Chapter 43:Betrayal

ELAINE

I woke up with a start, cold water drenching me. I sat up, shaking my wet hair out of my face and coughing.

“Finally. How long were you planning to keep me waiting?” Sorin’s voice echoed in my throbbing head.

I winced, clutching my aching head that felt like it was about to split open.

“You drugged me again!” I accused, but he just laughed.

“Indeed, we had to. You wouldn’t stop fighting my men, which I must say, I admire, Elaine.”

I glared at him, his smirk revealing long, sharp canines that matched his claws.

“Where am I?” I asked, taking in the open garden around me.

I looked down to see a small wooden platform beneath me, my body chained to it.

“Welcome to my home,” Sorin said, spreading his arms wide.

I frowned.

“Home?”

“Yes, this is my second home. You must have figured it out by now, but yes, I’m one of the leaders of the hunters.” Sorin’s smile was wicked, and it made me want to punch him right in the face.

“Sure,” I scoffed, not buying a word of it.

Sorin’s smile vanished. He closed the distance between us, grabbed my arm, and forced me to stand.

I winced, feeling too weak to resist him.

“What’s the matter, ~mate~? Not fond of your new home?” Sorin sneered.

With a scowl, I raised my arm and slapped him across the face.

That didn’t make him let go of me. Instead, he punched me, doubling me over as I gasped for air.

My head spun as I clutched my aching chest.

“Whether you like it or not, you belong here. And without a lycan, there’s nothing you can do.”

I dropped to my knees as he stepped back.

“I thought you loved me,” he said, grinning.

I spat at his feet.

“Worst decision ever,” I muttered.

“~Tsk~, but isn’t that what you asked the Goddess for? Because as far as I know, you ruined the lives of every pack member, all because of your selfish wishes,” Sorin scowled.

“So don’t paint me as the villain, because you’re worse than me.”

I scoffed and stood up, my steps shaky, and dusted off my clothes.

“Yes, I might be a human now. Yes, I might have ruined all your lives, including ~yours~. And I might have asked for stupid things.

“But the only thing I regret in this whole mess was asking for ~you~ to be my mate,” I chuckled.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Sorin. I care more about the throne. You were just a pawn in my plans.”

Sorin’s expression changed as he lunged at me. I backed away, dodging his claws, but tripped over my chains.

I glanced down at my legs, then jumped out of his way.

“I don’t care about your damn dreams. But I can tell you we share one thing in common among those desires.” Sorin bared his teeth and lunged at me again.

I crouched and pulled on the chain tied to my ankle. As Sorin snarled, I found an opening and wrapped the chain around his arm, pulling hard.

My arms were still weak from the drugs in my system. I needed my powers to fight an alpha.

And with the drug coursing through my veins, it was impossible to gather all my strength as a human.

Sorin snarled and yanked on the chains, pulling me towards him.

I groaned, then closed the distance between us and kicked him right in the face. He whimpered.

I quickly wrapped the chain around his arm again, stood up, and ran behind him.

Sorin lost his balance.

Without wasting any time, I kicked him in the face again, but his claws dug into my leg, making me scream.

I fell to my knees, and looked up just in time to see his fist coming towards my face, sending me flying across the platform.

I coughed, blood dripping from my mouth onto the wooden floor.

Pushing myself up with my arms, I felt it, right on my hip, the phone.

A sudden idea popped into my head, making me think twice before attacking him again.

I turned onto all fours and looked around. I needed to find where the chains were anchored.

I smiled and started to crawl, but a sudden tug sent me face-first onto the floor.

My vision blurred as I was dragged across the platform.

“Elaine, Elaine, you might not like it, but you should be grateful I picked you up,” Sorin said, flipping me over and pressing his hand to my throat.

I gasped, struggling beneath him.

“Can’t you see? I love you too. ~I’m madly in love with you~,” Sorin said, and he kissed my cheek.

I dug my nails into his arms.

“Yet, it seems your greed blinds you to the allies you have right in front of you. If you want the throne, let’s get it together, you and me.”

“I don’t fucking need you,” I snapped. “I can get that throne by myself without a man by my side.”

Sorin’s eyes widened. Then, he burst into laughter.

“You what?” he laughed. “Oh, how fucking naive are you?”

His face twisted into a sneer.

“If you could have done that, you wouldn’t have performed that ritual, nor begged the Goddess for help.

“You’re just weak, Elaine. Admit it. Without her, and your selfish desires, you could never even avenge your mother’s death!”

My hands fell to my sides as I stared at Sorin. How did he know about that?

He released his grip on me and straddled me.

“Surprised?” he asked. His hand moved to my cheek. “I know everything about you, Elaine. Don’t you understand? I’ve been watching you all my life, since the moment you first looked at me.”

He stood up, licking the blood from his lips.

“You just didn’t see it. I’ve been watching you all along. From the day you visited the temple with your clueless cousin to that moment in the tower.”

“You…”

“Yes,” Sorin confirmed, his eyes a deep, dark black. He leaned in, gripping my chin.

“I saw how you severed ties with everyone, how you humbled yourself, how you cried and pleaded with our heartless mother for wishes you thought you could make come true.

“I was there, Elaine, every step of the way, lurking in the shadows. I saw how she punished you, how you lost the things most dear to you, how you lost my brother’s love!”

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to scratch at him in anger, but Sorin only laughed, holding me firmly in place.

“You can’t touch me. No one can, and no one will find you here,” he hissed.

I screamed in fury, but he only laughed in my face.

***

“Dinner,” a man announced, placing two steaming plates of food on the table.

I stared at it. Eating was the last thing on my mind.

The sound of a fork clinking against a plate drew my attention to Sorin, who sat across from me, silently consuming his meal.

After our brief conversation outside, he had his man drag me into the house and into a bedroom.

I expected to be locked in, but I was free, free from chains and free to roam. The only issue was that the place was heavily guarded.

Every corner was watched by the hunters or their cameras.

“Stop,” Sorin commanded, a fork halfway to his mouth.

“Stop what?” I raised an eyebrow. His words still had me reeling and angry.

“Stop whatever you’re thinking.” He continued eating, ignoring my gaze.

“How do I know it’s not drugged?” I asked, trying to understand him.

“It’s not. There’s no need.” He shrugged. “Not when you have no chance of escaping.”

Picking up my fork, I pushed the food around on my plate.

“Why did you send me away from the pack?” I asked, needing to understand more.

“It’s the best move right now,” he replied. I frowned.

“Maddox, he told me you sold me.” I furrowed my brow in confusion. “To who?”

Sorin blinked, then sipped his wine, grinning at me.

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was, how much he still affected me. And I hated that. It made me feel conflicted about my feelings for Connor.

“You are mine,” Sorin declared. “No one else’s. Once things settle down, we will attack the pack and take control.”

“What?” I exclaimed, taken aback. Sorin leaned back in his chair, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Everything I’m doing. You being kidnapped by hunters, turning human, being brought to me. It’s all so we can end up together, ruling the pack, Elaine. You and I will be king and queen.”

“You’re insane!” I retorted, standing up. “You’ll never achieve that!”

“Yes, I will.” Sorin smiled wickedly, holding his wine glass. “Remember those dead hunters?”

I stumbled, my breath hitching in my throat.

“It…it was you?” I whispered.

“Yes.” Sorin leaned on the table and wiggled his eyebrows. “I killed them and dumped their bodies near wolf territory so the hunters would find them.”

“But you’re a lycan. You’re part of our pack,” I said, confused. “How…”

“How what, Elaine? How am I part of the hunters?” he laughed. “I thought Maddox told you. Too bad you killed him.”

My jaw tightened.

Sorin stood from his chair as I gripped the fork in my hand.

I wanted to stab him so badly.

“~Tsk, tsk~. Don’t worry, my love,” Sorin said, circling me, his eyes on my hand that held the fork. “All your questions will be answered, but before we can continue…”

A snap echoed in the dining room as the door opened and a familiar face I didn’t expect to see so soon appeared.

“Welcome,” Sorin greeted.

“Sorin,” Fabian returned, then his eyes darted to me. “Bitch.”

“No,” Sorin raised a finger. “Not right now, Fabian. You’ll have plenty of time later when you’re alone.”

Sorin leaned in behind me, brushing my hair away from my shoulder, then kissed it tenderly.

My stomach churned as he smiled against my skin.

“My love, meet Fabian, your new trainer.” He smiled and kissed me again.

“We’ve met!” I snapped. Sorin chuckled and grabbed my shoulders.

“I know you disfigured that face. Don’t you remember?” Sorin said and yanked my hair, pulling my head back so I could see him.

I winced, the pain searing my scalp.

“You might have killed Maddox, but Fabian, he’s different,” Sorin said, licking my cheek. “He will make you obey me.”

“I don’t obey anyone!” I hissed, my jaw clenched. “You don’t own me, Sorin!”

Sorin shook his head, then he suddenly slammed me against the table.

Plates and food scattered all over the table and floor.

I cursed under my breath.

“You will belong to me, Elaine. I will make sure of it. Believe me. I will!” he hissed in my ear. “And we’ll start by teaching you what happens when you break the rules.”

Confused, I watched him as his hand reached under my dress.

Remembering what I had hidden there, I raised the fork, stabbing Sorin in his arm.

A scream escaped his lips as I reached for the vase on the table, attempting to smash it over his face.

Big mistake.

Sorin snarled, then, using the same fork, stabbed me back with it.

I cried out as the pain radiated through my thigh.

“No, Elaine, this is not how things work,” Sorin snarled and stabbed me once again in my thigh.

Sorin’s third stab sent another wave of pain through me, but I refused to let it break me. I grabbed a shard of broken wine glass and smashed it into his face.

His howl of pain was my cue to escape his grasp. I limped away, grabbing a vase and a knife as I went.

“Don’t even think about it,” Fabian warned, still standing by the door.

I shot him a furious look, scanning the room for an exit. There were no windows, just two doors leading somewhere outside. I muttered a curse under my breath.

Fabian made a move towards me, but I brandished my knife. “Come any closer, asshole, and I’ll gouge your eye out,” I threatened. “I’ll make your face match.”

Fabian froze, his gaze steady on me. “Go ahead. Try me.”

“Chivalry isn’t going to save you, Elaine,” Sorin finally spoke up.

His face was smeared with blood, but his wounds were already healing. I silently pleaded for Ashina to show up, even if just for a moment.

Sorin was about to make a move when an alarm blared throughout the house. “Find out what’s going on,” he ordered Fabian, who nodded and left the room, closing the doors behind him.

Now it was just Sorin and me.

“Drop the knife, Elaine,” Sorin commanded.

“Make me,” I retorted, even though I knew it was a foolish thing to say. He was a lycan. I was just a human.

“Elaine, don’t push me. You won’t like how this ends,” Sorin warned, his eyes shifting colors.

“Then I’d rather go down fighting than let you force me into something I don’t want,” I shot back, smirking.

“Really?” he returned the smirk. “Because last time I checked, you got hurt trying to play the hero.”

My eyes widened in realization.

“You remember, don’t you? That bullet was meant for my brother, but you jumped in the way. You stopped my men from killing him when I needed him dead!”

“You wanted your own brother dead?” I gasped, disbelief choking me.

Sorin’s smile widened, and he seized the opportunity to move. I cursed under my breath as he shifted into his lycan form.

I hurled the vase at him, then rolled to the side and plunged the knife into his flank without a second glance.

Sorin howled in pain, and I took the opportunity to sprint for the door. But as I reached for the handle, a hand struck my face, sending me sprawling.

I groaned as pain radiated from my nose, and I could feel warm blood trickling down. I felt a hand close around my ankle, and I kicked out with my free leg.

A groan echoed through the room, and without waiting to see if my kick had landed, I scrambled to my feet and bolted for the door.

I sprinted down the hallway, the sound of heavy footsteps echoing behind me. I scanned my surroundings, realizing that my only chance of escape was to get back to my room and use the emergency exit in the bathroom that led to the garden.

But could I make it?

I kept running, heading for the stairs and up to the room I’d been staying in. A low growl echoed through the house, and Sorin’s footsteps grew louder.

I grabbed anything I could find to block his path, hurling them behind me with all my strength.

I shot a defiant glance at the security cameras, flipped them off, and dashed into my room.

I shoved the heaviest piece of furniture I could find in front of the door, then grabbed the phone and locked myself in the bathroom.

My hands shook as I dialed Connor’s number, and a loud bang made me jump.

“Elaine, come out,” Sorin called from the other side of the door.

My eyes darted to the closed window. I pressed the phone to my ear and climbed up to reach it.

“Pick up, damn it!” I muttered under my breath.

The phone just kept ringing. Connor wasn’t answering.

“Elaine!” Sorin roared.

I cursed under my breath. I needed to get out of here, now.

I glanced down at the stairs and saw the guards running around. There was no way I could escape a place as heavily guarded as this without a lycan or weapons.

I looked up at the rooftop. I could try to make them think I’d gone down, but I’d still be trapped on the roof.

I pocketed the phone and started to climb. It was a risk, but it was all I had left.

The sound of banging from inside the bathroom spurred me on, and I hurried up the stairs before Sorin could see me.

Just as I reached the top, the phone vibrated against my hip. I fumbled for it under my dress, but something sharp tore into my skin.

I cried out in pain, looking down to see Sorin baring his teeth at me. “You can’t escape, Elaine,” he snarled, pulling me down.

I felt my skin tear further, and I screamed. Connor’s voice came through the phone.

“Connor!” I yelled into the line. His voice was filled with worry. “You need to find me!”

It felt pathetic to beg for help, especially when it seemed like everyone and everything had abandoned me.

“Please!” I pleaded, letting out another scream.

“Get down here, bitch!” Sorin ordered. On the other end of the line, I could hear Connor frantically asking what was happening.

I bit my lip and held onto the metal stairs for dear life. Sorin muttered something under his breath and let go.

In a desperate bid for freedom, I pulled myself up onto the roof.

I was panting heavily, and the pain in my ankle was spreading up my leg.

“Elaine!” Connor’s voice came through the phone.

“I’m here,” I managed to say through my tears. “I’m here.”

“Listen, Elaine. We’re coming for you!” Connor promised. But I shook my head.

I couldn’t rely on Connor. I couldn’t.

I’d always been the one to fight my own battles. I’d always been the one to go after what I wanted.

And no matter what obstacles were in my way, I would always find a way through.

I smiled weakly and forced myself to stand. Blood was pooling around my feet.

I held the phone to my ear and took a deep breath. “You better get here before I rip your brother’s head off,” I chuckled. “Because I swear…” I said, my breath hitching.

“Connor, if your brother lays one more hand on me, I promise you, he won’t be walking away unscathed. So, either you come and get me, or you won’t recognize your brother when you see him next.”

With that, I ended the call and faced the door that was being pounded on.

I tucked the phone back under my dress and took a quick survey of my surroundings.

There were several old, rusty metal poles stacked in the corners, along with a pile of boxes and other miscellaneous items.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I hobbled over to the corner and picked up a few items that could serve as makeshift weapons.

I tore a strip from my dress and used it to bind my wound, then I tried to tame my wild hair.

Once I was satisfied, I moved back just as the door flew open and I was surrounded by a group of hunters.

I held up the broken pole I’d chosen, my mind filled with resolve. Excitement coursed through my veins, fueling me with adrenaline.

I pointed the pole at the leader of the group, Fabian, and smirked.

“Hope you’re prepared to meet your maker today, Fabian.”

“Maybe it’s you who should be preparing,” he sneered, but I just laughed.

“You’re forgetting something crucial, dear Fabian,” I said, my gaze locked on his scowling face. “I’m the top fighter in my pack, and I. Don’t. Lose.”