Chapter 1
Erica
Icouldhearthesteady hum of a car as I tried to claw myself out of an unconscious black hole. I managed to open my eyes and the first thing I saw was the scenery outside the wind of the car rushing past. I realised I was laid down in a back seat and tried to sit up. I felt the heavy pressure of arms holding me down and then heard a familiar voice.
“It’s okay, beautiful. Just rest, we have a little way to go yet.” I look up and see the face of Christian looking at me with warm affection, but then movement draws my attention to the front seat and my gaze meets the smirk of Jasper Blackwood.
"Well, good morning there sweetheart," he purrs, his voice low and menacing. "It’s lovely to see you again. I just wished that it could be under better circumstances. But don’t worry we’ll have plenty of time for fun later." Icy fear engulfs me as Jasper sneered down at me, promising 'fun' that will do anything but make me smile. Then I felt a sting in my neck and suddenly everything was going black before I could ask why Christian would betray me. I was spiralling into a dark abyss of fear, not knowing what horrors await me on the other side.
I blinked my eyes open, the world around me unfamiliar and my head heavy as if it had been filled with lead. The soft purring of a car engine hummed beneath me, while dull street lights flickered past in a hypnotic rhythm. As I struggled to focus on my surroundings, my heart raced with a single horrifying realisation: I wasn't where I was supposed to be. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach, my panic rising like bile in my throat as memories flashed before me like stills from a movie reel. Jasper Blackwood's piercing blue gaze, cold, calculating, victorious, had been the last thing I'd seen before blackness overtook me. My breath came in short, shallow gasps as the truth slammed into me with the force of a freight train. I'd been kidnapped by Liam's biggest enemy, the one man who could destroy everything we held dear.
"Where...where am I?" I whispered, my voice shaking with fear.
"Quiet," a quiet voice whispered beside me in the backseat. It was Christian, I was still laid with my head on his lap and he stroked my hair as if to offer some sort of comfort in this fucked up situation. He glanced down at me, his expression a mix of concern and guilt that only served to confuse me further. Why would he be involved in doing this to me, when he had sworn to protect me?
"Christian, what's going on?" I asked, my voice croaky from the drugs in my system and my words laced with desperation. "Why... why did you do this?"
"Erica," he sighed, appearing conflicted. But before he could answer, the car jerked to a stop, and I braced myself against the door to keep from being thrown forward. The sudden halt sent a wave of nausea rippling through me, and I had to swallow down the urge to vomit.
"Can't talk now," Christian murmured, his tone guarded. "Just...try to stay strong, okay? I'll explain everything when it's safe."
"Safe?" I echoed, a hint of bitterness leaking into my voice. The door beside him opened, and I felt the chilly night air rush in as Christian got out. My heart raced, instinct urging me to bolt for freedom, but my limbs were unresponsive, weighed down by the drugs still coursing through my veins.
Christian opened the other door, his face a picture of conflict: concern etched into his brow, guilt darkening his eyes. The duality of his expressions only served to deepen the mystery of his true intentions. I couldn't fathom how he could have betrayed me, delivering me right into the hands of Jasper Blackwood, Liam's biggest enemy.
"Erica," Christian murmured softly. "I'm sorry."
"Save it," I spat, anger flaring within me. "You kidnapped me for him."
"Please, just trust me," he pleaded, reaching out a hand towards me. But I recoiled, unwilling to let him touch me again. The look of hurt on his face only made my anger boil even more, what right did he have to be hurt by this? As he withdrew from the car, I tried to steady my breathing, to calm the storm of emotions raging within me. Betrayal, confusion, fear, all vied for dominance, leaving me feeling raw and vulnerable. But beneath it all, a small flame of defiance still flickered, refusing to be extinguished. The rough hands of the guards gripped my arms, jolting me back to the present. I winced, feeling more like a prisoner than a guest. Their touch was invasive, every grip too tight, as they yanked me out of the car and into the chilly night air.
"Hey!" Christian snapped at them, his voice strained with concern. "Be careful with her." His sudden defence only served to further confuse me, my mind still foggy from the drugs. How could he pretend to care after betraying me like this? I glanced around, searching for some semblance of understanding in this new, hostile environment.
Jasper stood a few feet away, deep in conversation with another man whose body was covered in intricate tattoos. They seemed indifferent to my presence, not even bothering to look in my direction. The tattooed man, however, caught my eye for a brief moment, sending a sympathetic glance my way before turning back to Jasper. His silent acknowledgment made me feel seen, but also painfully aware of how alone I truly was. The chill of the night air bit into my skin as my feet hit the gravel, the rough hands of the guards momentarily replaced by the sensation. My vision swam in and out of focus, a haze of shadows and dimly lit buildings flickering before my eyes. I blinked hard, trying to clear the fog that clouded my senses. My heart raced at the sight of the imposing structures that loomed over us, their dark silhouettes casting eerie shadows across the ground. Despite the people around us, guards patrolling the perimeter, werewolves huddled together in quiet conversation, an icy isolation gripped me. Their indifference was palpable, hanging heavy in the air like a thick fog.
"Jasper," I hissed through clenched teeth as he walked towards me. I was unable to hold back the bitterness that surged within me. A cruel smile spread across his face as his gaze met mine, a sinister glint in his blue eyes that sent shivers down my spine.
"Ah, Erica, so nice of you to join us," he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He shook his head slowly, as if chastising me for my defiance. "You really should be more grateful."
"Grateful?" I spat, incredulous at his audacity. "You've kidnapped me, drugged me, and dragged me here against my will! Why on earth would I be grateful?"
"Because, sweetheart," he drawled, leaning in close enough for me to feel his warm breath on my face, "I could have done much worse." His lips curved into a cruel smirk as he stepped away from me, turning to face the other members of his pack who watched our exchange with silent interest.
As quickly as he had invaded my personal space, he pulled away, turning on his heel and striding towards a large, foreboding building without another glance in my direction. The memory of the charming man who had flirted with me at the bar months ago seemed like a distant dream; a cruel mirage that had lured me to this nightmare. Once again, I found myself at the mercy of an Alpha's twisted games.
The man with the tattoos flicked his gaze in my direction, his eyes a stormy grey that seemed to hold a hint of sympathy.
"Take her to the cells," he commanded the guards gruffly. Before I could process his words, rough hands gripped my arms, dragging me away from Jasper's retreating figure. My legs wobbled as I tried to keep up with the guards' brisk pace, but it was futile. As they yanked me forward, my feet slipped out from under me, and I crashed to the ground with a painful thud.
"Hey!" Christian shouted, rushing towards us. "Watch how you're handling her!" I glared at him through the haze of pain clouding my vision. How dare he act like he cared after what he'd done? He had no right.
"Don't touch me, you bastard," I spat, recoiling from his outstretched hand.
"Erica, I—" Christian began, desperation etched on his face.
"Anything that happens to me now is your fault," I interrupted, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "Stay the fuck away from me." He hesitated for a moment, clearly torn, before finally taking a step back. I pulled myself to my feet, ignoring the assistance offered by the guards who had so carelessly caused my fall. My knees ached, but I refused to let them see my weakness.
"Get moving," one of the guards growled, shoving me forward. I stumbled, but managed to regain my footing and continue walking. As we moved further away from the main building, I couldn't help but glance back at Christian. His haunted expression only fueled my anger and hurt, but beneath it all, there was a flicker of something else, fear, perhaps? It was difficult to tell, but whatever it was, it didn't change what he'd done.
