Seraphina lay there, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.
Ezrin's warmth was gone, but the lingering sensation of his touch remained—on her waist, on her skin, on her throat where his teeth had pressed down just moments ago.
Her mind was spinning, trying to process what just happened.
He left her.
After everything—he just walked away.
Her hands curled into fists against the cold surface of the table, frustration burning beneath her skin.
She wasn't sure if she was angrier at him… or at herself.
Because he was right.
She wasn't ready for him. Not yet.
But the problem was—
Ezrin wasn't going to wait.
And now?
Now, she wasn't sure she wanted him to.
Ezrin stepped into the next room, his jaw tight, his breathing slightly uneven.
He had almost lost control.
Almost.
His fingers curled into a fist, his mind replaying the way her body had reacted to him.
The way she tensed. The way she shivered. The way her breath had caught just slightly when he bit her.
He should have stopped sooner.
He should have walked away before testing her limits like that.
But he didn't.
Because Seraphina wasn't just another piece on the board.
She was his game.
And she was already losing.
Ezrin exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
She'll come to me.
It was only a matter of time.
Seraphina carefully placed her foot on the floor, testing her weight.
A sharp sting shot through her ankle, forcing her to inhale sharply.
Her breath was still uneven, her body not fully recovered from the tension Ezrin had left her in.
But she forced herself to move.
Painfully. Slowly.
Each step was a reminder of how weak she was right now.
Her gaze flickered to the clock.
11 AM.
Her mind immediately went to Horizon Initiative.
She should be there.
But she couldn't.
Ezrin wouldn't let her.
And deep down, she knew—he was right.
She exhaled, shaking off the thought as she took another slow, painful step.
And suddenly—
She was in the air.
A firm, warm grip wrapped around her, lifting her effortlessly.
Seraphina's breath caught, but this time—
She didn't react.
She didn't flinch. Didn't struggle.
Ezrin said nothing.
His grip was tight, unyielding, his movements controlled.
He carried her through the penthouse, straight to his room.
And then—he placed her gently onto the bed.
Seraphina's gaze flickered up to him, expecting him to say something.
But he didn't.
He simply turned around—and left.
No words.
No smirk.
Just control.
Like he had already decided everything for her.
Seraphina let out a slow breath, her fingers curling into the sheets.
Then, finally, she grabbed her phone.
She had to inform Horizon Initiative.
She couldn't come today—and maybe not for the next few days either.
Because whether she liked it or not…
Ezrin had already made that decision for her.
Seraphina grabbed her phone, fingers tapping against the screen as she composed the message.
She couldn't come today.
And if she was being honest—she had no idea when she'd be back.
After sending the message, she exhaled, sinking back into the bed.
But then—reality hit her.
She hadn't seen herself since last night.
Slowly, she pushed herself up, adjusting her weight carefully before turning to look at the mirror across the room.
And what she saw stunned her.
She looked soft. Small.
Nothing like the composed, controlled version of herself she always presented to the world.
The very loose sweatshirt swallowed her frame, the sweatpants cinched at the waist but still too big for her.
His clothes.
Her hair was a mess, falling in waves over her shoulders, making her look… vulnerable.
And then—her eyes landed on it.
The fresh mark on her neck.
Ezrin's mark.
Her fingers instinctively brushed against it.
And the worst part?
She didn't hate it.
Her stomach twisted.
She hated that she didn't hate it.
Seraphina let out a slow breath, sinking back into the bed.
She had nothing to do.
Nothing except deal with the thoughts swirling in her head—the mark on her neck, the way Ezrin had left her shaken, the fact that she didn't even mind it.
She hated it.
She hated that she didn't hate it.
But before she could dwell on it any longer—
Her phone rang.
An unknown number.
Her brows furrowed as she composed herself, then answered the call.
"Valerie."
Her body stiffened instantly.
Elias.
His voice was smooth, but too eager. Too interested.
"What happened to you?" His words came fast, laced with fake concern. "How did it happen? When did it happen?"
Seraphina rolled her eyes."You already know, don't you?"
She answered his stupid, unnecessary questions with short, clipped responses.
And then—he said something that made her grip tighten around the phone.
"I want to come see you."
Seraphina's patience thinned instantly.
Her fingers curled against the sheets, but she controlled herself.
Barely.
"I'm not at my house," she replied, her voice neutral.
Elias didn't hesitate. "Then send me the address of where you are."
Seraphina's jaw tensed.
He was pushing.
Too much.
She inhaled sharply, forcing her irritation to stay beneath the surface.
"Wait."
And then—she cut the call.
Her fingers gripped the phone tighter.
Her mind was already racing.
Because she knew exactly who she had to deal with next.
Seraphina lay still, lost in thought.
Her mind was racing—calculating, analyzing, trying to decide what to do about Elias.
She didn't even hear Ezrin enter.
Didn't notice his sharp gaze scanning her face, his jaw clenching at how deep in thought she was.
And he hated it.
Because who had her so distracted?
His eyes flickered to her phone—the screen still glowing.
Without a second thought, he snatched it from her hands.
The sudden movement jolted her back to reality. "Ezrin—"
She barely had time to process before his expression darkened.
"Who called you?" His voice was low, sharp, dangerous.
Seraphina remained silent.
Ezrin's fingers tightened around the phone for a second before he threw it onto the bed.
And then—he moved.
Before she could react, he was above her.
His weight pressed her into the mattress, his hands capturing her wrists, pinning them above her head.
Seraphina's breath hitched.
Ezrin's face was mere inches from hers, his gaze burning into her.
"Answer me."
His tone was absolute, leaving no room for defiance.
Seraphina swallowed, her body trapped beneath his.
Because this time—he wasn't going to let her avoid him.
Seraphina's breath was unsteady, her wrists pinned above her head, completely at his mercy.
Ezrin's gaze was dark, unreadable—but there was something else beneath it.
Something dangerous.
"Answer me." His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
Seraphina hesitated.
She didn't want to tell him. Didn't want to deal with his reaction.
But the way his grip tightened slightly, the way his body pressed against hers, trapping her—
She had no choice.
"It was Elias." Her voice was quiet, but it was enough.
Ezrin's eyes darkened instantly.
And then—his grip shifted.
Before she could react, his hand moved to the back of her neck.
Firm. Controlling. Unyielding.
He pulled her up—fast, forceful—until their faces were inches apart.
Seraphina sucked in a breath, her fingers curling against the sheets.
His gaze locked onto hers,burning with something possessive.
"What did he want?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Seraphina swallowed, trapped in his hold.
Because now—there was no escape.
Seraphina swallowed, her pulse, unsteady as Ezrin's grip on her nape tightened.
His face was too close, his breath warm against her lips.
There was no space left to breathe, no room to hide.
"What did he want?" His voice was low, controlled—but burning with something dangerous.
Seraphina hesitated for a fraction of a second—a second too long.
Ezrin's fingers curled slightly against her skin, his patience wearing thin.
"Seraphina."
She exhaled sharply. "He wanted to see me."
Ezrin's jaw clenched.
"Why?" His tone was sharper now.
"Because I informed Horizon Initiative that I wouldn't be coming today due to my ankle injury."
The moment the words left her mouth—Ezrin's entire body went rigid.
A dangerous silence settled between them.
Seraphina knew that silence.
It was the calm before the storm.
Ezrin didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't even breathe.
But his grip on her nape tightened.
Seraphina felt it—the silent storm brewing beneath his skin.
"He wanted to see you." His voice was quiet. Too quiet.
Seraphina nodded slightly, unable to move more in his hold."Yes."
Ezrin's jaw ticked, his grip shifting.
And then—he pulled her even closer.
Their noses nearly brushed. His breath fanned against her skin.
His voice dropped even lower.
"And were you going to let him?"
Seraphina's heart skipped a beat.
She knew that if she answered wrong, Ezrin wouldn't hold back.
Seraphina inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
Ezrin's grip on her nape was firm, unrelenting. His patience? Gone.
She knew she had to choose her words carefully.
"I resisted." Her voice was quiet but firm. "I told him I wasn't at home."
Ezrin's expression didn't change. His fingers, however, pressed just a little tighter against her skin.
But Seraphina wasn't done.
"Then he insisted."
Ezrin's jaw ticked.
"He wanted the address."
The air shifted.
Seraphina barely had time to process before Ezrin's grip on her nape tightened even more, pulling her fully against him.
Their bodies were pressed together now, nothing between them.
His breath was warm, but his presence was ice-cold.
His voice?
Deadly.
"He wants to know where you are?" His tone was slow, deliberate, burning with something lethal.
Seraphina swallowed.
Because this time, she wasn't sure she could control what happened next.
Ezrin's grip on her nape was unyielding, his presence suffocating.
Seraphina felt every inch of his fury—the way his jaw tensed, the way his fingers dug into her skin just enough to remind her who was in control.
Seraphina's breath shallowed."Yes."
The air thickened.
Ezrin's fingers flexed slightly, his other hand curling into the sheets beside her.
Then—he exhaled slowly, deliberately.
His grip didn't loosen.
If anything, it got tighter.
"And what did you say?"
Seraphina held her ground. "I told him to wait."
A muscle in Ezrin's jaw twitched.
His patience was slipping.
His thumb brushed over the skin of her neck, right where his mark was—pressing against it slightly, like he needed to remind both of them who put it there.
Then, his lips tilted into something colder than a smirk.
"Good."
But his grip didn't ease.
"Now listen carefully, Seraphina." His voice was smooth, but it carried a weight she couldn't ignore.
"You're going to call him back."
Seraphina's heart stuttered."What?"
Ezrin's gaze burned into hers.
"You're going to tell him exactly what I want you to say."
Seraphina swallowed hard. "And if I don't?"
Ezrin tilted her chin up slightly, forcing her to hold his gaze.
His smirk returned, slow and dangerous.
"Then I'll handle him myself."
Seraphina's breath hitched, her pulse drumming beneath Ezrin's hold.
His words weren't a threat—they were a promise.
Her fingers curled slightly against his chest, mind racing.
"Ezrin—"
His grip on her didn't loosen. If anything, his thumb pressed harder against the mark on her neck, as if grounding her in place.
"Call him." His voice was calm, absolute."Now."
Seraphina's lips parted, but she hesitated.
She didn't want to. She didn't want to bring Elias back into this moment—into Ezrin's control.
But Ezrin?
He wasn't giving her a choice.
"You're hesitating." His voice dropped lower, his gaze narrowing. "Do you want me to think you're protecting him?"
Seraphina's stomach twisted.
"No."
Ezrin's fingers trailed from her nape down to her collarbone, slow, possessive.
"Then prove it."
Seraphina swallowed hard.
Her mind screamed at her to push back, to resist—
But then she saw it.
The raw, unfiltered rage flickering in his gaze.
And she knew—
If she didn't handle this, Ezrin would.
And Elias wouldn't survive it.
With a sharp breath, she reached for her phone.
Ezrin finally let go of her, but he didn't move far.
He stayed close, hovering, waiting—watching.
Seraphina's hands trembled slightly as she dialed the number.
The moment the line connected—Ezrin smirked.
"Now," he murmured, "say exactly what I tell you to."
Seraphina gripped the phone tightly, her breath uneven as the call rang.
Ezrin hadn't moved far. He still hovered close, his presence pressing into her, unrelenting.
The line clicked.
"Seraphina."
Elias's voice came smooth, expectant.
Before she could speak, Ezrin's fingers curled around her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.
"Repeat after me," he murmured lowly.
Seraphina swallowed hard.
Ezrin's grip didn't tighten—but it didn't have to.
His gaze alone was enough.
"Elias," she said, voice steady despite the tension burning beneath her skin.
"I told you, I won't be coming in. My ankle needs rest."
A pause.
"I understand," Elias replied smoothly, but there was something in his tone. "That's why I offered to come see you."
Ezrin's smirk darkened.
His thumb brushed over her lip—slow, teasing.
Seraphina almost flinched but caught herself.
"Tell him no," Ezrin whispered. "Firmly."
Seraphina exhaled. "No, Elias. That won't be necessary."
Another pause.
"You don't sound like yourself," Elias mused, his voice shifting slightly. "Where are you?"
Ezrin's fingers tightened just slightly against her jaw.
Seraphina felt his patience slipping.
"Now," Ezrin murmured, his breath brushing against her cheek, "Tell him you're somewhere he can't reach."
Seraphina's throat went dry.
Ezrin's grip didn't waver. His control was absolute.
Her lips parted—but this time, she wasn't just following orders.
This time, she meant it.
"I'm somewhere you can't reach, Elias."
Silence.
Then—Elias exhaled a soft chuckle.
"Is that so?"
Seraphina's pulse quickened. Something about his tone felt… different.
Ezrin's eyes flickered with something unreadable as he listened.
Elias hummed. "Alright then. Rest well, Valerie."
The call ended.
Silence hung between them.
Ezrin's grip finally loosened.
But his expression?
Colder than before.
"He knows something." His voice was sharp, calculating. "And I don't like it."
Seraphina exhaled, her fingers curling into the sheets.
Because for the first time—she didn't like it either.
Ezrin's jaw tensed as he stared at the phone screen.
His mind was calculating, dissecting every word Elias had said.
That chuckle.
That "Is that so?"
Ezrin had heard it before.
Not from Elias specifically, but from men who thought they had control over something that wasn't theirs to own.
His fingers brushed against Seraphina's throat, absentmindedly tracing the fresh mark he had left there.
She stiffened slightly at the touch.
Ezrin's gaze snapped to her.
"What?" His voice was sharp, controlled.
Seraphina exhaled slowly, as if processing something herself.
"That call felt… wrong." Her voice was quiet but certain. "Like he wasn't surprised. Like he already knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be."
Ezrin's grip tightened.
Because she was right.
Elias hadn't been surprised.
Which meant—he knew something.
Or worse—he was waiting.
Ezrin exhaled, forcing himself to remain composed.
But Seraphina felt it.
His fingers pressing slightly firmer against her skin.
The way his chest rose and fell a little slower, more controlled.
The way his presence seemed heavier—like he was on the edge of something dangerous.
Seraphina swallowed. "Ezrin."
His eyes flickered to hers.
She knew that look.
And she knew what it meant.
Ezrin was going to handle this.
And Elias wouldn't like how.
Seraphina's phone buzzed again.
Her breath hitched.
Ezrin's grip on her jaw remained firm, his thumb still brushing against her throat. His gaze flickered to the screen.
Elias.
Seraphina felt her stomach tighten.
Ezrin exhaled, slow and sharp. "He's persistent."
Seraphina didn't move. Didn't answer.
Because she knew.
This wasn't just curiosity.
This was obsession.
And Elias? He was testing her.