My breath stopped for a few seconds.
I couldn't breathe.
The man before me,
those red eyes.
Tall.
Handsome.
Truly breathtaking.
And for a moment…
something pulled me toward him.
A feeling I couldn't resist.
His steps were slow, controlled,powerful.
The kind that said:
I'm dangerous… but I don't need to prove it.
"Let… her… go," he said.
I was released immediately.
"Mr. Lucien"
My eyes widened.
Lucien… the beast?
"She's not someone that needs your concern," my boss said quickly.
"She's nobody."
Lucien's gaze darkened.
"You don't get to decide that."
"But I've already paid for her," the man argued. "She's mine tonight. She's Just a wh…"
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the room.
"Say that again," Lucien said coldly.
The man stuttered, trembling. "M-my money…"
Lucien didn't even look at him.
He raised his hand, and one of his men stepped forward with a suitcase filled with cash.
"Take it," Lucien said. "And get lost."
His eyes never left mine.
Like I was the only person in the room.
My breath caught.
Something about him felt…
wrong.
Dangerous.
I should have looked away.
I should have left.
But I didn't.
I couldn't move.
He stepped closer.
My heart started racing.
Every instinct in me screamed to run.
"Thank you… sir," I stammered.
"I'll pay you back."
I grabbed my bag and turned toward the exit.
Fast.
Almost running.
But before I reached the door,
a hand grabbed my wrist.
Cold.
Firm.
Unyielding.
I froze.
Slowly…
I turned back.
And there he was.
Closer now.
Too close.
"Where do you think you're going?" he whispered.
"P-please… don't kill me. I'll pay you back," I said, rubbing my hands together nervously.
A small smile touched his lips.
"Who said I want to kill you?"
He paused.
"Even if I did… not now."
My body went numb.
Then he added calmly,
"Relax. I don't kill women."
I let out a shaky breath.
"Oh… okay. So I can go now"
I tried to pull away.
His grip tightened slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
But enough to remind me that I wasn't in control.
He leaned closer.
Close enough for me to feel his breath.
His fingers lifted my chin.
I looked up
but couldn't hold his gaze.
"From now on…" he whispered,
"You belong to me."
Everyone she's now mine whosever that touch her …..he left a threatening warning
My heart stopped.
"I don't belong to anyone," I said, trying to sound brave.
He smiled.
Amused.
"You think this is a choice?"
His fingers brushed my chin again.
"It was never a question."
"And you don't get a say in it."
In that moment
I realized something terrifying.
I wasn't just noticed.
I wasn't just saved.
I was marked.
Claimed.
Chosen…
by a beast.
Everything went black. Yes ( I passed out)
The Next Morning
The scent around me felt different.
The bed was soft… too soft.
Comfortable.
And the aroma of food filled the air.
Hmm… this must be a dream.
And I don't want to wake up.
"Good morning, miss."
A maid walked in.
I sat up immediately, looking around.
Everything felt strange.
Unfamiliar.
"Where am I?" I screamed.
"You're in the villa, ma'am."
"Which villa? How? When? Why? Have I been kidnapped?"help! help!! help!!!
I rushed toward her, panic rising in my chest.
"Please, help me. I didn't do anything. I won't tell anyone,just show me the way out, and I'll be grateful for the rest of my life!"
She shook her head quickly.
"Sorry, ma'am… this is Mr. Lucien's villa. I wouldn't dare show you the way out. I don't want to lose my life."
I froze.
"Oh, Elana…" I muttered, tapping my forehead as I fell back onto the bed.
Then I sat up again.
"Wait… what? I'm in Lucien's house?"
"Yes, ma'am. It seems you don't remember what happened yesterday. You passed out, and Mr. Lucien carried you himself… something he has never done for any woman before."
My eyes widened.
"He personally made sure you were taken care of."
Before I could respond, the maid clapped her hands.
A group of people entered, carrying dresses, shoes, jewelry… and food.
"He said you should get dressed, eat, and come to his study."
So this wasn't a dream.
I was really in the beast's territory.
"Oh, poor Elana…" I said dramatically, pretending to cry.
"So I'll never see my parents again? I'm stuck with a beast?"
"Who is the beast?"
That voice.
My heart dropped.
"Mr. Lucien—" I stammered. "You must have heard me wrong…"
He ignored that.
"Good morning. Freshen up. You'll have breakfast with me."
The maids exchanged shocked glances.
Did he just say breakfast… with her?
He glared at them.
"Leave."
They disappeared instantly.
He stepped closer.
I quickly grabbed the blanket, covering myself.
"Please… don't touch me."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"I won't touch you," he said calmly.
Then added,
"Not yet."
"Now go. Unless you want me to bathe you myself."
"No! I'll go," I said quickly, rushing out of bed.
"I'll give you five minutes," he added before leaving.
In the Bathroom
When I entered, I froze.
"This place is… beautiful."
It was huge.
Luxurious.
Perfectly designed.
The bathtub alone looked like something out of a dream.
I got carried away, exploring everything.
For a moment…
I forgot I was under the same roof with the most dangerous man alive.
After bathing, I brushed my teeth and stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself.
My eyes fell on the clothes he sent.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Expensive.
I gasped when I saw the price.
"This is too much…"
What if I ruin it? I can't afford this…
I couldn't walk around in a towel.
I picked my former dress and got ready
Still, I felt uneasy.
Downstairs
I walked downstairs slowly.
From above, I saw his back.
His posture.
His presence.
He looked… perfect.
Like a prince.
I got lost in my thoughts
"I gave you five minutes."
His voice snapped me back.
"You kept me waiting for thirty.min"
Cold.
Sharp.
"I… I…" I stammered, unable to speak.
He cut me off.
"Do you know what happens when you disobey me?"
He turned.
Our eyes met.
It felt like he was looking straight into my soul.
In seconds, he was in front of me.
He grabbed my wrists and pinned me against the wall.
My breath hitched.
His grip was firm.
Controlled.
His other hand moved slightly, then stopped.
His fingers lifted my chin.
"I gave you something to wear," he said coldly.
"Why didn't you wear it?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"You've disobeyed me twice. You came down late… and ignored my instructions."
I tried to speak..
But he lifted me effortlessly and carried me to the dining area.
He dropped me down and swept the table aside with one hand.
The crash of glass made me flinch.
"This," he said quietly,
"is your punishment."
He bend me over on the dining table and spanked me multiple time
My heart pounded.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
After a moment, he stepped back.
"Next time," he said,
"don't test me."
He straightened, his gaze locking onto mine again.
"You won't like the outcome."
I swallowed hard.
"And why should I obey you?" I asked, my voice shaky but defiant.
He stepped closer again.
Too close.
"Because," he said calmly,
"I chose you."
His voice dropped.
"And what I choose… is mine."
Anger flared inside me.
Before I could stop myself..
I slapped him.
The sound echoed.
Silence.
"You slapped me?" he asked quietly.
That tone..
terrifying.
"I… I'm sorry," I stammered.
In a second, he grabbed my wrist and turned me against the wall.
"I should break these fingers," he said coldly.
"…but I won't."
His voice dropped lower.
I thought I have escaped
"I'll make sure you understand who's in control."
He stepped back, breathing slowly.
"You're not leaving this house," he said.
"Not until I say so."
He turned and walked away.
I struggled against my fear.
"Please… untie me"..