Page 44 of Caged

“Kieren,” I whine.

He gives me a muffled, “What?”

Sensing I’m on my own, I muster the willpower to roll onto my side.

Excruciating pain radiates from my left ass cheek, and my body seizes. I can’t roll to the left or right. I can’t move my legs. I’m frozen like a stone.

“Kieren! Help me,” I scream.

He scrambles onto his knees.

“What’s wrong?”

“It hurts! Something is wrong. Please, I need you to lift me up!”

He climbs over me and throws the covers off my body.

“Pull me up!” I shout.

He lifts me by the armpits, and finally, the fire-burning sensation in my glute dulls to a throb. A chain clangs to the floor, attached to the cuff around my ankle.

“What the fuck?” I falter as the realization that I’ve been chained to the bed the entire night slaps me in the face.

Twisting my torso, I peer over my shoulder. A square patch of gauze the size of my hand is secured to my ass with medical tape. Mistakenly, I graze the patch with my fingers and hiss with pain.

“What happened?” I ask, turning back to face Kieren.

“What do you mean ‘what happened’? You were initiated.”

“But what is that on my ass?” I wail, pointing to the bandage.

Bile rises in my throat, and I fear I might vomit.

“Did you drug me?”

“We had to sedate you. It was for your own good.”

“With what?”

“Ketamine.”

“Ketamine?!” I shout.

“I tried to give it to you before the Branding Ceremony to ease the pain, but you refused to open your mouth. You’re so goddamn stubborn sometimes.”

“Branding Ceremony? What the fuck did you do to me?”

“First of all, watch your fucking tone. You knew what you were getting into. I didn’t see you complaining when you were high on molly and riding my dick last night. You knew you were getting a brand. It was in the oath you took. And guess what? I fucking branded you.”

My hand rears back on instinct, and I slap him across the face.

Slowly, he turns back to look at me. His nostrils flare with cold fury, his jaw muscles clench with rage as he levels me a look of disgust. But like an indignant fool, I remain standing at the foot of the volcano, daring it to erupt.

“Slap me all you want, Monroe, but what’s done is done. You’re mine now, from your flesh to your soul. I own every fucking inch of you. Sigma owns every fucking inch of you, from now until forever. Hide and I’ll find you. Run and I’ll catch you. Do you know what happens to Sinners who dissent, Monroe? Do you remember the words from your oath?”

His wrath twists into a victorious sneer. Tears of betrayal stream down my devastated face, yet he watches them fall, emotionless and unfazed. I try to step around him, to leave, but he grabs the back of my neck, forcing me against his warm chest like a helpless, bound mouse.

“Don't make me put you in a cage, puppy,” he breathes into my hair as he plants a lingering kiss atop the crown of my head. “But if you ever try to leave me, I’ll have no choice.”