Alpha's Dark Desires
Chapter 52: Cuffs (II)

Chapter 52: Cuffs (II)

KanePOV:

I knew cuffing her to me was extreme, borderline insane, but what else was I supposed to do? Given Elena’s track record of impulsive escapes, I wasn’t about to take any chances, I wasn’t about to take any chances. She tried to jump out of a window the moment she caught Ashley’s scent on me earlier when I was in the shower. And let’s not forget how she went full Alpha-mode on Lizzy a few hours ago. If she had known the full story behind Lizzy, her reaction might’ve been even worse. There was no doubt in my mind—my stubborn mate would have found some ridiculous, reckless way to bolt especially now that she was angry about Lizzy.

And I wasn’t going to risk it.

I exhaled, the weight of the day pressing down on me. Between the shopping spree, the lingerie store fiasco, and the surprise run-in with Lizzy, it had been one hell of a day. My wolf was agitated, pacing within me, its focus entirely on Elena. She smelled like lavender and defiance, her scent calming and frustrating me in equal measure

So here we were.

I glanced down at her as she lay beside me, her face turned away, her body stiff as a board. She was trying to pretend I didn’t exist, her lips pressed into a tight line, but I could feel her frustration rolling off her in waves. Even her wolf was probably glaring at me through her subconscious.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of her reaction when I pulled out the cuffs. The way her eyes had widened in disbelief, her cheeks flushing as she demanded to know what they were for—it was almost too good. Of course, the cuffs weren’t originally meant for her. I wasn’t naïve enough to think I’d find my mate anytime soon back then, so they were... from another time.

The sight of the cuffs on her delicate wrist made me feel equal parts amused and guilty. Okay, yes, maybe this was a little excessive. But considering her track record for sneaking away—or doing something crazy—I figured it was better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to suffocate me with a pillow in the middle of the night.

Better that than waking up to an empty bed.

She tugged at the cuffs again, her movements sharp and angry, but I wasn’t about to let her go. Not yet.

"You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep pulling like that," I said, keeping my tone calm.

"Good," she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "Maybe then you’ll have to let me go."

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her fiery spirit. "Nice try, Elena. But I’m not letting you out of my sight."

She turned her head just enough to glare at me, her eyes blazing with anger. "You’re insufferable, you know that?"

"Only for you, sweetheart," I replied with a smirk.

Her growl made my wolf rumble with amusement, and I couldn’t help but admire her fire. Even cuffed to me, she refused to back down. She was so fierce, so stubborn—and so undeniably mine.

But underneath her anger, I could sense the hurt. She was still angry about Lizzy, and Ashley before her. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a twinge of guilt for my past. I hadn’t exactly been a saint in my years without her, and I knew my actions were coming back to haunt me now.

Still, none of that mattered anymore. She was here. She was mine. And I wasn’t going to let her slip through my fingers.

"You can glare at me all you want," I said softly, my smirk fading as I looked into her eyes. "But you’re not running away, Elena. Not now, not ever."

Her glare faltered for a moment, a flicker of something else passing through her expression, but she quickly masked it with anger. "You don’t get to decide that," she muttered, turning away from me again.

I sighed, my fingers brushing against the leather cuff on her wrist. "I’m not trying to control you," I said quietly. "I just... I can’t lose you, Elena."

She stiffened at my words, her silence stretching between us like a chasm.

"I know I’ve made mistakes," I continued, my voice low. "I know you don’t trust me yet, and I don’t blame you. But I’ll spend the rest of my life proving myself to you if I have to. Just... don’t run from me, okay?"

She didn’t respond, but I could see the tension in her shoulders slowly easing.

For now, that was enough.

As the night wore on, her breathing evened out, and I realized she’d finally drifted off to sleep. Her face, so peaceful in the soft light of the room, made my chest ache. I tightened my arm around her gently, careful not to wake her, and let out a long breath.

Tomorrow would be another battle, no doubt. But for now, I was content to just hold her, to feel her warmth beside me and know that she was safe. I’d fight for her, every day if I had to.

My wolf growled softly at the thought.

She’s ours.

Yeah, well, try telling her that.

I couldn’t blame her for hating me. I’d handled things... poorly, to put it lightly. Between the forced stay at my pack, the territorial behavior, and the ghosts of my past flings showing up like bad omens, I’d given her every reason to push me away.

But she wasn’t going anywhere. Not if I had anything to say about it.

I shifted slightly, careful not to disturb her. The cuff between us clinked softly, a sound that made me smile despite myself.

She’s going to kill me when she wakes up.

But better that than waking up and finding her gone.

My wolf had waited years for her, and now that I had her, there was no way I was letting her go.

Of course, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t make it difficult.

I could already imagine her waking up in the middle of the night, glaring at me with those fiery eyes of hers, plotting a hundred ways to escape—or, more likely, a hundred ways to strangle me.

I wasn’t going to screw this up—not again.

She could fight me, hate me, and curse my name all she wanted. But at the end of the day, she was mine. And I’d do whatever it took to make her see that, even if it meant chaining her to me—literally—until she finally accepted it.