Page 98 of Plug and Drain

She had realised that, and she hated that he was right.

“Your pack,” Arken continued, “would only stand to gain from our arrangement.”

Susie’s head throbbed with an oncoming headache. It was becoming harder and harder to refuse him. Arken’s protection would be an invaluable thing for her pack. All she would have to do was submit to Arken’s will.

Her chest tightened, and she couldn’t breathe.

I’ll be on my knees, in his room… on my back, in his bed…

But the thought of her pack’s members feeling safe would be worth the sacrifice, wouldn’t it? Securing the well-being of her pack was a goal that burnt brightly in her mind.

She’d already made an avalanche of compromises since arriving at the academy. What was one more?

Except that the prospect of giving up the little progress and independence she’d scraped together was disheartening. She hated the thought that her pack would be better off without her, and she hated the way Arken’s offer diminished her achievements.

She was afraid. Afraid of herself. Afraid she would say ‘yes’.

“I think this would be a relationship that both of us could enjoy,” Arken said kindly.

Susie winced. She knew he meant well, but every word stabbed into her, cutting her fragile existence down into shreds until she felt naked and exposed.

Without the Student Council…

Without her pack…

What was she left with?

Those positions gave her a voice, even if it was hard to make herself be heard sometimes.

Just like Arken wasn’t hearing her now. He had no idea. How could he when he was so high above them in rank?

Tears pricked Susie’s eyes, and a burning sensation filled her lungs and throat.

Fight, Susie. Speak up.

She couldn’t stay silent. Not when her heart ached as much as it did. And not when she cared about Arken’s opinion far more than he’d ever given her cause to.

“You’re wrong about the Student Council,” she whispered, trying to get the words out. “You might not have had high expectations of it, but we are important. We do good work. We make decisions and listen to students. We advocate for change.”

“Yes, that is true, but in the grand scheme of things…” Arken shook his head, as if he’d suddenly regretted his words. “Never mind. Perhaps, I misspoke. I did not mean to make your efforts sound inconsequential. But the fact of the matter is, I’m offering you something real.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Something real? As in…”

Don’t say it, her mind screamed, even as the word ‘love’ jumped to the forefront of her mind, surprising her with its intensity.

“Protection,” Arken clarified, and Susie felt her mind shutter closed, the glimmer of a dream vanishing, leaving her feeling like a complete and utter idiot. “I want to ensure your safety at all times.”

Susie chose her words carefully. “Headmaster Arken,” she began formally. “I appreciate your offer to become your pet, and for your attention today…” her voice wavered as her gaze lingered on the collar, now half-hidden in Arken’s closed fist, his arm loose by his side. “And for the necklace…” she whispered, her voice fading.

Arken bit his lip, the corner of a fang indenting it. “But?”

Susie hesitated. How well did she truly know Arken? She was gambling on a person that she hardly knew, had barely known for more than twelve hours, and she was hoping that the offer to become his pet was truly that: a choice.

Because if it wasn’t, then there was every possibility that he would force her to wear the collar either way.

He’s always given me a choice.