Chapter 8

Burning Territory

♠ SYLVARA ♠

Morning arrives like a gentle whisper, brushing the edges of dreams with golden fingertips. Sun rays streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. The sun's rays danced across the sky, painting the clouds in a warm palette of orange and pink.

My eyes were widely opened; the bags under my eyes hung like shadows stitched into my skin. I couldn't sleep a wink till dawn as I couldn't stop planning how to leave the mini prison I was in. Prison or not, the walls reeked of Alpha dominance, of power that pressed down on my wolf until she whimpered.

“Knock knock.” Someone knocked on my door and I knew it was a maid because that monster would never knock; he lacks manners. “Come in,” I said politely.

“Good morning, ma'am” she greeted and bowed carefully. The faint scent of pine and silver lingered on her—she wasn’t just a maid, she was pack. “Morning.” I replied.

“Your breakfast is ready ma'am.” She reported.

“Okay, I will be there shortly.” I dismissed her, and breathed heavily. I couldn't believe I was receiving princess treatment in prison. 'What a luxurious kidnapping.’ I scoffed. The irony was sharp—an Alpha’s captive, treated like a Luna.

“By tomorrow I won't be here anymore.” I said to myself remembering my conversation with Erica. I got out of the bed, and tucked the pocket knife Erica gave me into my sweatpant before leaving the room. My wolf stirred uneasily at the scent of iron on the blade.

I walked towards the dining room, looking at bodyguards that were placed at every door. Warriors. Wolves. Their golden eyes tracked me like predators caging prey. ‘Can I really escape these guys?’ I thought, looking around.

I sat down carefully as I observed everything on the table. The food was looking delicious and one might forget that I was kidnapped. “It smells delicious.” I breathed out, but snapped out of it immediately. 'This is not the time for all these.’

“But surviving comes first… I have to stay alive to be able to escape.” I muttered, picking up the cutlery. I ate to my satisfaction and left the room. I saw Erica on the way to my room, and she looked at me with a smile.

I was able to find a good chance for the two of us to talk. “What's wrong?” She asked, regarding the escape.

“I don't feel like leaving this early, I will leave here tonight, and also I have unfinished business here.” I said, as I gritted my teeth angrily. My wolf bristled at the thought of his scent still lingering on me.

“Okay, whatever you are planning to do mustn't past 8 pm because it's always deadly during those periods. If they misunderstood you for an intruder you would be shot to death on the spot.” She explained, and my knee went numb. “What? Gun to death?”

“Yes, this estate is strictly controlled by Don's second in command, who is also his friend.” She spouted. I knew she meant Beta—wolves loyal to their Alpha, and twice as vicious.

“Only a psychopath could befriend a psychopath.” I hissed irritatedly, thinking about their ruthless way even though I haven't met his second in command yet.

“Let's meet up before then.” Erica said, and prepared to leave.

“Thank you girl.” I said as she left.

After some time,

The evening sun cast long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays of the setting sun gave a warm orange tinge to the sky. The sky was ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. “He is still not back yet?” I asked no one in particular, referring to Darius. The Alpha. The beast who kept me here.

I waited for him all day just to kill him, but he didn't show up.

“I have lucky ass men!” I hissed angrily.

I wanted to kill him so bad before leaving the mansion, but I guess he was avoiding me. “I will find another way to kill him, but I need to leave this place for now.” I mumbled beneath my breath as I left the room, remembering the time Erica mentioned to be dangerous. 'I need to get out of here today.’ I chanted in my head.

I got closer to the kitchen slowly, then I sighted Erica looking relaxed and calm. We nodded towards each other giving out signs. I entered the kitchen peacefully because the maid had been cleared out by Erica already.

“Where is it?” I hissed looking for the gas hose. My wolf snarled low in my chest, urging me to hurry. I found it almost too late because I heard footsteps approaching me, which made me freeze for a while, but that didn't stop me as I cut out the gas hurriedly.

“Fire!” I screamed outside of the kitchen which called the attention of others, before leaving the scene.

“The mansion is burning!” maids screamed, as they ran to find a way to end the fire, but it just kept worsening which surprised me as well.

The maids and security screamed — some in panic, some in fury, others just because silence felt like surrender. The air was thick with heat and hysteria, the scent of scorched wood and secrets rising in choking clouds.

Flames licked the sky in greedy tongues, turning marble columns into molten ghosts and velvet curtains into shrieking embers. Glass exploded in sharp sobs, casting shards across the lawn like scattered teeth from some unseen brawl.

“Wow” I gasped, not knowing it would be that much, and I felt bad, but I cared less. I ran through the smoke-thick halls, nightgown clinging to me like a second skin, damp with sweat and soot. The fire roared behind me, alive and furious. 'I hope I don't end up dying in this mansion as well.’ I thought, as its breath was hot against my back. Each step was a gamble — the polished floors now blistered and broken, the air sharp with the sting of scorched fabric and fear.

I felt bad, thinking some maids might get injured because of my selfishness. “Sorry guys” I muttered as I continued running ahead—just ahead—the flicker of clean air, the scent of night beyond the smoke. My hands were bleeding, but I ran harder, faster. I was not leaving with dignity. I was leaving with my life. And in that moment, it was more than enough.

“Rushing to somewhere, princess?” Darius’s deep voice rolled through the smoke, dripping Alpha command. He waved lazily at me with a dirty smirk, his golden eyes glowing like molten fire through the haze. My wolf whimpered under his dominance, but I clenched my jaw.

“Fuvk!”