Chapter 62: I said no

**Alice’s point of view**


Everyone says that when you get marked, you feel a sharp pain replaced by intense pleasure.
As Derek's fangs close on my neck, I do feel a sharp pain but it only gets worse by the second.
I feel a link forming between us. A powerful link that goes until the deepest of my soul.
I hear a harrowing scream. For a moment I think it's mine, but through my tears I see Elliot throwing himself at us, mad with rage and anger.
The guards next to him hold him down and tackle him to the ground. I see him struggle and one of the guards seems to grab a baton to hit him.
Derek finally let go and I rush forward to stop the guard's arm inches from Elliot's face.
"Derek, you promised." I say as I raise my head to him.
He wipes the corner of his lip where some of my blood had gotten stuck.
"Yes, it's true I promised." He says with a sigh. "Guards. Lock all these people in the dungeons. Feed them and treat them well. Make sure they can't shift."
As the guards begin to lift everyone one by one, I look into Elliot's eyes and Cassie tries with all her might to contact Leo.
*"Leo! Elliot!"* We yell over the mind-link.
Then we feel someone stirring in our heads.
*"No. It's not them."* Answers an animal voice that I don't recognize.
*"Who is it?"*
*"Hunter. Derek's wolf."*
Cassie fires, furious at his intervention. I feel Hunter takes offense and I try to lighten the mood.
*"Excuse her Hunter. It's just that this is all very unsettling. I hope you understand that we're a little confused. We're going to need some time."*
*"We'll mate right away."*
*"WHAT?"* Cassie yells.
*"As soon as everyone is locked up, we'll go to my room and complete the bond."*
No no no!
No, this is all going too fast. After letting him mark me to save the lives of everyone in this room, I thought I'd have some time to figure things out.
*"No, please don't. Not now."*
*"Yes. Now. Otherwise the deal is off."*
The guards grab Elliot and he bursts into tears.
"What have you done, Alice? I can't hear you, I can't feel you anymore." He says, sobbing.
"You know why I did this." I say softly.
He cries even harder. "I beg you. Don't mate with him."
"That's the price to pay." 
"You don't have to do this." He says, shaking his head. "I don't care if I die."
I pursed my lips and held back my tears. "I care." I whisper as I watch the guards carry him away from me.
It's strange. I don't have any connection with him anymore but I still love him. I feel like Derek and I are tie for life. He's my mate now, but I know it will never be like it could have been with Elliot.
Derek takes my hand and pulls me in the opposite direction. I follow him like a zombie and find myself in a vast golden room. I recognize the smell of the King and Queen and realize that we are in their place.
He throws me on the bed without any warning and it is when he is on top of me that I wake up.
I start to struggle but he is stronger than me and keeps me on the bed. 
"No, no Derek, please, not now. Give me some time."
He doesn't listen to me and rips off my shirt.
"Derek, please!" I beg.
It's when he rips off my jeans and panties that I start to sob.
I close my eyes and turn my head away, trying to detach myself from reality. I think of Elliot and try to focus on his voice, his radiant smile, his eyes looking at me as if I were the center of the world, his hair so soft, his arms so reassuring.
I remember the night we met. I dive into this memory, as if I was falling asleep.
I'm in the alley. I'm fighting with a rogue and I quickly kill him. A man dressed all in black comes in, calmly and confidently. I know what he is going to say and I wait with anticipation to hear his beautiful voice.
To my surprise, he removes his scarf and slowly lowers his hood.
"So what? You're going to let him do this?"
I frown. "Do what?"
"Rape you. What are you waiting for to defend yourself?"
I stammer. "I can't. He's going to hurt you some other way. I can't defend myself and no one is going to come and help me."
He steps forward and stops inches away from me. "Since when do you need someone to come and save you?"
He then turns into me. Into me, masked from head to toe. I see myself fighting by his side, I see myself finding a way to escape the interrogation of the rogues and Cassie fighting them. I see all my fights, everything I have ever done on my own.
The scenes disappear and Elliot stands before me again, looking determined.
"Do you understand now? You told me you weren't a damsel in distress. Prove it."
I nod, feeling the rage rise in me.
I open my eyes and Derek has his gaze lowered to my crotch, positioning himself.
I manage to break free and get the upper hand, pulling my claws out in the process to lacerate his throat. 
I jump off the bed and look down at him. He is half-naked, his throat is bleeding and his eyes are wide with shock. His wolf tries to heal him but the wound is too deep and he slowly bleeds to death. 
"I said no."
He blinks and takes his last breath.