Canary had her eyes closed, not sleeping, but afraid to open them again. Now she could no longer pretend—slowly, she opened her eyes.A strong, warm light startled her. She placed her hands around where she was lying and noticed it was a bed. Startled, she opened her eyes wide, looked around, and realized she was in a room. A huge, well-lit room, lying on a gigantic and comfortable bed.

As her eyes scanned the room, she saw him sitting in a chair—Vahem.

She shifted nervously, and he opened his eyes, immediately locking them on her.

His face was bruised, and his left arm was torn.

"Good morning, Canary," he said with a smile.

She jumped slightly.

"Where am I, what… what happened?" He walked closer to the bed, and she shrank back a little.

"Don’t you remember?"

"I remember some things, but… I don’t remember arriving here." His lips curved slightly upward.

"This is my home. You’re safe here. Stay in bed and rest a little longer."

He started toward the door, but Canary stood up quickly—and gasped when she realized she was wearing a very sheer dress. Vahem seemed to notice too. Embarrassed, she grabbed the blanket to cover herself.

"Thank you for helping me again. But… since you saved me, I want to leave." He approached slowly.

"You’re in no condition to go anywhere, Canary," he said in an imposing tone.

But she did not back down.

"There’s a place I want to go…"

"I know, the Blue Capital." Something inside her leapt at the realization that he remembered.

"Yes, I want to go! And then… I won’t bother you anymore."

He remained silent, then crossed his arms.

"I’m sorry, Canary, but you will stay here." She frowned.

"I don’t understand! Let me go. You saved me from the alpha, and now you’re… keeping me prisoner? What difference are you making?" He smiled again, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"I want you to be safe."

"I’ll be fine!"

"Oh, really? Like you were before?" She tried to reply but had no argument.

"It’s different!"

"It always is."

He headed toward the door, but Canary followed him, standing face-to-face with him. His golden eyes seemed to glow.

"I demand that you let me go now!"

"That won’t be possible. I’ve already told you." He tried to open the door, but she grabbed his arm. A spark burned her skin when she touched him, and she immediately let go.

"What was that?" she asked.

"What was what?" Confused, she looked away.

"Let me go now! I won’t be your prisoner! If that’s what you’re thinking."

He gave a wide, ironic smile that made her furious.

"Would it really be that bad? To be my prisoner?" He moved even closer, until he was just inches from her.

For a few moments, it was as if Canary were under a spell. But then he stepped back, still smiling.

"Rest, Canary." And before she could respond, he left the room.

She tried to break the lock, but it was impossible.

Furious, she shouted after him. And for a moment, she heard his laughter echoing down the corridor.

                                —---

The next morning, he sent her a dress and invited her to leave the room and take a walk.

Even furious, she accepted.

When she stepped out of the room, she quickly discovered that she was inside a massive mansion.

After going down the stairs, she found Vahem standing at the main door.

"You look beautiful."

She scoffed.

"Are you giving me freedom?"

He smiled again.

"Do you really think you’re a prisoner?"

"Well… you don’t let me leave, so… I suppose I am, aren’t I?" she said sarcastically, drawing a laugh from him.

"Come on, I want to show you something." He offered her his hand, and Canary accepted.

When they left the mansion, she came face to face with a huge community. It was a village, but unlike anything Canary had ever known.

After walking a bit, Canary realized it was some kind of hidden village. There was an invisible wall surrounding it, blocking enemies from seeing inside.

"So… you’re the alpha here?"

"It doesn’t work like that," he said, his voice a little distant.

"Oh really? And how does it work?"

He looked at her again, his eyes gleaming.

"I can’t be considered the alpha. I’m considered their lord."

Canary smirked ironically.

"Isn’t that quite a human title?"

"And do you think I’m a monster?"

"Well… you do transform into one, don’t you?"

He stopped abruptly.

"I think you’re confusing me, Canary."

"Am I?" she kept walking, but Vahem grabbed her arm, pulling her close until they were just inches apart. They locked eyes, but Canary pulled away.

Vahem took a deep breath.

"I don’t force these people to do anything. They trust me. They’ve always trusted me. Do you really think I’m like the alpha you met, just because I transform into a lycan too?"

She froze.

"If you’re so different, then let me go right now! The alpha forced me to marry him, and now you… you’re keeping me here!"

He threw his hands in the air.

"It’s different!"

"DIFFERENT HOW?" They glared at each other furiously.

"It’s complicated to explain to you!"

She gave a humorless smile.

"What a perfect excuse, Rouge."

Vahem stepped toward her again, pinning her against a nearby tree. Both were breathless.

"I don’t want to stay here! I want to leave," she said right in his face.

"I’m sorry, but that won’t happen."

She tried to slap him, but Vahem caught her hand. His gaze locked onto hers, and it was as if flames burned inside his eyes.

"You have the same light as she did, you know?"

Startled, Canary shrank back.

"She who?"

But Vahem quickly stepped away. Canary threw her hands up.

"Thank you for answering my questions, ‘lord.’"

And with that, she ran back to the mansion.

                               —---

When she is about to lie down, she hears the door opening.

Looking in that direction, he is there, watching her.

"Things weren’t supposed to turn out this way, Canary."

She lets out a harsh laugh.

"I can’t even imagine how they were supposed to turn out."

She doesn’t look at him, but she knows he’s staring. She hears something, as if he’s approaching. But he stops abruptly and, before she can turn around, he’s already gone.

Furious, she throws herself on the bed and begins to cry.

---

During the night, Canary wakes and notices the entire place is silent. She decides she can’t take it anymore.

Using her hunting skills, she quietly opens the window. She ties together three large blankets, preparing a way to climb down.

When she finally reaches the ground, she hears some lycans standing guard. But quickly and silently, she runs toward the forest.

When she arrives at the wall, she notices some lycans outside and the gate is open. Using three stones, she distracts one of them, and swiftly runs through the gate.

As she runs, she doesn’t understand how the lycans didn’t catch her scent—after all, they’re trained for that. But she ignores the thought and keeps running.

She dives into a small lake and swims across.

When she finally emerges, she finds herself in a small clearing.

Taking a deep breath, she walks as fast as she can. Until she hears a noise in the woods. Nervous, she crouches down.

Something is there. She starts walking again, but comes face-to-face with something… someone.

"Well, well… I didn’t even have to hunt you down. You came to me… wife."

Canary looks ahead, and there he is—the Alpha.

She glances around. Dozens of his lycans are there.

He grabs her chin forcefully.

"Let’s go home. Now."