Emily’s POV

I don’t think. I run.

The second Alex takes a step toward me, my body reacts before my mind does. I bolt out of the room, my feet slamming against the cold floor, lungs burning with desperation. I hit the hallway and sprint toward the stairwell.

The air outside is thick with the night’s silence, the moon casting shadows that stretch like claws over the ground. My chest heaves, my side burns, and my body shakes as I push forward. It feels like one of those nightmares where something dark chases you, and no matter how fast you run, you’re always too slow.

A branch snaps beneath my foot, and I nearly trip. My hair clings to my tear-streaked face as I shove past the trees, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I don’t look back—I can’t. I know he’s behind me.

I don’t make it far.

Something heavy crashes into me from behind, knocking the wind from my lungs. I scream, but my face slams into the dirt, cutting me off. Rocks dig into my chest and stomach as I struggle, but I’m yanked onto my back. A rough hand clamps over my mouth.

I thrash, kicking and clawing, but he’s too strong. My vision blurs with tears as my hair falls over my face, tangled with sweat and dirt.

“Shhh,” a voice murmurs. Not just any voice—his.

Alex.

My stomach tightens with dread as he brushes my hair from my face, his touch deceptively soft. His weight pins me down, his hands gripping my wrists as if daring me to resist.

“You’re okay, kotenok.” His voice is low, soothing, a terrible contrast to the way he just hunted me down like prey. “You’re okay.”

I shake my head violently, muffled sobs breaking past his palm.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he lies, his breath warm against my skin. “But you have to be quiet.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, more tears spilling over.

“Can you do that?”

I nod quickly, desperate for relief.

He pulls the cloth from his pocket and shoves it into my mouth, stuffing it full until I gag. I scream against it, my body trembling beneath his.

He strokes my cheek as if I’m some fragile thing. “Good girl.”

Alex shifts off me, keeping my wrists in his grip. I try to curl into myself, but he pulls me up with him.

I stumble, my legs weak from the adrenaline and fear. I try to step back, but his grip tightens.

“Emily,” he warns.

His tone sends a fresh wave of fear down my spine.

“I—I don’t want to go,” I whisper, voice shaking.

His jaw clenches. “You don’t have a choice.”

I shake my head, arms wrapping around myself.

He exhales sharply, then his voice drops to something lethal. “Either you walk to the car willingly, or I tie you up, gag that pretty mouth of yours, and drag you out of these woods myself.”

A sharp breath leaves me.

Drag? With what—a rope? Chains?

My entire body runs cold.

How did I ever feel safe around him? How many women has he done this to? How much worse will he be with me?

His hand goes to his belt, slowly unbuckling it, and my stomach drops.

“Okay,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Okay, I’ll come.”

His lips twitch into something satisfied.

He guides me to the car, his hand resting on my lower back like he’s escorting me to a fucking ballroom instead of forcing me back into his grasp. He opens the door, watching me as I hesitantly get in.

He slides into the driver’s seat, and the moment the door locks, his hand lands on my thigh.

I flinch.

I try to shove it off, but his fingers dig in, a silent warning. My heart hammers against my ribs as I press my forehead to the window, exhaustion and fear eating away at me.

The soft hum of the car lulls me into something close to sleep, but my mind never stops racing. The image of that woman—the one in the basement, the one being tortured—sears itself into my brain.

She’s going to haunt me forever.

I wake up wrapped in thick blankets.

For a moment, I forget where I am.

Then I remember.

I shoot up, my hands clutching the sheets. The room is empty—no sign of Alex. I don’t know whether to be relieved or afraid.

Slowly, I slip out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. My body is sore, my muscles weak from last night’s struggle. The shower burns my skin, but I scrub away the lingering touch of his hands, the dirt, the terror.

When I come out, Ham is lying on the bed.

I hesitate. The dog has never liked me, but now he’s curled up close, purring when I stroke his fur. It’s the first warmth I’ve felt in days.

A knock on the door startles me. A maid enters, avoiding my gaze.

“Sir says to come down for breakfast,” she murmurs before quickly leaving.

I swallow, my stomach twisting, but I have no choice.

The dining hall is eerily quiet.

Alex sits at the head of the table, sipping coffee like nothing happened. Xavier is beside him, watching me as I hesitantly approach.

I stop at the entrance, frozen beneath Alex’s stare.

Xavier—is the one who finally speaks. “Come sit, malyshka.” His voice is softer, a contrast to the thick tension in the room.

I hesitate before obeying, slipping into the seat beside him. My appetite is nonexistent.

Alex is too quiet.

Then he speaks. “It’s time for her initiation.”

My blood runs cold.

Xavier slams his cup down, the loud crack making me jump. “You can’t be serious.”

Alex doesn’t even flinch.

“She has to be initiated.” His voice is final.

Xavier’s jaw tightens, his fingers clenching into fists. “She’s not ready.”

“Ready or not,” Alex says smoothly, “she will be.”

I shake my head, a small whimper escaping me.

Xavier rises abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. Without another word, he storms out, slamming the door behind him.

I turn back to Alex, my throat tight.

He’s already looking at me.

“It’s time.”

That’s all he says before leaving.

I sit there, heart pounding, hands trembling.

I don’t know what “initiation” means.

But I know it’s going to destroy me.

Author’s Note

This isn’t a love story—it’s an obsession. A descent into darkness, where control and desire collide. If you’re ready for betrayal, power, and a love that consumes, then step into their world.

Brace yourself.