Aria
I’m pacing the damn room like a caged animal. It feels like I’ve been at it for hours, though maybe it’s just been minutes…I can’t tell anymore. This room is huge, sure, a king-sized bed, a couch, and that’s about it, but it feels like a prison. The windows? Sealed shut, probably to keep me from trying to pull some shit and dive out.
And don’t even get me started on the boredom. No TV, no phone, and thanks to those assholes, I can’t even mind-link Mia or Lily. Why? Because the walls are freaking coated in wolfsbane liquid, like some kind of sadistic paint job. The shit’s not just cutting off my connection to them, it’s sapping my strength too. My wolf, Gail, is practically whimpering in the back of my mind. I need to get out of here before she’s gone for good.
The door swings open, and in struts Ethan. His face is as blank as ever, and he’s holding a black bag that immediately makes my stomach twist.
“What the fuck is this, Ethan?” I snap, crossing my arms and glaring at him. “Why the hell are you keeping me here?”
He just gives me this smug, condescending look. “What do you mean? I already told you…you’re my slave now.”
I stare at him, blinking like I didn’t hear him right. Then I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. I didn’t do anything to you! You were the one who broke my heart, rejected me, and now you’re mad because I want to move on?”
His jaw tightens, and I see his fists clench. Oh, I hit a nerve. “Where is Lucas now?” he snaps, taking a step closer. “Do you honestly think he’d choose you over becoming the alpha of Shadow Pang? You’re so naive, it’s almost cute.”
I roll my eyes, not backing down. “That’s none of your damn business. You shouldn’t give a shit who I end up with. Just let me go, Ethan. I don’t want anything to do with you or this pack anymore.”
His face hardens, and he leans in, his voice dropping to a low, threatening growl. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying right here until I decide I’m done with you.”
“Fuck you, stupid bastard!”
That’s when he snaps. He grabs my arm and shakes me, hard enough to make my teeth rattle. “Watch your mouth, Aria,” he snarls. “You’re my slave now. You don’t want me to show you what happens when slaves step out of line.”
I jerk my arm out of his grip, matching his glare with one of my own. “I’m not your fucking slave,” I hiss. “And if you think I’m going to willingly give myself to you, you’re out of your goddamn mind. I’d rather die.”
He mutters a curse under his breath, then suddenly crushes his lips against mine. I struggle, hitting him as hard as I can, but he’s too damn strong. When he finally pulls away, he’s laughing, this stupid, twisted laugh that makes my skin crawl.
“Look at you,” he sneers, his eyes cold. “Struggling against me like some pathetic, weak little thing.”
“The only weak thing here is you,” I snap, stepping back and wiping my mouth like his kiss was poison. “You’re pathetic for forcing yourself on someone who doesn’t want you.”
His eyes flash with anger, but he doesn’t react. He tosses the black bag onto the floor at my feet. “I brought you a gift,” he says, “Take a shower and put it on.”
I glance at the bag, not bothering to touch it. “What’s your game, you bastard?”
“When I come back tonight,” he says, ignoring my question, “you’d better be wearing it. Or you won’t like the consequences. Behave, and I might make you scream in pleasure. But for tonight, you’re going to pleasure me as my slave.”
My vision goes red, and before I can think, my hand flies out and slaps him across the face. The sound echoes in the room, and for a split second, I’m proud of myself.
“You bitch,” he growls, his hand raised like he’s about to hit me back. But then he stops, his chest heaving as he tries to control himself. “Don’t fucking tempt me, Aria. You won’t like what happens.”
“Fuck you!” I yell. “Let me go, you bastard!”
He just laughs. “Oh, I’m going to have fun with you. I’ll fuck Lucas right out of your mind. I’ll fuck you until you can’t even walk. Just wait.”
He turns and walks out, locking the door behind him. I collapse onto the floor, my body shaking with anger and fear. Tears spill down my cheeks, but I wipe them away, furious at myself for crying. I glance at the bag, my curiosity getting the better of me.
When I unzip it and pull out a pair of red lace lingerie and matching stilettos, my hands tremble with rage. Does he really expect me to wear this? That fucking bastard. Without thinking, I tear the lingerie into shreds, my breaths coming out in harsh pants.
I won’t give in to him. I can’t. But I can’t stay here either. I have to find a way out. Lucas, wherever you are, please don’t let me down.
……
Mia
“Are you sure this is the place?” I ask for what feels like the hundredth time, even though I know it’s pissing Lily off. Her eye twitches, literally twitches, and I swear, she’s one snarky comment away from biting my head off.
“Yes, Mia,” she growls, her hands on her hips. “Theo said we should meet him here.” Her eyes dart around like she’s a hawk looking for prey. The park is buzzing with holiday chaos, parents chasing after their sugar-high gremlins and couples doing that nauseating hand-holding thing.
“But what if he gave us the wrong location on purpose?” I press, folding my arms. “What if they’re all in on this together?” My paranoia is thriving today.
Lily snaps her head toward me, her glare practically melting my face. “Mia, you’ve gotta get your head outta your ass. This isn’t about your weird Damon issues. This is about Aria. She needs us, and we need to tell Alpha Lucas what happened. So, focus!”
Her words hit me like a slap, and I sigh, feeling like the world’s biggest jerk. “You’re right. I’m just…” I trail off, rubbing the back of my neck. Goddess, I suck. Aria’s probably being tortured or worse, and here I am, acting like this is some middle-school drama. But can you blame me? I tried to mind-link Damon when Aria was taken, and the bastard ignored me. If Lily hadn’t called Theo, we wouldn’t even be here.
Theo told us to meet at this park near Shadow Pang territory. It’s sketchy as hell, but I’m not the brains of this operation, so I’m rolling with it.
“Thank goddess, they’re here,” Lily mutters, snapping me out of my pity party. She’s pointing, and yep, there they are, Theo and Damon stepping out of a car.
“Over here!” Lily waves, practically jumping. Theo notices immediately, but Damon? Oh no, Mr. Too-Cool-To-Look-At-Me keeps his eyes locked on Lily avoiding me.
“What’s happening?” Lily blurts the second they’re close enough. “Aria’s been trying to get through to Alpha Lucas, but she can’t reach him.”
Theo sighs, running a hand through his hair. “We don’t know. Same for us. We’ve been trying to reach him since yesterday, but nothing’s going through. We even went to his mansion, but the guards said he doesn’t want to see anyone.”
“Maybe his father’s behind this,” I say, trying to join the conversation. But, surprise, surprise…Damon ignores me again. He’s too busy looking at Lily while Theo nods along like this is normal.
“You’re probably right,” Theo says. “But where’s Aria?” He looks around like she’s about to pop out of nowhere.
“She was taken by Alpha Steven’s men earlier,” Lily sighs. “We don’t even know what they’re doing to her. We need to save her. But how? Alpha Lucas is the only one who can help.”
Theo’s jaw tightens. “Alright. We’re going back to Alpha Marcus’s mansion. We’re going to demand to see Lucas.”
I snort. “Yeah, good luck with that. They’re not gonna let you in.”
“I know,” Theo says, squaring his shoulders. “But we’re going to try anyway. We have to find out what’s going on.”
“And we already called Sarita,” Damon adds.
I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow. “Sarita? Alpha Marcus hates her. Is he even gonna let her in?” I’m literally talking to him, but Damon just brushes past me like I don’t exist… Again.
“We’ll figure it out,” Theo says, trying to play peacemaker.
“Can we come with you?” Lily asks.
Damon shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Shadow Pang is strict about outsiders. You could get into trouble.”
“You?” I snap, waving my arms dramatically. “HELLO, I’m standing right here!” Still nothing. Damon is like a brick wall with designer shoes.
Theo groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Guys, focus. You need to go back to your pack and figure out what’s going on there. Is there anyone inside the alpha’s house who can give you updates?”
Lily taps her chin. “We’re just lowly omegas, but… oh, wait! Vanessa! She’s the Beta’s daughter.”
I nod. “Yeah, but will she even help us?”
“We have to try,” Lily says with a shrug.
Theo’s phone buzzes, and he pulls it out. “It’s Sarita. She’s almost there. She’s gonna cause a scene to distract Alpha Marcus. We’ll use the chance to find Lucas. We gotta go.”
Lily waves as they leave, but I’m standing there, fuming. “Did you see the way that asshole ignored me?”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Actually, I want him to accept my rejection, and he’s refusing,” I snap, crossing my arms.
She snorts. “Come on, Mia. Let’s go find Vanessa before you combust.”