Crowned And Cursed.

Home Sweet Home ??

Belladonna 's POV

Lucian’s grip on my wrist tightened as I tried to pull away. My heart was racing, and I felt panic rising inside me.

Despite all that, I had a strong urge to rush to Nathan, I really needed to get to Nathan..... I needed to see him, but Lucian wasn’t having any of it. He tugged me toward his car with a low growl, his voice dark and possessive.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he hissed. “You’re mine. You mustn't be with any other man apart from me.” He dragged me like I was some freaking Damsel in distress.

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I couldn’t give in to the fear creeping into my bones. Nathan....he was back there, hurting. He needed me. How could Lucian not see that? How could he act like he owned me?

“I need to go back,” I insisted, my voice shaky but determined. “Nathan… I left something important with him. Please, Lucian. I need to go back.”

His dark eyes flicked to me, narrowing slightly. “There’s nothing with him that you need anymore,” he said coldly, opening the passenger door of his car—a sleek black Lamborghini Aventador, the kind of car you’d only see in movies.

“Get in.”

“I don’t—” I started, but he cut me off, his hand pushing me toward the car.

“Now.” His voice left no room for argument, and before I knew it, I was in the passenger seat, the door slamming shut behind me.

Stay calm,” I told myself, but the calm was slipping.

The car roared to life as Lucian slid in beside me, his jaw clenched in frustration. The tension between felt a bit suffocating, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Nathan. My mind was racing. Nathan had looked so broken when Lucian claimed me. What was that about? It wasn’t just jealousy I’d seen in his eyes—it was deeper. Real, raw pain. Why?And why did Lucian’s claim feel so wrong?

The car sped through the dark streets, and I pressed my fingers against the cool glass of the window, watching the city blur past us. My thoughts were all over the place. Was Lucian really my mate? Or was this some elaborate trap? My father could be involved—he’d do anything to get me back under his control. But what if Lucian wasn’t lying? What if he truly was my mate?

I stole a glance at him. His sharp jaw, the darkness in his eyes, the undeniable power radiating off him. He was intense, no question about it, but could I trust him? Could I even want this? I didn’t feel the bond the way other wolves talked about it. There was no pull, no overwhelming connection or electric shock, nothing.....It was all…forced.

I rubbed my wrist, still aching from his grip. This can’t be right. This can’t be how it’s supposed to feel.

The drive felt endless, like time itself had slowed down just to prolong my confusion. When we finally pulled into the driveway of a massive estate, my mouth went dry. Lucian’s mansion was like something out of a dream or a nightmare. The long, winding driveway was lined with immaculate hedges and fountains, but it was the statue at the entrance that took my breath away. A towering figure of Lucian himself stood guard at the entrance, his eyes cold and calculating even in stone. It was intimidating, just like him.

Everything screamed f*****g rich Alpha.

My heart pounded as we drove closer. The mansion loomed ahead, all glass, marble, and stone. It was massive, almost unreal. Lucian parked the car, and before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt, he was at my door, opening it with the same cold command he’d shown me all night.

“Out,” he ordered.

I hesitated for a moment, taking in the sheer size of the place. How could someone live like this? It was overwhelming. As I climbed out of the car, I stumbled a little, too caught up in staring at the mansion. I bumped into Lucian’s chest, and he steadied me, his grip firm but not as harsh as before.

“This way,” he said, guiding me toward the front entrance. His hand remained on my arm, and I couldn’t tell if it was to steady me or remind me who was in charge.

As we approached the massive double doors, he stopped abruptly and turned to face me. His expression was stern, his eyes dark with control.

“Do you remember the rules?” he said, his voice cold and unyielding.

“Rules?” I echoed, my stomach twisting. I didn’t like where this was going.

“Yes. Rules. You’ll follow them, no exceptions.” His hand tightened around my wrist again, sending a shiver down my spine. “First, you will address me as ‘Sir’ at all times. No excuses. Second, you will not speak unless I ask you a question. You will remain silent unless you are told otherwise.”

My throat tightened. Was he serious?

“Third,” he continued, his voice dropping lower, “you do not leave this house without my permission. Ever. You belong to me now, and I will decide where you go and what you do.”

I swallowed hard, trying to hide the panic rising inside me. “Lucian, I—”

He cut me off. “Fourth, you follow my orders immediately, no hesitation. I won’t tolerate disobedience.” He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “And most importantly, you will never, under any circumstances, talk to or see Nathan again. You’re mine, and that means no one else gets to touch you. Got it?”

I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of his words. I wanted to scream, to fight back, but I knew it wouldn’t matter. Lucian was stronger, more powerful. And worse, he believed every word he said what a mad man.

“Yes,” I whispered, hating how weak my voice sounded.

“Yes what?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

I bit back the urge to curse at him. “Yes, Lucian… Sir.”

A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips, and he released my wrist. “Good girl.”he said, his tone smug.

“Welcome back.”

Was I twicking or did he just say welcome back?

He reached for my hand again, this time with a gentler touch, and led me toward the grand entrance. My mind was spinning with everything that had just happened. Was this really my life now? Was this what being a mate was supposed to feel like? The stories I’d heard growing up never mentioned anything like this.

As we entered the mansion, I felt my heart sink. Lucian was showing me his world, his rules, and it was clear there was no escape. Not now. Maybe not ever.

And all I could think about was how wrong this felt. How much I wanted to run back to Nathan.

Nathan.....the cause of all this, I shouldn't even be thinking about him or running to him in the first place.

He was the cause of everything, if only he had let me run away we wouldn't have been in such a situation. I too was the cause....well partially, for getting too comfortable.

But, absolutely nothing could have prepared me for what I saw hanging on the wall.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared, my body going cold. There, in a massive golden frame, was a portrait.

A portrait of me?