Clarissa

I woke up to a world of pain, my entire body screaming in protest. Struggling to sit up, I took in my surroundings and realized I had no idea where I was. My head spun as I tried to remember what had happened, but it was all a blur.

I was in a dimly lit room, with peeling wallpaper and cobwebs in the corners. I was lying on the floor, my wrists and ankles bound tightly with a rope that cut into my skin. 

Just as I was starting to panic, a giant rat hurried past me, its beady eyes and sharp teeth, and a terrified shriek escaped my lips. I tried to get to my feet, but my hands and feet were tied and I couldn't move.

My heart pounded in my chest as I shouted for help, realizing with a sinking feeling that I had been kidnapped. My bag was nowhere to be found and I couldn't even mind-link my dad for help. It was like I was nothing but chaff, and the tears started to flow down my cheeks as I cried out in desperation.

I sobbed until there were no tears left, then tried to shift into my wolf form, but something was blocking me. What had they done to me? 

My mind raced as I fell into a fitful sleep, the faint voices of two male voices echoing in the background. 

"When do you think she'll wake up? We gave her an overdose of the Lunar Venom."

It all started to make sense - Lunar Venom was a very potent poison and was the reason for my weakness, and the weakness of my wolf.

As I tried to open my eyes, the bright light made me wince and I cried out in pain. 

"Fucking hell!" I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper as the truth dawned on me, my face contorted in shock and anger as I realized that my mate was behind my abduction. I was tied up with ropes, struggling to break free and escape this nightmare.

 He turned around and didn't even look apologetic as he stood in front of me, and a tall, spiky-haired male with a star tattoo on his neck was watching me intently.

"Why the hell did you do this?" I demanded of my mate. He just shrugged and pulled up a stool, as if this was just an ordinary conversation. 

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," he said nonchalantly as if that explained everything. I didn't understand what he meant.

"Tell her," the spiky-haired guy urged, but my mate just shook his head and whispered something into his ear. I felt a surge of anger and frustration well up inside me.

"Can you at least untie me?" I begged, but he refused. 

"I need to use the bathroom," I snapped. He reluctantly pulled out a pocket knife and cut the ropes binding my feet. I watched as the knife sliced through the ropes, its blade glinting in the light. I was still bound at the wrists, but at least now I had some freedom of movement.

Our mating scent filled the air as he stared deeply into my eyes, our faces inches apart. I could see the dark circles under his eyes - he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Please let me go," I pleaded. "Abducting me isn't the right way to solve whatever problem you have. My family will find me, whether you like it or not."

"I don't care," he growled, before showing me a tiny room with a bucket. "You can do your business in there." He turned to leave but didn't go far.

"Can you at least give me some privacy?" I asked, my face twisted in frustration.

"I can't. I don't trust you," he replied coldly, his eyes hard.

I felt a surge of anger and betrayal wash over me. How could my mate treat me like this? I didn't understand what was going on, but I knew one thing for sure - I needed to find a way to escape.

When I finished, I moved with pain and walked past him, our bodies brushing against each other, sending a wave of raw desire to my body. This was messed up on all levels. I should be afraid of him, and run away from him, but I couldn't tear my gaze from him. His nearness was overwhelming, filling me with raw desire. 

"You better get a grip on yourself," he scoffed. "I could never be attracted to a weak werewolf like you."

Instantly, every desire I felt died and was replaced with a fury that almost choked me as I cursed out loudly. 

"So why did you abduct me? To steal from me? You poor, filthy Lycans have always wanted to exploit my dad, despite how much we help your community."

He mimicked me, a muscle flickering angrily at his jaw and a satanic smile spread across his friend's thin lips.

 I ignored them and sat on the bare floor. The once crisp lines of my expensive jacket were now creased and my pants were stained, a far cry from the polished and put-together appearance I had in the morning. 

My dad would somehow find me, I was sure of that, and it lifted my spirits. The Lycans dropped bottles of water and packs of KitKats and even a laptop with N*****x to keep me entertained.

I sneered at their foolishness and closed my eyes, trying to get some rest, and eventually fell into a restless sleep. 

I woke up to pitch darkness and could make out the voices of the Lycans talking. 

"You need to go home. I'll stay with her," my mate's voice said. 

"No, what if you sleep and get into a crisis?" His friend responded.

"I won't sleep. We can't be hidden at the same time." 

His friend agreed and left and I lay there, wondering what crisis they were referring to. Minutes later, the room was silent except for the sound of my mate's breathing. There was something about him that drew me in, a deep, primal connection that I couldn't deny.

I was jolted out of my thoughts by a sudden scream from my mate. He thrashed against the bench, his body contorting in agony as he jumped on his feet and shifted into his beast form.

 I let out a terrified scream as the huge beast rushed toward me.