Only for me | Draco Malfoy

4.

Fight or escape.

When faced with imminent danger, your body is said to automatically respond with either fight or escape. You're always expecting a fight. You believe you will be strong enough to prevent what is about to happen to you.

They occasionally mention the third one, freeze.

Not often enough, but occasionally.

You never expect to freeze. I never expected to freeze in the first place. I expected to fight, to thrash around as hard as I could. Scream, kick.

No, I didn't. I completely froze.

I'm not sure how long I slept in the heavenly comfortable cocoon I'd made out of the guest bedroom blankets. As I felt the dip in the bed, I began to stir. A warm body moved into the blankets, getting closer to me. My head was burrowed into the fluffy pillow as I lay on my side. My back was turned to whoever was approaching. I was about to open my eyes and mouth to tell whoever was looking for company that I wasn't looking for it.

As I felt a hand grab my hair, roughly intertwining their fingers in the strands, pulling my head back so that their mouth was at my ear, the words didn't leave my throat. I wanted to open my eyes and ask them what the hell they were doing, but I couldn't because I was too shocked.

"What made you do that?" It took me a second to realise it was Ryder, said a pained voice.

I could smell the alcohol radiating off of him, which surprised me because I'm sure I smelt like that as well. I didn't respond, so he tightened his grip on my hair, jerking my head even closer to him.

"Why?" Ryder demanded once more.

"What did I do?" My voice finally came out in hushed tones.

I had no idea what was bothering him so much.

"I'll tell you what, Angeline." Ryder replied with venom in his voice.

I didn't respond once more. Which was a bad move because Ryder wrapped his other arm around me, grabbing my neck and pressing down on my throat.

"You kissed him right in front of my eyes. In full view of everyone. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?" He let out a yell.

"Do you?" I hoped someone would hear him raise his voice.

I had no idea why he was so annoyed. Why should he be worried that I kissed Elijah?

"Angeline, you're mine. I'm aware of it, and I assumed you were as well."

His grip on my hair was starting to hurt. I tried to turn away from him, but I couldn't.

"What are you on about?" I exhaled, closing my eyes against the burning pain in my head.

"What am I on about? Are you serious?" Ryder growled, his hand leaving my throat and moving down to my hip.

He drew me in so that my body was flush against his. His fingers were digging into my hip, and I knew it would result in bruises. As his hand reached for the hem of my bathing suit, I let out a whimper.

"Shut the fuck up." Ryder whispered in my ear.

I couldn't place his voice. Ryder was always so polite to me. I had no idea who this individual was.

"Angeline, I fucking love you. Is this how you plan to repay me? By kissing Elijah in front of my eyes." I tried to wiggle free, but the more I moved, the harder he yanked on my hair.

"We're just friends, Ryder." I was able to croak out.

"Just friends? Are you serious?" He returned my bark.