Mark of the Lycan Queen

Chapter 4. Bound by Darkness

TAHLIA~

My senses stirred to life as consciousness slowly embraced me. Blinking hazily, I found myself face-down, pressed against a solid and muscular shoulder. Panic seized my thoughts as I struggled to comprehend my surroundings.

Where am I? The fog in my mind began to lift as I noticed my hands dangling in the air, and it became clear that I was being carried by one of the men who had confronted me in the forest.

I jerked my body, attempting to free myself from his grasp. "Let me go! Drop me!" I shouted, my voice filled with desperation. But instead, his grip tightened.

“Let me go, you brute!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the dimly lit hallway. But my struggles fell upon deaf ears, as the red-haired man's grip remained as unyielding as stone.

Frustration and anger fused within me, driving me to lash out in futile resistance. I pounded my fists against his back, determined to break free from his iron vice. Yet, my efforts seemed insignificant in the face of his strength.

And just then, they entered a chamber and the Lycan abruptly tossed me onto a bed, causing me to bounce and land with a thud. I scrambled to my feet, fueled by the urge to escape this predicament, but the red-haired man quickly thwarted my attempts, tossing me back onto the bed like some piece of clothing.

Again, made another attempt to break free and get the hell out.

"Enough!" A growled command sliced through the air, coming from the razored-haired male who had been beside him.

It momentarily froze me and in an instant, I was roughly flung back onto the bed, the air rushing out of my lungs as I again hit the soft mattress. And the reality of my vulnerability set in.

Gasping for breath, I glared up at his icy face only to be met by his demonic crimson orbs, and fear instantly crept into every fiber of my being.

“You. Stay. Put.” The razored-haired man's voice dripped with authority and menace, leaving me feeling utterly helpless and exposed.

My fists clenched, frustration mounting within me.

"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?" My voice trembled with annoyance and fear, demanding answers, but my pleas were met with silence.

He turned away, seemingly ready to leave the room. But fueled by frustration and a growing sense of vengeance, I couldn't simply let him walk away. I seized a nearby vase and swung it towards him, aiming to make him feel the pain I was experiencing.

In an instant, the red-haired male intercepted my hand, stopping me from delivering my futile revenge. The vase crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces, echoing the shattered remnants of my hope.

My chest heaved as my eyes locked onto them, brimming with defiance. But before I could react, the razored-haired male lunged forward, his claws slashing through the air, leaving painful gashes on my skin. I recoiled, clutching my wounded face, as his warning resounded in my ears.

“Be warned!” his growl cut through the air like shards of ice. His eyes burned with a demonic crimson, a chilling reflection of the darkness within his core. Fear gripped me tightly, its icy tendrils constricting my every breath.

“You will stay put. Any attempt to harm me will only lead to consequences you won't be able to bear." His tone was laced with a warning.

The cruelty of his declaration reverberated in my soul, crushing the remnants of hope that clung desperately to my being.

My mind raced, desperately seeking a way out of this nightmarish situation. I inched backward, trying to create distance between us, as it was evident that my fate rested in his hands.

Just then, the door creaked open, and a male voice broke the tense silence in the room, “My King, they are here." The announcement resonated through the air.

The razored-haired man's gaze lingered on me for a moment, something enigmatic passing through his eyes, before he curtly replied to the newcomer.

“Tell them I will be with them soon.”

His voice laced with a chilling edge, and with a final glance at me he turned away and began heading for the door, and it downed on me he was the Lycan King I've heard so little about.

As he left the room, his entourage followed suit like shields. The heavy door closed behind them, separating me from them. I was alone now, trapped in this unsettling silence, contemplating my dire situation. My body trembled, pain searing beneath my skin from the Lycan's attack.

Yet, despite the fear and desperation, I know I need to leave this place to go find my brother. I refused to become a mere pawn in his dark game. I had to find a way to escape this gilded prison called a room.

With cautious steps, I approached the window overlooking the moonlit courtyard. The castle walls seemed insurmountable, but I couldn't let fear deter me. My eyes scanned the room, searching for a way out, until my gaze landed on the bed, which held enough sheets to create a makeshift rope.

And there goes a plan.

I meticulously tore and tied the sheets together, ensuring they were strong enough to bear my weight. My heart pounded in my chest, feeling like an eternity passed before the last knot was secured.

The makeshift rope hung down the side of the castle wall, swaying gently in the cool night breeze. It was my lifeline. Summoning all my courage, I climbed onto the windowsill, gripping its edge with sweaty palms.

“For Ulric," I mumbled to myself, my resolve strengthened as I gazed downward.

Just as I readied myself for the daring escape, the door to the chamber creaked open once again.

Time seemed to slow as the Lycan King reentered the room... alone, his crimson eyes locking onto mine, a cryptic and chilling gaze that sent shivers down my spine.