Chapter 14 Before the Door Closed
Tearing herself loose, Elena spoke in a voice soft but soaked with disgust. "I know my path. I do not need your help."
Lucian’s strength overpowered hers easily. She felt herself dragged like prey, pulled out of the private den and towards the iron doors of the lift.
Her legs trembled. Her body betrayed her. The poison in her veins grew stronger with every breath. She fought to shake free, but Lucian’s claws only tightened around her.
Others in the pack house glanced toward them as they waited for the lift. Lucian wrapped himself around Elena like a protective mate. He played the role well, voice smooth as he leaned close to her ear. "You knew you couldn’t handle your drink, yet you still fought me. Be good now. Stop fighting. Let me take you to your den."
The iron doors opened.
Lucian nodded politely to the few wolves inside, masking his cruel heart. He pressed the floor button with one hand, the other trapping Elena to his side.
Then his tone turned colder, his words a dark growl against her ear. "Did you forget your promise to Alpha Drake? Or are you regretting it now?"
Elena’s vision blurred. Her wolf whimpered inside her. She forced herself to see, to focus.
Lucian had pressed the 47th floor.
Where was Marcus? He should have found her by now. Did Lucian poison him too?
If Marcus was waiting, it meant Drake’s last command was about to be fulfilled. But why did Marcus have to be the one? Why not someone else? Her mind spun as Lucian dragged her further inside the iron trap.
She felt the cold key card hidden in her pocket. A safety measure. She had booked a den on the 47th floor before coming, just in case.
Drake’s last words echoed inside her mind. Let someone take you home. This is your last duty.
Her heart sank deeper. Her wolf whimpered again.
Should she just give in and finish what Drake wanted?
Her body began to sag in Lucian’s hold. Her will crumbled.
But then a figure.
Was that Dolphus?
She blinked hard. She couldn’t tell. The iron doors were closing.
Her voice cracked, words tumbling from her lips. "You threatened me with Lyra… and Jamil… you forced me here… drugged me… and now you’re taking me to the 47th floor… Marcus… Marcus is waiting in one of those dens, isn’t he? You even placed hidden eyes to watch me…"
Lucian pressed his face into her hair, breathing deep, His voice cracked, heavy with want. "Genius of Glendale… tonight, I’ll taste you. Don’t fight it. You’ll beg for me soon."
The iron doors neared the 47th floor.
Elena’s wolf roared inside her.
She shoved Lucian with all her fading strength, forcing space between them just as the doors hissed open.
She saw her chance.
She bolted.
Her legs betrayed her.
Her body failed.
Two steps was all she managed before Lucian grabbed her again.
His voice dropped, dark and vile. "Finally awake? Too late. You’ll see yourself in heat soon enough. And I’ll have proof for all to watch…"
Elena’s stomach twisted.
She clenched the key card tight.
She remembered. She remembered her plan. Her den was on this floor. 707.
She had to reach it.
She couldn’t let him win.
Her wolf snarled, pushing her failing body forward.
Her only thought: reach that door, no matter what.
She refused to be dragged any further into this living hell.
Dismissing Lucian’s voice and the poison aflame in her blood, Elena forced clarity into her mind.
She had to escape.
She had to get to room 707. Now.
As room 707 came closer, Elena tore herself free from Lucian’s iron grip, stumbling forward, her legs weak like a deer’s. Her heart pounded. Her breathing came fast and ragged, fear draped over her skin.
Lucian’s footsteps slowed behind her. No. He walked with ease now, hands buried in his pockets. His lips curled in warning, fangs slightly exposed as a quiet growl slipped from him.
“Elena… no matter how fast you run now, you’ll soon learn what it feels like to be beneath me,” Lucian snarled, his voice heavy with threat. “I’ll have you begging like a dog. Run, little wolf, keep running.”
Her bare feet slapped against the cold floor. 702.
Almost there.
Elena’s hand, shaking, splayed against the wall as she fought to steady herself. Her trembling fingers clutched the silver key card, its surface slippery with sweat. Her wolf whimpered deep inside her, too weak to help her shift.
Lucian watched her from behind, his grin twisting wider. His eyes darkened.
“Why did you stop? “Run while you can,” he sneered, voice low and laced with mockery. “Should I come after you again?” or should I sink my claws into your skin?”
707.
She was here.
Finally, her fingers fumbled. The key card touched the scanner. A beep echoed through the air like salvation.
Lucian’s expression cracked, the smirk erased.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
His prey was sliding from between his claws.
“Wait!” he barked, lunging forward now, faster, his claws ready to snatch her back. His boots hammered the floor. But it was too late.
The door shut.
Locked.
Lucian slammed into the sealed door, snarling.
Inside, Elena’s body gave out. Her legs gave out, knees hitting the floor as her back slid down the door. She crumpled beside it like a discarded doll, her vision blurring. Her heartbeat roared. Breathless and burning, her body trembled violently.
“Elena!” Lucian roared from the other side. His claws scraped against the door. He pounded with his fists. “Open this door!”
Silence.
Elena’s breathing grew shallow.
“Open the damn door! If you don’t, I’ll find that little mute and rip her throat out! Do you hear me?” Lucian’s voice cracked. His wolf’s rage seeped into every word.
Inside, Elena flinched but said nothing.
Lucian banged harder, his growls feral. “You’ve got five minutes, Elena! Five! If you don’t open this door, I’ll make you regret it! I’ll break you until you crawl at my feet like a stray begging for scraps!”
Bang!
A sudden noise outside.
Lucian’s threats are cut off.
A brutal kick had sent him flying across the hallway.
“Damn it...!” Lucian spat, landing hard. Pain shot through his body. He looked up fast, but his rage died in his throat.
Dolphus stood there.
The Alpha’s aura choked the air, thick and deadly.
Dolphus’s golden eyes glowed like the full moon. His sharp jaw clenched. His lips pulled back slightly, showing his fangs.
Lucian’s heart thudded. His wolf whimpered inside him.
Behind Dolphus, two towering bodyguards flanked him, silent and still like shadows. His assistant stood just behind them, eyes cold.
Dolphus glared down at Lucian like he was filth clinging to his boots.
He raised his hand, holding his cell to his ear, speaking calmly into it.
Then, without looking at Lucian, Dolphus strode to the door.
His knuckles rapped hard, urgent.
“Elena. Open the door. It’s me.”
His deep, commanding voice slashed through the door
Inside, Elena moved, just barely.
Her vision blurred. She couldn’t think clearly. Her wolf barely responded. But that voice… she recognized that voice.
Her trembling hand struggled to drag the phone from her pocket.
Her fingers trembled.
She pressed the screen.
“Help…” her voice cracked, weak as a dying cub. “Help me… I’m in room 707… Residence Hotel… I’ve been… drugged…”