Chapter 10

I searched around the room frantically, my eyes scanning every inch of space for something, anything, that could help me down. I couldn't possibly jump, not from six stories up. I would be dead before I even hit the ground.

My heart was racing, my mind reeling with fear and adrenaline. I had to think, had to come up with a plan. And then, it hit me. The blankets. I could tie them together, create a makeshift rope to climb down.

I quickly got to work, my hands shaking as I tied the blankets together. I tested the strength of the rope, pulling on it with all my might. It seemed sturdy enough, but I couldn't be sure.

I tied one end of the rope to the bed, testing its strength once more. Satisfied, I threw the other end out the window, watching as it unfurled, the end dangling in the air, close to the ground.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing with fear. This was it. This was my chance to escape. I climbed out the window, my bare feet finding holds in the stone wall as I began to make my way down.

The rope dug into my hands, the rough fabric chafing my skin. I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore the pain. I had to keep moving, had to keep climbing down.

My fear was intense, my heart racing with every inch I descended. I was terrified of falling, of plummeting to my death. But I pushed on, the adrenaline pumping through my veins, driving me forward.

Finally, I reached the ground, my bare feet slapping against the cold stone. I took off running, not knowing where I was going, but knowing I had to get away.

The building seemed to stretch on forever, but I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart pounding in my chest.

But then, I heard a sound. I was quick to sink my feet into the cobblestone and backtrack, swiftly hiding behind a large pillar. Guards. They were patrolling the grounds, and from where I hid, I saw them looking around, their voices low and menacing. I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

"Wait, do you smell that?" one of the guards asked, his voice low and suspicious.

"Yeah, I do," the other guard replied, his voice equally wary. "It's a woman."

I felt a surge of fear, my heart racing with panic. I was caught. I was going to be caught.

But then, I remembered the distraction I had learned when hiding from Derrick. I made a noise, a faint rustling sound, and threw a small stone in the opposite direction.

The guards immediately gave chase, their footsteps echoing through the night air. I took advantage of the distraction, taking off in the opposite direction.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel my freedom within reach, could taste it on my lips.

But then, I heard a voice behind me. "You're running in the wrong direction," it said, the tone low and deadly.

I spun around, my heart skipping a beat. And that was when I saw him. Ryker. The alpha. My blood ran cold.

I stumbled backward as Ryker approached me, his eyes blazing a deep amber that made my heart jump into my throat. He looked scary, intimidating, and I could feel my fear spiking to new heights. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on his face, making him look even more menacing.

"Stay away from me!" I yelled, trying to sound braver than I felt. I turned to run again, but Ryker was too quick. He grabbed me, slamming me back against the wall with a force that made my head spin. I felt a jolt of pain as my back hit the stone, but I didn't have time to process it.

His lower body pressed into mine, trapping me against the wall. I felt a surge of panic as I realized I was completely at his mercy. His chest was pressed against mine, and I could feel his heart beating steadily against my own racing heart.

Ryker's face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. "You hate being with a monster so much that you had to run away?" he asked, his voice like ice seeping through my veins.

Even as he stood so close to me, his face was expressionless. All I could see was his blazing eyes that let me know his wolf was just within the surface, ready to burst out and probably snap me in half.

His words were laced with a hint of amusement, but his eyes told a different story. They burned with a fierce intensity, a warning that he would not be disobeyed.

I tried to push him away, but he was too strong. He didn't budge, his body pinning me against the wall with my hands above my head. "I may be a monster to you," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down my spine. "But I’m also your master. I own you. And you'll learn to obey me."

I felt a surge of anger at his words, but before I could respond, he continued. "I paid the price for you, Arianna. You belong to me now. And I'll make sure to show you who you belong to."

As he spoke, he pressed his erection into me, making heat flood out of me and soak my panties against my will. My face burned with shame and embarrassment when he sniffed my arousal in the air, but Ryker just smiled, his eyes glinting with triumph.

"Smell that?" he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "That's the scent of your desire. You can't hide it from me, Arianna. You're mine."

I snapped angrily, trying to push him away. "I'll never belong to you!" I spat, trying to sound defiant. But my voice trembled, betraying my fear.

Ryker just chuckled, and shook his head like one would do with a petulant child. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "You're going to learn to obey me, Arianna. And you're going to learn to love it."

I struggled against him, but he was too strong. He held me in place, his grip on my arms like a vice. I felt a surge of panic as I realized I was trapped.

And then, Ryker started dragging me back to the house. I struggled and kicked, but he was too strong. I was trapped, and I knew it. He knew it too.

As we walked, Ryker's eyes never left mine. He seemed to be savoring my fear, enjoying the fact that he had me right where he wanted me, and my hatred for him grew at that moment.

We got into the house, his hands never leaving mine and he thundered, “who was the guard in charge of her room?!”

The assembled guards all trembled when fear, and raw and unyielding fear filled my bones. But it wasn’t for myself.