Xena''s POV


    "Wake up." The cold voice sliced through my unconsciousness.


    Ice-cold water sshed across my face, forcing me to focus. My stomach churned, threatening to expel every ounce of food I''d consumed. Sharp pain radiated from my shoulders and ankles.


    God, what the hell happened? My brain felt like it had been shattered, my vision blurry and unfocused.


    "Ryder?" I groaned, my mouth flooding with saliva.


    "Oh no, I''m much better than him." A voice I had hoped never to hear again invaded my ears.


    Fear seeped into my bone marrow like ice water, my body instantly tensing as I forced my eyes open. Everything around me spun, making me surrender to the nausea. I turned to the side and emptied my stomach.


    "Yes, that''s likely to happen. Side effect, I''m afraid," the voice continued casually.


    33


    "Side effect... of what?" I asked between dry heaves.


    "Oh, well, if I told you that, I''d have to kill you." Tatumughed.


    Hisughter, though not boisterous, was enough to send chills down my spine.


    I focused on breathing, trying to steady it, then slowly opened my eyes again. My head was heavy, swaying from side to side. I could feel that I was sitting. Something bound my wrists and ankles together, but I was still clothed.


    At least they haven''t stripped me yet, though the thought brought littlefort. My heart raced, feeling like it might burst from my chest.


    I sensed him suddenly move in front of me, firmly grabbing my chin lifting my face, then pressing his lips against mine. Despite my resistance, he tried forcing his tongue into my mouth. His breath was sickening, waves of nausea rising in my throat.


    When his tongue touched mine, I bit down hard. Thank god he released me immediately, but searing pain exploded across my face. I felt blood dripping from my mouth and above my eye.


    "You stupid bitch!" Tatum shouted. My vision began clearing. I saw him holding his mouth. His eyes burned with rag he stared at me.


    desire as


    "I''m going to enjoy fucking that attitude out of you. I''ll make you submit. He reached for my clothes again, and just as the fabric was about to tear, a deep voice cut through the room.


    "Tatum!" Tatum froze instantly, but his eyes never left


    1. me.


    The voice was mature, authoritative, carrying the power that only an Alpha possessed. My heart sank as I realized things were far worse than I''d imagined.


    "I apologize for my on. He can be impatient at times," Alpha Wiley emerged from the shadows. His presence chilled the entire room. I knew who this man was-a cruel, ruthless leader whose brutality was legendary in our pack. He was an older version of Tatum, but with much less hair. Fear gripped me, but I masked it as best I could.


    At times?" I said while spitting out a glob of blood.


    1 bake your spirit, Alpha Wiley stepped further into the light.


    "What do you want from me?" asked.


    1, personally, don''t want anything. My son wants you to reject Ryder and-"


    I''d rather die than do that." I cut him off before he could finish.


    An evil smile spread across Alpha Wiley''s face. "Young one, don''t be too hasty. We shall see." With that, he patted Tatum''s chest, and they both walked out. The metal door mmed shut, and I heard locks engaging.


    "Damn it," I whispered to myself. Looking around, I began piecing together where I was. A massive fan moved slowly above me. A bit of light shone from it; otherwise, I was in a huge room. Like a store that had been vacant for years. No shelves, but pirs around. Everything was covered in thick dust. The windows were too filthy to see outside. Just me, this chair, and a damn drain beneath me. Chains hung from the ceiling, and I refused to think about them.


    Either way, I knew I wouldn''t be leaving here unscathed.


    I wasn''t sure how much time had passed. Darkness had engulfed the windows, and eventually, massive rats began peering from behind the walls. My stomach still felt extremely unsettled, I needed to pee, and it was bing increasingly difficult to hold my head up. The chair wasn''t fixed to the floor, but I knew if I tipped it over, the rats would have easier ess to me. With my ankles bound to the chair, there was no way I could stand up and walk out.


    My mind raced through possible escape scenarios, each one more desperate than thest. Images of Ryder shed through my thoughts. Had he noticed I was missing yet? Did anyone know where to look for me?


    The darkness seemed to grow thicker, more oppressive with each passing minute. Somewhere in the distance, water dripped steadily, each drop echoing through the emptiness. My muscles screamed from being held in one position for so long, and the ropes bit into my skin with every small movement. Chapter Comments


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