Chapter 9

I lay in bed, my mind reeling with everything I’d heard that morning. Ryker, the man who had brought me here, who had torn my clothes and left me feeling vulnerable and scared, was a monster. A killer. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

“The same man who had saved you,” my subconscious tattled, but I dismissed the thought.

I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. What my uncle had sold me into. I thought of my mother, of the horrors she must be going through in the hands of Derrick. I thought of staying for her sake, of enduring whatever Ryker had planned for me in order to keep her safe. But staying with Ryker was only digging my own grave. He was a monster, capable of doing unimaginable things. And I couldn't imagine staying here, trapped in this luxurious prison with no escape.

I felt a sob rising up in my throat, and I couldn't hold it back. I cried, great racking sobs that shook my body and left me gasping for breath. I cried for my mother, for the life we once lived, I cried for the fear that gripped my heart, for the uncertainty of my future.

Ryker's face flashed before my eyes, his cold, calculating gaze making my skin crawl. I remembered the way he had looked at me, the raw desire in his eyes when he had torn my clothes. I had been saved only because I had fainted. What would happen next time, when there was nothing to save me? What would happen to me then?

The thought sent a chill down my spine, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. I thought of all the things Ryker could do to me, all the ways he could hurt me. I thought of the other women, the ones Claire had told me about, the ones who had never left this place. I thought of their screams, their cries for help, and I knew I couldn't stay here. I couldn't let Ryker do to me what he had done to them.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I knew I had to think clearly, to come up with a plan. I couldn't just run blindly into the night, not without knowing what I was up against. I needed to gather my strength, to come up with a strategy. And then, I would make my move. I would escape, no matter what it took.

I wiped my tears away, trying to compose myself. I knew I couldn't give up, not now. I had to keep fighting, no matter what. I thought of my mother, of the strength she had always shown in the face of adversity. I thought of her words, her encouragement, and I knew I could do this. I could escape, and I could make a new life for myself.

I took another deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. I would do this, no matter what it took. I would escape, and I would never look back.

Hours later, the tears had stopped coming, and I sat in bed, my eyes fixed on the door as I waited for Claire to arrive with my dinner. I hadn't seen Ryker all day, and I hoped not to see him at all. That was the only way my plan was going to work. I was going to run away tonight.

I heard the sound of footsteps outside my door, and I knew it was Claire. She entered the room with a tray of food, a gentle smile on her face.

"Good evening, milady," she said, setting the tray down in front of me. "I brought you some dinner. I hope you're feeling better."

She had gotten a little less tense around me, since she had been the one attending to all of my needs all day, and I’d also grown comfortable with her.

I nodded, my stomach growling at the sight of the food. "Thank you, Claire. I'm feeling a bit better."

Claire nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm glad to hear that, milady. I was worried about you."

I took a bite of the food, savoring the taste. It was delicious, and I was grateful for Claire's kindness.

"Claire, can I ask you something?" I said, looking up at her.

"Of course, milady," Claire replied, her eyes curious. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry if I seemed rude earlier," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You were telling me about Ryker, and I...I didn't react well."

I had totally blanched out on her, and I didn’t want her regretting having told me anything.

Claire's expression turned serious, and she glanced around the room nervously. "Milady, please. You have to be careful. If Alpha Ryker finds out that I spoke out of turn...I'll be dead."

My heart broke at her words and evident fear, and I reached out to grab her hand. "I won't say anything, Claire. I promise. You have my word."

Claire's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded gratefully. "Thank you, milady. Thank you for understanding."

I finished my food quickly, my mind racing with thoughts of my escape. I couldn't tell anyone about my plan, because I didn't trust anyone. I was alone in this, and I had to rely on myself to get out of here.

When I finished eating, Claire asked me if I needed anything else. I shook my head, trying to look as tired and weak as possible.

"No, Claire. I'm fine. I just need to rest."

Claire nodded gently. "Of course, milady. You need to take care of yourself. I'll leave you alone now."

I laid on the bed and covered my body, listening as Claire put the plates back in the tray and left the room. I waited, counting till twenty before throwing the blanket off me and sitting up.

Now that I was alone, I could start putting my plan into motion.

I looked around the room, my eyes scanning the space for any possible means of escape. I couldn't leave through the door, because I didn't know my way around the massive house. Trying to find my way would only take me time, which I didn't have.

So instead, I decided to leave through the window. It was a risk due to how high up it was, but it was the only way I could think of to escape undetected.

I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my heart racing and beating wildly with fear. I was really doing this. I was going to escape.

I walked over to the window, my eyes scanning the ground below, and my heart sank down all six stories. It was a long way down, but I was determined to make it. I was determined to escape, no matter what it took.