Capturing The Little Belle

Chapter 9

Belle's abrupt removal from the mansion's backyard was nothing short of a harrowing ordeal. She found herself thrust into a mysterious building at a distance, an ominous place brimming with a multitude of men. Their unrelenting scrutiny was like a thousand piercing daggers, and Belle, feeling vulnerable, instinctively shielded herself as if she were a rare creature exposed in a savage menagerie.

Her heart pounded with a mixture of trepidation and despair as they ushered her towards the room at the far end of the corridor, where her captivity awaited. The chamber, though pristine, felt more like a claustrophobic dungeon than a refuge, furnished with nothing more than a solitary bed and a humble wooden cupboard. It was a stark reminder of the callousness of the man who had directed her imprisonment. Despite his ostentatious mansion, his sprawling estate, and all the luxuries he could afford, this was the cruel extent of his regard for her—a young woman condemned to the company of strangers.

Seeking solace, Belle approached the small window at the room's centre. As she opened it, a breathtaking vista unfurled before her eyes, momentarily offering a glimpse of paradise. A radiant pool, the stuff of legends she'd heard in tales, lay beside her. The contrast between the beauty outside and her grim situation within was a visceral reminder of the injustice of her predicament.

But her stomach's fierce protest, a deafening growl, shook her from her momentary reverie. Hunger had become her relentless tormentor, leaving her weak and dizzy. Belle, a resilient spirit, summoned the last shreds of her bravery. She began knocking on the room's door, her voice quivering as she implored, " Is there anyone there? I'm starving, I beg you, I need food. "

The men stationed outside exchanged fearful glances, vividly recalling her ferocious resistance when they had tried to offer her sustenance back at her own home. Her reputation for fearlessness had them momentarily paralyzed, unsure of how to respond.

With desperation weighing her down, Belle ceased her pleas and crumpled onto the bed. Her thoughts spiralled into chaos. Why had she been subjected to this nightmarish ordeal? Who was this mysterious man responsible for her captivity? What cruel twist of fate had brought her here, a helpless pawn in a perilous game of unknown rules?

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In the quiet, desolate hours of the night, the clock struck 2, and Ashton found himself ensconced in the luxurious contours of a modern chair. Moonlight cascaded through the window, casting an eerie glow on his bare, glistening upper body. It was as if he were an embodiment of the devil himself, bathed in the silvery luminescence. His hand cradled a glass of wine, while his trusty serpent companion, Scar, coiled sensuously around his neck. Inside his chest, a tempest raged - a tempest of longing, desperation, and an elusive sense of tranquillity that danced at the edge of his consciousness.

He had deliberately kept his distance from her, opting to delegate the task of hiding her from his gaze to one of his loyal henchmen. This choice had left him in a state of perpetual restlessness. Sleep was an unattainable luxury, and any attempt at other distractions seemed futile. Her memory, and those striking, emerald-green eyes, persisted in dominating his thoughts with relentless intensity.

This time, though, there was an intriguing difference. This girl was destined to be the first to take up residence in his grand mansion. Ordinarily, women came and went in Ashton's life as they pleased, present only for the duration he required them. But this girl, she was unique. Her presence hinted at more than just a brief stay; she appeared destined to seize control within those opulent walls. She held the key to his heart, and despite his rough exterior, she would soon have him tamed, much like a fierce beast tamed by its tender princess.

Then, a sound broke the stillness - the doorknob clicked, and Ashton's exhalation was one of relief. Davis had arrived.

" Sir... you summoned me............, " Davis spoke in hushed tones, as if not wanting to disturb the air of intensity that surrounded Ashton.

" Yes............., " Ashton responded, his voice laden with significance. He rose from his seat, gently disentangling the snake from him and reached for a black dress shirt, carelessly draped nearby.

" It's quite a distance, sir, almost in the backyard. I can go alone if you wish........, " Davis cautiously suggested.

" I don't need your counsel, Da

vis. It's an order......., " Ashton snapped in irritation as he dressed in haste. With a heart plagued by restlessness, he advanced towards the door, aware that something was amiss. He yearned for the moment he could lay eyes on her, a longing that cut to his very core, craving the assurance that she was safe.

Ashton's movements were swift, propelled by an undeniable urgency that felt like a wild beast finally freed from its cage. In his haste, he traversed unfamiliar territory, his conscience churning with questions.

" Why, Ashton? " his inner voice taunted him. " Is this girl truly so vital that you rush forward like a lion unchained? " These torments of the mind only heightened his irritation, pushing him further into the abyss of his relentless yearning.

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" Hey, come on, just let us in, we would just scare her for fun and nothing more.......," the group of four men pleaded with the two guards standing at the door. Their eyes bore a hint of wicked anticipation, and a sly smile played on their lips.

" Don't you want to take revenge for what she did to all of you there? " one of the men whispered, his voice dripping with vindictiveness, as he tried to sway the guard who had been hurt by Belle's actions. The guard, still nursing his grudge, hesitated, considering the twisted offer that lay before him.

" We're not going to hurt her, just revenge for our men who got hurt by her..........," one of the group asserted, subtly connecting their sinister intentions to their shared grievances. The two guards exchanged uneasy glances, wavering under the pressure.

" But if the master heard about it, then we'd all be murdered in an instant.......," one of the guards voiced his concerns, his voice trembling, as he attempted to sway his partner.

" Do you think he would come here? He hasn't set foot in this place for years, and if this girl were important to him, he would not have sent her here.........., " the other guard reasoned, trying to dispel the fear looming over them. Reluctantly, the guards relented, and the sinister group exchanged malevolent glances, their resolve strengthening.

" Come on, guys, she needs punishment............, " one of the men declared, subtly gesturing towards the lock of the door. Their eyes gleamed with malicious intent as they prepared to carry out their dark plans.

The door was swiftly opened, and the six men stealthily entered the room with ill intentions in their hearts.

" Shhh... she is sleeping............, " they whispered in hushed tones, moving slowly and cautiously towards the bed where Belle lay, unsuspecting and vulnerable.

As they closed in on her, they brushed their hands against her arms and legs, their rough touches sending a shiver of fear down her spine. Belle's heart raced as her fear intensified, and she let out a terrified shriek when they lifted her into the air, their strong grips on her arms and shoulders.

The room filled with their sinister laughter as they twirled her in the air, her world spinning in a disorienting whirl. Belle's eyes widened in terror as their nails dug into her soft skin, tears streaming down her face from the pain and helplessness.

" Stop! " a thunderous voice suddenly boomed through the room, freezing them in their tracks. Their faces contorted with fear as they turned to see who had interrupted their cruel game.

In an instant, the men dropped Belle to the floor, panic coursing through their veins. Belle's head thudded against the unforgiving ground, leaving a painful red mark on her forehead.

Tears welled up in Belle's eyes as she gazed up, her heart racing with an unfamiliar intensity. With a grace born of pure emotion, she rose to her feet and moved swiftly toward the compelling source of that commanding voice. Her body trembled with fear and the electrifying magnetism drew her closer to Ashton.

Belle reached out and clung to Ashton's bare, sculpted stomach, feeling a deep connection as her fingers met the warmth of his skin. At that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them entangled in a magnetic embrace, their hearts beating in perfect unison.