CHAPTER FOUR: “TRAPPED”

Emily stepped into Alexander's office, her heart racing and almost bursting out of her chest. She had expected to be reprimanded for her behavior in the elevator, but instead, Alexander greeted her with a warm smile. it all seems too odd.

"Ah, Emily, thank you for joining me," he said, his voice calm, he sat down behind his huge desk, watching her keenly with those piercing green eyes.

Emily felt a shiver run down her spine as she took a seat. "I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwood," she said, trying to sound remorseful. "I was completely out of line."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Please, call me Alexander," he said. "And don't apologize. I rather enjoyed our... spirited conversation."

Emily's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected him to be so... charming. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something that made her blood run cold, a glint of calculation, a hint of manipulation.

"I must say, I was intrigued by your passion," Alexander continued. "And I think I might have a proposal that will interest you."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. What could he possibly propose? She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm looking for someone to marry and produce an heir," Alexander said, his eyes glinting with intensity. "And I think you might be the perfect candidate." he added, casually pouring himself a glass of water.

Emily felt like she had been punched in the gut. Marry him? Produce an heir? Was he insane? She sat back in her chair, trying to process what he was saying.

"I... I don't know what to say," she stuttered.

Alexander leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her. "I'll make it worth your while, Emily Wilson," he said. "You'll be paid handsomely and you'll want for nothing. You'll have a life of luxury and privilege and you'll never have to worry about money again."

Emily felt a wave of revulsion wash over her. He thought he could buy her? That she would marry him and have his child just for money? She stood up, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I'm not for sale, Mr. Blackwood," her voice cold, the rage spreading, and could be seen clearly from her face.

Alexander's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're making a big mistake, Emily," he growled. "I'm offering you a chance at a life of luxury and privilege. You'd be foolish to turn it down." he stood up, casting her a murderous glare.

"I made my findings about you, and trust me when I say you need this money" he added, watching her keenly for a reaction.

Emily stood her ground, despite the fear that was growing inside her. "I'd rather die than marry you," she spat.

Alexander's face turned white with rage. "You'll regret this, Emily," he snarled. "We'll get a divorce after the child is born... You can go far away from here and start all over again." he was beginning to get irritated, and amuse, this was a chance every girl will jump at. But he wondered why she was rejecting his offer.

As Emily turned to leave, she felt a chill run down her spine. She knew she had just made a powerful enemy. She walked out of the office, trying to keep her head held high, but she could feel Alexander's eyes on her, boring into her skin.

She knew she had to get out of there, fast. She walked quickly down the hallway, her leg barely carrying her, she felt weak. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She had never felt so scared and insulted in her life.

As she reached the elevator, she pushed the button and waited for it to arrive. She was shaking with fear and adrenaline and she didn't know how much more of this she could take.

The elevator doors slid open and Emily stepped inside, grateful to be escaping the oppressive atmosphere of Alexander's office. She leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath and calm down.

But as the elevator doors slid closed, Emily felt a sense of unease. She was trapped and she didn't know what was going to happen next. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in grave danger.

"What have I just gotten myself into?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with fear.

The elevator started moving and Emily's heart began to pound. She tried to press the buttons, but they didn't seem to be working.

"What's going on?" she muttered to herself. "Where am I being taken?"

The elevator stopped suddenly and Emily's heart skipped a beat. The doors slid open and she stepped out into a long, dark corridor.

The air was thick with dust and cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Emily's skin crawled as she walked down the corridor, her footsteps echoing off the walls.

She had no idea where she was or where she was going. She was completely at the mercy of Alexander Blackwood.

As she turned a corner, Emily saw a door at the end of the corridor. It was old, with heavy iron hinges and a large, rusty doorknob.

Emily felt cold and shivered, clutching her purse as she approached the door. What was behind it?

She reached out and grasped the doorknob, turning it slowly. The door creaked open and Emily stepped inside.

She found herself in a large, dimly lit room. The walls were lined with books and there was a large, ornate desk in the center of the room.

Behind the desk stood Alexander Blackwood. He was smiling, but his eyes were cold and hard.

"Welcome back, Emily," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I see you're stubborn. I like that. But stubbornness can be a dangerous thing."

Emily's heart was racing. What did he mean? What was this place?... and what was going on?

Emily tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. Alexander walked towards her.

"Don't worry, Emily," he said. "I'll take care of you. You'll be safe... as long as you do what I say."

Emily felt a wave of fear wash over her. She was trapped and she didn't know how to escape.

"What do you want from me?" she whispered, her voice trembling, she edged backwards, gearing to fled the room and get away from him as fast as she could.

Alexander's smile grew wider. "Oh, Emily," he said. "I want so many things from you. But most of all, I want you to trust me."

Emily's eyes widened in horror. Trust? What did he mean?

As she looked into Alexander's eyes, Emily saw something there that made her blood run cold. Something that made her realize that she was in grave danger.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Alexander's expression changed. His eyes seemed to gleam with excitement and his smile grew wider.

"I have a surprise for you, Emily," he said. "Something that will change everything."

Emily's heart was racing with fear. What did he have planned? What was he going to do to her?

As Alexander walked back to the desk, That still voice in her head urged her to run, But her body did the opposite. Emily saw that he was holding a small carved box. He opened the box, revealing a beautiful, sparkling diamond ring.

"Marry me, Emily," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Be my wife and I'll give you everything you've ever wanted."

Emily's eyes widened in horror. Marry him? Was he insane?

And then, just as Emily was about to respond, she heard a loud noise coming from outside the room. It sounded like footsteps, heavy and deliberate.

Alexander's expression changed, his eyes narrowing into slits. "It seems we have company," he growled, reaching her in one sharp stride and pulling her close to him.

As the footsteps grew louder, Emily saw Alexander's eyes flash with anger. He took a step forward putting her behind him, his fists clenched at his sides.

But as the door burst open, Emily saw a group of people standing in the doorway. They were tall and imposing, with piercing eyes, similar to his.

 "What do you want?" he snarled.

One of the men stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Alexander. "You've failed to produce an heir, Alexander," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You've failed to secure a mate. You're no longer fit to lead our pack."

Alexander's face twisted in anger. "I'll find a mate," he snarled. "I'll produce an heir."

The man sneered. "You've had years to do so, Alexander. You've failed. It's time for a new leader."

Alexander's eyes flashed with desperation. He turned to Emily, his eyes pleading. "Emily, please," he said. "You have to trust me. Marry me."

But as she looked into Alexander's eyes, she saw something there that made her hesitate. She saw a desperate plea, a desperate need.

"Please, Emily," Alexander said, his voice trembling with emotion. "If you don't marry me, they'll take me away. They'll strip me of my title."

Emily's heart was racing with fear. She didn't know what to do and, she didn't know what was going on.

But as she looked at the group of people standing in the doorway, she knew she had no choice. She had to trust Alexander.

"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll marry you."

Alexander's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Thank you, Emily," his voice trembling with emotion, I promise to explain after this.

As Emily looked at Alexander, His eyes seemed to gleam with a feral light, his teeth seemed to sharpen into points.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Alexander grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. "We have to get married now," he said, his voice urgent.

Emily's heart was racing with fear as Alexander dragged her out of the room. She didn't know what was happening, or where she was going.

Emily realized the truth. Alexander was a werewolf, the transformation she just witnessed, fits the description from her mothers stories, and she had just agreed to marry him!

"You're mine now," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Emily's heart was racing with fear as Alexander pulled her towards him. She felt his hot breath on her skin, his sharp teeth grazing her neck.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything went black.

Emily felt herself falling, felt herself losing consciousness. She tried to struggle, but it was too late.

As she blacked out, Emily realized the truth. She just agreed to get married to a monster, a creature of the night. And she had no idea what he had planned for her.