Chapter 55

Seris’s POV

“That night when you ran away…” His voice was low, dangerous. He lifted a gleaming knife and let its tip trail down my thigh, cutting deep enough to draw a dark red line. I gasped, heart pounding. “I was prepared to give you a chance—to show you a little love, to try loving you.” His hand shot out and coiled around my throat with crushing force. The world blurred at the edges. “I wanted to try this mate thing, but you ruined it!” He slammed his palm into my cheek, then again and again. Each blow echoed like thunder in my ears. “You ran off and humiliated me in front of the whole pack!”

“I’m sorry,” I choked out. My voice trembled.

“Sorry? You’ll be begging when I’m done with you!” His grip tightened until I thought I’d black out. “When I break every defense you’ve built, destroy your courage, I’ll remind you how worthless you are!” He rose abruptly. “Get up!” he ordered. My limbs shook, but I obeyed.

“Walk to that chair and bend over it.” H