Sixty–Three
Isabella’s POV
I sat up in bed with a start as I began to hear noises all around the house. My dress had finally been returned to me so I got up and peered through the window but I saw nothing.
For the first time in the weeks that I’ve been in this wretched place, I was clean. After my failed escape attempt and my hysteric tantrum, I had demanded it of Antonio when he came to my room that night and I think I was even more surprised by him obliging than the fact that I was still alive.
I had a long hot bath that night while my dress was sent away to be washed leaving me with only the duvet to cover my nakedness for a whole day.
I padded the ground with my bare feet and consistent limp as I moved closer to the door, deciding that I would be able to hear better that way. That was when I felt it.
It was stronger than I had felt in what felt like ages and I was so overwhelmed, I almost burst into tears. It was the mate bond. My mate was here! Alexander, he’s here!
I had barely reveled in the idea that Alexander was here and I was going to see him again and eventually, the rest of my pack when the door was suddenly slammed open.
I was still in front of it and not expecting that interruption, I was struck by the door and probably gained a huge bruise on my face as I was slammed into the wall behind me, my back
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hitting it with a huge thud before I crumbled on the ground. I knew it was someone who wasn’t on my side even before one of Antonio’s men came into view, sporting a grin that I would probably see in recurring nightmares for a long long time.
He had a huge ugly scar running along one side of his face, from just above his right eyebrow, through the eye, and stopping somewhere in the middle of his cheek all in one straight line.
My entire body hurt and more so when he carried me and threw me on his shoulder. They’d done something to me and I didn’t know what but all I knew was that my ankle injury had still not healed which was far from normal. I didn’t even want to think of the new bruises on my face and back.
Immediately we stepped out of the room to the empty corridor and I heard the noises coming from downstairs louder than ever, I realized what was going on.
Alexander had come to save me and they were taking me somewhere different. Somewhere where it would be harder for him to get me probably.
I started pounding on the back of the evil rogue carrying me, “Hey! Let me go! Let me go, right now!” I screamed at the top of my voice even though I knew that he wasn’t.
At least someone could hear me from downstairs and come find me. I doubt Alexander would’ve come alone…well at least thope he didn’t.
I put up a bigger fight than I did when Antonio had me in this position. There had been no hope the last time but this time if
I even dart my tongue out, I could taste my freedom.
2/6
Sixty–Three
I could taste danger as well. My wolf said but I willed myself to ignore her. I couldn’t be discouraged right now. I couldn’t afford to be. So I fought against the muscled rogue with all my strength, yelling at the top of my voice as I wriggled and twisted in his hold, pounding his back and kicking him with my uninjured foot.
He was as strong as I perceived him to be though because apart from a few very deadly warnings and the few times we flinched, I wasn’t successful in anything other than getting my voice to every corner of the house.
It was only after he entered a room that he dropped me down and after a small bow I later realized was not for me, he left
the room.
Turning around, I rolled my eyes when I saw Antonio reclining on a large bed just two feet from where I stood.
Despite knowing that Alexander was in this building somewhere, never again would I mistake this monster for my mate. I took in the room which seemed to be his bedroom, unlike the scary dungeon I expected to be thrown into.
The bed was bigger than the one in the room that I had been for all these weeks and the room was bigger as well. Anything that wasn’t black was a dark gray. I lifted my glare to him.
His aesthetic was as dark as his soul. He was grinning like a circus clown, a grin that I wanted nothing more but to punch off of his face.
“I’m too excited today to be fazed by that look, sweetheart. I‘ ve been waiting for this day for so long, I’m just not ready to let you go.”
3/6
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He was so smug and relaxed even while under attack that I almost lost the confidence I had spent so much time building.
Almost.
“Come, sit.” He said, gesturing to the chair just beside his bed. I just glanced at it and rolled my eyes. What was he trying to do?
At my silent reply, a look crossed Antonio’s face, one that had me narrowing my eyes. I was still trying to decipher it when his arm suddenly darted out and the next thing I knew I was pressed flush against him, practically in his lap.
I recoiled immediately, but his grip on me was strong. Too strong. He was looking at me with a look that had me throwing up inside my mouth.
Antonio smirked, no doubt at my reactions. His grip tightened around my waist just before his thumb brushed against my lips, the rough pad of his finger feeling like everything I wished I would never have to feel again. Ever.
“You’re so beautiful, Bella. Now I see why Alexander came after you even after the fight you insinuated you both had when you woke up here. Now I see why he wants you even when he could’ve chosen anyone else.” His thumb dipped slightly past my lips and into my mouth and tears prickled in
my eyes.
My skin crawled and I fought to be far from him but I couldn’t move. His grip was just too strong and I felt helpless, used, and abused.
My heart was already running a marathon in my chest when the door flung open to reveal Blake whose already angry eyes turned bloodshot when his eyes landed on Antonio…and me.
I felt disgusted. The tears flowed quicker now as strangled sobs escaped my lips. Antonio’s grip on me loosened as Blake pounced on him.
“You fucker!” Were the only words I heard leave his lips as he threw a mighty punch at Antonio’s face while I slunk away to a corner of the room. They fought like rabid dogs while I just hugged myself, rocking myself on that spot as sobs wracked through me.
It didn’t take long for their faces to get bruised and bloodied, Antonio thankfully more so than Blake. Just then, Blake turned to me with a vice grip on Antonio’s collar.
“Run, Bella. Now!” He said, his voice assertive but with more tears dripping from my face, I just shook my head. I didn’t recognize myself.
The scared little girl, sobbing against the wall, flinching so far into it like she wanted it to suck her in. I didn’t recognize her.
“Come on Bella!” He yelled as Antonio threw a hard punch to his face and yet he didn’t loosen his grip as he talked to me. “Turn right in the hallway. Alexander is there. You need to go now. GO!”
I didn’t want to leave him here with this monster. I felt so disgusted to even be in his presence after the position he saw Antonio with me and he wanted me to go to Alexander.
I knew he was right though, I needed to get my ass up and so I did. I got up on wobbly limbs and with one last teary look towards Blake, I ran out of the room, as fast as my limp would let me while Antonio growled loudly behind me.
I went right just as Blake directed and just as Blake said, he
5/6
was there and the sight of him nearly gave me a whiplash. His scent was everywhere and the bond was stronger than ever.
His face was not bloodied like Antonio’s or even Blake and he was.knocking out all of Antonio’s men that stood in his way.
There was just one man between us now and as he landed a punch to his jaw, he looked up and his dark eyes met mine teary ones. I hugged myself as silent tears rolled down my cheeks, my bruise stinging from the salty wetness.
