Submission is Not My Style novel Chapter 19

He leans in, his presence overwhelming in the best–and worst–way. “I didn’t call the pack doctor,” he says casually, though there’s an edge to his voice. “I figured you wouldn’t be comfortable with another man touching you while you were asleep.” 

I narrow my eyes. “That’s not your decision to make.” 

His gaze darkens, his jaw ticking. “Maybe not. But the thought of anyone else’s hands on you makes me want to rip their throat out.” 

My breath catches. The possessiveness in his voice is unmistakable, and it should terrify me. Instead, it sends a dangerous thrill down my spine. 

My fingers curl into the sheets. “You don’t own me, Jack.” 

A slow, wicked smirk spreads across his lips. “Not yet.” 

Damn it. This man will be the death of me. 

My pulse quickens. “I will never belong to you,” I say, even as my voice wavers. 

Something primal flashing in his silver eyes. “You keep saying that,” he murmurs, lifting a hand to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. “But your body tells a different story.” 

I swallow hard, hating how his touch sends a shiver down my spine. 

I need to get out of here. 

And I need to do it soon. 

“Are you okay?” he asks again, his voice lower this time, but I know better than to mistake it for genuine concern. 

I scoff, slapping his hand away. “Don’t waste your energy pretending to care, Jack. I’ll be gone soon.” 

His silver eyes burns into mine. “You are my mate. How the fuck am I wasting my energy? You’re not some random woman. You’re my mate–my one and only Luna.” 

I let out a bitter laugh. “Exactly. That’s the problem. You don’t actually care about me, Jack. You just need a Luna. You need me to fulfill duties, to be the perfect little mate so your pack can look at you like you’re untouchable. But without this bond, you wouldn’t even look at me twice. I’ve seen the way your pack treats their women. That says everything about you. 

“Alphas like you only know how to take. You don’t know how to give, and I will never be your Luna. I don’t want to be with you. Can’t you see? That’s why I tried to reject you.” 

Jack folds his arms, watching me. “That’s yours, isn’t it? Nothing inside is missing. Take it and leave.” He tilts his head, a smirk playing at his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “But if you dare come back to my pack… or if you fall into my arms again, I won’t give you a second chance to escape. So, dear mate, make sure you run as far away from me as you can.” 

I swallow hard. This… this isn’t what I expected. I expected him to chain me to a bed, demand my submission, and use his strength to bend me until I had no choice but to give in. That’s what alphas like him do, isn’t it? Dominate. Conquer. Take. 

But instead… he’s letting me go. 

My heart flutters despite my resistance, and my wolf howls in protest. Don’t leave mate. Stay. We need him. He needs us. 

I grit my teeth and shove her voice to the back of my mind. No. I will not be weak. I will not let the mate bond decide my fate. 

Without a word, I bend down, grab the bag of gold, and straighten. I don’t hesitate. I don’t let myself look at him any longer than necessary. 

I turn on my heel and walk out the door. 

Even though my heart is screaming at me to stop.