002: What In The Madhouse Is This Place?

What In The MadHouse Is This Place?”

DALA

When my eyes flickered open, the first thing I registered was the soft hum of the car engine.

I squinted against the light streaming through the windows and shot upright in my seat.

"Where are we?" My voice was hoarse; my throat dry as I watched how the vehicle weaved through gate after gate as imposing as prison bars.

The driver, a stiffened man with a scar slicing through one eyebrow, glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "The mansion," he said curtly.

“What mansion?!" I half yelled, panic surging through me.

The driver didn’t respond this time; his stone-cold face reflected in the rearview mirror, and his silence only amplified my unease.

Instinctively, my hand reached for the door handle. Locked.

“I said, what mansion?” I snapped, clawing at the locked door handle again. "Let me out!" I shouted, kicking the seat in front of me like a child throwing a tantrum.

Without warning, the driver slammed his foot on the brakes.

The sudden stop threw me forward, but he didn’t flinch.

Turning slowly, his cold eyes locked onto mine. "Sit still and stop asking questions," he said, voice low and menacing, "Or you won’t make it out of here alive."

The weight of his warning stilled me.

FirstBite wolves were known for their ruthlessness.

This wasn’t a bluff and I knew it.

I sank back into the seat, gripping the small bag my aunt must have packed for me. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as the car rolled to a stop before a sprawling mansion.

When a guard opened my door, I stared questioningly at him.

“Out.” His tone left no room for argument.

I obliged, but not without glaring at him.

The magnanimous mansion took my breath away, even as dread coiled in my stomach. My jaw dropped at the opulent structure before me. This had to be the most beautiful, yet terrifying building I had ever seen.

The mansion rose like a fortress, all sleek stone and towering windows, the epitome of power. The air smelled of fresh-cut grass, lavender–

“Move,” one of the guards barked while the other walked ahead.

Still hugging my bag to my chest, I followed them inside.

The interior was no less intimidating and I felt like a tiny island in the middle of a wide ocean.

Crystal chandeliers glittered above, their light casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floors. Hallways stretched endlessly in every direction, each turn twisting like a labyrinth.

It felt like stepping into another world— one designed to swallow me whole.

My mind raced as I scanned for potential exits.

I stopped abruptly, turning to the guard behind me. "I need to use the restroom," I said, adding enough panic and urgency to sound convincing.

“You can do that when you get to–”

“It can't wait," I shook my head, pressing my lips on a thin line and shaking my legs. “It won't be nice to mess these sparkling floors and… oh, the stench!” I scrunch my nose, still shaking my head.

One of the guards sighed, his expression screaming annoyance. “Fine. Let her go.”

The other stared at me suspiciously before speaking. "Go down the hall, the second door on the left. Don’t even think about wasting time.”

I gave him my best innocent look and darted into the hallway he’d pointed out.

The restroom wasn't hard to find and as soon as I shut the door behind me, I saw my freedom.

A window.

It was small, but maybe— just maybe— I could fit.

I climbed onto the sink, pushing the glass open. The cool air kissed my face and I almost smiled. I propped myself up but what I saw immediately sent me scrambling back down.

Ouch!

Damn it. There were guards.

Looking even more scary.

I darted back into the hallway and took off, my heart pounding as I tried to find another exit.

But… turn after turn, every corridor looked the same and my head was starting to spin on its own accord.

Absent-mindedly, I turned a corner sharply and slammed into a solid wall— or so I thought. Strong hands gripped my arms, steadying me before I stumbled back.

“What the—” My words died on my lips when I looked up.

The man standing before me was nothing short of a god.

His sharp jawline and high cheekbones could’ve been sculpted by the heavens, and his storm-gray eyes seemed to pierce right through me.

He scanned me contemptuously from my head to my toes and back.

A smirk crawled to his lips. “Lost, little mouse?” he drawled, his voice a low rumble that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I yanked my arms free, glaring up at him. “I’m not a mouse. And I’m not lost. Just point me to the exit.”

His smirk widened. “The exit? If you're not lost, why should I?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you always barge into people’s homes and demand directions, little mouse?”

“This isn’t about—” I stopped myself, realizing I wasn’t going to win this argument. “Fine, I'm lost so, just tell me where the damn exit is!”

He chuckled, the sound infuriatingly scornful. “That way.”

Without saying a word more, I narrowed my eyes but stomped off in the direction he pointed.

Even as I dashed away from him, I couldn’t shake the way his voice lingered in my ears or the feeling of his hands resting on my bare shoulders– it made my stomach flip.

At the end of the hallway, if I wasn't mistaken– was it a kitchen?

I tilted my head, pondering over the possibility of an exit door in the kitchen.

Lowering my pace, I peeped into the luxuriously furnished compartment only to freeze.

There he was again.

Same gorgeous face and compelling eyes.

Only this time, his hair was shorter and his shirt— now black instead of green— was unbuttoned halfway, revealing a toned chest I absolutely should not have been staring at.

But I couldn't help it.

My heart skipped. Was I going mad or was this place haunted?

He narrowed his eyes on me but didn't say a word.

I scoffed, anger simmering under my panic. “Is this a joke to you?"

"Who are you?” He asked and I muttered between gritted teeth.

He raised a brow, feigning innocence. “Have we met before?"

I pointed at him accusingly. “Weren’t you the one who just told me to go—”

“What did I tell you earlier?” he interrupted with a smirk, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall like he had all the time in the world.

I threw my hands in the air. “Cut the games! Where in the hell is the exit?”

He shrugged and pointed back to where I came from. “There's an exit door down that corridor."

"But that's where I–”

My words trailed off as the shouts of the guards echoed behind me;

“Get her!"

My blood ran cold.

Panic surged, and I placed my index finger on my lips, warning him to not say a word.

Swiftly, I scurried out of his presence and darted into the nearest room, slamming the door shut.

As soon as I had my back against the door, my chest heaved in relief, but it was yet again short-lived.

The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of whiskey and leather. A man lounged on a massive bed, his shirtless chest gleaming in the low light but that wasn't what caught my breath.

There was a slender, half-naked lady beneath him who was struggling for her life.

Her pleas were muffled, almost coming off as moans.

Nonetheless, the shirtless guy didn't budge. A glass of amber liquid dangled lazily from his hand while the other was strangling the life out of her!

My limbs grew weak.

What in the hell was this place?!