Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 27 - Unshaken

In my time as a rogue, I quickly learned to stay alert. Even in the coziest bed, I could sense when someone entered the room. I woke with a low growl, my instincts immediately kicking in. Leo laughed at the threatening sound, unfazed as always. "Take it easy, Luna," he teased.

I kept my eyes locked on him, watching his every move as he approached the bed and sat down beside me. When he reached out, I slapped his hand away, my warning clear. "You get bold once you're healed," I muttered, my body still tense.

"I get angry when confined," he shot back, his voice low and serious. "Especially when someone like you tries to touch me."

Despite the cozy cabin, despite the comfort, I wasn't falling for his charm. Not now, not after everything that had happened.

His expression softened, but he still muttered about my perpetual morning grumpiness. "When was your last bleed?"

I chuckled awkwardly, taken off guard by the personal question. "What's with the sudden interest? Is it night outside?"

"Nightfall," he replied curtly, his gaze fixed on me. "Now answer me."

His growl was a warning, and when his hand reached for me again, I could see he wasn't going to let this go. He grabbed my jaw, forcing me to meet his eyes. "It's been a while. My body's been under a lot of stress."

I didn't want to explain it—didn't want to reveal just how much strain my body had been under lately. I hadn't had a full period in over a year. It was as if my body knew it couldn't carry a child, so it just stopped. Sometimes, there would be bleeding, but it was minimal, hardly enough to count.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "That's not good." Standing up, he turned to leave. "I'll have my healer check on you in the morning."

"That's unnecessary," I countered, irritated.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I want you healthy for when you bear my pups."

I couldn't help myself—I burst into laughter, shaking my head. "You're out of your mind," I said, the absurdity of it all hitting me full force. "I won't let you near me. Ever."

Leo's expression darkened, his shoulders tensing before he let out a low growl. The air in the room shifted, and I was instantly on high alert. I threw the covers off and slid out of bed, positioning myself defensively, my heart racing.

"I provide you with a bed, food, a shower, warmth... and yet, you still disrespect me?" His words were laced with frustration.

I shrugged, trying to mask my unease. "Respect is earned. Your past actions destroyed any chance of earning mine. Are you taking back your promises then?"

I knew the answer before he even opened his mouth. This was the problem with Leo. It was like he had two sides—his good side, the man I had once fallen in love with, and his other side, the dangerous, narcissistic side that made me want to run. That side was mad, completely out of control.

His laugh was dark, sinister. "I never promised you anything, my love," he said with a smirk. "Adjust, because before winter, you'll be pregnant. And we'll start the pack we dreamed about."

The finality in his words sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't—wouldn't—let him win. Not this time.

Panic gripped me as Leo's words echoed in my head. "I never dreamed of any pack!" I spat, the fear in my voice unmistakable. "I'll fight you whenever you use force, I won't be your little bitch of a Luna!"

He circled the bed, his long arms reaching out to trap me. The limited space in the room made dodging impossible. Before I could react, he grabbed my wrists, his claws sinking into my skin. I howled in pain but didn't back down, retaliating with my own claws, slashing at him. "Let me the fuck go!"