Fangs and Fur: The Alpha king's mate

stubborn are we

I feel my breath become stuck in my throat as he hears his belt being slid quickly through the loops of his pants.

The slight hissing sound of the leather sent a shiver down my spine.

Suddenly, the room felt like it was going to close off me, growing smaller and smaller as if trapping me in the intense moment.

I could sense Sebastian's presence close to my body as he leaned in close to my ear. His broad frame radiated with authority, which made my hair stand up. As if close to a predator.

The heat from his close proximity contrasted with the cold sweat that was forming on my forehead.
The swat was intensifying with the amount of anxiety that was forming deep in my chest.

Every instinct was screaming at me to run and fight back. My stubbornness amplified 10fold as I fought against his right to hold a shield of persistence against the humiliation of surrendering.

"You're pushing your luck, little mate." Sebastian's voice came to a low, resonant growl that vibrated through the air, wrapping around me like a tightening noose.

Absorbing his words was suffocating each word, dripping with warning and command. As he continued to hold down my growing weak attempts to escape his right hold,

"Here is how I see it, little mate. You can walk out of this with just a sore ass, or I can make you remember who held the power for a long time." He tells me, against my ear, that his voice is threatening in a way.

He wasn't even struggling to contain my trashing body.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I squeezed my eyes shut.

The war between my pride and the harsh reality of my circumstances raged inside me, each side pulling me in opposite directions.

I see the leather belt dangle in the corner of my eye as it softly dances across my bottom, as if to taunt me, reminding me of what was at stake.

As the leather brushed gently on my already tender flash, a jolt of unwanted anticipation ran hastily through my body. Reminding me of the pain I had already endured and what was about to come.

"Tick tock," he murmured, the taunt laced with an edge of impatience. His face sounded smug and cocky.

"What will it be, Adelaide? We apologize, and we can end this here. Or—" he started commanding me with his words before the belt harshly made contact with my skin.

Before finishing his sentence, the belt struck with a sharp crack, the sting biting into my flesh with a vicious intensity.

My body jolted against his every muscle tightening as the pain shot through me like wildfire.

The shock of it was almost enough to break my resolve, but I bit down hard on my lip, the metallic taste of blood grounding me in the moment, a physical reminder of my determination to not cry out.

"Stubborn, aren't you?" Sebastian's tone shifted, an amused lilt creeping into his voice, mingling with the frustration that simmered just below the surface.

His grip on me tightened, his large hand pressing against the small of my back, holding me in place as though he knew how close I was to breaking. "I respect that, Adelaide. But it won't help you here."

Another harsh strike followed.

A small involuntary whimper escaped my lips before I could stop it; the sound was pathetic and weak to my ears.

My pride was bruised under the weight of it, but the pain was making it difficult to think straight.

Each strike felt like a blade slicing through the armor I had built around myself, leaving me raw exposed, and vulnerable in a way I had never been before.

Sebastian paused, his hand still on my back, his touch firm yet oddly reassuring as if he were trying to steady me and give me a moment to collect myself.

"One more chance, little mate," he whispered near my ear as he leaned down again. His breath was warm against my skin. His voice was softer now, less of a command and more of an offer, yet no less authoritative. "Say you're sorry. Just say it, and this ends."

I hesitated, the words trapped in my throat.

My pride and my need to hold onto some control screamed at me to resist, to endure the pain rather than give him the satisfaction of hearing me submit. But the relentless ache in my body and the throbbing in my sore bottom were wearing me down.

The weight of exhaustion was settling in, making my limbs feel heavy and my thoughts sluggish. I hated that he was right and that he had cornered me so thoroughly, both physically and mentally.

The reality of my situation was sinking in, cold and undeniable. I couldn't win this fight, not like this.

I swallowed my spit as I forced myself to take a shaky breath. My voice sounded soft and shaky as I finally muttered, "I'm... sorry." The words tasted bitter on my tongue—a humiliating admission of defeat that stung worse than any belt ever could.

Sebastian's hand moved from my back to stroke my hair; his touch was surprisingly gentle, almost comforting. It was a stark contrast to the pain he had inflicted just moments ago, and the sudden tenderness only served to confuse my already tangled emotions.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" He murmured, his tone no longer mocking but almost understanding. He released his hold on me, allowing me to push myself up from his lap. My movements were slow and deliberate, and every muscle in my body was protesting.

But before I could fully pull away, Sebastian caught me by the waist, his grip firm but not forceful. Still leaving me the message that I wasn't supposed to get up.

In one smooth motion, he pulled me back onto his lap, this time not in a position of discipline but one of comfort.

My breath stalled briefly as I settled against him. The warmth of his body pressed against my trembling body, instantly easing the thick tension that was forming within me.

I didn't resist his forced movement of my body because all the fighting had gone out of me, at least temporarily. I was exhausted.

Sebastian's arms wrapped around me, one hand rubbing soothing small circles on my lower back while the other cradled my head against his shoulder. His friends softly brushed my hair out of my face as my hair stuck to my cheeks from crying.

The gesture oddly felt nice and comforting, almost safe in a way. The mate bond is already making me weaker than I ever wanted.

"I don't do this to break you, Adelaide," he said quietly, his voice sounding calm.
His voice rumbled against me softly.
"But you need to understand that defiance has its limits."

My pride still runs through my veins flared up at his words, and I glared up at him through tear-blurred eyes. The best I could given the current situation.

"And you need to understand that I won't be controlled," I snapped back through clenched teeth, anger stewing quickly, though my voice was weaker than before and wavering ever so slightly.

Sebastian sighed deeply and shook his head slightly.

"You're my mate. You are mine, Adelaide. Whether you like it or not, I'm not your enemy, but I won't let you walk all over me either." He tells me he is running his hand through his hair.

I wanted to argue, to tell him that being bound together didn't mean I had to submit to his every whim, but the words died on my lips as I rested against him.

The exhaustion was catching up with me, and the comfort of his embrace was something I hadn't realized I craved until now. Despite my frustration and lingering defiance, There was a part of me that found Solcae in his arms. The part that knew he'd protect me from anything, including myself.

"I won't give up who I am just because of some stupid bond. You'll have to learn to deal with me as I am." I said, my voice firm.

Sebastian's lips curled into a smirk. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, little mate," he replied, a note of admiration creeping into his tone.

He paused for a brief moment.

"Just remember, there's a difference between strength and stubbornness. One will help you survive; the other might just get you hurt." He replied, running his hand through his hair.

With that, he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

I hated that I found comfort in his arms.
I couldn't allow myself to get too comfortable.

Sebastian eventually shifted slowly and delicately, easing me off his lap and onto the couch beside him.

He stood up, his movements smooth and deliberate, as though he had all the time in the world.

The click of the door closing behind him echoed in the silence, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My body was still trembling from the adrenaline.

I let out a shaky breath, my hand going to my sore bottom. The throbbing pain was a reminder of the power struggle I had just lost.

Sebastian might have won this round, but I wasn't going to back down, not now, not ever.

This bond might be inescapable, but I would find a way to live on my terms, even if it meant clashing with him at every turn.

As I sat there, nursing my wounded pride and aching body,

One thing was clear: this isn't over, not for a long shot.