Page 37 of Mated to the Vikings

That had been a true prison. This was merely child’s play.

I shuddered as Erik led me inside another room similar to the one I’d been in, but there was a significant difference. I knew exactly what this place was meant for.

Punishment.

I was instantly on edge, trying to control my emotions. “Please. I won’t attempt to escape again.” My words were almost inaudible, sounding more like a bad little girl than anything else.

He pressed his hand against my back, pushing me gently. “I believe you.”

“But it doesn’t matter. You’re determined to keep me in line at all costs.”

I knew he wouldn’t answer. I also realized that he was following orders. Steen’s orders. The glorified leader of this world. I’d sensed his prowess the moment I’d met him, his aura dazzling in every manner. Whatever connection I’d felt to him died during the trek here. Everything was so different. This couldn’t be what Erik wanted to do. Could it? Was he turning into a true barbarian, much more like the creatures living within the strange city? Success, Dr. Forrester. You’ve created a monster.

Shivering, I stood in the middle of the room, looking at what appeared to be medieval-like contraptions, benches of polished wood, items made of some kind of metal. They were… Shit. They were spanking benches of various types. On the wall hung myriad implements; leather tawses and straps, wooden paddles and canes. I was mortified. I was shaken to my core.

I was also wet and hot, just like before.

“Remove your clothes,” he instructed. He continued to stand with his arms crossed, a savage glint in his eyes.

What little I was wearing suddenly seemed precious to me, the only reminder of my former life. Turning away, I shivered the entire time as I tugged at the shirt, taking several deep breaths before being able to yank the material over my head. The thin bra was next, my panties last. I’d never felt so naked in my life. I didn’t have to bother turning around to feel the heat of his breath or hear the ragged breathing pushing past his mouth. For an odd reason, I felt vindicated in my continued antagonism.

I sensed his presence directly behind me, knew he was struggling to find the right words. There was nothing he could say that would ease my fears, nothing he could do to make this feel like home. I trembled as a single finger touched my shoulder, moving ever so slowly down the length of my arm. It was as if he’d never touched a woman before.

“You’re very beautiful, Cassia, but at this moment that can’t matter.” His husky words sent a thrill through every cell, creating another wave of intense heat.

“Can’t or you won’t let it?” Another round of silence. “I’ve never been called beautiful.” The words were true.

“Humans can be fools.” Erik brushed the tip to my fingers, allowing our hands to touch in the lightest manner. “I will never hurt you intentionally, but I will punish you. That is our way.”

“You mean their way. Don’t you?”

His slight snarl was surprising. “I had nothing on Earth and no one to care for me. What I’ve found here is a certain amount of acceptance and they have no reason to trust me given what has been done to them. I am more like them than you realize.”

“Is it true what Dr. Fields said, about you being a criminal?” I could feel his tension returning, knew whatever had occurred on Earth had been the first of many reasons why he’d accepted his fate. My question held an edge and immediately he bristled, his nail digging into my skin.

“What occurred on Earth I barely remember, but I was a dangerous man performing heinous acts. I had my reasons, but the Republic didn’t give a shit. They tossed me into the most wretched place on Earth, chained like an animal and left to die. After several months of near starvation, I was offered an opportunity to wipe out my record.”

“If you volunteered for work on Earth Two.” I laughed bitterly. How many criminals had Dr. Forrester convinced to come to this godforsaken planet? My guess was that neither Erik nor any of the others had the opportunity to read the fine print. They’d simply been sold into another type of servitude. No wonder they asked for a psychiatrist. They had no way of knowing whether the criminal mind would transfer, creating true killing beasts.

Or maybe that’s exactly what they wanted all along.

“Yes.” He dragged his finger down my spine, moving to the cleft between my ass cheeks.

“What did they do to you?”

“That no longer matters. We have the here and now. I am a member of the Galerian clan, warriors of this planet. You are our possession.”

“Said like a beast,” I muttered.

“Said by a man who is one of your owners.”

One of. The slightest touch of his lips against my skin shattered all the resolve I had, my hunger skyrocketing. No. I wasn’t going to succumb to any man or beast. Tears of anger and frustration slipped past my lashes, trickling down my cheeks. I wiped at them furiously, choking instead of sobbing. This was ridiculous. I was much stronger than this.

Erik gripped my shoulder. “I’m not an evil man, Cassia, but what I was as a human hasn’t changed. I require obedience and submission. Dry your tears and swallow your pride. You must accept the fact that your life has changed forever. You will learn to obey without question and without reservation. Once your defiance had been broken, your need to lash out expunged, then you will understand the true joy of letting go. We will not tolerate anything less.”

“How dare you think you can simply point a finger and say you own me? Did you learn nothing from your incarceration?” I skirted away from him, covering my breasts with my arms and daring to look him in the eyes. “I’m no one’s possession.”

Erik’s growl was more animal than man, veins in his forehead popping. He clenched his fist, hissing and turning away. In a split second, he snapped his body in my direction, looming over me and without touching, forcing me against the cold stone wall. He planted both hands on either side, cocking his head as he inhaled in an exaggerated fashion. “You still believe I’m human, Cassia. I am nothing but a beast, my hunger requiring satisfaction. You are here to fulfil my needs and those of my clan no matter what is asked or how often.”