't just choked me.

"Wait for me by your car after school, my sweet," he said with a smirk before standing and walking out of the bathroom.

For a moment, I stayed on the floor, letting the tears fall freely. My hands trembled as I hugged my knees to my chest.

This isn't happening. This cannot be happening.

By the time lunch rolled around, I'd managed to plaster a mask of normalcy on my face. Spotting Chloe, Caden, and Jelena, I joined them at our usual table.

"Where's Cade?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Caden smirked, pointing toward the family restroom. "Right there," he said with a chuckle.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion but quickly understood when Cade emerged, his hair disheveled and his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. Lipstick smeared the corner of his mouth and the collar of his shirt, and moments later, a girl stumbled out of the same restroom looking just as rumpled.

A pang of something—jealousy?—stabbed at my chest, though I quickly shook it off. I didn't like Cade like that. We'd just met yesterday.

"Hey, Iss," he said with a sheepish grin as he approached, running a hand through his messy hair.