5. Nowhere To Run

~Lucienne~

“What?!” My response came with multiple blinks. “No!” I immediately yelled out my refusal to strip or do anything related to that. “I'll eat,” I begged softly, trying to swallow the bile in my mouth. 

“Then do it!” He snapped at me. I reluctantly reached for the tray, my hands trembling as I picked up a piece of bread. Every bite felt like swallowing stones, my throat constricting with each swallow. But I forced myself to eat, knowing that defying Daniel would only lead to more suffering.

As I ate, Daniel watched me intently, his eyes never leaving my face. There was a glint of satisfaction in his gaze as if my compliance reaffirmed his control over me. It made my skin crawl, but I pushed aside my disgust and focused on finishing the meal, although I decided to take my precious time doing it. 

Finally, I set the empty tray aside, feeling a mix of relief and nausea churning in my stomach. Daniel nodded approvingly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

"Good girl," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Now, let's get you cleaned up."

“I can do it myself,” I whispered with my eyes glued to the floor but as usual, he was deaf to it. 

Despite my refusal, Daniel went ahead to grab a cloth and a bowl of water, gesturing for me to stand. As usual, I hesitated but a growl from him made me obey immediately. 

It was as if the Daniel I knew vanished, and was replaced by this calm fellow. His touch was surprisingly tender as he cleaned the bruises and cuts that marred my skin. 

Looking deeper, I could sense the simmering anger, the barely contained rage that threatened to boil over at any moment but there was something else in there. 

Once he had finished cleaning my wounds, Daniel helped me back onto the bed, his expression unreadable, well except for the lustful look he always had on around me.

“Ever had a boyfriend?”

“Would you let me?” I wanted to retort, but I didn't want another injury to the one I was nursing, so I just shook my head.

“Meaning you know nothing about orals?”

“Orals?” I inquired, with a furrowed brow. Was that a word or something he just made up? 

“Such an innocent little mate,” Daniel chuckled, licking his lips as lust took over his eyes. One by one, the button of his shirt became undone. “You do reek of innocence, baby.”

With every lusty sentence, I inched away but I was in a prison with an apex predator. Where could I possibly run to with my injured body? 

With just one hand, he pulled me back to him, causing me to let out a cry of pain. 

“It hurts,” I winced, but he still didn't let go. What happened to the caring man who cleaned me earlier? “Daniel, please. It hurts,” I begged again. 

“And how does that affect me, Lucienne?” He asked, his grip on me becoming tighter. “Did I give you permission to leave? With that bastard no less?”

“No,” I sobbed, the pain shooting through my whole body. 

“Answer me loud and clear Lucienne! Answer me with the same boldness you gave me earlier. Did I give you permission to reject me?!”

“No!” I half screamed and cried but that wasn't enough. He was still tightening his grip on me. 

“Look into my eyes, Lucienne.” He ordered. 

With a tear filled face, I opened my eyes, staring into his stormy dark ones. Whether it was rage, irritation, or lust, I couldn't even tell. They were all flying in there. Before I could react, he landed on me, on my lips to be precise, causing me to recoil like I was given some sort of poison. I sealed my mouth shut despite the knocking of his tongue. 

While he continued to probe, his grip tightened further again and I winced in return. 

“Kick him on the balls!” I told myself. 

“What if he strangled me because of that?” I replied to myself, weighing the pros and cons of whatever I was going to do just to end this battle on my lips. 

“Well I'd rather die than kiss the bastard,” I affirmed and raised my other leg, aiming it for the space between his legs. 

A ringing tone caused him to change position, making me miss my target. Luckily, the call ended the kiss so it was a win-win. 

“You're resisting me,” He commented huskily, finally taking his hands off me. “I'm not done with you,” He added with a little caress on my cheek before looking around to find his phone. 

I used the opportunity to look around the battered bedroom. There had to be a way of escape here. I had to get away from this mate and also find the man who helped me earlier. Speaking about the man, he couldn't have died, could he? 

My mind immediately zoned to how I saw him land on the floor. I didn't remember seeing the movement of his chest or anything. Does that mean…

“No, no, no,” I shook my head. “Daniel wouldn't do that. It'd mean war.”

“But does Daniel care about any of that?” I asked myself again but before I could reply, I was met with Daniel's angry yell. 

“Hey!” he called and I looked up to meet his gaze. “You really have a way of avoiding all my plans don't you?”

“I- I don't know what you're talking about,” I stammered. 

“Indeed,” He rolled his eyes. “I don't care what plan you or the universe has, but you're mine to devour.” By the time he finished that sentence, he was done wearing his shirt. Then as if he was possessed he tossed me a phone. 

“You do know how to operate one or do I have to teach you?” he questioned and I just told him I do. 

“There are some videos on there. I need you to watch and memorize everything you see there. You'd need them to serve your future punishments. I plan on marking at least three, tonight, my dear mate.”

“I don't understand,” I mumbled but he didn't hear. A part of me didn't want him to, actually. Especially since the Moon Goddess just provided me with a chance to call for help. 

"There’s more food in the living area. All you are allowed to do is eat, watch, and rest. You are not to do anything else without my permission Lucienne. Don't make me repeat myself again and don't make me add to your punishments. Your fragile little body might not be able to take ten percent of the things I will dish out.”

My reply was a simple nod as he turned to leave the room. “I'll be back in a short while. I don't plan on staying in the arena for long when I have you to warm my third leg."

As the main door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath. The first thing I did was grab the phone hoping to at least call someone for help. Turning it on, I was met with a wickedly smiling emoji and a no sim-card message. 

“Did you really think I would let you escape? You’re mine, Lucienne! MINE!” The message on the wallpaper read and I threw the phone away in frustration, yelling “WHY!”

I knew that escaping from Daniel's clutches would be nearly impossible, but I refused to give up hope. There has to be another way to escape him. 

I looked at every window in this abandoned house, and although they were wide open, just to allow ventilation, the iron net around them was impossible to break. I resorted to knocking on every wall just to find a weak spot. Somewhere Daniel wouldn't even suspect, but nothing at all. 

Frustration and fear coursed through me as I realized Daniel had anticipated my every move, leaving me trapped in his clutches with no means of communication with the outside world or way of leaving. 

Goddess knew how long I spent looking for a means to leave and none of them was fruitful. The rumbling of my stomach and soreness of my bones forced me to fall to the ground, munching on one of the things Daniel supposedly brought, half praying it wasn't poison. 

I threw my head back in a sigh and that was when I noticed it. There was a gap in the door! If I could get something to push the lock back in, I could unlock the door! 

Instantly, I sprang up, rummaging through the nylon here for a spoon or knife or anything. I went back to the rooms hoping to see anything made of steel or at least a strong material. When I couldn't find any, I settled for the plastic utensils, and with a prayer on my tongue, I went on my knees and began to push the lock-in. 

A few minutes and broken plastics later, the door creaked open and I was greeted by fresh air. 

“Thank the Goddess,” I sighed in relief. I quickly rushed back in to grab a few supplies for myself and then I locked them before leaving. Stepping outside, I was greeted with unfamiliar surroundings. On my left, trees, huge ones. Probably fifty of my height, and they all surrounded the house I just emerged from. I couldn't tell which was the right way to go at this point. Not having an active wolf also made matters worse. 

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and picked a way to go hoping it'll lead me to somewhere safe at least. I had not taken more than five steps when a voice made me freeze in my steps. 

"Leaving so soon, Lucienne?”