Chapter 5: A Second Mate

IOANA'S POV

A soft groan escaped my lips. My eyes flickered open. What greeted me were red, fluttering velvet drapes.

What—where am I?

The last thing I remembered was—flashes flickered past in my mind. My heart tightened. Pain, screams, despair, men in black, and a man who…

My hand snapped up to my neck, clutching it—pain exploding up my arm at the swiftness of my actions.

They injected me with something, I thought, flinching.

I'm definitely not at home, I noted, still groggy and disoriented. It was like my limbs were made of iron, weighing me down.

I breathed in. The air itself seemed heated with an unknown scent. It was oddly enticing and burdening at the same time—like my body burned, flames flickering on the surface of my skin with each inhale.

Even the scent here was different. I took another breath, my insides heating up in a way that left me wanting more.

A woody goodness that burned the backside of my throat—musk and spiced cedar.

It coiled around my throat, tightening in a way that sent tremors down my body. I stirred. This place was just too different.

It made me feel weird. That scared me. And when I did shift, it was like my body sank into the bed, gliding on it. My fingers wrapped around the sheets beneath me, gripping them.

Even the sheets were different. A sense of wonder rose, drowned by the other throngs of emotions I felt. I had never seen such bedsheets before.

They looked foreign, but I knew they must be expensive, as luxurious as they looked and felt. Black silken sheets contrasted against my skin.

But no matter how much of a wonderland this place was, I had to leave.

Just then, I noticed something odd. A breeze blew past me, brushing against my skin. My eyes widened. Where are my clothes?

My eyes snapped downward. The garment I was wearing was gone.

What replaced it was midnight black, scandalous lacy wear brushing past my upper thighs, leaving me exposed.

Thin and indecent. I hurriedly fixed its barely visible straps, but they kept slipping off my shoulders.

The corset by the waist made it even more difficult to breathe in this suffocatingly intense room, golden embroidery glinting seductively under the dim light.

''What is this?'' I stammered out, blood rushing to my face. By this time, it was only then that I began to realize the seriousness.

Who was I kept here for? I wouldn't sit here and be a lamb sent to the slaughterhouse.

My eyes darted around the room, searching for weapons, but all I saw were furnishings—

dark wood furniture with intricate gold carvings, a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, casting a glow on the black marble flooring.

Then I saw it.

A door.

My eyes lit up. If I can get to that place, I'll be free.

In my excitement, I failed to realize the danger staring at me.

But my body did.

The hair on my neck stood upright, warning me, and I heeded its call.

Freezing, I turned—only to see, by the edge of the bed, where shadows dominated, eyes watching me.

With an intensity that sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. Heat immediately pooled at my lower belly.

I stifled the groan that escaped my lips. My thighs clenched, rubbing against each other.

What was that? I wondered, but my thoughts died right then and there.

Because a hulking mass moved, emerging from the darkness, revealing a broad-shouldered man. His form towered—muscles as if carved from stone.

Raven-black hair fell in wild, tousled strands. From underneath that mess of hair—

were eyes hooded with a predatory glint and a flicker of something unknown. Something dangerous. It sent my heart racing.

It was as if he was demanding submission.

The air was thick and suffocating. My chest heaved.

But just then, for the second time ever, I heard the same voice that spoke on the day of my rejection.

But this time, its tone lacked the confidence and boldness it once did. It whimpered out the word:

"Mate."

Before falling silent.

What?! I jerked awake. It was as if a basin of icy water had been splashed over me. A chill crept up my spine. Whatever haze had chained me broke.

Another mate? My eyes widened in alarm. How is that possible?! My fingers trembled from the revelation.

My stomach churned uncomfortably, twisting in ways that left me queasy. I shuddered. The urge to run away flooded in.

Ramon flashed through my mind. The rejection. My foolishness.

To go through that again—I didn't think I could take it.

At least my glass heart, with cracks underneath, wouldn't.

Who would like an Omega like me? A disgrace. Rather than wait for another rejection, it was better to escape. Happiness wasn't for me.

Putting the thought into action—

I bolted off the bed, disregarding any form of decorum.

Straight to the door at the end.

Or at least, I tried to.

My heart pounded. Freedom was in sight. I imagined how I would flee far away from here.

But—

I hadn't even left the massive four-poster bed when—

A hand latched onto my ankle.

Snatching me backward before I had even reached the floor.

The world blurred around me. The next time I came to, I was beneath him. His large hands gripped my wrists, pinning them above me despite my struggles.

His body caged me in.

His lips hovered over my ears, his breath brushing over them.

''Run all you want,'' he rumbled, his voice a low, deep baritone. My stomach clenched.

My body betrayed me, strength leaving me, my limbs becoming limp noodles.

The hairs on my skin prickled. My body heated up, becoming dizzily warm—despite the horror in my mind, which screamed fight! Fight against the inevitable!

''But… you'll always end up right here.''

I sharply inhaled. My toes curled. My heart raced in my throat.

Then—

He leaned in.