2. Questioned

Anya/Anika

I sit down on the couch and wrap my arms around my body even though I don’t feel cold. 

The suite’s rich color scheme feels oppressive—deep burgundy drapes, gleaming black marble floors, and exquisite gold accents. The scent of cedarwood and vanilla wafts through the air, offering a slight relief to my overwhelming anxiety.

The minutes stretch on, each moment amplifying the tension, which coils in my stomach. I contemplate running, but deep down, I know there’s no escape from Alpha Bastien Ioannides. 

His reputation, which is whispered in the dark corners of mafia circles, precedes him. A man of control, with an icy exterior that would send shivers down anyone’s spine.

But as I feel the first wave of tears coming on, a noise behind me makes me spin around. My eyes widen when I see a heavily pregnant woman behind me, looking at me as if she can see right through me.

“Hi…?” she says while standing at the one-seater. “Are you okay? Who are you?”

Those tears now fall freely as I can literally feel the empathy radiating from her, as if she knows exactly how I feel. “I…I’m Anika… there was an auction-”

“Mia,” I flinch when I hear Alpha Bastien’s voice, that fear amplifies when I see him standing there with the long-haired man. He gestures to me. “Andrej, take the girl to her room.”

The world closes in on me as the man named Andrej pulls me to my feet. But while I walk away, I shoot the woman a pleading look, hoping she can voice for me and I can hear Alpha Bastien’s voice.

“Before you even think the worst of me, know that I saved that girl from a fate worse than death…” he says, and I drown him out.

I have a feeling that being here with him is a fate worse than death, because when he finds out who I truly am, death will be too easy for me.

My heart races, beating a frantic rhythm as Andrej leaves and when the door opens, I can feel the weight of the Alpha's presence even before he steps out.

Without speaking, he takes a seat opposite me, allowing a few more tense moments to pass in silence. He takes a moment, observing me closely, his dark green eyes seeming to pierce right through. 

“You find yourself in a peculiar situation, Koukla,” he begins, his voice deep but not unkind. “Tell me, what do you remember?”

Gathering my courage, I eventually meet his gaze. “I remember my 21st birthday celebration. The taste of champagne, the laughter of my friends. Then, everything went dark.”

He listens intently, a faint frown creasing his brow. “And your name?”

Hesitating for just a moment, I decide on a half-truth. “Anika,” I reply, hoping he won’t see through my lie, but I have a feeling this man can’t easily be fooled.

A slight smirk appears on his face. “A name you’ve chosen, or a name you were given?”

Mustering some bravado, I say, “Does it matter?”

He leans back, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Perhaps not. But while you’re here, under my roof, I’d prefer honesty.”

Taking a deep breath, I decide to be somewhat forthright. “It’s a name I’ve chosen for tonight.”

His gaze never wavers. “For your safety?”

“Yes.”

He sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t know your story or why you were on my auction stage, but you’re safe here for now. We’ll get to the bottom of this and get you back to your family.”

A mixture of relief and confusion washes over me, but I cannot trust this man at all. “Why are you helping me? I could be anyone.”

He smiles wryly. “True. But something tells me there’s more to you than meets the eye. And I’m intrigued.”

Before I can respond, there’s a soft knock on the door. Alpha Bastien glances towards it. “There’s a doctor outside. He will ensure you’re unharmed. After that, get some rest,” he says, his words slow and measured.

But instead of leaving, he simply shifts in his chair, his posture relaxes yet exuding an undeniable authority. His unwavering gaze continues to study me, as though trying to decipher a puzzle.

The soft creak of the door breaks the tense silence as a middle-aged man in a crisp white coat enters the room. 

The doctor’s calm demeanor and professional attitude stand in stark contrast to the intimidating aura of Bastien. Yet, the doctor seems unfazed by the Alpha’s presence, moving towards me with a soft smile.

“Good evening, Miss. I’m Dr. Harris. I’ll do a quick examination to ensure you’re alright,” he says, his voice gentle, offering a brief reprieve from the tension that had wrapped around the room like a vice.

I nodded, allowing the doctor to do his work. He checked my vital signs, examined the bruises on my arms and face, and gently palpated my abdomen, ensuring no internal damage. Throughout the examination, Bastien’s gaze never left me, his eyes sharp and assessing.

When the doctor does an internal and takes tests swabs with blood samples, Alpha Bastien at least has the decency to look away and give me privacy.

After a few minutes that felt like an eternity, Dr. Harris stands up, making notes on his clipboard. “Physically, she seems to be in good condition, given the circumstances. No signs of internal injuries, and the bruises should heal within a week or so,” he reports, glancing briefly at Bastien.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Bastien replied, his voice neutral but carrying an undertone of gratitude. “Get those tests back to me in the morning so we can see what exactly Diavolos’ men gave her.”

The doctor gave a slight nod, his eyes briefly meeting mine, a flash of sympathy evident. “Take care, young lady,” he says softly before making his exit.

The room returns to its earlier silence, the tension palpable once more. Bastien, after a moment’s contemplation, rises from his seat and approaches me. His steps were unhurried, each one exuding confidence. 

Stopping mere inches from me, he tilted his head slightly, the curious look deepening in his eyes. “You’re not one of us,” he remarks, almost to himself. “You’re human.”

It wasn’t so much an accusation, but an observation, one filled with genuine surprise. Perhaps he had expected a different revelation, given the circumstances.

My heart races, but I manage to keep my voice steady. “Is that a problem?”

His gaze softens just a touch. “No, not a problem. Just unexpected. Most of those involved in the auctions are shifters. It’s rare for a human to be caught up in this mess.”

I swallow a lump forming in my throat. “So, what now?”

Alpha Bastien looks at me intently, searching for something in my eyes. “Now, we figure out why you were there and how to keep you safe. But first, you need to rest. Tomorrow, we’ll talk more.”

His proximity is both unnerving and strangely reassuring. But one thing was clear: Bastien Ioannides cannot find out who I truly am, and for now, I was under his protection.