Page 47 of Surrendered to Mate

Darana's face contorts with rage and jealousy. "She's just a human!" she spits.

"She's everything," I growl back, shocking myself with the intensity of my words. "And you almost took her from me."

The realization of how close I came to losing Faye hits me like a physical blow. My grip on Darana tightens, and I see genuine fear in her eyes.

"You have no idea what you've awakened in me, Darana. The apathy that protected you? It's gone. And now you get to deal with the real me."

I tighten my grip on Darana's throat, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my fingers as I nearly crush her windpipe. Her eyes widen with fear, and I relish the sight. It's time she understands the consequences of her actions.

"You want to play games, Darana?" I snarl, my face inches from hers. "Let's play."

I throw her harshly to the ground near where Faye lies unconscious, hearing something snap. Darana tries to scramble away, but I pin her down with my foot on her chest.

"Look at her," I demand, gesturing to Faye. "Look at what you've done."

Darana turns her head away, but I grab her chin, forcing her to face Faye's battered form.

"This is what your obsession has led to," I hiss. "You're pathetic, Darana. So desperate for attention that you'd torture an innocent woman."

I lean down, my voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Tell me, what did you think would happen? That I'd see you torturing her and suddenly realize I loved you?"

Darana whimpers, tears forming in her eyes. "I just wanted you to see me," she chokes out.

"Oh, I see you," I spit. "I see a sad, insecure little girl playing at being a woman."

I release her chin and stand up, pacing around her prone form. "You know what your problem is, Darana? You've never faced your own inadequacies. You've always blamed others for your shortcomings."

I crouch down beside her, my voice deceptively soft. "But not anymore. It's time for you to face the truth."

I grab her arm, yanking her to her feet. "You're nothing, Darana. You're not special, you're not powerful, and you're certainly not worthy of my attention."

Each word is a knife, and I watch as they cut deep. Darana's face crumples, her carefully constructed facade finally cracking.

"But... but we had something," she stammers.

I laugh, the sound cold and cruel. "We had sex, Darana. That's all. And even that was mediocre at best."

I see the moment my words hit home. Darana's eyes fill with tears, her body shaking with suppressed sobs.

"You want to know why I never loved you?" I continue, twisting the knife. "Because there's nothing to love. You're empty, Darana. A hollow shell trying to fill itself with other people's affection."

I grab her face, forcing her to look at me. "But it will never be enough, will it? No matter how many people you manipulate or hurt, you'll never fill that void inside you."

Darana breaks down, collapsing to her knees. I stand over her, my voice cold and unforgiving.

"This is who you really are, Darana. Weak. Pathetic. Alone."

I stand over Darana's crumpled form, my voice cold and final. "I choose Faye. She's everything you're not - strong, genuine, and worthy of my attention. You're nothing to me, Darana. Nothing but a mistake I should've corrected long ago."

Darana sobs, her body shaking. I feel no pity, only a burning desire for vengeance. My eyes flick to Faye's unconscious form, and rage consumes me anew.

I grab Darana by the hair, yanking her to her feet. "Now, you get to experience everything you put her through."

I drag Darana across the cave floor, her nails scraping against the stone as she tries to resist. Slamming her into the ground, I leave her dazed long enough to gently undo Faye's wrists. The angry welts there only enrage me more, and I stalk to Darana, using the same rope to tear through her skin as I bind her wrists tightly, just as she did to Faye.

"Please, Cassius," she whimpers. "Don't do this."

I ignore her pleas, securing her ankles next. "Funny, I bet Faye begged too. Did you listen?"

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