Chapter 4

Alina:

Anya left me with food, warnings, and a door that did not lock. And the key that Dimitri left for me on the table.

That should have comforted me. I still felt like I was in a cage. I mean, you couldn’t technically tell me that it wasn’t even if the door was open. It made me wonder how far they would let me run before they dragged me back.

I sat by the fireplace long after she left, the tray half full beside me. I had eaten enough to stop my hands from shaking. I knew that despite my anger, I needed strength, and I hated that I was going to need to depend on them for it.

My father’s voice kept replaying: Take her. She is yours. I closed my eyes and saw him kneeling, begging for his life, offering me like a coin. The memory made my stomach twist. I stood abruptly, needing to move before the walls pressed in.

The key still sat on the small table where Dimitri had left it. And for a foolish second I wanted to snatch it and run. My wolf pressed at my ribs, restless and weak.

Mate.

“Don’t,” I whispered. “He is not our mate.”

I picked up the key. The metal was cold in my palm, and I waited for guards to burst in, for Anya to appear, for Dimitri’s voice to roll down the corridor telling me not to be stupid. But nothing seemed to happen.

I opened the door without needing the key, and I frowned that they did not bother locking it. I peaked out the door, expecting to see at least someone outside, but the hallway was empty.

I stepped out and kept close to the wall. The mansion was a maze of corridors and staircases; the scent of wolves lingered everywhere. I followed the faintest trace of cold air, windows meaning exits, exits meant a chance, and it was one that I was willing to take.

Once, voices echoed below and I ducked behind a pillar until two guards passed. They did not see me or perhaps they did and chose not to stop me. The idea scared me more than the thought of them dragging me back to the room.

I reached the door, and the smell of trees filled my nostrils. It was an easy escape, right…?

“Running already?” Dimitri stood at the far end of the corridor, dressed in black, sleeves rolled to his forearms. He looked carved from shadow, silent, waiting. “I would have expected you to at least try to stay the night.”

“Did you leave the key just to see if I would use it?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “Not that you needed it. As far as I know, I also gave instructions for you not to be locked in.”

“You were testing me.” I snapped as I felt my anger rise to my chest.

“I was learning you.” He said, raising an eyebrow as he took a step closer to me.

My back pressed against the door, and I found myself trembling at the thought of what was to come now.. “Are you going to punish me now?”

“No,” he answered after a beat. “I am not going to punish you.”

“What?” I asked, and he shook his head at me.

“If I wanted you punished, little wolf, you would not have made it this far.” He said calmly. “Come on,”

“Come on?” I asked, and he nodded. “What do you want from me?”

“You were walking out the door. So, come on, the two of us are going out for a walk.”

“No.” I said, shaking my head.

“You asked what I wanted,” he said, and for the first time that night something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes. “You argue as if it changes the walls around you. Might as well tell you what I want and wait for you to actually try and listen.”

“You command as if it makes you less of a jailer.” I said, making him scoff before he stepped past me and opened the door.

“I said walk, Alina. Not kneel.” He said, taking a step out of the house. He left the door open and waited for me at the front porch.

I waited for a few seconds before nodding as I followed him out.

The garden surprised me, and I found myself staring at it as I allowed myself to fall for the beauty of it. Dimitri walked beside me, and I wrapped my arms around myself as I tried to shield myself from the cold winter night.

“You should have taken the coat by the door,” he said.

“I was trying to escape. I forgot to accessorize.” A faint curve of his mouth made me look away as I refused to see his smile.

“Where would you have gone?” he asked, and I shrugged.

“Anywhere.” I said, looking at the horizon.

“That is not a place.”

“It is when the place you are leaving is bad enough.” I said, and he raised an eyebrow. To my surprise, he didn’t comment on my statement. “Would you have stopped me if I made it past the gate?”

“Yes.”

“Well, at least you admit it.” I muttered despite myself.

“I do not lie when the truth is easier.” He said casually.

“You know that I am not staying here willingly,” I said.

“I know, but it is not like you have a choice in the matter. You might as well actually try and make the best of it.” He took off his coat and held it out. “Put it on, you don’t want to end up being sick.”

“No.”

“Fine, then don’t take it from me. Take it from the bench.” He draped the coat over a stone bench instead of placing it on my shoulders. He was giving me a damn fucking choice. I snatched the coat and pulled it around myself despite my anger. He smirked and looked away from me.

“Do not look so pleased,” I snapped.

“I would not dare.” He said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

 “Why did you bring me out here?” I asked, pulling the coat tighter around my body as the wind picked up.

“Because if I kept you locked inside tonight,” he said, “you would spend the whole night planning how to break the windows. I would rather not replace them before morning…”