Have I been saved?

The guards hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then they moved, fumbling with the ropes like frightened pups.

The moment my bonds fell away, my knees gave out. Rough hands grabbed me, shoving me forward. I stumbled, tripping over the edge of the pyre, my body hitting the dirt hard enough to rattle my bones.

I couldn’t breathe as they dragged me across the square, past the silent, trembling crowd. Every step closer to that black carriage made my pulse hammer harder, like my body knew something my mind didn’t yet understand.

The murmurs didn’t stop. They followed me like shadows.

“Why her?”

“He’s taking a witch?”

“Maybe he’ll burn her himself.”

When we reached the black carriage, the guards opened the door. Inside, it was too dark to see.

They threw me in like a sack of meat. I hit the floor hard. Pain shot up my arm but it was just an addition to the rest of the pain I felt all over my body.

The door slammed shut behind me.

My breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. The world tilted. I crawled a few inches, but I couldn’t even lift my head.

Then I felt it.

A presence. Watching. Waiting.

Eyes. Crimson. Burning in the dark.

I tried to lift my head…to see who or what he was. But the blood in my body rushed too fast, too hot. My vision blurred.

And then darkness enveloped me.

——————————-

I woke up to warmth.

Too much warmth. Was I dreaming?

I peel my eyes open and instantly wish I hadn’t.

This isn’t my bed.

This isn’t anywhere I know.

There were Stone walls. Heavy shadows crawling across them from a fire that crackles in the corner. Curtains pulled tight, sealing me in.

My heart starts pounding before I’ve even moved. All I could remember was being thrown into that carriage. How did I end up here?

A portrait on the wall caught my eye. It was a very eerie portrait of a wolf and it had a claw symbol at the corner of the portrait. It didn’t sit right with me.

I need to get out of here.

I push myself upright and freeze.

My dress is gone. I’m in some thin red robe, loose and short, barely clinging to my shoulders. I clutch it closed with both hands, scanning the room for a door, a window, anything…I need to get out of here.

Before I could take another step, I heard a sound behind me.

Not the crackling fire.

Heavy Breathing.

With my heart caught in my throat, I slowly turn and that is when I see him.

He’s sitting in a tall-backed chair, half in shadow, like he’s been waiting for me to wake up. He sat bare chested like a King on a throne, His muscles moving smoothly as he sipped on a glass of wine. The firelight catches his eyes…deep, unnatural crimson and they stared at me so deeply I swear my lungs forget how to work.

Who is this man?

What is this place?

Oh God, I need to leave before I’m killed…

“You’re awake.”

His voice is low, rich, and cold all at once. My stomach drops.

I open my mouth to ask where I am, who he is…anything…but he speaks again.

“Strip.”

The word lands like a blow.

I stare at him. Maybe I heard wrong.

But his gaze doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. Just waits.

Why? Why would he…

No. I’m not doing this.

“E-Excuse me?” I stammer but the words crumble under the weight of his hard stare. He tilts his head slowly, and my skin prickles like I’ve just made a very bad mistake.

I should run. I should scream. My body knew instantly that I was in danger.

But my hands… my hands betray me, loosening the robe’s belt.

The fabric slips down my shoulders, over my arms, pooling at my feet. I feel cold air lick across my bare skin, but his gaze feels hotter than the fire.

He leans forward in his chair, elbows on his knees.

Every muscle in me screams to back away.

Then he stands.

He towers over me like a predator over his prey and I can’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine. This man was huge.

He makes steps towards me.

No rush. No hurry. Like a hunter closing in on a trapped animal. I want to crawl away but my legs won’t move.

When he stops in front of me, he’s so close I can feel the heat coming off him. His knuckle brushes along my jaw, forcing my chin up until I’m staring into those burning eyes.

“You’re mine now.”

What?

But before I can speak, his hands are on my waist…strong, unyielding and I gasp as he lifts me like I weigh nothing, tossing me onto the bed.

The mattress swallows me. The shadows close in. The fire roars behind him as he stands at the edge of the bed, looking down at me like I’m already his.

Like a prey.

Panic surged through me tensing every nerve in my body. I spun around quickly reaching for the door in desperation, grateful my body was moving again.

“Let me out!” I cried helplessly but the doors were locked and then I felt him behind me causing a shiver to run up my spine. In a husky voice, he whispered .

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I swallowed hard.

“P-Please…” my voice came out barely as a whisper. He grabbed me and tossed me back on the bed with much force. He was starting to look angry and I dare not piss him off the more.

“Don’t move”

He commanded this time more firmly.

His body moved closer until he was Ontop of me staring deeply into my eyes. Now I could get a closer look at him, I hated to admit how handsome he was. His muscles moved gently as he grabbed my thighs spreading them apart.

I could feel his member against my thigh, firm, hard, and ready. My eyes snapped open wide as he plunged himself into me without warning.

A growl tore from his throat as he pulled out and slammed back in, more brutal than the first thrust.

I let out a piercing scream but I couldn’t move. His rough hands held me in place as I squirmed underneath him.

“Please…Stop”

His grip on my waist tightened as he pulled out again, then slammed back in deeper this time. He kept thrusting, each thrust making me scream in agony. Tears cascaded down my face. My hatred for Alpha Kade, for the rogues who has killed my entire family, for Lord Calderon who tried to burn her alive.

They all caused me to end up here…with this monster.

I wouldn’t die here. No. Not now. Not until I have destroyed every single one of them who had caused me pain. Not until I have gotten my revenge.

He pinned my hands on the bed and thrust deeper into me. My head was spinning as his hot breath fanned against my skin. His grip was firm as he continued plunging into me despite my pleas.

“Please…I feel w-weak”

He didn’t stop.

I felt my head throbbing, my body going limp. I knew I was going to pass out and I happily let the darkness swallow me whole.