Chapter 211: Protecting what's mine.
~Alexis POV~
I made up my mind that I couldn't stay in that camp anymore. Not after what happened in his tent. Not after seeing him with that female officer.
The guards at the edge of camp were busy talking to each other. They weren't paying attention to me sitting on the log.
This was my chance.
I got up slowly and started walking toward the trees. I tried to look casual, like I was just taking a walk.
When I reached the first line of trees, I looked back. The guards still weren't watching me.
I ran. I ran deeper into the woods. Branches scratched at my arms and face but I didn't care.
I had to get away from them. Especially from Cassius and his cruel words and that stupid kiss that made me feel things I didn't want to feel.
That female officer was probably the reason he was going to reject me. She was beautiful and strong and everything I wasn't. Of course he would choose her over me.
Fine. I didn't want him anyway.
As I ran deeper into the forest, I made promises to myself.
I would never think about Cassius again. I would forget his blue eyes and the way he looked at me like he owned me.
Mate bond or not, I didn't care. I wasn't even a werewolf so the mate bond shouldn't affect me that much. I could leave and nothing bad would happen to me.
At least that's what I told myself.
But even as I made these promises, I couldn't stop thinking about him. About the way he said I belonged to him. About how angry he got when I mentioned having another mate.
No. I shook my head hard. I needed to think about someone else.
That's when Lucien came into my mind.
Lucien with his pale skin and gorgeous smile. Had he been real that night when I saw him? Or was I just dreaming?
If he was real, why was I the only one who could see him? Cassius had been right there but he acted like nothing happened.
Maybe I was going crazy. Maybe the stress of everything was making me see things that weren't there.
But he had seemed so real. So solid when he touched my body.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the footsteps behind me until it was too late.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
I spun around and saw Captain Reed. He was one of Cassius's officers. A big man with mean eyes and a creepy smile.
"Captain Reed," I said, trying to sound calm. "I was just taking a walk."
"A walk?" He laughed but it wasn't a nice sound. "Pretty far from camp for just a walk."
My heart started beating faster. " Yes, you are right. I should get back now."
I turned to go but he grabbed my arm.
"I don't think so, little girl. You see, Captain Cassius told us to watch you. But he didn't say we couldn't have a little fun if we caught you trying to escape."
"Let go of me." I tried to pull away but his grip was too tight.
"You've been causing a lot of trouble, haven't you? Flirting with all the men. Making our captain all angry and jealous."
He pulled me closer and I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"I think you need to be taught a lesson."
"Cassius will be angry if you touch me," I said quickly.
"Cassius isn't here. And what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
Before I could scream, his fist hit my face. Pain exploded across my cheek adding to my unhealed injuries and I fell to the ground.
"That's for being a little tease," he said laughing.
I tried to crawl away but he kicked me in the ribs. The air rushed out of my lungs and I couldn't breathe.
"Where do you think you're going?" He grabbed my hair and pulled me up.
His hand hit my face again. This time my lip split and I tasted blood. I hated how weak I have become. I had no choice but to start begging even though I knew it wouldn't do anything.
"Please," I whispered. "Please don't."
"Now you want to be nice? Too late for that."
He pushed me down to the ground and got on top of me. His hands started pulling at the thin gown.
"No!" I screamed and tried to fight him off.
But he was too heavy. Too strong.
"Shut up," he growled. "Nobody can hear you out here."
His hands were everywhere, touching me in ways that made me feel sick. I kept fighting but it wasn't working.
Tears ran down my face as I realized what was about to happen.
"Get off her."
Captain Reed froze on top of me.
I turned my head and saw Cassius standing between the trees. His face was darker than I had ever seen it. His eyes were silver full of rage.
"Captain Cassius," Reed said, trying to sound normal. "I was just bringing the prisoner back to camp."
"By ripping her gown off?" Cassius's voice was quiet but scary.
Reed got off me quickly and tried to fix his uniform. "She was trying to escape. I was just..."
"You were just disobeying my direct orders."
Cassius walked closer. With each step, Reed looked more scared.
"I told everyone that nobody touches her. Did you think I was joking?"
"No sir, I just thought..."
"You thought wrong."
Cassius moved so fast I almost didn't see it. His fist connected with Reed's face and the captain fell backward.
"You thought you could hurt what's mine?"
He hit Reed again. And again.
Reed tried to fight back but Cassius was like a wild animal. He kept hitting him until Reed stopped moving.
I sat up slowly, holding my torn gown together. My whole body hurt and I was shaking.
Cassius turned to look at me. For a moment, his face softened when he saw my injuries.
"Are you hurt badly?" he asked.
I shook my head even though everything ached.
He walked over and knelt down beside me. Very gently, he touched my split lip.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I should have gotten here sooner."
"How did you find me?"
"I followed your scent the moment I realized you were gone."
He took off his jacket and put it around my shoulders to cover my torn gown.
"Can you walk?"
I nodded and let him help me stand. My legs were shaky but they held me up.
Behind us, Captain Reed groaned and tried to sit up.
"If you ever come near her again," Cassius said without turning around, "I will kill you. Do you understand me?"
Reed nodded quickly.
Cassius put his arm around me to help me walk. "Let's get you back."
As we walked through the forest, I couldn't stop shaking. I kept thinking about what would have happened if Cassius hadn't found me.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He looked down at me. "You don't need to thank me for protecting what's mine."
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