Page 37 of Whispers of Ruin

Every reckless word, every ounce of defiance, every fucking wound she has carved into me. Let her wear it in the bruises I would have given her, in the heat of my palm against her flesh, in the way her breath would catch when she realized—there is no escaping me. No running from the madness she has stirred in my blood.

Even though, I let her stand there with that bitchy mouth that cuts like a blade, those eyes that gut me deeper than any knife ever could.

It is not too late to turn back, Xan.

The thought slams into me like a command, an inevitability. My body stills, muscles coiled so tight they ache.

No. She does not get to fuck with my head and leave as if it was all a game. She started this—she can damn well deal with the fallout. Especially when I just had to kill a man to save her ungrateful ass.

My hands tighten into fists. My teeth grind. I turn. with cold, brutal certainty.

I stalk back to the door, pushing it open so forcefully it crashes against the wall before I kick it shut behind me. The sound cracks through the room like a gunshot. Mira has not moved, still standing there as if she was waiting—no, hoping—that I would come back for her. The way her lips twitch, with just the faintest hint of relief, makes my blood burn hotter.

Sorry, little fox.

“You think this is over?” My voice drops, sharp and unforgiving. “The bed. On your fucking stomach. Now.”

Her expression shifts instantly. Confusion first. Then realization. And finally, fear.

Perfection.

She stands, her posture rigid, but halts mid-motion.

“Okay, Xan. I’m sorry for what I said, truly. But the bed… it’s soaked in blood, and there is an entire man’s body lying there…”

I let out a soft, bitter laugh.

“Even better. After that, you would have to be fucking stupid to try that shit again. But hey—maybe youwantto get ruined. Maybe that filthy little mouth of yours was begging for it.”

My words are void of mercy, devoid of any compassion. She thought that man was me. I can see that now. A misunderstanding, fine. But the way she answers, the way she brushes it off—it is unforgivable, especially after everything I have sacrificed to keep her alive.

She remains unmoved. Silent rebellion. And just like that, she pushes me past the line. No more mercy.

“You wanted to lie down with him? Here’s your chance, baby girl.”

In a single, controlled motion, I seize her, shoving her face-first onto the mattress. She cries out, but it means nothing to me. She should have thought about this before she spoke. Her body is trembling, stiff with defiance and desperation.

I grip her wrist hard, forcing her back onto the bed as she gasps, her eyes wide with shock. It makes no difference. Nothing matters except this—making her understand, feel every ounce of anger that I have been building inside.

“You thought you could say whatever the hell you wanted and get away with it? After everything I’ve fucking done for you?”

She flinches, but it is too late. I yank her closer, making her face me, forcing her to look me in the eye as I speak.

“You wanted to cross a line,huh? You wanted to test me? You have no idea what you’ve done, Mira.”

Her breath catches as I press my body closer, pinning her down with a suffocating intensity. There is no escape. She cannot run from me now.

“I’ve kept you alive. I’ve kept you safe,” I snarl. “And this is how you repay me? With your fucking attitude and your pathetic little games!”

Her pulse quickens, her chest heaving beneath me, I can tell she is feeling it now. The heat. The anger. I grab her by the chin, drawing her into my stare, to see each single drop of hatred and desire mixing inside my body.

“Looking for pain, were you? Well, here it is. Here’s what happens when you push me too far. So desperate to make me look at you. You’ve got my attention now and you’re going to regret to be alive.”

I cut her off before she speaks.

“If I did not have this mask on, Mira, I would kiss you so fucking brutally you would not be able to breathe. Your entire face would feel the burn of my rage as I would sink my teeth into your lips until I taste the blood seeping into my mouth.”

She is trembling underneath me, teetering on the edge of a breakdown or a revelation.

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