Chapter 31
Astrid's POV
"Welcome back, Astrid," Leon whispered in my ear, his breath hot and foul. "You're mine now. And you're never leaving me again, especially not to meet some idiot who can't control himself."
Before I could react, before I could even process his words, he seized my face in his hands and forced his lips onto mine. It was a brutal, possessive kiss, meant to humiliate and degrade. I could feel his triumph, his power, and his utter disregard for my feelings.
He made sure Kaeleen was watching.
My stomach churned. I wanted to push him away, to wipe the taste of him from my mouth, but his next words froze me in place.
"If you do that," he whispered against my lips, his voice a low, menacing growl, "you can kiss lover boy goodbye. I have more than enough men to take him down."
I went numb.
I couldn't risk Kaeleen's life. I couldn't risk the lives of his pack members. I had made my choice, and now I had to live with the consequences.
I didn't return his kiss. I didn't push him away. I simply stood there, a lifeless doll in his arms, enduring his disgusting display of dominance. His tongue encroached my mouth. The feeling that had once brought joy and awakened my deepest desires now filled me with disgust and hatred for not only him but myself.
Finally, he pulled away, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He licked his lips as he ran a hand through my hair, his touch possessive and revolting.
"That's my girl," he said, his voice dripping with false affection. "Always so obedient. You've always tasted good but this is just exquisite."
He barked an order to his men, and they immediately sprang into action. A sleek, black car pulled up beside us, its engine purring like a predator.
Leon grabbed my arm and shoved me towards the car, not caring that I stumbled and nearly fell. He pushed me into the back seat, then turned and did the same to Clara.
I landed hard on the plush leather, my body aching, my spirit broken. I looked out the window, my eyes searching for Kaeleen.
He was still standing there, his face a mask of fury and despair. Our eyes met for a brief, agonizing moment, and I saw the pain in his soul. I wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that I was sorry, but I couldn't. Leon was watching. And I wasn't ready to risk Kaeleen's life. We had only known each other for a short time but he had become an important person in my life. I will forever remember him.
The car lurched forward, and the world outside began to blur. I watched as Kaeleen grew smaller and smaller, until he was nothing more than a distant memory.
Tears streamed down my face. I had lost him. Once we were safely away from the clearing, once Leon was satisfied that I was no longer in danger of being rescued, I turned to Clara.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice filled with concern. "Did he hurt you? Does your throat hurt?"
Clara glared at me, her eyes filled with hatred. She scooted as far away from me as possible, pressing herself against the opposite door.
"Don't talk to me," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "I don't want anything to do with you."
Leon laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed through the car. He reached out and pulled Clara closer to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"She's just jealous, Astrid," he said, his voice smug. "She doesn't like seeing me with other women."
He turned to Clara and kissed her on the cheek, his eyes never leaving mine. "Don't worry, sweetheart," he said. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just had to make a point."
He turned back to me, his smile cold and calculating. "Besides," he added, "it's not like you could ever take her place. She's far more useful than you are."
My heart plummeted. I knew what he meant. I had suspected it all along. But hearing him say it out loud, hearing him confirm my worst fears…it was devastating.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Leon laughed, a long, drawn-out sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, Astrid," he said, shaking his head. "You really don't know your sister very well, do you?"
He turned to Clara, his eyes filled with admiration. "Tell her, sweetheart," he said. "Tell her who really planned this whole thing."
I stared at her in disbelief, my mind reeling. "You're joking," I said, my voice trembling. "You can't be serious."
I knew everything had been a trick to lure me but I couldn't bear to see my sister hurt and dying in my presence but she was the mastermind? No. That's not possible. Clara wouldn't go that far? Right?
Leon laughed again, louder this time. "You look so shocked, Astrid dear. Did you never think that your sister would be able to pull off something like this?" He asked me with a laugh.
"Clara." I called out. "It's not true right? You wouldn't do something like this. You are a kind person. You hate seeing people hurt. This was all Leon's plan right?" I asked her desperately clutching at states even if I knew deep down that it was possible. That my sister whom I knew now was different from the one years ago.
"Ha" she said as she burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. I watched as she laughed for long, joy evident on her face.
"You really think you know me so well don't you?" She asked as she wiped a tear off her face.
"B..but..wh..why? Why would you do this?" I asked her as the tears poured down my eyes.
"Why did you leave me to die?" She asked me.
"I went to get help!" I screamed at her.
Leon hit me across the cheek immediately and Clara snickered. The move had come as a shock to me and so I held my cheek.
"You are not to raise your voice." He growled at me.
It seemed like every other day, I just signed a death warrant. I made the wrong choice again. Choosing to save someone who I fought so hard to believe still had a little good in her.