Chapter 4

Melissa's POV

I jolted awake with a gasp as ice-cold water slammed into my face, stealing my breath and ripping me out of unconsciousness. The cold coursed through me, making me to tremble slightly and then the memories hits me like a sledgehammer.

I had stood by the highway, waiting to board a taxi when a man with a private car stopped in front of me. He smiled at me and offered to help. I wanted to decline, but I was too scared of standing in the dark highway alone, so I accepted his help and got into the car.

Before I could realise what was happening, he pressed a napkin into my nose and I drifted into darkness. And now, here I am.

My eyes darted around the unfamiliar room. Surprisingly it's clean and tidy. I sat on a metal chair and was bound with a silver chain—cutting deeper into my skin.

A man stood before me. Tall, broad shouldered. A fine jawline. A pair of stormy gray eyes. He looks so hot and dangerous at the same time. He looks so peaceful yet so cruel. He looks beautiful yet also beastly.

The man should be in his mid fourties but he looks not more than twenty-five years, due to his werewolf abilities I guess. And from the aura from him, I could already tell that he's an Alpha.

I forced myself to look away from him to the four guards flanking behind him. Thier expression was dangerous. Hard. Cruel. Sending a chill down my spine.

“Well… well.. well,” he sneered, stepping closer with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. “Look who we have here? The spoiled Eclipse Princess.“

My heart pounded louder than a war drum. My eyes furrowed in disbelief. He knows me.

“Who the hell are you? And why are you keeping me here?“ I said, my voice surprisingly firm even the tension in the room.

He laughed—the sound sharp and mocking echoed through the room. “Really, huh?“ He asked, the moment the laughter died down. “Still brave?“ He closed the distance between us and grabbed a handful of my air. “You don't get to ask questions, you fucking princess.“

I groaned in pain, my scalp on fire and my eyes watering.

He extended his hand and one of the guards handed him a silver dagger. Fear surged through me as he pressed the tip to my neck. “You spoiled princess.“

I felt a trail of blood, dripped down my throat, staining my shirt. “Please….“ I gasped. “My father is the king of The Eclipse Pack. You can ask him for money in exchange for me.“

He laughed again and pressed the tip deeper into my throat. “Money?“ He repeated, the words tasted bitter on his lips. “You think this is about money, huh? I have lot of it."

I could have sworn who had abducted him to get ransom from father. But If that isn't the case, then why?

I forced myself to ask. “If this is not about money, then why are you doing this?“

“Because your fucking father killed my wife!“ He roared. “Everyone admire him for being a good man. A powerful Alpha that has the strongest pack in the north but no one knows he's just a stupid, selfish Alpha, who thinks about no one but himself and his fucking Pack.“

My mouth hung open, hot tears streaming down my cheeks.

Surprisingly I didn't doubt a part of his words. Father was selfish, right. But a killer? No… he was peaceful. He wouldn't kill someone without a good reason.

He continued. “Now… I'm going to kill you. Rip your body apart and send it to him as a present.“

My eyes went blurry with tears. No…. I can't die. Jace and Brandon won't be able to survive it. Especially that they helped me escape. They would wallow in regret for the rest of their lives.

“Please… don't kill me,” I stammered, the desperation in my voice evident. “Please…. I'm willing to do anything. Don't just kill me.“

He removed his blade from my neck and stood in front of me. “Nothing. You can't quench the anger and rage inside me.“

I let out a gruttal cough. “Please…”

The room fell into hush silence. “Anything?“ He asked.

“Anything.“ I repeated.

His dark eyes seized me up like I'm a prey he's about to devour. His nose flared up.

I curled into myself, and threw my head sideways.

He crouched lower in front of me, fingers trailing my jaw line and his forehead almost pressing against mine. “Look. At. Me,” he growled.

I shrieked with fear and looked at him. Eyes so beautiful than anything I have ever seen. Lips so pink and rosy like I felt it was calling out for mine. The bubbling of his throat was so sexy.

'Melissa, are you seriously admiring your abductor?' my wolf teased.

She fucking tease me at this critical moment—when I'm trying to fight for our survival. But, why the hell would I admire a man I'm suppose to hate? I'm really a nutjob, aren't I?“

“You want to live? Then earn your place—in my bed,” he said his voice final.

In his bed?

That means I would be screwing him, right?

I meant to slap him. Meant to spit. Meant to scream down the place that I'd rather die than do that.

But when our eyes met again… my pulse betrayed me.

And when his fingers grazed my thighs… I didn’t flinch. Instead I felt a trail of sensation run down my spine.

I hated him.

We should hate him—I and my wolf—but why was my body already aching for more?

He smirked. Not a cute one. That devilish one that showed that he knows that I'm attracted to him.

Then he stood up. “I guess we have an agreement.“ His voice drops into a chilling whisper. “But If you try to run off or try to fool me. I will kill you slowly. You'll beg me for death, yet I won't be merciful. Got it?“

I nodded slowly.

I really have no choice, did I? Maybe I should have just married Ronan instead. This—all of this—is because of him. If I ever see his face again, I won’t just slap him. I’ll rip his throat out.

As long as I stay alive, I'm willing to do anything. But I'm sure one day, I will escape this place and see my family again.

But… how would Brandon and Jace feel when they don't find me at the penthouse? I bet they'd be scared to death.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears sliding down. If only I could go back to six months ago. I would have married the man father chose instead.

Then my wolf started jumping and growling with ecstasy. What the hell is happening?

Sharp footsteps echoed in the hallway followed by door creaking open.

“Son,” the man called. “Meet my new plaything. The princess of The Eclipse Pack.“

I glanced up at him.

His son turned towards me and my breath caught.

It was the man from the bar last week—the one I had sex with in the car.

His eyes furrowed in a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Then my wolf growled not in fear.

She purred. “MATE.“