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Celine POV

Alex’s words linger in the air like a haunting truth, heavy and undeniable. “Look back, baby. You didn’t go to school, you had no friends, you were kept inside,” he says, his voice laced with a mixture of smugness and sincerity. His gaze pierces through me, forcing me to confront a reality I’ve ignored for years.

I freeze, my mind sifting through memories. He’s right. I’ve been hidden my entire life, a shadow behind closed doors. Why? My heart pounds, a dull ache forming in my chest as the unanswered question presses harder.

“We’ll make sure you have fun, though,” Wes murmurs as he steps closer. His broad frame traps me against the cold wall. The scent of him—woodsy, dark, and intoxicating—clouds my thoughts. His nose grazes the curve of my neck, and a shiver runs down my spine.

“Her smell... Could you imagine the power she’d have if she were unleashed from the ties that hold her down?” Wes’s voice is low, almost reverent, as though I’m some rare, coveted treasure. I gasp as flashes of his lips on mine blaze through my mind, vivid and invasive.

Before I can push him away, he claims my mouth. His lips are hot, insistent, his tongue forcing its way in with a dominance that sends my body reeling. My knees weaken, a treacherous softness invading my limbs. When he pulls back, I’m left panting, my mind struggling to catch up.

“She tastes even better than she smells,” Wes says, his eyes glowing a feral purple. “I just want to devour her,” he growls, his hunger unmistakable.

Before I can catch my breath, Alex’s strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against his chest. His lips crush mine, his hand tangling into my hair, holding me captive. His kiss is deeper, more consuming, as if he’s trying to claim something far more than my lips. Despite my attempts to resist, my body betrays me again, yielding in ways that make my stomach churn with shame. He steps back, his eyes flashing a silver color.

And then Dolton is there. His hands are rough and unapologetic as they pin me against the wall, his mouth capturing mine with an intensity that steals my air. His hands roam, sliding along my thighs, and before I can protest, he lifts me, wrapping my legs around his waist.

I whimper, hating the sound but unable to suppress it as his body presses firmly against mine. The friction between us ignites an unbearable heat, and his groan vibrates against my lips. His hips rock against me, the deliberate movement making my stomach knot in fear and something else I refuse to acknowledge.

“Boys.”

Richard’s voice cuts through the tension, sharp and commanding. Relief floods me as I twist in Dolton’s grip, hoping for salvation. Richard’s cold eyes move between us, assessing the scene. Surely, he’ll stop this.

But then he speaks, and my blood runs cold. “Do as you want with it. Just remember the rules. Remember why this one is different, and be careful. The mask can’t slip.” His words are calculated, devoid of concern, and he doesn’t even spare me another glance before walking away.

Panic surges through me, and I thrash against Dolton’s hold. His grin widens, his eyes gleaming gold with amusement. “She sounded amazing, whining into my mouth,” he taunts. Leaning closer, he doesn’t see my head coming. I slam it forward, the crunch of cartilage followed by his grunt of pain.

Freed from his grip, I scramble away, my chest heaving as I put distance between us.

“Okay, let’s not scare her on day one,” Wes chuckles, his tone maddeningly casual. He gestures down the hall. “This way, I’ll show you to your room.”

The tension in the air clings to me like a second skin as I follow him, my legs unsteady. I’m aware of Alex and Dolton trailing behind, their presence a constant threat.

Wes opens a door and steps inside, gesturing for me to follow. My feet hesitate at the threshold as my eyes sweep over the room. It’s large, almost lavish, with a bed that dominates the space—a bed I recognize instantly from the visions. My stomach churns. I don’t want to stay here.

I open my mouth to protest, but Wes speaks first. “Someone will come by to give you a schedule and the rules. For your own safety, you can’t leave the grounds. It’s not safe for you.”

Dolton steps closer, his smirk sending a chill down my spine. “We’ll let you get settled and come by in a few days to see you.”

The three of them leave, the door clicking shut behind them. The silence that follows is deafening. My legs give out, and I collapse onto the floor, my mind spinning.

They said I’m their mate. They said I’m different. What does that mean? How do they know something about me I don’t even understand myself?

I wrap my arms around my knees, trembling. They spoke of rules and bonds, of restraint and possession. But all I feel is fear. Fear of what they want, of what I am, and of what might happen if I can’t find a way out.