Mates of a Werewolf Hunter

Chapter 17 Shattered Trust

Valentine Winters P.O.V

I jolted awake at the sound of the door slamming shut. Lucifer had returned, but he wasn't alone. A girl trailed behind him, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, looking as out of place as I felt. Confusion clouded her features when she noticed me, while Lucifer's eyes locked onto mine with a sinister smirk.

My heart pounded as I watched them. The girl's gaze flickered to my disheveled appearance, her nose wrinkling in disgust. Who was she, and why had he brought her here? The questions swirled in my mind, but the fear was far more immediate. What twisted game was he playing now?

"Come on." Lucifer said, settling on the bed with her. They pulled out textbooks, pencils, and began working on homework as if this were the most normal situation in the world. I sat on the floor, fiddling with my fingers, trying to make myself invisible. The quiet rustle of pages and the scratch of pencils filled the room, a surreal contrast to the tension suffocating the air.

After a while, the sound of quiet murmurs pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see them kissing—deeply, passionately, as if I weren't even there. Disgust twisted my stomach, and I quickly looked away, focusing on a blank spot on the wall.

But then, something soft landed on me. I glanced down to see the girl's shirt. Irritation flared inside me, and I glared at Lucifer, catching his smirk as he continued kissing her. Defiantly, I picked up the shirt with two fingers and tossed it aside.

The atmosphere shifted, the room heavy with something darker, more dangerous. Her muffled protests reached my ears, and my heart sank as I realized what was happening. Memories of my own helplessness rushed back, and a wave of nausea hit me.

I couldn't just sit there and let it happen.

"Lucifer, stop!" My voice trembled, but I forced the words out.

His gaze snapped to me, and his eyes, cold and dark as night, bore into mine. He let out a low, menacing growl that sent shivers down my spine.

"I do what I please." he sneered, his lips curling into a cruel grin.

Fear clawed at my insides, but I couldn't back down. "Leave her alone," I demanded, my voice shaking but resolute.

He paused, considering my words before his smirk deepened. "Care to take her place?"

The room felt like it was closing in on me as I grasped the gravity of his offer. My pulse raced, and the girl's tear-streaked face pleaded with me to refuse, but what choice did I have? The desperation in her eyes was too familiar, too painful.

"Fine." I mumbled, the word like a weight around my neck.

Lucifer pulled back, allowing the girl to scramble off the bed. She hurriedly dressed, her hands trembling. "Thank you." she whispered; her voice thick with tears. She bolted out the door the moment Lucifer opened it.

Lucifer closed the door behind her, then turned to face me, his expression unreadable. He was still fully dressed, a predator sizing up his prey.

"Waiting for an invitation?" His voice was laced with mocking amusement.

"Get on the bed." he ordered.

"No." I spat back, defiance hardening my voice.

His eyes narrowed. "Get on the bed, Val." he repeated, his tone brooking no argument.

I held my ground. "No."

"We had a deal." he reminded me, frustration creeping into his voice.

"I don't care." I shot back, each word daring him to challenge me. The tension crackled between us, an electric charge that neither of us could ignore.

Lucifer took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "I do." he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. The closer he got, the more the walls seemed to close in, making me feel small, vulnerable. His height only amplified the sense of being trapped.

"Bed." he commanded, advancing on me with slow, deliberate steps.

I backed up until I felt the cold wall against my spine. My breath quickened, and I pressed myself against the wall, desperately trying to maintain the distance between us. But it was futile. His towering figure was inches away, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my scalp as he yanked my hair, forcing my gaze to meet his. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to summon the courage that felt so far out of reach. He's my mate, I shouldn't be afraid, I reminded myself, but the fear was stronger.

"Look at me." he demanded, his voice firm and unyielding.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, finding his gaze. The raw power in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

"Either I fuck you on the bed or right here." he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

My mouth went dry, and I couldn't find my voice. My legs wobbled beneath me, and my hands trembled uncontrollably.

"Your call." he growled, pressing his body against mine. His hand wrapped around my neck, his grip firm but not enough to choke—just enough to make it clear I had no escape.

"Please." I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "You should've thought about that before you took that girl's place." he hissed, before his lips brushed against my earlobe, sending a confusing mix of fear and something else—something I didn't want to acknowledge—racing through me.

The room seemed to vibrate with the intensity between us, and despite the terror, a spark of heat ignited deep inside me. The conflicting emotions threatened to tear me apart, leaving me trembling in the grip of someone I should've never been near.

But I couldn't show weakness. Not now. Not ever. I had to survive this, no matter what it took.