Alexander’s Command

The massive doors of the Levi mansion creaked open, echoing through the vast area. A shiver ran through me as I entered, with Alexander's figure trailing behind me like an inescapable specter. As I absorbed the magnificence of the scene—tall ceilings adorned with intricate mouldings, marble floors shimmering in the gentle glow of chandeliers, and walls featuring dark wood paneling that radiated affluence and authority—my heart tightened.

However, the luxury did not comfort me; it stifled me. This was more than a mansion—it was a golden cage.

“Come with me,” Alexander's voice was deep, nearly a growl, as he motioned to the grand staircase. His voice was authoritative, not a suggestion.

I felt uncertain. The thought of trailing him anywhere seemed like yielding to his power, which I wasn’t prepared to accept. My legs felt anchored to the marble floor.

He paused in his stride, his sharp icy-blue gaze fixating on me. “I don’t say the same thing twice, Dysis.”

My name felt odd when he said it—piercing, like a knife cutting through the tension existing between us. His stare challenged me to oppose him. I looked around, trying to find a way out, but the doors behind me had already been shut by one of his followers.

Inhaling deeply, I compelled my legs to move, with every step up the stairs feeling more burdensome than the previous one. The nearer I approached him, the more his presence appeared to wrap around me, similar to a storm cloud hovering above.

We arrived at the staircase's peak, and he guided me through a lengthy corridor flanked by sturdy doors. He opened one at the end, exposing a space that was both opulent and chilly. In the middle stood a spacious four-poster bed, adorned with silk sheets in a midnight hue. A fireplace, not lit, and a window that faced the expansive estate grounds.

"This is the place where you'll remain," he remarked, moving aside to allow me entry.

Remain. Similar to a visitor? No, the manner in which he expressed it indicated this was more of a detention area than a refuge. I entered hesitantly, feeling the burden of his stare on my back.

I turned to look at him, folding my arms across my chest in a weak effort to regain a feeling of control. “What do you desire from me?”

His lips turned into a slight, mirthless grin. "Compliance, to begin with."

I tightened my fists. "You can't simply anticipate that I—"

"Anticipate?" His voice pierced through mine, clear and authoritative. He moved in closer, his mere presence dominating. "It appears that you are misinterpreting your circumstances, Dysis." This isn't regarding your desires or what you consider to be just. Your dad sold you to me. "You belong to me now."

The words struck me hard, yet I wouldn’t allow him to notice the tears welling in my eyes. "I am not an object," I retorted, my voice shaking.

He inclined his head a bit, observing me as though I were a fascinating enigma. "Then demonstrate it," he replied calmly, pivoting on his heel. "You will accompany me for dinner at eight." "Get prepared."

“I’m not leaving,” I stated boldly.

He stopped at the entrance, facing away from me. The stillness lingered, oppressive and stifling, until he shifted his head ever so slightly, allowing me to glimpse the sparkle in his frigid gaze. "Don't push me, Dysis." "You may not appreciate the result."

With that, he departed, the door clicking closed after him.

I exhaled unevenly, my legs nearly giving way beneath me. The space felt colder without him, but I didn't miss the weight of his presence.

I walked around the room, my head racing with ideas. I wasn't going to stay inactive and allow him to control my life. There must have existed a way to escape. My eyes focused on the window. It was large enough to crawl through, yet as I opened it, I saw the drop—at least three levels down to the meticulously designed gardens below.

Nonetheless, it remained an option.

A gentle tap on the door surprised me, and I immediately stepped back from the window. A young woman entered, her dark hair neatly pulled back, her gaze lowered. She held a tray that appeared to have a dress and some high heels.

"Mr. Levi requested that I deliver this to you," she said softly, setting the items on the bed.

I scowled. "I didn't request this."

Her eyes briefly met mine, apprehensive. “It’s not a request,” she stated before quickly leaving the room.

I gazed at the gown, the smooth material shining in the light. It was lovely, yet the idea of wearing it seemed like an added set of shackles.

When the clock hit eight, I still hadn’t altered. I perched at the bed's edge, arms folded, challenging him to come discover me.

A few moments later, the door opened, revealing him with an expression that combined irritation and humor. "Fascinating selection," he remarked, his eyes surveying my relaxed clothing.

I remained standing, locking eyes with him and summoning all the defiance I could. "I said I’m not going."

He moved nearer, his imposing stature causing me to feel diminutive yet still important. "Do you believe I’m the kind of man who tolerates disobedience?”

My heart pounded as he closed the distance between us. His presence was suffocating, but I refused to back down. “Do you think I’m the kind of woman who bends to threats?”

His lips curved into a faint smirk, but there was no warmth in it. “You’ll learn,” he said softly, almost a whisper.

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist—not harshly, but firmly enough to make it clear he wasn’t asking. “You don’t want to walk? Fine.”

And then he lifted me off my feet as if I weighed nothing.

“Put me down!” I shouted, struggling against him, but his grip was unyielding.

“Stop squirming, Dysis,” he said, his voice low and calm, which only infuriated me more.

He carried me down the hall, ignoring my protests, and I realized with growing dread that no amount of resistance would deter him.

When we reached the dining room, he set me down in a chair at the head of the long table. His men stood along the walls, their expressions blank but their presence intimidating.

Alexander leaned down, his face inches from mine. "Defiance may make me smirk right now, but once you push it far enough you'll discover that I'm not much as patient as I appear to be." I raised my jaw to conceal my nervousness from him, despite the fact that his remarks made me cringe. "Savor your food." He spoke while rising upright and sitting down at the other end of the table. The atmosphere in the room turned tense when the first dish was presented. I stared at him wrathfully and schemed my getaway in my mind. The echo of heavy footsteps filled the corridor, succeeded by the unmistakable click of a rifle being readied. Alexander's soldiers tightened as the dining room doors swung wide, their hands moving toward their firearms.

And standing there, with a gun aimed directly at Alexander, was someone I never expected to see again.