to make my death slow and agonizing? My body refused to obey me; every muscle was frozen, leaving me shaking like a leaf caught in a storm. He was built like a Greek

ixed on me like a predator toying with its prey. For a brief moment, I almost wished he would just kill me already

making my own eardrums ache. He moved slowly, almost gently, placing his hand near the side of my neck, just behi

ver again. Panic surged through me, making it hard to breathe. I squeezed my eyes sh

your worst living nightmare," a dr

is?" I gasped, my voice cracking as I reached out with trembling hands. Cold metal met my touch, and a horrible realization dawned on me: I was inside a tiny

sarcasm. "There is no God that's going t

wallowing my sobs, knowing that crying would do nothing to help me escape this nightmare. "

bitter chuckle. "But you can call me Vlad. W

My voice shook

e answered, his tone

e? We shouldn't be alive," I said, my voice breaking. Being kept in these cages like this-it

inking loudly in the darkness. There had to be a way out of thi

water in days. "You're not getting out of here. You're still alive because they want you alive. Whoeve

ng at my hair in desperation. The man-the creature-from earlier flashed in my mind, his

you?" I whispered,

, he said, "They destroy you. They take away every last piece of your soul, drain every

ss. My entire body froze, breath caught in my throat. The footsteps that followed were he

ith little effort. I stumbled, unable to see in the darkness, and didn't even try to resist.

gray, stretching on endlessly as the bulky man dragged me forward. The corridor was narrow, with countless twi

I'd seen for years. There were bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, a luxurious couch, a polished wooden

hair and a small table. He released me roughly, shoving me forward before slam

onde, with icy blue eyes, grabbed my arm so hard I winced, while the brunette

e commanded, her voice

onds, I was on the floor, completely naked. "Please

o the blonde. It was sheer, practically see-throug

aid, her lips curling into a sati

d burst from my chest. The dress clung to me, revealing everything, leaving me fe

s locked onto me. He looked like a prince out of a storybook-blond h

mly, his voice smoo

d. The women behind me made su

eyed, moving slowly, every n

ar. He reached out and gently took a strand of my black curls be

at him, unable to speak. All I wanted w

Elijah, the Alpha requires your pr

ugh his expression remained calm. "Ah, perfect timing," he sa

to a feast, dressed like this. Was t