FORECED CONTRACT

Aurora’s breath catches as Lucian’s fingers trace an idle path down her arm, his touch deliberate, possessive. The warmth of his palm lingers against her skin, a silent promise of control, of power. He moves with the ease of a man who knows he is the master of every room he steps into, and this moment is no exception.

“I’m the one in charge here, Aurora,” he murmurs, his voice a low vibration against her pulse. “It’s you who needs to be worthy of me.”

She stiffens at his words, her sharp hazel eyes flashing with defiance, but Lucian only smirks. He expected as much. A woman like her wouldn’t kneel so easily—not yet. That makes this all the more exhilarating.

Her lips part, but no sound follows. Whether it’s shock or anticipation that has stolen her voice, Lucian can’t tell, and he finds he doesn’t care. Watching her struggle against the war raging inside her is entertainment enough.

“Kneel.”

The command cuts through the thick silence between them. A muscle in Aurora’s jaw twitches, her back still straight despite the clear tremor running through her limbs.

“W-what?” she breathes, a note of incredulity slipping into her voice.

Lucian leans in, his lips a mere whisper away from her ear. “I said, kneel.”

She scoffs, the sound sharp, biting. “I’ve spent twenty years crushed under my father’s boot. I’m not about to start crawling for his goddamn replacement.”

Lucian chuckles, his amusement dark and rich. He had been right about her. This one wasn’t broken—yet.

Releasing her chin, he cups her cheek instead, his thumb brushing over the soft curve beneath her eye. “I’m offering you a life of comfort, Aurora, not a prison.” His tone dips, smooth and persuasive. “Unlike your dear papà, I take care of my own.”

She swallows, and he doesn’t miss the way her throat bobs, the way her chest rises with a deep, shuddering breath. But she’s still fighting.

Good.

He straightens, taking a measured step back, giving her space to make a choice—a choice that isn’t hers to make at all. Her eyes flick up to his, searching, calculating. He wonders if she realizes how perfectly poised she is, like a queen assessing her kingdom before she inevitably falls to her knees.

“Submit to me,” he commands again, his voice like a blade, sharp and unavoidable.

And finally, something shifts.

Slowly, painfully slowly, Aurora sinks to the ground.

Lucian watches, enthralled, as she folds gracefully onto her knees, her hands resting atop her thighs, her posture rigid despite her lowered position. The sight sends a bolt of satisfaction through him, curling deep in his gut.

But even now, she refuses to lower her gaze. Instead, she tilts her head up, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that ignites something hot and wicked inside him.

“What’s in it for me?” she demands, her voice steadier than before.

Lucian laughs, the sound deep and indulgent. Ah, so she was clever, too.

Aurora & Lucian – A Dangerous Arrangement

Dario’s—no, Lucian’s—last words still echo in my mind, a chilling reminder of the power he holds over me. An hour must have passed, yet they continue to rattle inside my skull, refusing to be drowned out by the rhythmic hum of the car's engine.

A rough fabric presses against my face, suffocating me in its stale scent. The black sack he threw over my head is an unnecessary cruelty, but I doubt he cares. Every second inside this moving prison only cements my fate, dragging me deeper into uncertainty.

Exhaustion drags at my eyelids, tempting me to let my head fall against the cool leather seat. But I can’t. I won’t. It’s not safe. I clench my fists in my lap, nails biting into my palm as I force myself to stay alert. Muffled voices murmur in the distance, too indistinct to piece together. Yet, I can feel him. Lucian.

His presence is a brand against my skin, an oppressive weight that suffocates me even through the blindfold. The car slows, tires crunching over gravel before rolling to a halt. My pulse spikes. This is it.

A door opens, then another. Footsteps approach.

The sharp click of a lock being disengaged makes my stomach clench. I brace myself, but it’s still a shock when strong fingers wrap around my wrist. My instinct kicks in, and I jerk away.

“Don’t fight, Aurora.” His voice is calm, almost bored, yet it sends a violent shudder through me.

I don’t have time to process before I’m pulled from the car. My bare feet hit the cold, uneven ground, sharp pebbles biting into my skin. A hiss slips through my teeth, but I don’t stop struggling.

“Let go of me!”

A sigh. Then, without warning, I’m lifted off my feet. A startled cry bursts from my lips as I’m thrown over a broad shoulder.

“Put me down!” I thrash, fists pounding against the hard muscles beneath me. He doesn’t even flinch.

Lucian moves with purpose, his long strides unbothered by my frantic struggling. The rhythmic thud, thud, thud of his boots against the marble floor fills my ears. The air shifts, growing warmer, scented with a faint hint of smoke and leather. A house. His house.

Hallways blur as he carries me, my vision still stolen by the sack. I count the turns, the doors opening and closing. I need something—anything—to remember in case I get the chance to escape. But the disorientation is overwhelming.

At last, he stops.

A door creaks open, and I’m suddenly airborne. I land with a muffled thump onto a soft surface.

A bed.

Panic surges through me, and I scramble backward, dragging the rough fabric off my head. The moment my vision clears, I’m met with Lucian’s cold, silver stare.

He watches me from the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. The dim lighting casts shadows over his sharp features, highlighting the cruel amusement dancing in his gaze.

“I won’t be dumped in your bedroom like a common whore,” I snap, clutching my knees to my chest. My voice wavers, but I lift my chin higher, refusing to let him see my fear.

Lucian’s lips curl into a slow, dangerous smirk. “You think you have a choice?”

He takes a step forward.

I flinch.

His expression darkens. “You are here because I allow it. And you will stay because I demand it.”

The weight of his words settles over me, thick as iron shackles. I clench my fists, shaking with rage. “We aren’t married yet. My virtue is still my own.”

His laughter is a low, rumbling sound that makes my skin prickle. “How sweet,” he muses. “You still believe that matters.”

My stomach turns. I inch back, until my spine meets the cold headboard. My heart hammers against my ribs as he stalks closer, predatory and patient.

“You can chain me up like a dog,” I whisper, voice raw, “but I will never submit.”

Lucian halts. His smirk fades into something unreadable.

For a moment, silence stretches between us. Then, to my utter shock, he exhales heavily and steps back.

“We’ll see.”

Turning on his heel, he strides toward a tall chest of drawers, pulling it open. A fresh set of clothes lands at the foot of the bed.

“Change. Sleep.” He gestures toward the bathroom. “Tomorrow, we discuss your place in this arrangement.”

I glare at him, breath uneven. “If you think I’ll ever accept this—”

Lucian moves fast. Too fast.

One second, he’s standing across the room. The next, he’s beside the bed, towering over me, bracing his hands on either side of my body. My breath stalls.

He leans in, his voice a whisper against my lips.

“You don’t have to accept it, Aurora.” A slow, cruel smile. “You just have to survive it.”

His words send ice through my veins.

And then, he’s gone.

The door closes behind him, leaving me alone in my new cage.