Chapter 7 WAKE UP 7

The next morning, Alex woke to an unfamiliar ceiling, his mind foggy. He sat up, taking in the opulent room. Velvet curtains, marble floors, and a four-poster bed enveloped him in luxury.

But how did he get here?

Memories teased his mind – Raven's Peak, red eyes, and Kaiden's whispered words. It all felt like a dream.

The door creaked open, and Kaiden strode in, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Good morning," Kaiden said.

Alex's surprise turned to alarm. "What are you doing here?"

Kaiden chuckled. "You're in my house, Alex."

Alex's eyes widened. "Your house? How... How did I get here?"

Kaiden's smile grew. "You were sleeping in the woods. I had you brought here."

Alex remembered the woods, he remembered how he waited for Kaiden. His anger flared. "You mocked me, you're the reason I was unconscious-"

"I saved you," Kaiden interrupted.

Alex stood, determination etched on his face. "I want to leave."

Kaiden's voice dropped to a command. "Stay."

Alex scoffed, ignoring him and striding toward the door.

Kaiden frowned and rushed to the door before Alex could get to it. He grabbed his wrist, spinning him back until Alex's back hit the wall, and he was trapped by Kaiden.

"What the-"

"This is my house," Kaiden's eyes blazed. "When I speak, you obey."

Alex's heart was racing, this was insane, everything was. He tried to twist free but Kaiden's grip was unyielding.

"You don't control my life," Alex spat. "Let me go, now!"

Kaiden's smile twisted. "Oh, but I do, especially when you're in my territory."

Alex's eyes locked onto Kaiden's, a spark of defiance igniting. "Let me go."

Kaiden's gaze held a warning. "The answer is no!"

"But why? Why won't you let me go, why do you need me?" Alex asked, his frustration increasing.

Kaiden chuckled. "Because you're mine."

Alex scoffed. "You don't own people, Mr. Kaiden Lysander. I am equally the wrong person to own."

Kaiden chuckled, feeling indifferent. "We'll see about that. There's breakfast, you can behave yourself and I'll let you go, or you can be a stubborn fly and get the consequences."

"You're insane, you need help, you need a doctor."

"I don't need a doctor Alex, I've found my antidote, that's you."

"Get off of me!" Alex shouted, his voice trembling with frustration and fear. It was all clear to him now, Kaiden wasn't mysterious, because he was a psychopath.

Kaiden's grip remained unyielding, his eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity. "You don't seem to get it, do you?"

"I came to Raven's Peak, but I was left standing alone," Alex said, his tone low. "You joker! You just wanted to scare me, to mess with me."

Kaiden's gaze never wavered. "I was watching you," he whispered.

Alex struggled free, his face burning with humiliation and rage. "Leave me alone. Stay away from me," he spat as tears of desperation pricked at the corners of his eyes. "Don't ever help me, even if you see me dying."

Kaiden's smile twisted, his eyes flashing with a possessive glint. "It's not possible," he whispered.

Kaiden leaned in, his breath caressing Alex's ear and sending shivers down his spine. "Your stubbornness brought me to you," Kaiden murmured. "And now, nothing can pull me away."

"You're insane Kaiden, you need help, you need help."

"Then help me," he whispered and leaned forward, his lips close to Alex's.

"What are you doing?" Alex's heart raced as Kaiden's lips brushed against his. The kiss was soft, yet electrifying.

Alex's eyes widened in shock. Panic and desire warred within him.

Kaiden pulled back, his gaze burning with an unspoken desire. "Think about me," Kaiden whispered.

With that, he left Alex and walked towards the door. "Once you leave this room, by your left is the exit. Don't get lost again." With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Alex reeling.

Alex touched his lips which was still tingling. "What just happened?" He whispered. "Was this some kind of game?"

Alex's mind whirled. He couldn't shake off Kaiden's words.

"Think about me."

A mix of fear and fascination rooted Alex to the spot. What did he just get himself into.