I woke up surrounded by white. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, a crystal chandelier shimmering above me. Everything in the room walls, furniture, even the massive bed I lay in was bathed in soft ivory, untouched and pristine.

The sheets beneath my fingers were cool and silky, but my skin burned. My body ached, my head heavy, and the lingering scent of something dark and intoxicating clung to me. I sat up too quickly.

Pain shot through my skull, but that wasn't what made my stomach twist.

Memories slammed into me like a crashing wave, drowning me in everything I had tried to forget. The bar. The fight. Him. My fingers flew to my neck, tracing the spot where his teeth had pierced my skin. It wasn't a dream.

The way my body had burned from the inside out, the way I had lost control it was real. A sound outside the door made me freeze. Footsteps.

Then a voice, deep and commanding. His voice. "When is she going to wake up?" I sucked in a sharp breath. Even without seeing him, his presence pressed into me, suffocating.

"Anytime soon," another voice replied. Ryker hummed, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

"Good. Make sure she's given everything she needs. She is not to be harmed." A pause. "And I mean everything."

There was something unnerving about the way he spoke strict, possessive, like I belonged to him. I clenched my fists. He thought he could keep me here? Like a prisoner?

The voices faded, but my heart was still hammering against my ribs. I threw the sheets off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cold floor sent a jolt up my spine, but I forced myself to move.

Every step was slow, my legs shaky, but I pushed forward, dragging myself toward the nearest door. The hallway was even grander than the bedroom. Gold-trimmed walls, polished floors, expensive paintings a palace disguised as a cage. I tried door after door, but they were all locked. He had done this on purpose.

Then, finally, I found one that was slightly open. Hope flickered in my chest, but before I could push it open, voices drifted from the other side. Familiar. His.

"When will the mating take place?" another man asked. Mating? My breath caught.

"Immediately after she wakes up," Ryker responded.

What is that supposed to mean? Who is mating who?

"You're rushing it," the other man mused.

"She's been unconscious for over a month, and yet you still-" He stopped, then let out a short laugh. "You can still smell your pup?"

The air vanished from my lungs. My hands trembled. Pup? The ground beneath me disappeared. The door flew open before I could stop myself. Two sets of golden eyes turned to me. The second man immediately stepped back, like he sensed the storm brewing inside me.

But Ryker? He didn't even flinch. Slowly, deliberately, he walked toward me. I backed away, but he was too fast. His hand caught my waist, pulling me into him before I could fight.

His scent was overwhelming, wrapping around me like a spell I couldn't escape. Then he leaned in, his lips brushing against my cheek, soft, intimate. I slapped him. Hard. The sound echoed in the room. Ryker barely reacted. His smirk deepened, his golden eyes gleaming with something dark.

"Still as feisty as ever," he murmured. I wiped my cheek furiously.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're carrying my child," he said smoothly. "And we'll be mating soon."

My world tilted. This isn't happening.

Tears burned behind my eyes, my entire body locking up. "You're lying," I whispered tears streamed down my cheeks.

He tilted his head, watching me like I was something his. "Why would I lie?"

The room became too small, This was the man who had killed my father. And now he had stolen my first time. Had impregnated me. And now, he was talking about mating? Marrying me? A choked sound left my throat.

"You don't get to decide that," I hissed. "You don't get to just claim me." "I don't negotiate, I take. But just this once... name it." Ryker's voice was low and commanding. "Whatever you want, it's yours."

"Huh?"

"Yes, speak your desire and I will make it a command."

"Anything?" I recalled, he nodded his hand roaming on my waist

"Then I'd be glad if you can give me your life. I want you dead!" Silence filled the room.

My heart pounded in my chest, my hands trembling at my sides. Then, to my utter shock, Ryker smiled.

"Alright." I froze. What? "You said you want me dead," he murmured, his golden eyes locked onto mine.

"And I told you, you can have anything you want." He turned slightly and called out, "Bring me a knife."

My breath hitched. The second man hesitated but nodded. A guard entered, carrying a sleek silver blade. Ryker took it without a second thought, turning it over in his hands before stepping closer.

He held it out to me. "Go ahead." I just stood there, staring.

This has to be a trick. But he took a step back, then another, lifting his hands in surrender. His face remained calm, waiting. My fingers curled around the hilt.

This was what I wanted. Revenge. Justice. Blood. I could still see my father's lifeless body, the smell of death thick, the pain of losing him crushing my chest.

Ryker tilted his head. Daring me. My breath came out shaky. My grip tightened. And before I could stop myself, I drove the knife into his chest. His body jerked. Blood bloomed across his shirt, dark and thick.

I gasped, my hands trembling as I felt the resistance of flesh and bone beneath my fingers. The knife was still lodged in his chest.

My grip loosened. Ryker's golden eyes locked onto mine, still burning, still sharp. Then, slowly, he collapsed to the floor. Dead.

I stepped back, my breath coming in sharp bursts. I killed him. Fear curled around my throat, suffocating me.

My eyes darted to the second man, expecting shock, rage anything. But he didn't move. He didn't even blink. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk. "Welcome back, Alpha."

My stomach twisted. What? A shadow moved at the entrance. I turned sharply and my blood turned to ice. Ryker strode into the room. Alive. Tall. Powerful. Unscathed.

I stumbled back, my body shaking. My eyes darted down and there he was. His lifeless body still lay on the floor, the knife buried deep in his chest, blood pooling around him. I looked back up at him.

He smirked. "Surprised?" I couldn't breathe. This wasn't real. I had just killed him.

Ryker stepped closer, his golden eyes never leaving mine.

"You got what you wanted," he said smoothly. "Now, it's my turn." My throat felt dry.

"Your turn?"

"We're getting married." I blinked. Did I hear that right? "You killed me, Serena." His voice was calm, too calm. "You got what you wanted. Now, it's my turn."

I shook my head and stepped back, but he only moved closer. My heart hammered wildly, and my stomach churned with fear. I watched as he crouched beside his own lifeless body.

He lifted a hand, his fingers barely flicking over the corpse. And then, right before my eyes, the body turned to ash. I let out a sharp gasp, my hands flying to my mouth. My entire body felt weak. My knees threatened to buckle.

"No... No, this isn't real." Ryker straightened, dusting off his hands like nothing had happened. His smirk deepened as he leaned in slightly, his voice a low whisper that sent chills down my spine.

"Welcome to my world."

Chapter 5 Welcome to my world

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