Matilda Anderson's POV
My eyes fluttered open, my body sinking something soft, warm, unfamiliar.
For a moment, I was lost in the comfort of it the scent of cedar and something darker, muskier surrounding me. But then it hit me.
The ice cream. The men. The syringe. Him.
My breath hitched. No. No, no, no.
I bolted upright, my heart hammering in my chest as I took in my surroundings. A massive room, lavish and foreign. Dark stone walls, heavy black curtains, golden sconces casting a soft glow. It looked like something out of a medieval fantasy.But this wasn't a dream.
I had to get out.Throwing the thick covers off me, I scrambled from the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor. The doors. I needed to find the way out.The first door a cupboard.
The second a bathroom.The third I hesitated. My fingers curled around the handle, heart racing. Slowly, I pushed it open, peeking through the small gap.A long, grand passageway.My pulse exploded in my ears as I dashed out, my breathing ragged. I didn't care where I was going I just needed to get away.But as I turned a corner, a man appeared.Tall, broad, golden-eyed. His sharp gaze locked onto me, his expression unreadable. He took a step forward.
No. No, I can't let him take me back.
"Stay back!" I screamed, stumbling away.
Before he could react, a deep, furious snarl ripped through the hall.
Then a blur of movement. A force of pure dominance.Him.The man who took me.
He slammed into the other man, gripping his throat and shoving him hard against the stone wall. The impact shook the air around us.
I didn't wait.i turned and ran.
I didn't stop. My bare feet slapped against the cold stone floor as I sprinted down the long hallway, my breath coming in frantic gasps.
Behind me, I heard the deep, furious growl of my captor.
"What are you doing to my mate?" His voice was sharp, filled with dominance, like thunder rolling through the castle.
Mate?
The word sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn't dare stop to think about it.
The other man's voice came next, shaky, hesitant. "N-Nothing, Alpha! I was just… asking who she was."
Alpha? What the hell did that mean?
I didn't care.
I pushed myself harder, my legs screaming as I rounded another corner, desperate to find a way out.
But deep down, I knew…
I was running in a place I didn't understand
I burst through a door, my breath ragged, my heart pounding.A kitchen.
Unlike the monstrous men I had seen before, the people here were smaller, softer nothing like the warriors lurking in the halls. For a moment, I thought I was safe.
One of them a woman with kind eyes stepped toward me, smiling gently. "Hello, are you"
I didn't wait. I ran past her.
I didn't care where I was going as long as it was away.Another door. I shoved it open.
A large resting hall.
And this time no petite people.
Huge. Muscular. Dominant. Every single man in the room was towering, their powerful frames making me feel tiny. Their golden eyes locked onto me in surprise.
I had run straight into a den of giants.
Then A deafening snarl shook the air.
A sound so dark, so primal that the walls seemed to tremble with it.
I froze.I didn't need to turn to know he was behind me.
I barely had time to breathe before a massive shadow blocked the doorway.
I turned slowly my stomach twisting.
Him.His piercing, furious golden eyes burned into mine. His entire frame radiated dominance, his presence sucking the air from the room.i swallowed hard, fear clawing at my throat.But if he thought I was going to stand still and let him take me, he was wrong.
I lifted my fists.The room fell silent.
One of the men still watching chuckled. "Careful, Alpha. She might punch you to death."A low, deadly snarl from the massive man in front of me had the him instantly shutting up.Then, he took a step closer.
I swung.He blocked it. Easily. Effortlessly.My other hand came up blocked again.Before I could react, he moved.A sharp gasp left my lips as my feet left the ground.
He lifted me like I weighed nothing. One massive arm wrapped around my thighs, tossing me over his broad shoulder.
"No! Put me down!" I screamed, kicking, thrashing. It didn't matter.He didn't flinch. He didn't stumble.We moved through the halls, the kitchen staff watching wide eyed as I screamed, cursed, begged fighting for nothing.
I hit the mattress with a small bounce as he dropped me onto the bed.
My heart thundered as I scrambled backward, moving to the farthest edge, pressing myself against the headboard. As far away from him as possible.His golden eyes burned into me, unreadable, but I could feel the frustration radiating off him.
"I won't hurt you."His voice was deep, rough too steady."I don't care! I want to go home!" I screamed, my voice shaking with panic, anger, fear.For a moment, his jaw clenched, his muscles tensed as if he was holding something back. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out, the heavy door slamming behind him.i sucked in a shaky breath, my body trembling.i was alone. But for how long?Not long after, the door opened again.This time, it wasn't him.A small woman entered, carrying a tray of food. She had soft brown eyes, a kind face, and when she smiled, it didn't feel forced or cruel."I brought you something to eat." She set the tray down and looked at me with gentle concern. "You don't have to be scared. No one will hurt you."I didn't believe her.She sighed, as if she could see the wariness in my eyes. "You should eat. You need your strength."
I didn't answer."I could draw you a bath if you'd like?" she offered, her voice sweet."No."
She hesitated, as if debating whether to keep talking. But when she saw my blank stare, my complete lack of interest, she simply gave a small nod."Alright. But please eat."Then she left.I didn't hesitate.The window.I rushed to it, heart pounding when I saw that it was open.
And even better a tree.I didn't think. I climbed out.The bark scraped my hands as I gripped tightly, moving as fast as I could until my feet hit the ground. I took off, my breath ragged, my legs burning as I ran toward anywhere but here.i was free.Or so I thought.Then i heard it.
Footsteps. Fast. Heavy.Someone was chasing me.No, no, no!I pushed myself harder, running as fast as I could, but before I could even hope to escape Strong arms wrapped around me.
I screamed, kicking, thrashing, but it was useless. He held me like iron, unshaken."Please! Let me go! Please, I just want to leave!" I sobbed, struggling against his grip.He didn't answer.This time, he didn't take me back to the same room.
This time it was a different one.
No windows.He set me down and stepped back, his golden eyes cold, unreadable. "There are guards outside the door. You're not leaving."I didn't believe him.The moment he left, I crept forward, slowly opening the door, hoping.But the second I peeked out Two massive warriors stood there. Their piercing eyes locked onto me, unflinching, unmovable.My stomach dropped.I wasn't getting out.I slowly shut the door. My breath hitched, my chest tightened, and I felt my legs give out beneath me.I sank to the floor, tears spilling down my cheeks.
I sat curled up on the cold floor, my arms wrapped tightly around my legs, my mind still racing.Then, the door creaked open again.I tensed, expecting him.But it wasn't.
It was the small woman from before.
She carried a tray of food, her expression warm but laced with worry. "I'm Ana," she said softly, stepping inside. "I'm a maid here."
I didn't respond.
She set the tray down and sighed. "I talk a lot, just so you know."
That was an understatement. She talked and talked, her voice filling the room, breaking the silence I had been drowning in. I just stared at her, unsure if I was annoyed or grateful for the distraction.She seemed… nice.
When she finally paused, she smiled at me. "What's your name?"I hesitated, then mumbled, "Matilda."
Her smile widened. "That's a pretty name."
I didn't reply.
She tilted her head. "Please, will you take a bath?"
I wanted to refuse, but then I glanced down at myself dirty clothes, sticky skin, hair tangled from my escape attempt.i felt disgusting.
So, reluctantly, I nodded.
Ana beamed and quickly moved to prepare the bath. The warm water felt too good, too comforting, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax.But the moment I stepped out, reality crashed back in.
Ana had set the food for me, but when she urged me to eat, I shook my head.
"What if it's drugged?" I whispered.
Her face fell. "It's not…" she murmured, sadness in her voice. "But I understand."
With one last sorrowful glance, she left.
The moment the door shut behind her, I climbed onto the bed, pulling the thick blankets over me as if they could somehow shield me from him.i squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe slowly.i was still terrified.But exhaustion won.