Married To The Ruthless Alpha (Fated to Darkness)

Amelia

"You Amelia Sheffield, will be marrying Alpha Woodson, the leader of the Zenith pack" The man next to Woodson said with Woodson's hand extended out to me.

I took it without hesitating.

It finally kicked in.

My heart stopped. My mind spiraled into a never ending anxious state as the reality began to unfold in front of me.

I was getting married to the ruthless alpha.

This was going to be my life and there wasn't any going back.

Few hours earlier

The door burst open with a thunderous crack that rattled the thin walls of my bedroom. The bad scent of Lucy, my step-mother-a nauseating mixture of cheap perfume, and vodka-overwhelmed my nose, making me jolt up from my bed.

"You better get your butt downstairs right now if you want to get to school," she sneered at me, her voice hoarse from years of smoking. Her face, once possessing the beauty of an angel but now, because of the constant alcohol living in her system, had been reduced to an emaciated one.

Checking the time on my battered alarm clock, I had about 15 minutes left until the school bus would arrive.

She left the room with the door open. The scent of her lingered, making me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I sighed out and pulled the covers off me. I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth, the minty paste doing little to wash away the bitter taste of another morning in this house.

I took a quick shower as fast as I could, the lukewarm water-never hot, Lucy made sure of that-cascading down my back. I dressed up quickly, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. I put on some black rompers and a sweater with my converses, the fabric soft against my skin,and my hair in a neat bun, a few stubborn strands falling around my face.

"Look what the cat dragged out of the room, mum," Ashley, my step-sister, mocked with a high-pitched laugh, and my step-mum joined in the laughter.

My heart broke again, and I reminded myself that I would not cry in front of them.

Ashley, dressed in her very, very conservative outfit (sarcasm intended)-a skirt so short it barely covered anything, a top that plunged so low it left little to imagination, and makeup caked on so thick it was a wonder she could still move her face-glared at me with her icy blue eyes before finishing the last toast, crumbs falling from her glossy lips as she chewed loudly.

There wasn't any other food left for me, my stomach growling in protest, a hollow ache that I had become all too familiar with.

"I'm leaving for school now, mum," she said to her mother, her voice sweet as honey, a stark contrast to the venom she spat at me. She flounced out of the door, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor, the sound echoing in my empty stomach.

"Have a nice day, sweetie," Lucy yelled after her, her voice dripping with affection, before meeting my eyes and rolling hers, the disdain in them clear as day.

Ashley's car zoomed off, the engine roaring to life before fading into the distance, and then I finally realized something was wrong.

Ashley never leaves for school before me. I always leave before her.

I checked the time at the clock on the kitchen wall, and it read 8:00 am.

"My clock wasn't correct," I stated, adjusting my backpack as I looked at my step-mum.

"You changed the time on my clock," I accused her absent-mindedly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. She dropped the smug look and walked over to me. Before I could react, her hand connected with my cheek.

"How dare you accuse me of that, you stupid girl?! Get out of the house now!" she screeched, pushing me out of the house.

I started my 20-minute journey to my high school, the backpack heavy on my shoulders The sound of my tears were my only company as I walked the semi-empty streets of my neighborhood.

It hadn't always been like this. Lucy and Ashley were a tolerable step mother and step sister when my father, Bill Sheffield was alive. My mother left us after she gave birth to me and my dad had been in a bad place. Lucy had been the one to fill that hole and he had been happy. He was happy up until he took his last breath, cancer taking him away from me.

Lucy had liked my father but never me and so after he died , she mourned his death and blamed it on me.. that it was my fault he died and ever since then, she and her daughter had decided to make my life a living hell.

My mind was brought back to reality as I heard the scrawny bell ring for the first class, just as I was stepping into the hallways.

I quickly started heading to my locker, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway, when I tripped over someone's feet and fell face flat on the floor.

"Watch it, loser!" Anna, the girl who had been my best friend before I lost my dad, said to me. She was now a popular girl, going around with Ashley and her other minion.

I don't say anything and just get off the floor and reach my locker. I get my books and start heading to my class in a haste.

"Miss Sheffield, nice of you to finally grace us with your presence," Mrs. Green, my calculus teacher, mocked me, her voice dripping with sarcasm, making the whole class laugh at me.

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment as I scurried off to my seat.

My mind never being in class and always day dreaming makes time feel so short and that is how my classes went by in a blur and it was time to go back to the place I called home.

I didn't want to go back early. I wasn't ready to deal with Lucy and Ashley, and besides, it's not like they gave a shit about where I was. They would even prefer if I was dead, their words, not mine.

But then there would be no one to cook their meal.

I decided I would use the longer route to go home, and not many people used that part. It was just 4 pm in the evening, so I didn't think anyone would be using that place.

The forest was alive with sounds-birds chirping, leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, twigs snapping under my feet.

My mind wandered about as I thought of how life would've been if my mother had never left and my father was still alive. Maybe I wouldn't have to be thinking of the beating that awaited me because I came home later than I should've and did not make dinner.

You don't have to cook for them anymore.

I let out a gasp, whipping my head around. The voice had been clear, as if someone had whispered directly into my ear.

"Who said that? Who's out there? Show yourself," I said loudly, my voice echoing in the quiet forest. I got no response except the tweeting of the birds and the rustling of leaves.

Maybe it had just been my imagination.

It's far from your imagination, Amelia.

Okay. I clearly heard that now.

I looked around again, my heart racing.

"Who's out there?!! Don't be a coward!" I picked up a branch as my weapon, the rough bark digging into my skin as I held it tightly, showing it off to no one as I spoke, my voice trembling with fear.

"Show yourself!!" My voice wavered pathetically, betraying my fear.

You don't know how pathetic you look right now.

"Shut up!! Show yourself!" I demanded, my voice breaking, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

No response once more. Instead, a bird flew away, its wings flapping loudly in the silence, the sound making me jump.

And to think I have to get married to you.

I realized what was happening. No one was here actually. It was all in my head, a manifestation of my stress and exhaustion. I was losing my mind.

Oh. Maybe you aren't as pathetic as I thought you are.

"You asshole!! Show your freaking face! Who the hell are you?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the trees, scaring away the birds perching on the branches.

Wait.

What was I doing?!

Why am I talking to myself in the middle of the woods? Get it together, Amelia! I shook my head to rid myself of my thoughts, the motion making me dizzy.

I am real. I am in your head.

I ignored the voice. My voice. It wasn't real. It couldn't be.

Don't ignore me.

Ignored. Again. I refused to give in to this madness.

I hastened my steps, the leaves crunching under my feet, preferring the house now instead of the crazy dialogue I was having with myself.

"I said don't ignore me." A male voice. Behind me.

I stopped walking-the sound of my heart beat filling my ears, a sense of dread washing over me as I turned my head to the owner of the voice.

No one was behind me.

Okay. Don't freak out, Amelia.

As if.

I picked up my speed and started running to my house like someone was pursuing me.

My breaths came out ragged and shallow once I sighted my house, the familiar structure looming in the distance, and I took a moment to get myself together.

I looked back to see if the person had followed me, but no one was behind me, thankfully.

The sun was already preparing to set, casting long shadows across the ground, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. I quickly entered my house.

A slap in the face. That was what I was welcomed with.

"Where were you? Where have you been, you slut?" Lucy sneered in my face, her breath reeking of alcohol, her eyes bloodshot and wild.

"I got lost in the woods," I replied in a small voice.

"That's a lie. Why use the woods to come home in the first place?" Ashley added to the fire, her arms crossed over her chest

"You dare lie to my face?! I am going to teach you a lesson, you good for nothing-" I awaited another slap in the face, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came because of the disturbing, loud sound that came from outside.

Ashley moved to check through the window what was going on, and she screamed afterwards, the sound piercing my ears.

"My car!!!" She shrieked and opened the door, running outside with her heels.

Lucy let me go and rushed towards Ashley, her concern for her daughter overriding her anger towards me. I also went outside to check what had happened and gasped at the sight.

The car had been totaled completely, the once-shiny vehicle now a mangled mess of metal and glass. The smell of burnt rubber filled the air, making me nauseous.

Standing beside it were two men, each of them strikingly handsome, their presence commanding and intimidating. But the one on the right sparked my interest, a familiar feeling washing over me as our eyes met.

He had gray eyes, piercing and cold like a winter storm, and olive skin, smooth and flawless. He was dressed in just jeans and a polo shirt, yet he looked like he just walked out of a 'playboy' magazine for the ladies.

I couldn't help but wonder who they were.

"Who are you guys? Was it you that did this to my baby?!!" Ashley yelled, tears streaming down her face and her mascara running down her eyes. She literally looked like a witch.

I noticed the guy by the right hid a smile, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. It was as if he had heard my thoughts, found them amusing.

Because I did hear you, you fool.

Oh my God.

He was in my head. He was the one from before. Who was he and how did he get into my head?

I am your husband, Amelia.

What the-

"Answer her now, or I call the police!" Lucy threatened them.

"You are calling no one. We are just here for Amelia, and we will be on our way," the guy by the left side of stalker guy said. He had pale skin and pretty blue eyes, bright as the summer sky. He was also a looker, his features chiseled and perfect, like a statue come to life.

You look at nobody else but me, or they end up dead.

What in the world?

I whipped my head immediately to stalker guy, but his face remained passive, his expression neutral, as if he didn't just threaten me with his friend's life.

"What do you want with Amelia?! And who cares about that whore?!! Look at what you did to my baby's car!!" Lucy screeched, her face red with anger, spittle flying from her mouth.

"Did you just call Amelia a whore?" I was inside the house, yet stalker guy's deep voice rumbled through me, sending shivers down my spine.

"I did. What are you going to-"

"I don't think you should finish that sen-"

Crack.

Her arm was now facing the other way. The wrong way... with stalker guy holding it like it was a useless piece of paper, his grip firm and unrelenting. The sound of bones breaking was sickening, making my stomach turn.

Lucy screamed out loudly, wailing in pain, her face contorted in agony. Ashley was also screaming, even if nothing had happened to her yet, her fear palpable in the air.

"-tence," pale guy finished with a sigh, as if he had expected this to happen, as if it was a common occurrence.

"Let her go!!" Ashley yelled and rushed towards stalker guy, her movements frantic and uncoordinated. There was another crack, the sound echoing in the quiet neighborhood, followed by another scream.

It was Ashley's arm. Oh my God. He had broken Ashley's arm, and he held it like it was another useless piece of paper, his face showing no emotion, no remorse.

She was full-on screaming now, the sound piercing and continuous, filled with pain and fear. I was surprised no neighbor had come to know what the whole commotion was about or, better yet, call the police.

Weren't they terrified? Because I, for one, was.

"Please stop! You're hurting them," I finally spoke up, my voice small and trembling, my heart feeling like it was going to burst out of my chest any moment. Stalker guy looked up at me, his gray eyes meeting mine, still holding my step-mother's broken arm and my step-sister's broken arm.

Even though they treat me wrongly, they were still family. I couldn't stand to see them in pain, couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for their suffering.

"Come with us right now, or they continue to get hurt," he said to me, his voice calm and collected, as if he was discussing the weather, not threatening to hurt my family.

"Why should I come with you?! I don't even know you!" I protested, my voice stronger now, fueled by fear and confusion.

"You are to get married to Alpha Woodson. The leader of the Zenith Pack."

"What?" I must have heard wrong. Heard really wrong. My mind refused to process his words, refused to accept the reality they presented me with.

Married?

To an Alpha? A pack? What was I hearing? Was he trying to say that wolves were real?

"Yes, you fool, and you are to get married to me, or they continue to suffer," he said, his voice hardening, his eyes darkening with anger.

"I'm not getting married to you. Who do you think you are to just come to my house and ask that of me?!" I yelled, terrified nonetheless, my voice cracking with emotion.

He growled lowly, the sound inhuman and threatening, sending shivers down my spine. Then I heard another crack, the sound making me flinch. This time, it was Ashley's other arm.

She screamed out loud, the pain too much for her to bear, and then passed out, her body going limp, her screams finally ceasing.

I let out a horrified gasp, my hand covering my mouth, tears streaming down my face.

"Please stop!! How can you be so ruthless?!!" I yelled, terrified, my voice breaking with sobs.

"You agree to marrying me right now, or they die," Woodson said, his voice cold and final, leaving no room for argument.

"I don't even-" He was already moving to break Lucy's second arm when I yelled out, desperation filling my voice.

"STOP! I'll go with you! I'll marry you!! Please just stop hurting them!!" Fat tears were running down my cheeks as I realized what I just said, the implications of my agreement hitting me like a ton of bricks.

He immediately let go of Lucy and Ashley, and they both fell to the ground with a thud, their moans of pain the only indication that they were still alive.

He walked slowly towards me, each step deliberate and measured, like a predator stalking its prey. I stood still as a dead person once he's in front of me, too afraid to move, to breathe.

"You Amelia Sheffield, will be marrying Alpha Woodson, the leader of the Out pack" The guy that had been next to him says and Woodson extends his hand out to me.

I took it without hesitating and then I let out a big gasp.

It finally kicked in.

My heart stopped. My mind spiraled into a never ending anxious state as the reality began to unfold in front of me.

I was getting married to this ruthless alpha.

This was going to be my life and there wasn't any going back.

Amelia

Being in the midst of wolves was something I could never get used to, even if I had been here for about two weeks now.

Living in the 'Otherworld,' as they called it, was also not something easy to do, especially living here as the wife of the most powerful Alpha in all of Shadow Brook-the Home of the Wolves.

I was still hoping that it was all a dream-a very long one, and I was going to wake up soon.

I couldn't possibly be living with wolves, not to talk more of being married to one-a ruthless one at that.

For crying out loud, I was just turning eighteen this year and had planned out my life already. This was my senior year, which meant I was going to graduate and leave that house soon enough. That was my plan. Graduate, turn eighteen, and leave.

But that didn't seem possible anymore, because here I was in another world-a supernatural one at that.

How did my life turn a whole three hundred and sixty degrees in just one night? How did I go from being beaten up by Lucy and Ashley to getting married to a werewolf?

Even saying it sounded unbelievable.

A knock on my door jerked me back to my horrific reality. One of Woodson's 'Moonmaids,' as he called them, walked in. She had a neutral look plastered on her face as her eyes met mine.

"The Ardent is back, and he wishes to see you," she informed me. Leana, if I wasn't mistaken, was her name. She had been tending to me ever since I got here, but she had never uttered more than a word. Other than to bring me food and ensure my needs were met, she never spoke to me, so it was surprising to hear her voice-smooth and silky.

"Where is he?" I asked, standing up from the sofa I had settled myself on ever since I got here. The room they had imprisoned me in was beautiful, to say the least. It was so big and unlike anything I had seen. My room back home could fit in three times as much.

The room was breathtaking, with high ceilings that gave a sense of grandeur. Soft, warm light filtered in through large windows draped in delicate, sheer curtains. The walls were a muted cream, adorned with intricate gold accents and a few elegant paintings of serene landscapes. A grand four-poster bed with a canopy stood at the center, its velvet bedding a deep, rich burgundy that looked soft enough to sink into, yet I couldn't gather the mind to lie in it.

Opposite the bed, a plush seating area with two sofas-one of which I had made my bed for the past two weeks. The floor was polished marble, with an ornate rug in hues of gold and red spread out beneath the seating. A large fireplace, its mantel carved with delicate designs, crackled gently in one corner, filling the room with a soft, comforting warmth.

To the side, a vanity table made of dark wood with an elaborate mirror caught the light. The room was undeniably luxurious, a place of comfort and beauty, but despite all its elegance, it felt more like a gilded cage than a home.

"I will lead you to where he is," Leana said, her voice still eerily calm. With that, she turned and walked toward the door. I followed behind, my heart thudding in my chest. The nerves finally kicked in.

I hadn't seen Woodson since he threatened me to marry him. After he kidnapped me and brought me into his world, he was called away and left me to stay in this unknown territory all by myself. He never spoke about the wedding, and I had been left in the dark about what exactly I was here for. Ever since I arrived, I hadn't left the confines of this room or seen another person-save for Leana.

I was terrified. What did he want now?

As we stepped into the hallway, I felt my stomach clench. I had walked these hallways before when I was first brought here, but in the chaos and fear, I hadn't taken in my surroundings.

Now, I did.

The hallways were vast, stretching endlessly in either direction. The floors were smooth, polished stone, reflecting the soft glow from the elaborate chandeliers hanging above. Their crystal designs sparkled with each flicker of the flames from the candles. On either side of the hall, tall windows framed with heavy, velvet curtains allowed streams of light to spill in, casting a warm golden hue over everything.

The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of battles and victories long past, each one a detailed masterpiece, rich with color and texture. Between them, sconces with flickering candles lined the corridor, adding a soft, inviting glow. Every few steps, ornate pedestals held delicate vases or sculptures, adding a touch of art to the already grand space. The ceiling above arched gracefully, with intricate molding and designs that seemed to tell a story if you looked closely enough.

A sinking feeling settled in my chest. How could I escape from a place like this? Even if I managed to run, where would I go? The sheer size of this world-this palace-was overwhelming.

Two young girls curtsied as we passed. "Your Grace," they murmured in unison before disappearing down another hallway. Their dresses were simple Victorian corset styles, cream-colored and short-sleeved, resting just below their knees. They each wore an armlet with a wolf emblem engraved on it-just like Leana.

I didn't realize Leana had kept walking until I saw her almost at the end of the hallway. I jogged to catch up, my legs shaky beneath me.

At the end of the hallway was a big, wide door. It had all sorts of intricate markings engraved on it, symbols I didn't understand.

Leana knocked twice and waited. I heard a faint click, and then the door creaked open. She stepped inside first, and I followed slowly, my skin prickling with fear.

My eyes met Woodson's immediately. His gaze was steady and unwavering. I took slow, cautious steps forward, my mind racing with the worst possible scenarios.

To his left sat the pale guy I recognized from that night-the night he took me. His sharp eyes gleamed in the dim light. But it wasn't him who unsettled me. It was the woman next to him.

She was stunning, with long, dark hair cascading in waves over her shoulders. Her eyes, piercing and cold, fixed on me with a look I couldn't quite place-was it disdain? Curiosity?

"Wow... she's really young." The pale guy commented, looking at me, making me bend my head to avoid eye contact with any of them. I felt like a little child standing in the center as they all studied me. The urge to run away from their piercing eyes on me magnified, as I could hear the thunderous beats of my heart in my ears.

Should I send them out?

My head shot up immediately to look at Woodson, whose eyes were already on me. He had spoken to me again...in my head.

"Are you mute? Don't you have questions?"

"Selene" the pale guy said, a warning in his tone. Woodson didn't still say anything; his eyes still fixed on me expectantly, like he was waiting for me. Waiting for me to reply to him.

"What! Its a question. She seems mute. I'm just checking.. You can't have a mute Luna to lead your pack now, can you?" There's a mockery tone in her voice, but she appeared innocent.

"Stop calling her mute," the pale guy replied, shaking his head. The back and forth continued, and I zoned them out, realizing Woodson still hadn't spoken, his eyes still on me.

My heart pounded as Woodson's gaze stayed locked on me, steady and unreadable. His question echoed in my mind, the weight of it pressing down on me, urging me to respond. But I couldn't.

I wouldn't.

Blink for yes. Don't blink for no.

His words hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken threat of reality. If I blinked, I would be acknowledging that this-everything-was real. That I was standing in front of a powerful, ruthless Alpha. That I was married to him. That I was trapped in a world I didn't belong to.

I couldn't blink.

I stared at him, my eyes wide and dry, as I fought against the primal instinct to close them, to shield them from the burning sensation that was beginning to grow. Woodson didn't move. His expression didn't change. It was like he was waiting for me to break, to give in, knowing that I couldn't hold out forever.

The pale man and the woman were still bickering in the background, their voices distant, drowned out by the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears. My throat tightened, and my vision blurred at the edges, but I refused to give in.

I couldn't blink. I wouldn't.

The corners of my eyes began to sting, the burning sensation intensifying with every second that passed. My eyes were begging for relief, for just one brief moment of respite, but I held on, forcing them to stay open.

Woodson's eyes remained neutral, but there was something in his gaze-an unspoken challenge. It was as if he knew exactly what I was trying to do and was waiting for the inevitable. He was playing a game with me, and I was losing.

My breathing grew shallow, my chest tightening with the strain of keeping my eyes open for so long. My vision wavered, the room around me shifting as tears welled up, pooling in the corners of my eyes. I swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything but the unbearable urge to blink.

It was no use.

My lashes trembled, the muscles around my eyes weakening as they struggled to keep open. And then, with a sharp, involuntary flutter, I blinked. Once.

It felt like defeat. A single tear slipped down my cheek, hot and betraying my resistance. My body had given in before my mind was ready to accept it.

I blinked again, this time a flood of moisture gathering in my eyes, the sting from before now accompanied by the bitter taste of resignation. I couldn't deny it anymore. This was real.

Woodson's expression remained as calm as ever, but I felt the shift in the air. He knew it too. His gaze, still unrelenting, seemed to say: I told you so.

"Could you both leave us?" Woodson's voice finally broke the tense silence, low and commanding. I noticed a shocked expression etched on Selene's face when he said that ."But K-"

"Please Selene. I'll see you soon." He looked at her with a look I could only describe as soft, and then I was overcome by shock. The shock at how gentle and pleading he sounded towards Selene. It brought me to the conclusion that she must be really dear to him.

There's a pensive look on her face for a moment before she stands up and begins to leave, not even sparing me a glance. The pale guy followed he behind, offering me a tight smile as he passed. The moment the door shut, the room felt impossibly larger. The air was thick, heavy with an unspoken tension between us. I stood there, my heart still hammering in my chest, unable to shake the sensation that I was walking into a trap, even though there was nowhere left to run.

Woodson remained seated, his gaze still fixed on me, unmoving. His expression, although calm, was unreadable, like a puzzle I couldn't quite decipher. His silence weighed on me, and I struggled to find something-anything-to say, but the words were caught in my throat.

The room, with all its elegance and grandeur, felt suddenly stifling. I wanted to turn and run, to escape this moment, but my feet wouldn't move. Every instinct screamed at me to flee, but I was trapped by more than just the walls around me-I was trapped by him.

He finally spoke, his voice as steady as his gaze, but now softer, almost curious. "You're afraid."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement, one that carried an undeniable truth. My mouth opened to argue, to deny it, but I closed it again. He was right, and there was no use pretending otherwise. My fear was palpable, and I could feel it radiating off me.

I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't. Silence stretched between us, and with every second that passed, the knot in my stomach tightened. His eyes never left mine, and I felt like I was under a microscope, like he could see every thought I was trying so hard to keep hidden.

"I won't hurt you," he said after a moment, his tone soft, but there was something about the way he said it that didn't fully convince me.

I won't hurt you.

But you already have. He had hurt me the moment he tore me from my world, from my plans, from everything I had ever known. He had hurt me by bringing me here and chaining me to this nightmare. Like a monster. My mind screamed these thoughts, but I stayed silent.

But I have already heard your thoughts.

My eyes widened, astonished and creeped out at the fact that I was still hearing his voice in my head. The fact that it was real. How was he doing that? How was he talking in my head?

Woodson stood up then, slowly, his tall, broad form dominating the space between us. His movement was graceful, almost predatory, and I instinctively took a step back. His eyes flicked to my feet and then back to my face, the faintest trace of a smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Do you really think I'm a monster?" His voice was low, almost a whisper now, as if we were sharing a secret.

I stared at him, unsure of how to answer. He had called himself The Ardent, had paraded around as the most powerful Alpha in all of Shadow Brook, had taken me against my will-what else was I supposed to think? But looking into his eyes now, there was something more, something deeper that I couldn't understand.

"I don't know what to think," I finally admitted, my voice shaky. "You haven't exactly given me much of a reason to trust you."

Woodson took a step closer, and I felt my pulse quicken. He wasn't threatening, but there was an undeniable power in his presence that made it impossible to relax.

"You think trust is given, just like that?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "It's earned, Reve. And so is fear."

I swallowed hard; my throat suddenly dry. "And what have you earned, Woodson? My fear?"

His lips curled into a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps. But you'll see in time. Fear is just the beginning."

I didn't fully understand what he meant, but the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. There was a confidence in his words, an unsettling certainty that made me feel powerless. I hated that feeling, hated him for causing it.

"What do you want from me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. It was the question that had haunted me since he brought me here, since the night when everything changed. What could someone like him possibly want from someone like me?

His gaze sharpened, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. "Do you have memory loss? It was only two weeks ago when I told you-you are my... wife." The way he said wife made my cheeks burn with embarrassment. There was disgust in his tone, disbelief, as if the very idea repulsed him.

"Yes... you're right," he continued, as though reading my thoughts. "I can't believe it either."

"Stop it!" My voice came out sharper than I intended, my hands clutching my head.

"What am I doing?" he asked, his expression unreadable. Yet, I could see it-the amusement lurking beneath the surface. He was enjoying this, toying with me like I was some game.

"Reading my thoughts! Stop it!"

"You've accepted that I can," he replied smoothly. "Good. But it's you who leaves your thoughts wide open. I'm just reading what's already there."

I clenched my fists, frustration boiling in my chest. I didn't understand what he meant, and at this point, I didn't care. All I wanted was to be free of this nightmare.

"Please, let me go," I whispered, my voice cracking with desperation. "I'm not your wife. I'm not fit to be anyone's wife. I turn eighteen in three weeks. I just... I want to go home." My voice broke as a tear slipped down my cheek. The weight of it all-the confusion, the disbelief-crushed me. I didn't belong here. I never did.

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought I saw anger flash across his face. "You want to return to the place where they hit you? Abused you? Diminished you?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the fragile resolve I'd tried to build. "You prefer that world to this?"

"Yes," I whispered, my voice barely steady. "I'm not fit to be here. Please. I promise I won't tell anyone."

A low, humorless laugh escaped his lips, chilling me to the bone.

"Do you even have anybody to go back to?" he asked. The words hit me like a punch to the gut because they were true. I didn't have anyone. I was alone. Still, I would have chosen that over this.

"It's your will to return to the human world, isn't it?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation, my voice firm despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

For the briefest second, his features hardened with anger, but then he nodded, stepping closer.

"Then your will shall be granted."

In the blink of an eye, a figure I hadn't noticed before materialized at the edge of the room. Their hand touched my head, and in an instant, the world dissolved into darkness.