"Silver, he said," I muttered under my breath, recalling his words. If the knife had actually been silver, it would've been lethal to me, a werewolf. But if it wasn't... then maybe they needed me alive for something else. My gaze fell upon my wrists, which were surprisingly clear of any marks or burns from the silver-laced chains that had once held me captive. The lack of any visible damage only served to confirm my suspicion that I must have been unconscious for longer than I initially realised.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to take a few tentative steps toward the double doors at the end of the room. My legs felt weak, but I managed to keep myself upright as I approached the doors, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. Frustration bubbled within me. I knew the double doors and windows would be locked, but I couldn't help but try them anyway, to confirm my suspicions. My fingers trembled as they closed around the gold handle, and sure enough, it wouldn't budge. A light on a white box on the wall next to the door lit up red and I heard a horrible beep sound. A bitter laugh escaped me, trapped still, in a gilded cage for sure, but it was a cage, nonetheless. Then I noticed another set of doors opposite the bed. I made my way quickly over to them. Pressing my ear against the smooth surface, I strained to listen for any sounds from beyond it. Hearing nothing, I cautiously turned the handle and stepped inside.
The sight that greeted me was breathtaking. A lavish bathroom spread out before me, carrying the same white and gold theme of the main room. The double shower at the far end beckoned with its elegant glass walls, while a large claw-footed bathtub sat proudly in the centre of the room, looking more like a throne than a place to soak. Fresh white towels were neatly folded on the double sink unit, their crisp edges contrasting with the polished gold fixtures.
As I drew closer to the sink, my eyes fell upon a range of bottles neatly arranged along the countertop. It wasn't just shampoo and conditioner; there were skin creams, bath oils, and other beauty products that I had grown accustomed to using back home. The familiarity of the brands struck me like a blow, setting my pulse racing even as my heart sank with a sickening sense of dread. How had they known? How could they possibly have acquired all these things?
"Goddess," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "what kind of twisted game are they playing?" I left the bathroom, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and concern. How did they know so much about me? And why go through all this effort just to keep me captive? Biting my lip, I approached the second door, my heart pounding in my chest. Every fibre of my being screamed that this was a trap, but I couldn't ignore the possibility that there might be valuable information hidden within. Taking a deep breath, I flung open the door and stepped inside. The room beyond was breathtaking, another lavish space with clothing racks lining the walls, filled with an array of garments in various styles and designs. It was as if someone had plundered my most secret fantasies and brought them to life right before my eyes, filling each and every corner with tantalising possibilities.
"Unbelievable," I whispered, running my fingers along a row of dresses that shimmered beneath the overhead lights. From casual sportswear to glamorous gowns, everything was impeccably tailored and in my size. They were clothes I'd only ever dreamed of wearing, and yet here they were, laid out before me like offerings to some long-forgotten deity.
"Who did all this?" I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "And why?" Pushing aside my growing unease, I ventured further into the room, where I discovered a dressing table adorned with still-wrapped makeup bags. Again, I was struck by the eerie accuracy of it all, from the brands I favoured to the shades that suited my complexion best. It was as if someone had studied me for months, learning my habits and preferences with a meticulousness that both intrigued and terrified me.
"Are they trying to break me?" I wondered aloud, the fear simmering beneath my anger threatening to boil over. "To make me believe that I belong here, that I should be grateful for their twisted generosity?"
"Erica!" Jasper's voice startled me out of my thoughts. I whirled around in shock and then backed away instinctively, my heart hammering in my chest.
"Get away from me," I snarled, feeling my fear giving way to anger. He strode towards me with a confident swagger, his intense blue eyes locking onto mine.
"Relax, love, I'm not going to hurt you," he said, grinning wickedly. "I just wanted to see how you're settling into your new surroundings."
"Like a bird in a cage," I spat, my hands balling into fists at my sides. "What the hell is all this for? What do you want from me?"
"Ah, my beautiful queen," he mused, his eyes sweeping over me predatorily. "You've been through so much, haven't you? We simply wanted to make you comfortable. You deserve it, after all."
"Comfortable?" I scoffed, my breath catching in my throat as I choked back a sob. "You've kidnapped me, assaulted me, and now you have the audacity to talk about comfort?"
"Erica," he said softly, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "You may not understand now, but you will soon enough. There's a reason for everything that's happened to you, a purpose behind it all."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I asked incredulously, my anger rising again. But deep inside, a dangerous part of me wondered if I could use this newfound importance to my advantage.
"Time will tell, darling," Jasper replied cryptically, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. I flinched away, my body betraying me with a shudder of arousal at his touch.
The tension in the air crackled like electricity as Jasper's eyes bore into mine, his expression a mixture of amusement and irritation. My heart pounded in my chest, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action if necessary.
"Did you honestly think I'd be grateful for all this, you fucking psycho?" I spat, gesturing around the room with a sweep of my arm. As Jasper's smile dropped, I braced myself for what was to come. His eyes darkened and that predatory grin spread across his face, making my heart race.
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, he lunged forward and slammed me against the wall behind me.
"Jasper—" I gasped as he pinned my arms above my head with one strong hand, using the other to kick open my legs. He ground himself against me, and I couldn't help but notice how hard he was.
"Let me go!" I struggled, trying to free myself from his iron grip, but all I received in return was a low chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. It was terrifying, but at the same time, something inside me reacted to his power and dominance.
"See, you're right," he whispered into my ear, his breath hot on my skin. "I'm not harmless. I'm dangerous, and the one thing I expect from you is submission and obedience." As he palmed my breast over my bra, I bit back a moan of both pain and pleasure. "Do you understand?"
"Fuck you," I spat, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. Jasper chuckled again, lowering his head to start kissing my neck.
"Don't worry, my queen," he murmured against my skin. "When I mark you as my own, you'll get your wish. I'll fuck you every night and all night long. You'll be screaming my name and begging me to let you cum on my cock." I couldn't believe what I was hearing, or the confusing storm of emotions his words stirred within me. My body seemed to betray me, responding to his touch in ways I would never have anticipated. Fear and confusion warred with arousal and anger, leaving me reeling.
"You sick bastard," I hissed through clenched teeth, my anger growing stronger than the confusing arousal I felt. Despite my disgust, I couldn't deny the way my body reacted to his gentle nips at my marking spot, sending a thrill of something primal deep inside me. Jasper merely chuckled in response, lowering his head to my breast and sucking in a nipple through the lace of my bra.
"I can tell how aroused you are, Erica," he murmured, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "As long as you're a good girl, I'll give you all the pleasure you want. But if you fight me, I'll take what I want no matter what it takes to get it." His teeth clamped down on my breast, forcing a moan to escape my lips.
"ALPHA!" The sudden shout startled me, and my eyes flew open to see Christian glaring at us from the doorway. Jasper groaned at the interruption, his grip on me not faltering.
"What is so important that it requires you to interrupt me?" he demanded, his icy blue eyes never leaving mine.
"Your father needs to speak with you," Christian answered tersely, an undercurrent of tension running through his voice. Jasper's expression shifted to one of annoyance, but he finally released me. With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said,
