Kamrynn’s POV
I squirmed and twisted in Draven’s grip, trying desperately to break free, but his arm locked around me like an iron bar.
“Let me go!” I snapped, my voice sharp with desperation. “You can’t take me away from here, Draven. Your plan will fail. You won’t get away with this.”
“Oh?” Draven tilted his head, his lips curling into that infuriating, condescending smirk. “And why is that, little bird?”
“Because,” I hissed, glaring at him, “people will come looking for me. Rmonica knows about my plan. If I go missing, you’ll be the first suspect. They’ll tear this palace apart, Draven. You won’t have anywhere to hide.”
Draven chuckled, a deep, dark sound that sent shivers down my spine. “People will look for you, I agree. But not for the reason you think.”
“What does that mean?” I demanded, a sick feeling coiling in my stomach.
Draven’s smile widened as he leaned closer, his breath brushing against my cheek. “It means Alpha Orion will send his warriors to hunt you down like the criminal you are. You see, Kamrynn, by the time anyone realizes you’re missing, they’ll believe you fled because you’re guilty of a heinous crime.”
“That’s absurd,” I spat, though my voice trembled. “No one will believe that.”
“Oh, they will,” he said confidently, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “By the time I’m done, you’ll be a wanted thief. I’ve already planted the seed, little bird. You’ve been framed for stealing something quite precious to my family. A priceless heirloom that was meant for Thalia’s mating ceremony.”
I froze, horror sinking in. “You… you can’t be serious.”
Draven laughed at my expression, clearly relishing my terror. “Oh, I’m quite serious. A grand theft will explain your disappearance perfectly. No one will suspect me because I’ll be the wronged party, devastated by the loss of such a precious artifact.”
“You’re sick,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Please, Draven. Let me go. You don’t have to do this. Evil isn’t the answer.”
“Adorable,” Draven murmured, tilting my chin up so I couldn’t look away from him. “Do you honestly think your little pleas will change anything?”
“Please,” I tried again, desperation thick in my voice.
Draven straightened and beckoned to the man who had dragged me here. My heart sank when I saw the syringe in his hand, the liquid inside glinting ominously.
“No!” I screamed, thrashing wildly against Draven’s hold.
“Calm yourself,” Draven said smoothly, gripping me tighter. “It’s just a sedative, little bird. Nothing to fear.”
But I didn’t believe him. I fought with everything I had left, which wasn’t much, and before I knew it, the needle pierced my skin. My vision blurred almost instantly, and the world around me faded to black.
***
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the cold, hard surface beneath me. My hands were tied tightly behind me, and a gag pressed painfully against my mouth.
I blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light. Panic surged as I realized I was in a bathroom, tied to a chair. My heart pounded as I strained against the restraints, but they didn’t budge.
How long had I been out?
Memories of Draven and his vile plans came flooding back, and I thrashed harder, desperate to break free. The door creaked open, and Draven stepped inside, a smug smile plastered across his face.
“Good,” he said, his tone annoyingly pleasant. “You’re awake.”
I glared at him, rage simmering just beneath the surface.
Draven crouched in front of me and reached for the gag, untying it slowly. “There, that’s better. Now we can talk properly.”
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped the moment I could speak, my voice raw with anger.
Draven’s smile didn’t waver. If anything, he seemed to enjoy my resistance. “Such spirit,” he said, almost admiringly.
“You’re insane,” I hissed, pulling against the ropes.
“Perhaps,” Draven mused, standing and moving to a nearby table. He picked up a tablet and tapped the screen. “But I’m also quite thorough. Would you like to see what’s happening in your absence?”
I didn’t answer, but Draven took my silence as consent. He turned the tablet toward me, and the screen came to life.
The video showed the grand hall of the palace, crowded with familiar faces. Alpha Orion stood at the center, his expression dark and furious. Beside him was Thalia, crying into Kyven’s chest as he held her protectively.
“She stole it!” Thalia wailed, her voice trembling with emotion. “The Amethyst heirloom… it’s gone. I… I can’t believe she would do this. I understand she had a problem with me but this has gone too far!”
Kyven’s jaw tightened as he comforted her. “It doesn’t make sense. Kamrynn has never seemed like that kind of person… but then again jealousy makes people do crazy things,” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “Please don’t cry, love. We’ll find her, I promise.”
Rmonica stepped forward, her expression one of confusion and disbelief. “There must be some mistake,” she said firmly. “Kamrynn would never do something like this.”
Alpha Orion turned to her, his face hard. “Rmonica, your faith in Kamrynn is admirable, but it’s misplaced. The evidence is damning. The necklace was found missing from Thalia’s room, and Kamrynn is nowhere to be found.”
“But-” Rmonica began, but Draven’s voice in the video cut her off.
“This is unacceptable!” Draven roared, his anger seemingly genuine. “That necklace is priceless-an irreplaceable piece of my family’s history. If it’s not recovered…”
Alpha Orion placed a calming hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find her,” he promised. “No matter what it takes.”
The video ended, and I stared at the blank screen, my chest heaving with a mix of anger and despair.
Draven leaned against the wall, watching me with amusement. “See? Just as I predicted. You’re a wanted criminal now, little bird. Orion has his warriors scouring the Pack for you, but they’ll never find you here because they’d never think to look in the palace or my room for that matter. You’re right under their noses. By the time they realize the truth, it’ll be too late.”
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You won’t get away with this,” I said, though my voice wavered.
Draven simply smiled. “I already have. The mating ceremony is just two days away, little bird. You’ve already lost.”
Draven’s smile remained fixed as he set the tablet aside, his confidence infuriating. I struggled against the ropes, gritting my teeth as I tried to loosen the knots. My wrists ached, and every pull sent sharp stabs of pain shooting through my shoulders, but I refused to stop.
“Ah, such determination,” Draven remarked, stepping closer. “You’re like a caged bird, fighting to escape. But let me tell you, little bird, your cage is unbreakable.”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped, glaring up at him.
Draven crouched down to my level, his piercing eyes boring into mine. “What should I call you, then? Kamrynn? Or perhaps something more fitting… my future Luna.”
I recoiled as much as I could, but the chair held me firmly in place. “You’re delusional,” I spat.
Draven laughed softly, standing back to his full height. “Delusional? No sweetheart, I prefer the term, practical.”
“Practical?” I shot back. “You’ve framed me for a crime I didn’t commit, poisoned me, and locked me up like some trophy. You’re nothing but a monster.”
“And yet,” Draven said, his tone almost teasing, “here you are, still alive. Doesn’t that count for something?”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to respond.
Draven sighed dramatically, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Let me make this easier for you, little bird. You’re mine now. And I take very good care of what’s mine.”
“Care?” I laughed bitterly. “You wouldn’t know the meaning of the word.”
Draven chuckled at my defiance, then straightened and moved toward the bathroom door. “I think it’s time for a change of scenery,” he said casually.
My heart sank as he approached me, his hands working deftly to untie the ropes. I tried to fight, but my limbs were weak from exhaustion and the lingering effects of the sedative.
Once I was free, Draven scooped me up as if I weighed nothing, ignoring my feeble attempts to push him away.
“Put me down!” I demanded, my voice laced with desperation.
“In due time,” he replied smoothly, carrying me out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.
The room was opulent, with dark, rich furnishings and an air of menace that seemed to radiate from every corner. Draven sat down on a large, ornate chair and pulled me onto his lap.
“Let me go,” I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound strong.
“Not until you’ve eaten,” he said simply, gesturing toward a plate of food on the nearby table. He uncovered it, revealing a spread of dishes that smelled tantalizing. My stomach growled loudly, betraying me.
I glared at him. “What’s the point of feeding me if you’re just going to kill me?”
Draven smirked. “Kill you? Oh no, little bird. You’re far too valuable for that. I told you, I take care of what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours,” I snapped, though the pangs of hunger were growing unbearable.
Draven picked up a fork and took a bite of the food, chewing slowly before swallowing. “See? Perfectly safe. Now eat.”
I hesitated, my pride warring with my desperation. My stomach growled again, louder this time, and I bit my lip. I’d been unconscious for a whole day and that was healthy for my babies. No matter the situation I’m in, I needed to think of them first, especially since I was getting closer to giving birth.
“Let me feed you,” Draven said, holding the fork out toward me.
“Not a chance,” I muttered, though my resolve was weakening.
Draven’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned closer. “You’ll eat, Kamrynn. Either you swallow your pride and let me help, or I force it down your throat. The choice is yours.”
I stared at the fork, my body trembling with both anger and hunger. Slowly, reluctantly, I opened my mouth, letting him feed me.
“That’s better,” Draven murmured, his voice almost tender.
Each bite felt like a blow to my dignity, but I forced myself to swallow, knowing I needed the strength if I was going to survive this.
As I ate, Draven watched me intently, his hand resting possessively on my waist. His touch made my skin crawl, but I stayed silent, focusing on the food and ignoring the growing sense of dread in my chest.
I had two days to end this nightmare and I wanted to give up with each passing second.