Emily's POV:

My heart slammed against my ribs as I lay in bed, thoughts a tangled mess. Three days. It had been three days since that night in the kitchen, and Alexander was nowhere to be found. Was he ignoring me? The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. No. I couldn't let myself care. I needed to leave.

I'd overheard a maid whispering about a back gate, one barely guarded, leading straight into the forest. My only chance.

The night air was thick with tension as I slipped from my room, plastic bag clutched tightly against my chest. Every step felt like a countdown to my freedom-or my death. Niko's sharp gaze burned into my skin as I crossed the hall. His fingers clamped around my wrist like an iron shackle.

"Where do you think you're going, huh?" His voice was razor-edged.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine. Think, Emily. Think.

"I-I just needed some air," I stammered.

For a moment, he didn't let go. Then, his attention snapped to the half-naked women entering the house, their perfume suffocating the air. His grip loosened. I seized my chance, slipping past him and disappearing into the darkness.

The gate was unguarded.

That should have been my first warning.

I scrambled up the iron bars, my pulse thundering in my ears. The night swallowed me whole as I landed on the other side. Freedom.

Or so I thought.

The forest loomed ahead, trees stretching like skeletal fingers toward the sky. The silence was deafening. No chirping. No wind. Just a suffocating stillness that clawed at my lungs.

Then-footsteps.

No. No. No.

I ran.

Branches sliced my skin, roots conspired to bring me down, but I didn't stop. Pain burned up my leg as I tripped, my knees colliding with the rough earth. Blood smeared my palms, but I barely felt it. I couldn't feel it. I had to move.

The sound of paws against the ground sent my stomach plummeting.

Wolves.

Three of them. Their golden eyes glowed like molten fire, razor-sharp teeth glistening under the moonlight. A predator's grin.

Tears blurred my vision. I staggered back.

One of them howled. A warning.

I screamed.

A shadow moved, blocking out the moonlight. A figure. Tall. Overpowering. Unmistakable.

Alexander.

My body acted before my mind could catch up-I threw myself against him, fingers clawing at his shirt.

"P-please," I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't w-want to die. Please."

His silence sent a shiver down my spine. Then, he chuckled.

"Tsk, tsk, koetonek... Shouldn't you be punished for disobeying me?" His voice was like velvet-dark, dangerous.

I trembled. "I-I'll do anything. Just please..."

The amusement in his eyes darkened into something else. Something terrifying.

"Anything?"

I swallowed hard.

Alexander's hand wrapped around my jaw, tilting my face up to his. "You made a mistake, little one." His voice was calm, almost soothing. That was the worst part. The calm before the storm.

"You think you can run from me?" He leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. "You think I'd let you leave? After I marked you as mine?"

I whimpered. His wolves circled us, waiting. Watching.

"Should I let one of them take a bite? Maybe chew on that pretty leg of yours, hmm?"

A sob tore from my throat. I shook my head desperately, my entire body trembling. "No, please-"

"Shhh," he cooed, brushing his thumb against my lip. "I told you before, love. I'm not a forgiving man."

My vision blurred. My legs gave out.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

Alexander's POV:

She was so fucking naive.

The moment she started acting off, I knew. I knew.

Letting the back gate remain unguarded was a test. A test that she failed.

I looked down at the fragile creature in my arms-her bloodied hands, her swollen ankle, the sheer exhaustion painting her face. So desperate. So foolish.

So mine.

I carried her effortlessly, my wolves falling into step beside me.

"You're going to regret this, my little runaway." I murmured against her temple.

Her breathing had evened out, her body surrendering to unconsciousness.

Good. She'd need the rest.

Because when she woke up... her punishment would begin.

Author's Note:

Well, well... Emily tried to run, but did she really think she could escape him? Poor girl. Now she's about to learn exactly what happens when you defy the devil himself.

What do you think Alex will do next? Let me know in the comments! Your thoughts, votes, and support mean everything to me!

And remember... running was a mistake.