Bound by His World

The day of the wedding came too quickly, as if time itself conspired to rush Sasha toward her fate. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate lace of her dress. It clung to her body like a second skin, emphasizing every curve she would rather hide. Her dark hair was swept back into an elegant updo, and the makeup, done by an artist Dominic had hired, made her look more like a stranger than herself. Everything about this day felt wrong, like she was playing a part in someone else’s life. But this was her reality now—a contract bride to Dominic Knight.

Her hands trembled as she smoothed the fabric of her dress, the weight of the situation crushing down on her. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to run, to get out before it was too late, but there was nowhere to go. Dominic owned everything—her brother’s freedom, her future, and now, her.

A sharp knock echoed through the suite, pulling her from her thoughts. Sasha’s heart skipped a beat. Was it time already?

The door opened, revealing Dominic’s personal assistant, a woman named Iris who seemed to be all business and no emotion. Her sharp green eyes flicked over Sasha, approving the appearance before speaking.

“It’s time.”

Sasha felt her heart hammer against her ribcage. There was no turning back now. With one last look at the woman in the mirror—a woman who looked like a bride but felt like a prisoner—she followed Iris down the long corridor of Dominic’s sprawling estate.

The ceremony was to be held in one of the grand halls, its marble floors gleaming beneath crystal chandeliers. It was the kind of place that should have been filled with joy, with family and friends celebrating a union of love. But there was none of that. This was a transaction, plain and simple, and everyone present knew it. The guest list was small, composed mostly of Dominic’s business associates, men who either feared him or owed him.

As Sasha reached the door of the hall, her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t seen Dominic since their last meeting in his office, when he’d made his demands clear. Now, as the heavy doors swung open, her eyes found him standing at the end of the aisle, and her stomach twisted into knots.

He looked devastatingly handsome in a black tailored suit, his dark hair combed back, and his cold, intense eyes locked on her the moment she stepped into view. For a moment, Sasha thought she saw something flicker behind his gaze—something like hunger, but it wasn’t the kind of hunger that came from affection. It was darker, more dangerous.

Her legs felt like lead as she walked toward him, each step pulling her deeper into his world. The world she had agreed to enter, even though she didn’t belong. She could feel every set of eyes on her, the weight of their gazes suffocating her. They were all waiting to see if she would fall apart, but Sasha had always been a fighter. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.

When she finally reached Dominic, he extended his hand to her. She hesitated for a split second, but then placed her trembling fingers in his. His grip was firm, possessive, and for a brief moment, his touch burned against her skin, as if branding her with his claim.

The ceremony began, the words of the officiant blending into the background as Sasha’s mind spun. She could hardly focus on what was happening. Her life was changing, shifting into something unrecognizable, and she had no control over it. When the officiant finally asked if she would take Dominic as her husband, her throat closed up, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak.

But then Jason’s face flashed in her mind—her brother, the one person she had fought so hard to protect. He was why she was here. If she didn’t do this, he would die. There was no choice.

“I do,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dominic’s gaze darkened, his lips twitching into a satisfied smirk. “I do,” he said, his voice smooth and confident, as if he had never doubted this moment.

The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and Dominic wasted no time pulling her into his arms, his lips crashing down on hers in a kiss that was anything but tender. It was possessive, demanding, as if he was staking his claim in front of everyone. Sasha had no choice but to kiss him back, her mind reeling from the intensity of it all.

When he finally pulled away, she was breathless, her heart racing in her chest. Dominic looked down at her, his thumb brushing over her lower lip as if he was contemplating something. Then, without another word, he led her away from the altar and into the throng of guests waiting to congratulate them.

The reception was a blur of expensive champagne, polite small talk, and fake smiles. Sasha moved through it like a ghost, barely acknowledging the people who came up to greet her. She felt like she was floating outside her own body, watching as her life spiraled further out of control.

Dominic was never far from her side, his hand constantly resting on the small of her back or gripping her arm as if to remind her who she belonged to now. It was suffocating. She wanted to scream, to rip off the elegant gown and run as far away from him as she could, but that wasn’t an option. Not anymore.

As the evening wore on, Sasha excused herself from the crowd, needing a moment alone. She found a secluded corner of the grand estate, hidden away from the prying eyes of the guests. Leaning against the cool marble wall, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her tense. She turned, expecting to see Iris or one of Dominic’s security guards, but instead, it was him. Dominic stood there, watching her with that same predatory intensity that made her skin prickle.

“Running already?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Sasha shook her head. “Just needed some air.”

Dominic stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her. “I told you, there’s no running from me.”

She clenched her fists, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m not running.”

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze trailing over her body in a way that made her feel exposed. “Good,” he said softly, his voice like silk wrapping around her. “Because now, you’re mine. And I don’t let go of what’s mine, Sasha.”

There it was again—that dark, possessive claim. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way he moved, the way he spoke. He didn’t see her as a person with her own choices, her own desires. To Dominic, she was something to own, to control.

“Why me?” she asked suddenly, the question tumbling out before she could stop herself. “You could have anyone, so why did you choose me?”

Dominic’s expression shifted, his gaze sharpening as if he hadn’t expected the question. For a moment, he said nothing, just stared at her with those dark, unreadable eyes. Then he took a step closer, his hand brushing her cheek, his touch deceptively gentle.

“You intrigue me,” he said finally, his voice a low growl. “You’re strong. You fight, even when you know you can’t win. Most people would have broken by now, but not you. And I need that strength, Sasha. In my world, weakness is a death sentence.”

His words sent a chill down her spine. She had always been a fighter, but now? Now she was trapped, bound to a man who saw her strength as a tool, something he could use for his own purposes. And yet, despite everything, there was a part of her—a small, traitorous part—that was drawn to him. She hated it, but she couldn’t deny the pull he had over her.

“What if I don’t want to be part of your world?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Dominic’s eyes flashed with something dark, something dangerous. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear as he spoke.

“You already are.”

Later that night, after the guests had left and the grand estate had fallen into silence, Sasha found herself in the bedroom that was now hers—and Dominic’s. She had barely spoken a word to him since their conversation in the hallway, and now, as she stood in front of the large four-poster bed, she felt a new wave of anxiety crash over her.

This was the part of the deal she hadn’t let herself think about too much. The part where Dominic would claim her, not just in name, but in every way.

The door creaked open behind her, and Sasha turned to see Dominic standing in the doorway. He didn’t say anything, just watched her for a long moment before walking toward her, his movements slow and deliberate.

Her heart raced as he reached her, his fingers trailing over the delicate fabric of her gown before he slowly, methodically, began to unbutton the back of her dress. Sasha’s breath hitched, but she didn’t move, didn’t speak. This was part of the deal. She had agreed to this.

When the last button was undone, Dominic’s hands slid over her bare shoulders, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He pressed his lips to her neck, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he pulled her against him.

“You belong to me now, Sasha,” he whispered, his voice thick with possessive desire. “Every part of you.”

Sasha closed her eyes, her mind screaming at her to push him away!