Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 47: Jealousy!

Back at the mansion, the air felt heavier than usual, tension crackling like static electricity in the corridors. Violet hesitated briefly outside Cain’s quarters, her grip on the vial tightening. The medicine, crimson and viscous, was heavier in her hand than it should have been—both physically and metaphorically. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door, only for her steps to falter under the weight of Cain’s gaze.

The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tightly shut. Cain sat on the edge of the bed, shirtless, his broad shoulders tense. His golden-brown eyes burned with an intensity that made Violet’s stomach twist. The soft glow of a nearby lamp highlighted the taut muscles of his chest, but what drew her attention more was the raw pain etched into his expression.

"You’re late," he said, his voice low, each syllable slicing through the stillness of the room.

Violet’s throat tightened, her usual composure slipping in the face of his searing accusation. "I—" She lowered her gaze, clutching the vial tighter. "I’m sorry. I lost track of time in the library. I... fell asleep."

Cain’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable, though the sharpness of his scrutiny made her shift uncomfortably. He gestured toward the nightstand with a flick of his fingers. "Put it there."

Violet obeyed quickly, placing the vial on the table as if it might shatter in her hands. Yet, just as she straightened to take a step back, Cain’s hand shot out, his fingers curling firmly around her wrist. The sudden contact sent a jolt through her, freezing her in place.

"Come closer," he commanded.

The steel in his voice left no room for argument. Violet took a hesitant step forward, her heart thundering in her chest. Before she could process what was happening, Cain tugged her down, pulling her onto the bed with surprising ease. His arms encircled her waist, holding her in a grip that was firm yet strangely gentle.

"Cain..." she began, her voice faltering as his head dipped, his face pressing into the crook of her neck. His breath was warm against her skin, and the closeness sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

"You should take the medicine," she said, her words barely above a whisper. "It’s supposed to help..."

Cain’s lips brushed lightly against her neck as he murmured, "This is better."

Violet stiffened at the intimate tone of his voice, heat rushing to her cheeks. "I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean," she muttered, squirming slightly in his hold. But no matter how she tried to loosen his grip, it only tightened.

His breathing began to steady, his body gradually relaxing against hers. It didn’t take long for Violet to realize that he was falling asleep. Though her body remained tense, her mind raced. This is better than him turning into that beast, she told herself. This is better than him turning into a beast...

Despite her resolve, it was impossible to ignore the way his warmth enveloped her, or how his firm muscles pressed against her back. The realization only made her more acutely aware of every inch of him, and she squeezed her eyes shut, willing sleep to claim her as well.

When she awoke, the room felt different. The air was warmer, heavier, and Violet immediately knew why. Cain’s golden-brown eyes were fixed on her, his gaze sharp and unwavering. She blinked groggily, her heart skipping a beat as she took in the state of the room. Furniture had been overturned, and a deep gash marred the wall near the window. The tension in the air was almost suffocating.

"You... you did all this while I was asleep?" Violet asked hesitantly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay calm.

Cain’s lips twitched, though whether in amusement or something darker, she couldn’t tell. "Did you know," he began, his voice deceptively calm, "that you call my name in your sleep?"

Violet’s cheeks burned crimson. "I... I don’t!" she blurted out, sitting up abruptly and putting as much distance between them as she could. But his steady gaze didn’t waver, and his smirk only deepened.

"Makes me wonder what you’ve been dreaming about," he said, leaning back with a casualness that only fueled her embarrassment.

Refusing to let the conversation continue down such an unsettling path, Violet scrambled off the bed, smoothing her rumpled clothes with shaky hands. "I’d like to go to the library," she said quickly, hoping to steer the topic elsewhere. "There are some books I’d like to read."

To her surprise, Cain didn’t deny her request. He nodded once, his expression unreadable. "Fine. But make sure you’re back by evening. And don’t be late."

Violet barely managed to suppress her relief. "Thank you," she said, bowing slightly before slipping out of the room as quickly as she could. Once in the hallway, she exhaled a shaky breath. If I stay in that room any longer, he might realize who I really am.

The library had become her sanctuary over the past week. Each day, Cain allowed her to leave, though the evenings were always marked by his intense embrace when she returned. It was a strange routine, one she found herself begrudgingly adapting to.

"Hey!" Nathan’s voice broke through her thoughts. He leaned closer, his face only inches away from hers. "You’ve been spacing out for a while now. What’s on your mind?"

Violet blinked, startled by his proximity. "Nothing," she replied quickly, shaking her head.

Nathan raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were daydreaming about a woman back home."

The comment caught her off guard, and she couldn’t help but laugh. "Absolutely not," she said, pushing his face away playfully. The familiarity between them had grown over the past few days, and Violet found herself relaxing in his company.

But her laughter died in her throat the moment she caught sight of a familiar figure near the library entrance. Cain stood there, his golden-brown eyes locked on her, his expression unreadable. The sight of him sent a chill down her spine. He didn’t say a word; he simply turned and walked away.

Violet’s heart sank. She knew he had seen them, and the weight of his disapproval was palpable. She rose to her feet, intending to follow him, but Nathan grabbed her arm, pulling her back down with more force than necessary.

"If he needed you, he would’ve called for you," Nathan said, his tone light, though there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "There’s no reason to cut your free time short. We’ve still got a few minutes."

Violet hesitated, torn between staying and leaving. Eventually, she relented, her focus returning to the book in her hands. She was oblivious to the calculating glint in Nathan’s eyes as he watched her.

If she gets into trouble, it’ll only make my job easier, Nathan thought, a cold smile curling his lips. Cain’s trust is my goal, and once I eliminate her, I’ll be the only spy left standing. The pay is too good to pass up.

*************

Cain was enraged!

There was no logic behind the storm brewing inside him, yet he felt the unrelenting urge to destroy everything within reach. His fists were clenched tightly, veins bulging along his forearms as he glared around the room, his vision tinged with red. The memory replayed in his mind on an agonizing loop—Viole laughing, his head tilted ever so slightly back, the sound of her amusement directed at someone else. Another man’s proximity, his familiar stance, and the fact that Viole hadn’t so much as flinched or stepped away.

He had given him space in order to sort through his own feelings, the thought of being attracted to a man not something he was used to only to...

"That liar!" Cain growled under his breath, his voice barely controlled as it reverberated through the quiet room.

His hand slammed down on the wooden table, the sharp sound echoing. He braced himself against it, his golden-brown eyes fixed on the door. The door he was supposed to walk through, with an apology spilling from his lips, his contrite gaze meeting his.

He had made sure he saw him. His presence was deliberate, calculated to leave no doubt that he’d been caught. Yet, as the seconds turned to minutes, the door remained shut, and Cain remained alone.

The silence gnawed at him. His anger simmered, festering into something darker as the minutes dragged on. He didn’t understand why he felt this way, why the image of Viole’s smile aimed at someone else made his chest ache and his blood boil.

His hands tightened into fists at his sides, his knuckles white from the pressure. The urge to crush something, anything, surged within him. He needed an outlet for the chaos spiraling inside. The sound of the door creaking open broke through his tumultuous thoughts like a blade slicing through the tension.

**********

When Violet finally returned to Cain’s quarters, she paused outside the door, her hands trembling slightly. She tried to steady her breathing, whispering to herself, "I’ve done nothing wrong. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong."

But the moment she stepped inside, the oppressive weight of Cain’s fury hit her like a wave. He stood in the center of the room, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His gaze pinned her in place, burning with an intensity that made her want to shrink into herself.

"You’re late," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"I—" Violet began, but her words caught in her throat as Cain closed the distance between them in a few long strides.

One hand shot out, slamming into the metal door behind her with enough force to leave a dent. The sound reverberated through the room, and Violet’s entire body stiffened in fear.

"Studying in the library," Cain said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Or flirting?"

"Now it clear why you were always coming back late!"

His words cut deeper than any blade, leaving Violet struggling to find her voice.