C9- Calm vibrations

Vynessa's POV

Running away the first time, I'd seen the mansion, but I'd not had enough time to admire it's beauty. Money really does wonders. I can only imagine just how many millions of dollars was poured into this masterpiece.

“Four stories! Just how many people live inside this mansion. And how on earth did I scale down that height?” I think to myself, glancing at the small window I'd climbed down through, as I'm being led into the mansion gently by my captors… saviors? I'm no longer sure what to call them.

The moment we get to the large chocolate coloured door, the same man who'd saved me from being crushed by that truck stands there, beside him are two guards, standing so stiff that one would almost believe they are statues.

His gaze is warm yet calculated as he glances over my body, his eyes seeming to darken as they zero in on my bruised knee.

But then he looks at the man whom one of the men beside me, drags along like the sacrificial lamb his friends offered him to be, his head covered with a sack.

“He won't do.” The huge, tanned man, with his straight hair in a ponytail says. I barely listen to what leaves his lips next as my eyes zero in on his scared lips. Strange enough, it doesn't look bad on him. In fact, it's only serves as an edgy vibe to him.

“A sword fight some years back.” He suddenly says, his warm gaze capturing mine. “You might want to stop staring, I don't think Alpha Elijah would appreciate that.” He mutters with amusement.

I freeze, wondering why he's being…friendly. I notice how he briefly nods at the maid and men beside me, curtly sending them away so it's only I and him standing on the front porch. And we'll the statues too. Really, this men don't move? Have they always been here? Did they…did they not see me running out the first time?

“Shall we?” The huge tanned man stretches out his arm so gentlemanly but I fold my hands, unwilling to be deceived by his kindness.

“Klaus,”

My neck strains a little as I look up at the man now walking into the mansion beside me.

“My name, is Klaus.” He repeats.

I nod, hoping I'll be out of here before needing to call that name.

Opulence envelopes me as I'm led though the grand entrance of the mansion. An entrance I don't remember initially walking through.

Right above our heads is a crystal chandelier freely casting a warm glow over the sparkling marble floor.

My lips remain sealed as I'm led past a white-rugged staircase, its intricately carved banister gleaming with gold leaf.

The maids and guards standing throughout the foyer barely acknowledge my return, their expressions neutral. It's as if they’d known I was gone and weren't bothered the slightest.

I catch a glimpse of a maid dusting a nearby vase, its delicate porcelain adorned with precious gems. No way that is what I think it is. If that's a vase made of diamonds beads then… shit!

The maid glances at me and I she's the only one who shows a bit of emotion but it's one that throws me off guard.

Is that admiration I see in her gaze?

“Relax, Vynessa. You look ready to bolt out of here again. No one's going to hurt you here. I promise.” Klaus says but I remain silent, unsure how to feel about willingly walking back into the lion's den.

After that, there's a lot of walking and my legs begin to protest, my knees shaking. I follow silently though, knowing I'm being led to my mother.

But then I spot the familiar open room at the end of the hall and freeze.

“Vynessa,” Klaus calls softly with his deep tone, causing calm vibrations on my feet.

“No! You promised I'll see my mother. That's what she said!” I scream, feeling my anxiety skyrocket. There's so much fear on my inside, threatening to drown me.

I'm such an idiot. Of course I wasn't going to meet ma. This is all a deceit.

“You need to take a shower first Vynessa.” Klaus says, touching my arm.

“No, please.” My voice shakes as I stare at the beautiful prison they call a room.

“You will be meeting with Alpha Elijah first and then your mother. But none of that will happen if you refuse to wash off the scent of those bastards off you.”

I pause for a moment looking around and spotting a guard but no one else. “Okay,” I whisper, a part of me seething with anger– the part that isn't consumed by fear.

My shower is brief and rushed and when I rush out with a towel wrapped around me, I'm not surprised to find Klaus standing inside, several feet away from the widely open door. I also notice the large windows in the room are also pulled open. Strangely it gives me an air of safety. My eyes meet his and he points to the bed. “I picked out a new set of clothes for you.” He says, not moving. I nod silently, seeing black tights and a large fluffy pink hoodie, almost exactly the same thing I wear around the house back home. Without hesitation I start dressing, lifting my head to find that Klaus has turned around to give me some privacy.

“Your new phone will be here tonight so you can contact whoever you need to.” Klaus informs as we head to the study room. Sensing the question in my eyes, he continues, “Your old one got ruined, even after I'd risked breaking an arm to save it the first time.” He mutters the last part.

“How did you do it?” I ask, mostly speaking my thoughts out, remembering how he'd saved me from that truck in the speed of light.

“Do what?” Klaus asks genuinely.

“Save me so fast” I explain, maintaining eye contact with him.

“Oh, I guess speed is just something we are gifted with.” He says with a smirk.

Before I am able to get another words out, we reach the study room, and he opens the door, gesturing for me to enter. I do as told but can't bring myself to walk deeper into the room when I see the so called Alpha. It's the boss, but he's not looking in my direction, not at all. Instead, he's staring out a large window, a hand in his pocket, his other holding a cigarette, stinking up the whole place. Thank goodness ma isn't even present. This kind of atmosphere could send her into another coughing siege.

The study room is enormous, at least three times larger than the prison they initially put me in.

It is lined with towering bookshelves, their wooden panels polished to a beautiful milk colour. The air is thick with the scent of old books. A scent that effectively calms me. A massive wooden desk dominates the far end of the room, behind which stands a high-backed chair.

The room seems to stretch on forever, with comfortable-looking armchairs and sofas scattered around.

It's beautiful– my dream space, but without the situation I'm currently in right now.

Finally , after what feels like a generation, the boss stamps out his cigarette on a silver tray held by a maid. The air is heavy with the scent of nicotine and something else... something primal.

I prepare myself, my heart pounding in my chest as the boss slowly turns to face us. His nods at Klaus but those predatory eyes lock onto mine, and I feel a jolt of electricity run through my veins. His eyes glow with fiery gold intensity, a sight that does unexplainable things to my insides. And no, it's not something good as it leaves me gasping.

I'm frozen in place, transfixed by the raw power emanating from his very being. His jaw is clenched, his hands balled into tight fists. So tight I can trace every vein on his hands.

Every line of his body screams tension.

Elijah's eyes darken with anger as he takes a step closer to me. "So, you've decided to return," he says, his voice dripping with disdain. "I must say, I'm surprised. I didn't think you had the courage to face me after your little escapade."

Despite the tremor in my heart, I stand my ground, trying to keep my voice steady. "I didn't run away from you, I escaped. You kidnapped me."

His shoulders tense, his expression turning cold. "I did not kidnap you, Vynessa. I protected you. There are those who would seek to harm you, and I took steps to ensure your safety."

I scoff, my anger rising as I hold his gaze. Something about those eyes seem to stir my boldness and at the same time scare the shit out of me. "Protected me? By locking me in a room and refusing to let me leave? That's not protection, that's imprisonment." I push out, taking a step back the moment he steps forward.

The boss' eyes flash with anger, but his voice remains calm. "You would do well to remember that you are not in a position to dictate the terms of your...stay here. I have taken certain measures to ensure your safety, and I will not be lectured by you on the matter."

"Y…you promised me my mother would be with us. W…where is she?" I rush out, realizing Ma is still not with us.

But his eyes flash with annoyance. "How many times must I remind you, Vynessa, that your mother is dead?" He spits.

Klaus beside me clears his throat, his voice low and cautionary. "Easy, Alpha. She's just a human."

I frown at both of them, confused by their choice of words. But I push on, determined to get answers. "No, you promised me—"

But the so called Alpha cuts me off, his voice dripping with disdain. "Talk to her yourself, Klaus. I'm tired of repeating myself."

Klaus steps forward, his expression warm as ever. "Vynessa, your mother will be with us in just a few seconds."

I'm about to respond, fearing the worst when the door opens, and a figure I've been dying to see steps inside.

“Ma?” I stutter, my mind trying but failing to process what I'm seeing.