CHAPTER 5

I step back because of the way Nico is staring at me. The way his eyes linger feels risky and dangerous. He even threatens to rip off what I am wearing. Has he completely lost his mind?

“What did you do? Change your clothes!” Alpha Cassian orders.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “No,” I refuse.

“What?” Alpha Cassian shouts.

“The uniform in your house is ugly! That’s why I won’t wear it. It doesn’t suit me,” I explain.

Now Alpha Cassian is clearly irritated. “Who are you to go against my orders?”

I roll my eyes. “My God, Alpha Cassian. It’s 2026 and you still think like that,” I say. “You’re so old-fashioned!” I respond while rolling my eyes in front of him. 

His jaw tightens and he glares at me. Honestly, I don’t even know where I get the courage to talk back to the Alpha of Crescent Fang. I should just keep my mouth shut whenever he is around, but somehow, I can’t.

And these men are unbelievable. The way they look at me, it’s like they are ready to tear me apart.

“Vivienne, right?” Cassian asks in his deep voice.

“Yes. Why?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he suddenly grabs me by the collar. I feel his claw slide down the center of my dress, and his fingers brush against my chest.

My heartbeat instantly grows louder. My whole body trembles as Alpha Cassian and I lock eyes.

Then without warning, he tears my clothes apart.

I gasp loudly as my bare skin is exposed in front of his brothers.

Anger explodes inside me. Without thinking, I kicked him between the legs. He loses his balance, and I grab his shirt with all my strength, ripping it in return.

He gasps in shock. He really thinks he is the only one who knows how to destroy clothes.

But I forget for a moment that his two brothers are watching us. Suddenly, someone grabs me, and I am thrown aside.

Seriously? He throws me like that? Like a damn stuffed toy? 

I cry out when I land hard on my backside. I glare at the man responsible, but Nico only stares back coldly.

He really has a terrible attitude!

Still, I look at Alpha Cassian. “Do you think I’ll be scared just because you ruined my clothes? You wanted this. Then I’ll work here with nothing on!” I insist.

“Have you gone crazy?” Nico asks.

“Maybe I have, since I got involved with men like you. Grown men who push women around!”

“Just leave her alone,” Jaxon says. “You’re the ones who keep provoking her.”

“Leave her alone? Do you even hear yourself, Jax?” Nico snaps.

Among the three of them, Nico clearly has the shortest temper. When he looks at me, it feels like my skin is burning. There is really something about him but for some reason, my wolf feels excited whenever he is so close.  

“So what? You’re really going to work looking like that?” Nico asks.

“You wanted me like this. I was dressed properly earlier, but your brother destroyed it,” I complain.

“You’re not in your right mind,” Jaxon says, shaking his head. “The way you talk, you act like you’re someone important. Don’t forget who you are in this house!”

Instead of answering, I stick my tongue out at him. Does Jaxon really think he can scare me? 

Never!

But suddenly, Nico steps closer.

Too close actually that I can already feel the heat from his body. 

“Uhm,” I protest softly and try to push him away.

Instead, he grabs my waist and pulls me in. Then he leans close to my ear.

“You did all of this on purpose because you wanted attention, right?” he whispers.

“Excuse me?” I protest, but I can feel his warm breath against my skin. “Let me go!” I snap at Nico, glaring at him.

Alpha Cassian smirks. “Let you go? What you need is to be taught a lesson. I will punish you the way I see fit.”

I scoff. “You already ruined my clothes. What more do you want?”

“Do you really want to test our patience?” Nico asks, his eyes dropping to my chest, barely covered because Cassian already tore my clothes apart.

“You talk too much,” I tell him.

His eyebrow rises. Then he says something I don’t expect.

“Kneel.”

“What?”

“I said, kneel in front of me.”

Seriously? No way. Is he insane?

“Sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying-”

Before I can finish, he suddenly pulls me down and forces me onto my knees in front of him. I curse inside my head before threatening him with my eyes. 

“You’re horrible!” I shout.

“You’re worse, Vivienne,” Jaxon says. “If you’re a spoiled brat in your own home, don’t bring that attitude to Crescent Fang.”

“Oh really?” I challenge.

“Get the leash, Jaxon,” Nico orders.

My brows furrow. What does he mean?

After a moment, Jaxon returns holding a dog leash. Without hesitation, Nico places it around my neck.

“Crawl,” Nico commands.

I glare at him. Crawl? Is he serious?

For the first time since arriving at Crescent Fang, I feel real anger burning inside me. These men are going too far.

“Over my dead body,” I say.

Of course, I still act brave in front of them.

But then Alpha Cassian steps closer. He grips my chin and lifts my face.

“What are you waiting for, Nico?” he says coldly. “Kill her.”