The Alphas Darling Captive

ELENA

"Ele...na..." He called in a sing-song voice. A cold feeling traveled down my spine and I flinched at the sound of his knocking. I held onto the duvet like it was a shield that could protect me from the monster outside the door.

I knew better than to think I would ever be safe, especially with Stephen.

It was just a matter of a few minutes before he would break the door open, just like every other night. I closed my eyes as I remembered the pain that I would soon feel if he entered this room.

Three years. For three long years, I suffered under his hands. I should be numb to it by now but Stephen had a way of finding new ways to torment me. It would be a horse's whip one night then a broken bottle another night. He took pleasure from seeing me scared and in pain.

There was another knock. It was louder this time. I could hear the blood rushing to my ears. My heart jumped to my throat and the tears I managed to hold back, fell down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them.

"Elena, open this door right now or I’ll break it down!" The kindness that he was faking left his voice, replaced by the cold voice I knew. I knew Stephen kept his promises.

I stared at the door, my body shaking. If I let him in, he would hurt me. Maybe he wouldn't hurt me tonight, but definitely tomorrow. He would hurt me the next day, and every day after that. If I didn’t open the door, it would only be worse. It was always worse when he had to force his way in.

He knocked again, shaking the door. I gasped. My heart raced so fast that I was sure I would die of a heart attack. He would get in eventually. He always did.

But then it just stopped. There was sudden silence. I didn't move. I stayed there waiting and listening for any sound or sign of movement. But, all I could hear was the sound of my own heart beat. Could he have given up?

No. Stephen never gave up.

I pushed the duvet aside and brought my bare feet to the ground. I tiptoed quietly to the door. I didn't dare touch the handle. Instead, I pressed my ear against the door and listened. Silence.

I strained to catch his scent. It was that wood like cologne mixed with sweat and anger. I smelt nothing.

He’s gone.

I couldn’t be sure. If I stepped out and he was still there, I wouldn’t survive the night. I stepped away from the door and sat on

the floor beside the bed.

How did it come to this? I brought my knees to my chest as the tears came again. Three years ago, my life had been perfect. I had everything. I had a loving husband, or so I thought and a beautiful home. I even had dreams of a good future.

But like all things too good to be true, all of that had been a lie. Stephen wasn’t the man I thought he was. He made me think he was charming and perfect. But behind that charming smile was a monster. By the time I realized, it was too late.

I fell for his act. He was so kind and handsome. He played the role of the perfect prince charming and I was the princess who believed every word. Kindness was just another weapon that Stephen used to manipulate me.

I buried my face in my hands, crying. There was no escaping him. I had tried once. The night I ran, Stephen found me quickly. He dragged me back by my hair and swore that if I ever tried it again, he would make my family suffer.

My ordinary, loving family, who had no idea of the nightmare I was living. He threatened to destroy them if I dared to leave again. Of course, I believed him.

So I stayed and played my part as the loving wife. I smiled through the bruises, pretending everything was perfect. I had to. If I didn’t, my family would pay the price. I couldn't let that happen.

I was trapped in this marriage with nowhere to go. Stephen would always find me.

I didn’t know when sleep found me but the next time I opened my eyes, it was morning. My neck was aching from the position I’d slept in through the night. I felt pain in my body from spending the night on the cold ground.

I glanced at the clock. Another day to pretend. I would work through the pain, insults, abuse and endless torment. Would I survive today? Or would today be the day he finally killed me? A part of me hoped for the latter. At least then, it would be over. I would have peace.

I forced myself to stand and take a bath. I stood before the mirror in this room and let the towel fall from my body.

The reflection that stared back at me couldn’t be mine. This woman was covered in bruises and scars. She was a stranger. Her body was like a canvas for Stephen’s rage. He took pleasure in watching me break.

With a sigh, I looked away and wore my clothes as fast as I could. My stomach ached as I put a fake smile on my face. It was just like I've been doing all these years. I straightened my shoulders ready to face the hell that was waiting for me today.

Downstairs, I smelt burning toast before I saw her—Stephen’s mother. She didn’t bother to look at me as I entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mother," I greeted.

Her eyes moved to me and then she looked away, clearly disgusted. "What did you do last night? Stephen was furious. What kind of wife are you, angering the man who takes care of you?"

Takes care of me? He tortured me. But I said nothing. I never did. I lowered my eyes to the floor.

She stepped closer, shoving my shoulder hard. I managed to remain standing. "You deserve whatever punishment is coming. Well, I’m sure you won’t survive it this time." There was a strange satisfaction in her voice and she looked behind me at the staircase.

I followed her gaze and my stomach dropped. Stephen stood at the top of the stairs, his eyes on me. There was anger burning in his eyes.

"St-Stephen," I stammered, taking a step back in fear.

He pulled a gun from his pocket. My heart dropped as I stared at it, frozen in fear. "You’ll pay for what you did," he growled, lifting the gun and pointing it at me.

He pulled the trigger.