Rejected By The Alpha, Claimed By The Beast

Becoming Her Perfect Man

Chapter Six

Kaelthar

She was falling. Falling right into the trap, and I could see it. I could also feel it—the way her resolve was crumbling, the way her composure slipped with every lingering glance I made on her, and every gentle word I forced myself to speak to her. I could see it, the subtle restraint that held her back was dissolving, and soon, I would tear it away entirely.

I led her inside my house, my hand resting possessively on her back, moving down to her waist at intervals. The grand room swallowed her small frame, its towering ceilings and marble floors echoing with the power I wielded. But it wasn’t really the house that held her attention—it was me. I could sense her awareness of me in every breath she took, in the way her gaze kept darting toward me like she was trying to make sense of the man standing beside her. I caught her stealing glances at me, her eyes blinking as though it was the first time she’d see a man so hot and strong like me.

The designers I had called were already waiting in the main room. Various dresses hung on the racks, each one more luxurious than the last. I gestured toward them. "Pick one, Marigold. I want us to match tonight. You’re going with me as my date, remember?"

She hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the dress she wore. "But… I’m fine with what I have on."

I chuckled darkly, stepping closer, towering over her as I tilted her chin up to meet my gaze. I had to be that perfect man she’d need, dominant, yet romantic. "No, you’re not." My thumb grazed her lower lip, watching her eyes widen, her pulse quicken, her cheeks flushing. "I want us to match. Tonight is special."

She flushed, the color creeping up her neck, and she turned toward the dresses without another word. I smirked, clearly satisfied. She would bend. She always would. This was part of the game—making her feel like I was giving her something precious, a gift of my attention, my care. It was all part of the plan.

She chose a dress—a silver gown that shimmered like moonlight. Perfect. I sat back, watching her disappear behind the changing screen, my fingers locked together as I waited. The anticipation built in my chest, not because I cared what she looked like—no, I already knew she’d be stunning—but because each step brought me closer to breaking her, to getting my long-awaited revenge.

When she emerged, my breath caught—just for a moment though. The gown clung to her figure, highlighting every curve, every soft line of her body. The body I’d be sure to break and mould back up, then break again. She looked fragile. Perfect for what I had planned. I rose, crossing the room in a few slow strides, my gaze raking over her, exploring her body, and sending that shiver through her body. I wanted to push her to the edge, and watch her beg for her destruction.

"You look…" I paused, letting the silence drag out, savoring the way she held her breath, the way her breath became shallow, waiting for my approval. "Exquisite."

Her cheeks flushed to a deeper shade of pink, and she lowered her eyes, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips, but I saw it, and I loved that she was smiling, because a time would come when she wouldn’t be able to smile anymore. "Thank you," she murmured.

I stepped closer, lifting a strand of her hair and letting it slip through my fingers before tucking it to the back of her hair. I cupped her face gently, my head hovering right above hers, giving her that idea that I might kiss her, but I didn’t. Not yet. "You’ll steal the attention of every man in that room tonight," I said softly, leaning down so that my lips brushed against her ear. If I didn’t have this whole thing planned, I’d pin her right there and f**k her senseless so she’d know what my sister went through in the hands of the bastard men in her family. The only difference was that she’d enjoy mine, every woman does. But then again, there was still time to savor this moment. "But remember, you’re mine. No one else." I chuckled, and I saw a change in her eyes. I leaned even closer, my lips hovering right above hers once again. “For tonight and more if you want.” I shrugged.

Her breath hitched, and she nodded slowly, her fingers clutching the fabric of her gown nervously. I watched her, darkly pleased with how easily she blushed under my gaze, how readily she responded to my words, how her body reacted to every move I made. I did saw the rise and fall of her heart, the way her breasts hardened against her chest, pushing her n****e into a revealing zone.

She was falling for it, all of it. Falling for the sweet lies, for the illusion of care, and I couldn’t wait to see that pretty smile of hers shatter into tears when the time came.

I straightened, offering her my arm with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "Shall we?"

She took my arm, her small hand resting in the crook of my elbow, and I led her toward the door, every step bringing me closer to the moment when I’d rip everything away from her, the right she had to her body, to her own life, I was going to take it all says. She was already halfway to being broken again—she just didn’t know it yet.

And that was the best part.

The best way to break someone was to make them believe you were their savior, their anchor in the storm. Make them feel special, like they were the best thing in the world. Then, when they needed you the most, you switch. The moment of devastation, of betrayal—it was all so intoxicating. And I would relish every second of it.

Marigold was no exception. She was small, fragile, she didn’t know how easily I could shatter her. Not yet. But soon. Very soon.

We rode in silence, the low hum of the engine the only sound in the car as we drove through the streets toward the grand estate where the ball was being held. Marigold sat beside me, her fingers tracing the hem of her dress, her eyes flickering out the window. She was shy, nervous—excited too. I could feel it radiating off her in waves. I could see and feel every of her emotions.

Good. Let her enjoy it while she can.

I then reached over, taking her hand in mine. It was a simple gesture, but her reaction was immediate. She stiffened at first, then relaxed, her pulse quickening under my touch. She glanced at me, her cheeks red and flushed, that shy smile playing on her lips again, and I gave her a reassuring squeeze. "You’ll do great tonight," I murmured.

She smiled wider, her cheeks flushing more as she turned her gaze back to the window, her hand still tucked in mind. She had absolutely no idea what I was going to do to her, she had no idea what she was walking into—no clue of the storm brewing beneath the surface, the doom knocking at her door.

To her, I was the perfect man—the one she had likely been searching for all along, even before she got with her ex-husband. Little did she know what I truly had planned for her. She glanced at me briefly, and I offered her a reassuring smile, hiding the darkness beneath it.

When we arrived, the ball was already in full swing. The estate was lit up, grand chandeliers spilling golden light over the marble steps. I stepped out of the car, moving to her side, offering her my hand once again. She took it without hesitation, and I led her inside.

As we entered, all eyes turned toward us, and I took in their reactions with a dark satisfaction. It was always like this—heads turning when I walked into any room. Some were curious, wondering who I was, while others, those who knew me, were left questioning how I’d risen to power so quickly. They had no idea about my past. They didn’t know the hell I went through to stand here today. I had escaped death more times than I could count, I had sidestepped destruction at every turn, and now, I was the one dishing it out. It all starts with Marigold, and soon, it would end with Emeric—the bastard who took everything from me. He took my parents.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, reminding myself of the importance of today's occasion—my goal to impress Marigold in the best way possible. "What do you think?" I asked, flashing her a gentle smile.

"This is the first time I’ve ever been in a place like this," she murmured, her eyes scanning the grand hall. "Thank you for bringing me along."

I turned to her, a wide grin spreading across my face as I brought her hand to my lips and placed a soft kiss on it. "I should be thanking a beauty like you for accompanying me." I watched her cheeks flush, that familiar red blooming across her face. I loved that sight.

This was going to be more fun than I’d anticipated. She was falling faster than I thought, and I was certain my revenge would come sooner than planned.