Submission is Not My Style novel Chapter 55

His eyes drop to my lips, and heat surges to my cheeks. Damn him. Damn that voice. That look. That scent. 

“This is serious, Jack,” I say, struggling to keep my thoughts straight. “You can’t fight the Alpha King over me. Do you even realize how many lives it would cost? How much blood would be spilled?” 

“If that’s the price to protect you, then yes–I’ll pay it.” His voice is so calm, it makes me shiver. “Besides, weren’t you the one who said you weren’t afraid of him? As if your own life isn’t on the line too?“/ 

I exhale sharply and take a step back. “It’s different. This is who I am. I don’t bow–to anyone. Not even the Alpha King. But that doesn’t mean I want a damn war started in my name.” 

“So what?” he snaps. “You’d rather I stand by while he rips you apart?” He steps closer again, towering over me. “Celestia is serious, Kali. If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’ll drag you to her father. And you know what will happen then.” look away, the truth weighing heavy on my chest. 

“Fine,” I whisper. “Let her stay. One month. That’s all she gets. After that, she’s gone.” 

Jack’s eyes flash with something unreadable. “She won’t leave after a month, Kali. Not if she sees I haven’t claimed you. Not if there’s no mark. She’ll see that as an opportunity and keep pushing.” 

My heart thuds faster. “Then what do you suggest we do, Jack?” I murmur, lowering my gaze to my open palm. My voice is barely a breath. “What do you want from me?” 

He lifts his hand and gently tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. 

“We make it work,” he says softly. “We take this one month and use it. Share a room. Build our connection. That’s the time I’ll give you to accept our bond. Don’t you think that’s fair?” 

My lips part, but I can’t speak. My throat is too dry. “That’s… moving too fast.” 

His brows rise slightly. 

“Fine. We’ll share a room–but not a bed. And I mean it. We take things slow. I need to know who you really are before I give myself to something so… irreversible.” 

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. “And how do we do that, exactly? Get to know each other… slowly?” 

I draw in a breath. “Let’s… date.” 

Jack blinks at me like I’ve grown a second head. “What does that even mean?” 

I blink back. “You don’t know what dating is?” 

He tilts his head. “No. Should I?” 

I almost laugh, but there’s too much tension. “I read about it in a book. Humans–before they get married–they date. They spend time together. Learn if they’re compatible before they commit for life.” 

Jack snorts. “Date? Like humans? Kali, we’re wolves. We don’t date. We mate. We mark. The moment we meet, we accept. That’s how the Moon Goddess designed us.” 

I lift my chin and meet his eyes. “Take it or leave it, Jack. It’s all I can offer… until I’m sure about you.” 

A long silence stretches between us before he exhales a low growl under his breath. 

He doesn’t look convinced. “Hmm.” 

I scramble for a distraction. “Jack… is it true? That your Beta is your twin sister’s mate?” 

His face changes slightly. “How do you know that? Did Jasmine tell you?” 

“No,” I lie again quickly. Just a guess. But… maybe you should check on her. Make sure she’s okay–with her mate, I mean.” 

His eyes darken. “Let me tell you this once, Kali. No one interferes between mates. No one. That’s a rule in this pack. A rule I made.” 

“But you’re the Alpha,” I argue, frowning. “She’s your sister. That has to count for something.” 

“It doesn’t,” he snarls. “Alpha or not, she’s a mated female. Her mate is responsible for her now. I’m sure she’s in good hands. And whatever he chooses to do… it’s not my business.” 

With that, he throws the door open and walks out, leaving me standing there alone. 

1 stare after him, heat crawling up my chest–not from anger, but fear. 

“That’s exactly why I’m scared,” I whisper into the silence. “Because what if… what if you’re worse than him