[Second life continues.]

  "You must wake up, dove of mine. You must return to me."

  Lina gasped at the familiar voice. She shot out of bed, her head buzzing from his desperate tone. He sounded so familiar, but from where?? The words seemed lost in the distance, but she was sure they were not conjured in her imagination.? Yes, she was sleepy but the voice seemed real. Was it the Commander? Only he had called her by such an affectionate nickname. No one else had ever called her 'dove'.? But what did he mean, 'return to me'? Her mind raced as she stretched her arm out across the bed.

  When Lina touched the spot beside her, she felt her body go cold.

  Kaden was gone.

  The spot next to her was icy. Kaden had left her. After taking her virginity and first kiss, Kaden had departed without another word. Tears obscured her vision, but she refused to shed any more for him.

  Letting out a shaky sigh, Lina's mind wandered back to where she heard the heartbreaking plea. It dawned on her. If Kaden wasn't here to say it, then who did?

  "I must get out of here," Lina decided to herself.

  Lina flung the blankets off her body. She shivered from the cold, her nakedness a reminder of what had happened last night. When she saw the bruises and red marks, her face paled. How the hell was she going to hide all of this? She eyed her thighs, where he had held onto her the tightest yesterday.

  What was supposed to be two rounds turned into all night long. He only released her when the sun rose and she could barely keep her eyes open. Even then, he ate her out, causing her hips to writhe in pleasure, but she couldn't come any more.

  Touching the spot between her legs, Lina could feel how tender and sore she was down there. Her body ached for relief. She felt like all the energy had been drained from her body. When she could no longer continue pleasuring him, he had brought her to the edge of insanity with his hands. Seated in his lap, he fingered her until she was practically begging him to let her sleep.

  "What a beast."

  Lina hoped that not all men were like this. She was jealous of his stamina. He had sucked the energy right out of her. He behaved as an addict, kissing and nipping wherever he pleased. By now, she was certain there wasn't a single spot on her body that he hadn't licked or kissed.

  When Lina's feet brushed the floor, she winced. Her arms trembled to even hold herself upright. She was certain she'd be unable to walk, much less go back home. Where would Lina go?

  Her family was going to disown her. She had made it known to the entirety of the Yang territory that she had spent the night with another. She had made sure that she looked the men and women dead in the eyes whilst walking up the staircase with Kaden.

  Lina wanted them to know. She wanted the rumors to spread. She was no longer "pure" enough for marriage. Her actions would repulse her entire family.

  "What are you doing?" A deadly voice asked.

  Lina shrieked in fear, hugging the blankets to her body. Her eyes widened when she glanced at the door. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't realized he had just entered. With a shaky frame, she opened and closed her mouth.

  Being the greedy man Kaden was, his gaze wandered all over her body. He paid good attention to which mark was fading and which bruise wasn't dark enough. He wanted to marry her skin. He wanted to brand her as his possession. But here she was, eager to run off.

  To where? To whom? Her lover, Altan? As if Kaden would let her leave his side. He was going to fuck her so hard, her insides would be molded to his shape. He was going to screw her all morning long, until all she could think about was him. His cock. His mouth. His touch. He was going to chain her to this bed if he had to.

  Lina Yang must be addicted to him. She must belong to him. Kaden would not let her go until her body was entirely his to monopolize.

  "Uhm…" Lina nervously licked her lips. "I was going to go home."

  "Home?" Kaden sharply echoed.

  "Yes…"

  "You think they'll let you through the door without beating you?" Kaden softly asked her, as if speaking to a child. "You can't possibly think they don't know what happened here?"

  Lina knew her family and the Medeors would beat her to death if she set foot in the house. They'd probably strip her naked and force her to kneel in shame. They'd call her a whore. A tramp. A good for nothing.

  "Where else would I go?" Lina asked.

  "Were you thinking of going to that pathetic little boy?" Kaden sneered, strolling to the bed.

  Lina let out a soft gasp, her body tensing with his presence. He stopped right in front of her, dropping off the wooden tray of supplies by the nightstand. He had brought her a hearty and nutritious breakfast with a change of clothes crafted from the most expensive silk money could buy.

  Lina's lips quivered at his intense stare. She was suddenly worried for her life. He was so kind to her last night, attentive even when she didn't offer her services in return. She thought most men would only want her for her body, but he didn't. All he cared about was making her scream and moan in pleasure.

  "Were you thinking of leaving me already, dove of mine?" Kaden threatened, curling a finger under her chin. He forced her to look up at him, his other hand snaking to clutch her throat.

  Lina gasped at his violent eyes.

  "Even though I've already made you my pretty little whore?" Kaden gently said, despite his harsh words.

  Lina shook her head, even though she knew that was what people would call her. How dare she give herself away to another man, despite being promised to Altan? How dare she sleep around? How dare she flaunt it to the public?

  The Yangs and Medeors would stone her to death for what she had done. Her vision grew blurry from unshed tears. There was nowhere she could go. She could never return home.

  Lina made up her mind yesterday. Last night, everything was decided. The alcohol gave her courage to leave her family behind, but that was all she had known.

  "Stay with me, dove of mine. Stay with me for a while longer."

  Kaden brushed his thumb over her mouth. It was still swollen from his obsessive kisses. He wanted to see these pretty lips wrapped around his hardening cock, to see her cheeks hollow out, and eyes filled with moisture. She'd be unable to take him fully in the mouth, but he still wanted for her to clutch her hand around him while he thrust into it.

  How he wished to sully her body and soul.

  Kaden knew she could never love him. Her heart already belonged to someone else, but he still wanted what he couldn't have. Even if it was for a moment, even if Altan never knew what he had done in their past lives, Kaden wanted revenge. He wanted to ruin Altan beyond comparison. How else could Kaden seek vengeance if it wasn't through Lina?

  "I'll take care of you," Kaden said, bringing her head up as he lowered his. He kissed her tenderly on the mouth, tasting saltiness from the tears that slid down her face.

  Lina sobbed into the kiss, her body trembling. She had just realized what kind of man he was. How foolish of her to believe he'd want anything else but her body. She turned her head. He kissed the corner of her lips, then her cheeks, her nose, and her forehead.

  "Don't cry, my dove. I will care for you better than anyone else."

  "I'm scared," Lina confessed. "You will only like me now, but once you grow bored of me, you'll throw me away."

  Lina had never felt more naive than she did in that moment. She should've known better. Mila had warned her so many times. But what did Lina go off to do? She fell in love with the first man that intrigued her. And it just had to be a tyrant.

  "If I could abandon you this easily, do you think I'd come back to care for you after the strain I put you through?" Kaden dryly remarked.

  "You'll hurt me if I try to run," Lina realized.

  "I won't hurt you, dove."

  "You will. Not physically, but emotionally."

  "Perhaps," Kaden agreed. "But I will never lie to you, dove."

  "That's the bare minimum."

  "It is," Kaden nodded. "I will be loyal to you, dove. No one else. You may not believe me, but trust me and I'll prove it to you."

  "How?"

  "Just stay by my side for a little bit longer and you'll see."

  Kaden lowered her back onto the bed. She was trembling like a wounded animal. Slowly, he wandered his hand. She gasped when he massaged her breasts.

  "They're swollen, dove of mine. Shall I make you feel better?" Kaden murmured, kissing the side of her head lovingly. He pressed his hard body against her soft skin. His thumb teasingly rubbed her pearl, causing her to flinch. He felt her thighs press together. At least her body remembered what he could offer her.

  "Where else hurts?" Kaden tentatively asked. "Show me."

  Lina shook her head. She knew how his seduction worked. Despite that, she fell for him hard. His words were sweet one moment and cruel the next. His hands touched her like she was his property. And he was the kind of man to never share.

  Suddenly, Lina found herself embracing him. She wove her arms around his neck and shoulders, pressing him closer. She wanted the reassurance he offered her. His warmth lingered on her skin.

  "Did you want a hug, dove?" Kaden teased, giving her exactly what she needed. She pressed her face into his body, letting out a shaky breath, but still nodded.

  Kaden's heart began to bleed. He was consumed with guilt and greed. He should've taken it slowly with her, but he couldn't. After many years of abstinence, his entire body craved for her again. He was a greedy man—he'd never share her with another ever again.

  "It'll be alright, dove. I'll be here to care for you. As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you. You do not need the Yangs, I am enough." Kaden kissed her forehead gently, his lips lingering.

  Her lashes fluttered. Lina finally nodded her head in agreement. He smiled against her skin, knowing he had just won her over.

  Lina was too young to understand the cruelty of the world, despite growing up in bloody money. Kaden was certain that if he hadn't been there, some other bastard would've taken advantage of her innocence and curiosity. He was glad that he was here first, for he genuinely cared for her.

  "Relax, my dear dove." Kaden stroked her hair, causing her to sigh in relief. His lips curled into a dangerous smile, hiding it from her innocuous gaze.

  "You are safe with me, dove of mine."

  Lina closed her eyes, despite knowing she had crawled into the lion's den whilst escaping the tiger. But her fate was sealed, and she could do nothing, but believe in his words.

  Dove of mine…… What a possessive man he was.