"That one's for Jasper, but he's being held up by his father as usual." I couldn't help the flash of disgust that washed over me at the mention of Jasper's name. The mere thought of Jasper sent an unsettling churning in my stomach, quickly extinguishing any appetite I had. My fork clattered onto the plate with a scowl, and Kieran tsked at me.
"Y'know, you're going to need your strength if you plan on running around like a headless chicken, trying to escape through locked doors that were locked the last time you checked," he said playfully, his cheeky grin making it hard for me to stay angry. But shock washed over me as I realised he knew what I'd been up to.
"Wait, how do you—" I stammered, but Kieran cut me off, laughing.
"See that?" He pointed to a small black dome on the ceiling by the door. "Cameras. Security can see anyone who comes in or goes out. Every time you try the door, they get a ping saying unauthorised access was attempted." I felt exposed as I stared up at the camera. What else was in this room spying on me? Were there more cameras tucked away in places I couldn't see? A shiver ran down my spine as the reality of my situation became even clearer. They were watching me, waiting for any sign of rebellion or weakness.
"Fine," I grumbled, picking my fork back up. "But only because I need the energy to keep fighting." I stabbed at the vegetables on my plate with more force than necessary, taking a bite and trying to ignore the unsettling mix of emotions churning inside me.
"See, that's the spirit!" Kieran said with a smirk, continuing to eat his own meal. His casual attitude towards my predicament only fuelled my anger and frustration, but I realised it might be wise to have an ally in this place, even if he was Jasper's beta.
"Kieran, I just don't understand," I said between bites, trying to keep my voice steady. "How can you support him after everything he's done? You seem like such a different person to him."
"Sweetheart," he replied, putting down his fork and turning to face me, his eyes searching for understanding in mine. "I've known Jasper a long time. He's made some mistakes, sure, but deep down, he's a good man. He's just... lost right now."
"Lost? He kidnapped me, threatened my life, and... and I feel things for him that I shouldn't! That's beyond lost, Kieran!"
"Look," he sighed, running a hand through his tousled brown hair. "All I'm saying is give him a chance. Maybe there's a reason fate brought you two together, something neither of you can see yet."
"I highly doubt fate was involved," I whispered bitterly, my heart pounding as the memories of Jasper's touch haunted me, setting my skin ablaze with unwanted desire.
Before I could say anything else, the keypad beeped, and the double doors slammed open with a rush of cold air. My heart leapt into my throat as I braced myself for whatever was about to happen next. The scent of mint and lemon filled the room, cutting through my frayed nerves. The double doors had slammed open, revealing a furious Jasper flanked by Grant and Verity. Grant's glare felt like ice while Verity grinned brightly, as if this twisted situation was nothing more than a normal family outing. I barely had time to react before Jasper's predatory gaze locked onto me, his powerful strides bringing him across the room in an instant. He yanked me up from the sofa by my hand, pulling me into the solid wall of his body. My breath caught in my throat, but before I could process what was happening, Jasper's lips were on mine, forceful and demanding, his tongue invading my mouth with a hunger that both terrified and excited me.
"Jasper... wha-" I gasped when he finally released me, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. A torrent of emotions raged within me, fear, confusion, and an inexplicable lust that left me feeling ashamed and vulnerable.
"Jasper, stop!" I gasped out as his lips moved from mine, leaving a trail of fire down my neck. My heart raced, torn between the desire burning within me and the fear of giving into it.
"Relax, Erica," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot on my throat. "You know you want this."
"Get off of me!" I yelled, struggling against him. His grip tightened on my hands, pinning them behind my back while his other hand tangled in my hair, forcing my head to tilt back further.
"Stop fighting it," Jasper whispered, pressing kisses along my collarbone. "I could do it now, you know. I could bite into your soft flesh, mark you as mine. And then I could bend you over and take you until you scream my name. You'd be mine forever, darling." My body trembled at his words, a shiver of fear and lust mingling within me. I couldn't deny how much I wanted him, but the knowledge of what he had done to me, the threats and manipulation… it only served to amplify my shame for feeling this way.
"Please, Jasper, don't," I pleaded, desperation making my voice quiver. I couldn't let him win, not like this.
"Look at you," he said softly, moving closer until my back pressed against the edge of the bed. "Your eyes are clouded with desire, your body trembling with need. Tell me you don't want this."
"Fuck you," I spat, my anger flaring up despite the heat that raced through my veins.
"That’s the plan, darling," he replied with a wicked grin. My heart raced as panic began to set in, my senses becoming overwhelmed by the conflicting emotions that threatened to tear me apart. Jasper's hard dick pressed insistently against my crotch, his teeth nipping at my throat as though he were a predator testing its prey's defences. My body ached for the release he promised, but my mind screamed at me to resist.
"Please...no," I choked out, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my own heartbeat. The small part of me that still clung to reason fought desperately to be heard, even as it was drowned out by a cacophony of lust and fear.
"Erica," he murmured, his warm breath ghosting across my skin like a phantom caress. "I can smell how excited you are. You're practically dripping with desire for me. Even if I took you by force right now," he continued, ignoring my defiance, "you'd love it. You'd beg for more."
"Get away from me," I snapped, summoning the last of my strength to shove him back. He stumbled slightly, but caught himself before he could fall.
"Your body speaks louder than your words, Erica," he replied, his voice low and dangerous. "You can try to deny it, but we both know the truth."
"Jasper, what the hell are you doing?" Kieran's voice cut through the thick tension in the room as he stepped forward, his cheerful tone oddly soothing despite the chaos swirling around us.
"Stay out of this, Kieran," Jasper growled, his grip on my arm tightening for a moment before shoving me onto the bed. I landed with a soft thud, feeling more like an object than a person at that moment.
"Is this about your dad again?" Kieran asked, his uncertain cheerfulness giving way to a more serious concern. "You know you can't let him control you like this." Jasper stormed away from me, the muscles in his back rippling beneath his shirt as he paced the room. His anger was a tangible force, filling the air with an almost electric charge. And yet, despite the fear that gripped me, I couldn't help but feel a shameful spark of lust deep within my core.
"Control me?!" Jasper spat the words out like they tasted bitter on his tongue. "He thinks he can control me? I am the Alpha of this pack, not him!" Kieran nodded, his eyes never leaving Jasper as he agreed soothingly. "You're right, Jasper. You are the Alpha. But this...whatever this is..." He glanced at me, and I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "This isn't helping anyone."
"My father wants to take what belongs to me," Jasper seethed, his eyes suddenly landing on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I tried to look away, but the hunger in his gaze held me captive. "He thinks I'm not alpha enough." As he spoke, he stepped toward me, his anger toward his father momentarily forgotten as he focused entirely on me. My heart raced, fear and desire warring within me, shame coursing through me for feeling drawn to him despite everything he had done.
