CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: OWNED IN ANGER, HELD IN LOVE

I turned to Nuala, confusion and frustration clear in my voice. "What have I done wrong? Why is he so angry?"

She sighed softly, taking my hand gently and guiding me to sit down. "Calm down first," she said, handing me a glass of water.

I took a sip, my mind still racing with questions.

"I won’t say much or take sides," Nuala continued quietly. "But you should know Evric by now... he’s an overthinker. Maybe I’m too young to understand everything fully, but I wish Chrisly were here, he’d make this easier."

I looked at her, encouraging her to speak.

"From what I gathered from your argument earlier, he probably felt hurt, like you pushed him away."

"Away"

"Yeah, I think he’s upset because you left his side to meet someone else. In his mind, that means you don’t care or don’t see him as important."

I shook my head firmly. "That’s not true. Evric means everything to me. I care about him deeply."

Nuala’s smile softened. "I know you do. But sometimes, Evric’s thoughts get the better of him. Both of you just need to calm down."

She stood up and grabbed a bottle of water, heading towards Evric’s room.

I hesitated for a moment, then reached out. "Let me take it to him."

Nuala hesitated, giving me a brief, uncertain look.

I smiled softly, trying to reassure her. "It’s okay. I’ll handle this."

With that, I made my way upstairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of the tension pressing down on me. When I reached his door, I knocked lightly, but before waiting for a response, I opened it.

Inside, Evric sat slumped on the couch, eyes fixed on the floor. I stepped closer and held out the glass of water. He didn’t reach for it.

"I’m not thirsty," he muttered.

I took a deep breath, knowing I’d have to find the right words, to beg him, to listen, to understand the pain beneath his anger before I could say anything else.

I’ve never really cared this much about anyone I’ve crossed paths with before. Evric is the first, and honestly, I don’t even know what to do or how to calm him down.

I moved closer, reaching out to touch him gently, but he stood up abruptly, stepping back just enough to keep me from reaching him. I mirrored his movement, rising to my feet, eyes searching his face.

"You could at least tell me softly where I went wrong," I said, voice low but steady.

He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "You did nothing wrong," he muttered, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.

I swallowed hard. "Okay... I accept I was wrong to go to my friend when I knew you still wanted me by your side."

His eyes finally met mine, sharp and raw. "It’s not just that you left me for your friend. You left me to meet someone who admires you. Someone else who wants you. And that makes me feel like I’m not enough, that maybe there’s someone better out there, someone perfect that you’re looking for."

His words hit me like a punch. The pain in his eyes was undeniable.

"I’m not just angry," he continued, voice cracking slightly, "I’m jealous, jealous of her because she can grab your attention. You left me for her. You accept gifts from her. And the worst part? You said you want to get to know her better."

He paused, breathing hard as if struggling to contain the storm inside him. Even in his anger, there was a vulnerability that made him almost unbearably cute, the way his emotions flickered across his face like a wild, beautiful tempest.

I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, the sound breaking the tension.

His eyes snapped back to me, narrowing. "And you’re laughing? Am I a joke to you?"

He turned away, shoulders stiff, and I knew this was far from over.

"Do you know how it feels?" he said, voice louder now, frustration rising. "To see you smile at someone else’s name? To watch you light up for someone who isn’t me? I’m supposed to be the one who holds your attention. The one you want. Not some admirer who just shows up with gifts and a pretty smile!"

He ran his hands through his hair again, pacing a little, his energy raw and untamed. "And you..." He pointed at me, voice softer but firm..." You just sit there, not even realizing how much this will hurt me. Like I’m invisible when you’re with her, like I don’t matter."

His chest heaved, and suddenly, despite the sharp edges of his anger, I saw the boy beneath the armor, the one desperate for reassurance, for love, for something real.

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, wanting to reach through the walls he’d built.

He turned his back to me, the silence heavy between us. Slowly, I wrapped my hand around his waist, fingers tracing the line of his spine. "I’m sorry," I whispered, voice soft but earnest. "And for the record... she’s not important, you are. I said I’d get to know her just to stop the questions from my staff. You’re enough for me, Evric. Even if we’re not official yet, I don’t need anyone else but you."

He stayed silent, the tension still thick in the air.

Gently, I slipped my hand beneath his shirt, tracing down to unzip his pants. My fingers moved straight to his cock, but there was no reaction, no warmth, no pulse beneath my touch.

I leaned in close, brushing my lips against his ear, my breath warm. "I’m sorry..." I whispered, hoping to break through the wall between us.

Still, nothing.

I sighed quietly and said again, "I’m really sorry." My voice was barely above a murmur.

Without another word, I slowly peeled off my shirt, then my pants, shedding the barriers between us. Naked now, I pressed my bare body against his back, the heat of my skin offering silent apology.

My hand found his cock again, seeking connection, but still no response.

I spoke softly into the quiet room, my words deliberate and slow. "I know you’re angry, Evric. So why don’t you take it out on me? Come vent that fire on the bed, let me feel it. Show me just how angry you are."

"Punish me," I breathed, voice trembling with both longing and regret. "Make me scream, make me remember this moment. So I’ll never take you for granted again."

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, his body began to shift. Heat bloomed beneath my fingers, and then... finally, his hardness rose, thick and firm against my palm.

I smiled to myself, heart fluttering. Yes. This is the real Evric.

Then he suddenly turned to me, his hand wrapping around my neck as he pushed me back against the wall. It wasn’t rough enough to hurt me, but the way his grip trembled told me he was fighting something inside anger, hurt, love all tangled together. His eyes burned into mine, and for the first time, I saw just how deeply this had cut him.

Maybe to me it wasn’t such a big deal, but to Evric, it was everything. I could feel his pain, and it made my own chest ache.

"Just because I love you, Zayn..." he said, his voice low, his hand still trembling against my skin. I didn’t fight back. I let him do whatever he needed, hoping it would calm him.

"Just because I love you," he repeated, and this time his voice cracked. His hand fell away, and tears slid down his cheeks. Watching him cry was unbearable, I couldn’t take it. I cupped his face and kissed him, pouring everything I felt into it. He kissed me back, deep and eager, still burning with anger but trying to be gentle for me.

When he finally pulled away, he leaned in and bit my neck, hard enough to make me gasp. His breath brushed my ear as he murmured, voice soft like a child’s, "I’ll give you a love bite here so everyone knows you’re mine. You’re mine, Zayn... mine only."

His eyes locked on mine, searching demanding an unspoken answer.

"Okay," he whispered.

I gave a small, certain nod, and in that moment, something in him eased. His fingers moved...