Ahsoka’s breath hitched as the man’s fingers tightened around her throat, his grip unyielding. Her back pressed hard against the cold, unfeeling wall, the rough surface digging into her skin. His other hand trailed downward, fingers grazing the curve of her lekku with a possessiveness that made her stomach churn. She could feel his breath, hot and heavy, against her face as he leaned in, his lips curling into a cruel, triumphant smile.

“You thought you could outsmart me, little Togruta?” he sneered, his voice low and dripping with malice. His grip on her throat loosened just enough to let her gasp for air, but the pressure remained, a constant reminder of her helplessness. “You belong to me now. There’s no escape.”

She stared up at him, her mind racing despite the fear clawing at her chest. Her body trembled, not just from exhaustion but from the visceral memory of the auction, of the crowd’s leering eyes and the humiliating weight of their judgment. She had been stripped of her dignity, her agency, her very sense of self. And now, here she was, cornered like an animal, with nowhere left to run.

But Ahsoka wasn’t one to give up. Even now, with his body pinning her to the wall and his predatory gaze locking her in place, she searched for any opening, any weakness she could exploit. Her eyes darted to the keycard still clutched in her hand, the one she had snatched in her **** attempt to escape. It was useless now, but perhaps it could still serve a purpose.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice trembling but deliberate. She **** herself to meet his gaze, her expression softening in a way she hoped would disarm him. “I… I’m sorry. I was scared. I didn’t know what else to do.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. But there was something else there too—a flicker of curiosity, of interest. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin as he studied her face.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he growled, though his tone lacked the venom it had moments before. “What are you trying to pull?”

Ahsoka swallowed hard, her mind racing. She had to sell this, had to make him believe her, even for a moment. She let her hands tremble as she reached up, her fingers brushing against the hand still gripping her throat. She didn’t try to remove it—that would only provoke him—but her touch was soft, almost pleading.

“I just… I don’t want to fight anymore,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I… I don’t want to be hurt. Please, just… show me what you want from me.”

For a moment, there was silence. The man’s grip on her throat loosened further, his expression unreadable as he stared down at her. She could feel his hesitation, his uncertainty, and she clung to it like a lifeline.

“You’re lying,” he said finally, though there was less conviction in his voice than before. “You’re just trying to trick me again.”

Ahsoka shook her head, her eyes wide and pleading.

“I’m not,” she said softly, her voice trembling with just the right amount of fear and submission. “I’m… I’m yours now, aren’t I? I just want to… make this easier. For both of us.”

The man studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers for any sign of deception. Slowly, his grip on her throat fell away, and he took a step back, though his body remained tense, ready to pounce if she tried anything.

“Prove it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Show me you mean it.”