Selene's pov
My head was throbbing—that was the first thing I registered as I came back to consciousness. What had happened to me? why did my body feel so heavy?
I pried my eyes open, the soft glow of moonlight filtering in welcoming me. Were those tall narrow windows overhead? I wondered, squinting. They certainly didn't belong in a hospital.
Another sharp pain shot through my head, and I squeezed my eyes shut. It would take a while to get accustomed to this new problem.
After a while, the pain reduced considerably, and I opened my eyes again. Now that I was finally able to focus on something except the headache, my breath caught in my throat.
The air was a mix of polished cedar, incense smoke, and something darker, earthier—werewolf scent. It flooded my senses, reminding me of exactly where I was: the heart of Enemy Territory.
The last thing I remembered was being in the hospital, so where did this opulent-looking room come from?
Heavy velvet curtains framed the windows, and all the furnishings were golden, but I was not fooled. The atmosphere was wrong—I couldn't feel my powers surging in my veins, and it made me scared. I hated being powerless.
I pushed myself upright, grinding my teeth against the weakness I felt. At least I knew I was not in a lost place—Alpha Lucian had a hand in this. Somehow, the brute had found a way to get me to his estate after all, and I had no idea how.
Was this his way of saying thank you? The arrogant man wouldn't even exist if I hadn't burned off my strength to fend off the operatives, and all for what? To be caged and locked up somewhere like I was a pawn in his power games?
That was why I resisted going with him in the first place. I had a feeling it'd be no different from being trapped in that cage he first had me in, and I was right. I was as weak here as I was there.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, testing my balance. My legs trembled, but I managed to stay steady, grabbing the bedside table for support. This was not the time to lie in bed and be sulking. Sure, he had me where he wanted me to be, but I wasn't going to stay here for longer than necessary. An escape plan was already forming in my mind, but first, I had to get a hold of my surroundings.
I traced my fingers over the mahogany door, wondering what the runes carved on it said. With a grunt, I pushed against it, but of course, it didn't budge. Typical.
I turned my attention to the windows, the gleam of moonlight catching my eyes. They were tall and narrow, and when I stepped closer, I could see a faint glint of silver inlaid in the frames.
My lips curled up in disgust. A trap—a gilded cage wrapped in so much finery. Who did Lucian think he was deceiving? If he thought he could break me, then he didn't know a damn thing about me.
I made my way to the vanity where a pitcher was waiting, and I picked up the cup beside it, with trembling hands pouring myself some water.
The door creaked behind me, and I spun, glass in hand, my muscles coiled ready to spring.
A young woman with russet hair and weary eyes stepped in, balancing a tray of food. "I'm not here to hurt you."
Was it just me, or did she sound a bit scared?
I lowered the glass but did not relax. "Where is he?"
She hesitated for a while, and I swear if she asked me who "he" was, I was going to punch her, but instead, she proved to be smarter than that.
"Alpha Lucian is... not available at the moment. He said you need rest."
I let out a sharp laugh. Was it some kind of joke? "Rest?" I asked. "That sounds rich coming from someone who brought me here against my will. Where am I?"
She set the tray on the bedside table and clasped her fingers before her.
"You are in his private wing, for your safety."
"My safety?" I snapped, not caring how sharp my voice came out. "The only person I need safety from is him. Don't tell me his room is a few rooms away from mine?"
She said nothing, but that told me all I needed to know. "Oh no," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.
"If you need anything, miss, I'll be just around the corner," she said, offering me a faint, nervous smile as she backed away from my room.
I took one glance at the food and shook my head. It was covered, but I didn't even want to see what was in it. I was definitely not going to eat among werewolves.
My hands curled into fists the more I thought about Alpha Lucian. I didn't care how powerful he was—I wasn't just going to sit here and be treated like a prisoner or, worse, an inconvenience.
I looked wistfully out the window. If only there was a way I could reach my power. How had he managed to lock them off?
My mind raced as I tried to come up with a plan, but before I could think of something, the smell of wolf hit me again, stronger this time.
"You guys have got to be kidding me. Can't you at least knock before barging into my room?" I demanded, spinning around and stopping in my tracks.
This was not the servant—it was someone who could be described as Lucian's opposite. Where Lucian was all sharp edges and dominance, this one had an easy aura around him, lips curling in a slight smile.
"Selene Nightshade."
His voice was smooth, almost amused, as he stepped inside, every move deliberate but unthreatening.
"Should I say I'm lucky to make your acquaintance?"