Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 37: Beg me!

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Beg me!

Cassian did not know when these words flowed out of his mouth. He had no inkling of what he was even saying. But the aching sensation in his chest was a constant reminder of the truth: he was not dreaming. That this was reality, and the man in front of him was real, and his pain was real too.

The anguish in the man’s words and the sorrow in his eyes, which seemed to carry the weight of countless lives, were as transparent as a sheet of glass. Every plea and word from him pierced the very core of Cassian. Even though Cassian knew he had done nothing to deserve this, he found himself consumed by guilt.

The words escaped him before he could even grasp their meaning, as if he had been yearning to utter them for a longer time....even far longer than his own life.

Xalor stiffened when he heard the unfamiliar voice beside him. The world began to sharpen in his vision, and like a cold water was poured on him, when he looked down at the tear-streaked face of the boy—an unfamiliar face, an unfamiliar voice.

It was as if the fog in his mind had finally lifted. without thinking of anything. He jerked Cassian away from him with a harsh shove, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Cassian hit the ground with a resounding thud, followed by a fit of coughing, his throat ached from the tight grip of the man on his neck. He stared up at the man who had just thrown him aside like he was worthless, when only moments before...

Cassian’s gaze met the looming figure of Xalor, whose cold, ink-black eyes were even darker than the void. He visibly shuddered and tried to retreat as the man’s presence closed in on him. Cassian felt like he was a prey ready to be devored any time.

Each step Xalor took was punctuated by the soft, ominous thud of his boots. With each sound, Cassian’s fear grew. He deeply regretted being out so late. It would have been far better to be wrapped in his warm blankets instead of facing a man who seemed on the brink of madness.

Xalor looked at Cassian’s terror-stricken, pale blue eyes and felt a dangerous urge rising within him. He loathed himself for losing control over something as trivial as a scent. "The scent was nothing special... it cannot control..." Xalor tried to convince himself, but his voice grew weaker with each word, as if even his own conscience knew he was lying.

The scent might be the same, but that did not mean they were the same. He could end up harming an innocent life in his quest to quench his thirst; he had to keep himself in check.

But a small voice in the back of his mind whispered, "What if they are the same... After all, faces can differ, but souls remain the same."

Shut up! Xalor shouted in rage, making Cassian jump even further away from him. Xalor’s voice was dripping with intense anger. He was fed up with all the voices in his head. He hated this feeling, this sense of weakness where he couldn’t make a single decision. Xalor looked at the trembling figure of Cassian before him, and his face grew even colder. The mere thought of him reappearing in his life had made him vulnerable so quickly.

Should he just crush the boy’s fragile neck, eliminating any chance of his return and sparing himself further misery?

But that would only increase his own punishment. After all, he was the only pathetic one in their twisted relationship, a fool whose eyes were blinded because of someone’s innocent mask.

Xalor crouched down to meet Cassian’s tearful, pale blue eyes. There was a time when he would have gone to any length just to wipe away those tears, but now, seeing them filled with tears, filled him with a twisted sense of satisfaction and a dark urge to inflict more pain.

He leaned in and asked, "What’s your name, boy?" His voice was deep and husky, causing Cassian to flinch and back away. A small, cruel smirk appeared on Xalor’s face, momentarily visible in the darkness of night.

But Xalor continued with his cruel words without waiting for any response, "still trying to be scared, a pathetic way of gaining my attention."

Cassian’s vulnerability was palpable, he was offended, why would he act to gain his sympathy. Cassian thought to himself but kept his mouth shut because he was too scared to utter even a word, and who knows when this man will become mad and crush his windpipe with his bare hand.

Xalor slowly gripped Cassian’s chin and forced him to look up. With a mocking smile, he said, "Tell me, is it fun to act like a frightened kitten, trying to win my attention with your pleas?"

Cassian’s breath came in quick, shallow gasps as Xalor tightened his grip on his chin, forcing him to look into those dark, intense eyes. Xalor’s smile was twisted and menacing, and it seemed to enjoy the fear in Cassian’s eyes.

"Tell me," Xalor repeated his words again with his low and rough voice, "is it fun to act like a scared kitten? Do you think begging me will make me feel sorry for you?" His words were harsh and cut deep into Cassian’s already frayed nerves.

Cassian’s heart pounded loudly in his chest, each beat echoing his fear. He struggled to stay calm, but the terror inside him was overwhelming. He wanted to shout that he wasn’t pretending, that he was truly scared, but he couldn’t find the words. Every time he looked at Xalor, he was reminded of how precarious his situation was.

Xalor’s smile grew wider as he watched Cassian’s body tense under his touch. He took pleasure in Cassian’s fear, a dark contrast to the care he might have shown in the past. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against Cassian’s face, making Cassian feel even more vulnerable. But Xalor still continues.

Do you think that begging...

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