His Slave (Short Story) - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

She was free to walk around the mansion and that without the collar. She was a little afraid, but most of the guards in his home didn't even give her another look. She walked towards the library again, looking for a few new books to read.
Michael had given her a lot of space, he hadn't even touched her since the last kiss under the rain. Part of her wished that he would touch her again, but he hasn't apologized to her yet.
She sighed as she pushed the heavy door open, walking and looking through the high shelves lined up against the walls.
She spent a few moments just looking around hoping that something would catch her eyes. But so far there was nothing.
"I would recommend this book." said a deep baritone voice from behind her. She jumped at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, turning around sharply.
She stayed silent staring at the young man, he was surely handsome, but not as handsome as the man that kept her captive in the mansion.
He held the book out to her and Leyla cautiously held her hand out for it, "What is it about?" She asked softly, looking up at the man. He smiled, making her feel uneasy.
"It's a dark romance, about a young woman who was captured by a rich man."
"Leyla gulped, moving her hand away. "Oh... I'm not into that."
"You should give it a chance." He responded.
Leyla shook her head, stepping away from him. "No, thank you. I should go back. My master is probably waiting for me." She said hastily, excusing herself. Michael knew exactly where she was, she had informed him.
She quickly moved past him, rushing out the door.
Leyla released a scream when she was pushed up against the wall by the door. "Let me go!" She shouted, struggling against the tight grip around her waist.
"Stay still and I won't hurt you." he threatened lowly, Leyla froze, panting with fear. He gripped her chin with his free hand and tilted her head up. She gulped, unsure of what he was planning.
He leaned down pressing his lips to hers, making her protest against his mouth. She closed her mouth tightly, trying to pull her arms out. "Kiss me back or I'll do much worse."
He grabbed her wrists forcefully, linking their fingers together and pressing them into the wall. Leyla felt tears filling her eyes, she shook her head pleadingly, but he didn't stop. He leaned down again, pressing his lips harder than before, when she didn't kiss him back; he bit down on her lip hard, causing her to gasp in pain. He took his chance and thrust his tongue into her mouth, Leyla fought the urge to gag.
"What the fuck is going on here?"
He jumped away from her, releasing her completely. She caught herself against the wall, panting for air. Leyla looked up at him through her tear filled eyes to see him glaring at her.
"She started it. She kept provoking me to come over to her."
Leyla gasped outraged. "No! I didn't. Michael i didn't do anything-"
"Quiet." He growled. Leyla's heart broke once again at the order. Of course he didn't believe her. She released a sob as she ran off.
She ran outside after all that and the worst part was the fact that he believed that guard. She collapsed beside the fountain, on the floor. She wasn't allowed outside, but at this point she didn't care. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herself and cried. Just when she started things were beginning to build up between her and Michael and her, something just had to ruin everything.
She felt something nudge her arm gently, she thought perhaps Michael had come and she was ready to fight with him again but it was Hunter. He whined softly, noticing her distress. She smiled through her tears. She crossed her legs leaning forwards and wrapping her arms around him and cried, she sobbed feeling Hunter placing his paw on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Hunter. I can't play. I'm too sad today." She apologized to the wolf, pulling away. Hunter placed his head in her lap as she continued to talk to him. "He thinks I'd willingly touch someone else. I hate him, Hunter. But even though I hate him, I still have feelings for him, ones I can't explain. I thought maybe things could get a little better, but he doesn't trust me at all. He probably believes I'm a - Im a whore." she cried, rubbing Hunter's head as he listened attentively.
She stayed quiet, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the cold fountain stone. Hunter growled loudly, making her sit up, looking at the danger. She looked in the direction that hunter was looking in, noticing Michael standing a few meters away from them, glaring at Hunter.
"It's okay, Hunter." She whispered, petting him, surprised that he relaxed his stance. "So you've even turned my most loyal companion against me." He stated, walking up to them. He raised his hand in front of him, allowing him to nuzzle his palm. Michael had heard every word she had spoken, even her confession.
"Follow me." he said looking at Leyla, who was glaring at the floor.
"Never! I will never listen to you. I hate you. Leave me alone." She snapped, glaring up at him. He bent over, grabbing her arm and pulling her up, but twisted her arm out of his grip running further into the forest.
She didn't realize that the more she ran from him, the more he wanted to devour her. He let her run, giving her a head start, knowing he will catch her no matter what.
"Hunter go!" he commanded, watching his wolf run into the forest. He ran after his wolf, chasing his feisty lioness. They ran for a few minutes, surprised how far she had already made it. Hunter howled, alerting Michael of her presence. He ran straight for her, leaping at her wrapping his arms around her small frame, turning them around as they fell. Michael grunted feeling the impact of both their weight on his back. He opened his eyes to see her staring at him with shock and anger.
He brushed her hair back, smirking up at her. She huffed angrily, pushing herself off him and brushing herself clean before walking off again.
"We need to talk."
"So now he wants to talk? In his damn dreams." she muttered to herself, marching further away from him, not caring about where she was going.
"We do a lot more than talk in my dreams." He called out after her.
She stopped, turning around dramatically. Her eyes searched for the nearest object at hand, picking it up and throwing it at him. He barely dodged the piece of rock, it was almost as big as her hand, giving her a bewildered look of anger.
"How dare you even have the audacity to joke!?" She shouted, fisting her hands at her sides. He walked up to her, throwing her over his shoulder and strode back to his house.
"Let go of me! I don't want to speak to you. You don't even care about me, you don't listen to me, you don't trust me, so we have nothing to talk about." she screeched angrily, punching his back, pulling herself up right.
"Stop it, Leyla. Say whatever you want, but when we are inside." He scolded gently.
"You're going to lock me up again. Just let me go." She fought, feeling her eyes well up with more tears.
He didn't say anything else to her as he placed her down only to lift her back up into his arms again. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring ahead as tears rolled down her cheeks.
He kicked the door open and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom, finally putting her down. HE crossed his arms and looked down at the short woman who swallowed nervously staring at the chain on the bed.
"I've been investigating." He stated, waiting for her to look up at him, but her eyes never left the chain.
"You're going to lock me up again, aren't you?" she panicked, looking up at him with wide eyes. She rushed past him not waiting for him to answer, but he quickly caught her arm pulling her along with him to his bed. She began struggling again, scratching and hitting his hand. She was panting as her panic increased.
"Leyla, sit down on the bed. I won't lock you up." she looked up at him, not believing a word he said, but wordlessly obeyed him.
He sat down opposite her, knowing exactly what she was thinking.
"I know what happened, Leyla." He said again, looking at her.
"A-are you going to sell me?" she asked shakily, her eyes wide with terror. She knows Michael was lenient towards her, but it wasn't enough for her and only a short amount of time had passed since he began accepting her conditions. Michael narrowed his eyes at her dangerously.
"Don't sell me please. Just... just kill me, okay? I don't think..." she sobbed, unable to bear the thought of someone else touching her, forcing her to submit to their desires.
"I'm not selling you, Leyla. I found out the truth. You didn't think id be stupid enough to let you walk around without any protection again." he muttered shaking his head.
"One of my trusted guards has been keeping an eye on you, to make sure you were unharmed. He reported the incident to me. I know you didn't do anything, Leyla."
"Then... then why didn't you say anything?" She asked, confused.
"I had to do some questioning with Lara." He stated. She wiped her face with the back of her hands, looking at him not sure what to say.
"Okay." she mumbled, pressing her hand to her face.
"I'm sorry, Leyla." he apologized guiltily. Her head snapped up instantly, staring at him with wide eyes. She couldn't believe her ears, this was the first time ever she heard him apologize to her. She noticed the soft tint on his cheeks and her downcast eyes.
"I know I've hurt you, i just couldn't understand why you resisted me, refused me constantly. But I understand now. I'm sorry for all of it, and will continue to apologize until you forgive me." he continued sadly, looking up at her shocked face.
"Come to me, my sweet Leyla." he whispered softly.
She shook her head, her lip trembling with emotion as her eyes welled up with more tears.
"Please."
The desperation in his voice caused a small sob to escape from her lips and she jumped into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her just as she did, straddling his lap and placing her head on his chest.
She cried more than she had ever cried. All the frustrations, anger and sadness flooded out of her eyes leaving her heart. He rubbed her back soothingly, knowing it was all because of him and now he was adamant to fix it all.