chapter six

Elara's pov

A deep, groggy haze clung to me as I stirred, my body slow to respond. The warmth of the car was suffocating, the scent of leather and something else something dark, something undeniably him thick in the air. My head throbbed dully as I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim glow of passing streetlights through the tinted windows.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

Then I felt it.

A firm grip on my wrist.

Lucian.

Panic jolted through me like a live wire. I sucked in a sharp breath, my body tensing as the reality of my situation crashed back over me. My fingers twitched, moving toward the door as if I could somehow throw myself out before—

The car slowed.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I pressed myself closer to the door, instinct screaming at me to run, even though I had nowhere to go. My trembling fingers reached for the handle—

And then Lucian's grip tightened.

I let out a sharp gasp as he yanked me back, his fingers like iron shackles around my wrist. "Don't," he murmured, his voice low, dangerous.

The car eased to a stop, and through the window, I saw it.

A massive estate.

The houses were spaced apart, each one large, their windows dark. The whole place was eerily silent, swallowed by the night.

Fear crawled up my spine like icy fingers.

The door beside Lucian swung open first. A man stood there—one of his warriors, tall and broad, his sharp gaze flicking to me before stepping back.

Lucian moved first, pulling me along with him. His grip didn't loosen, not even as the night air hit my skin like a slap.

I struggled, but he barely acknowledged it.

"Walk," he ordered.

I dug my heels into the ground. "I'm not going in there."

Lucian exhaled sharply, then in one swift motion, he leaned down, wrapping an arm around my waist.

Before I could scream, I was lifted off the ground.

"No! Put me down! Put me down, you bastard!" I thrashed against him, kicking my legs, pounding my fists against his back, but he didn't even flinch.

The other men barely reacted, as if they were used to this. As if seeing their Alpha carry a struggling, screaming girl into his home was normal.

The house loomed ahead. The heavy doors swung open as we reached them, and I barely caught a glimpse of the enormous interior before we were inside.

And the moment the doors shut behind us, I knew.

I wasn't leaving.

Lucian carried me effortlessly, his grip unyielding as he strode through the vast halls of his estate. I twisted in his hold, my nails digging into his arm, but it was like trying to scratch stone.

"Let me go!" I hissed, thrashing again, but it only made him tighten his grip.

His silence unnerved me more than anything. He didn't react to my struggles, didn't try to calm me down just moved with cold determination, his long strides never faltering.

We passed towering archways, dimly lit corridors, and massive windows that revealed nothing but darkness outside. The house was eerily silent, except for the sound of our footsteps echoing against the high ceilings.

Then came the stairs.

Twisting, never-ending staircases that spiraled upward like something out of a nightmare. The further we went, the heavier the air felt, like I was being dragged deeper into something I wouldn't escape from.

"Where are you taking me?" My voice was hoarse, edged with fear.

Lucian didn't answer.

I caught glimpses of warriors standing guard at different points in the halls, their expressions blank, their eyes cold. They didn't stop him. They didn't question why their Alpha was carrying a terrified, struggling girl through the house.

Like this was normal.

Panic clawed at my throat as we reached another flight of stairs—these narrower, darker. A sense of dread pooled in my stomach.

I kicked hard, my foot slamming against his side.

It didn't matter.

Lucian barely shifted, his grip remaining firm as he ascended the final set of stairs.

Then, finally, he stopped.

A heavy wooden door stood before us, its dark surface carved with intricate patterns—symbols I didn't recognize but sent a shiver through me.

Lucian adjusted his hold, pushing the door open with one hand.

The room beyond was vast.

A massive four-poster bed sat against the far wall, its black sheets blending into the dimly lit space. A fireplace crackled faintly, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. Heavy curtains shielded the windows, blocking out the world beyond.

It felt like a cage.

Lucian stepped inside and kicked the door shut behind him. The sound echoed like the final snap of a lock.

And I knew I was trapped

Lucian dropped me onto the massive bed with effortless ease. I scrambled backward instantly, my hands gripping the sheets as I pressed myself against the headboard. My wide eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching for an escape anything that could help me.

But there was nothing.

The heavy curtains blocked out any view of the outside. The thick walls swallowed any hope of someone hearing me scream. The fireplace crackled softly, mocking my fear with its quiet warmth.

Lucian took a step closer, his towering frame casting long shadows across the room. My breath hitched as I watched him, every muscle in my body tense, ready to bolt.

Then, he spoke.

"I won't hurt you."

His voice was deep, smooth but there was an edge to it, something unreadable.

I shook my head, my fingers curling into the sheets. "You expect me to believe that? You kidnapped me."

His golden eyes burned into mine. "I did what I had to."

I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Lucian exhaled slowly, like he was trying to ease the tension between us. "My name is Lucian, as you already know." His voice softened slightly, but it did nothing to ease my fear. "And I meant what I said I won't hurt you."

I didn't respond.

I couldn't.

Because no matter how calm his words were, I wasn't foolish enough to trust a man who had stolen me away from everything I knew.