Chapter 104: Chapter 104 – Hope

Lilly’s POV

“Hello? Lex? Are you in here? I got your message, the omega said—” My voice wavered as I stepped further into the room, the door whispering shut behind me.

My gaze moved over the room. The space was elegant and immaculate—clearly meant for someone important.

Every detail screamed Alpha, but something felt wrong. There was a sweet smell wafting in the quiet air that didn't seem to belong. It smelled familiar, but I just couldn't place it.

Why had Lex called me here?

"The omega did say to meet him in this room," Asena chirped, confirming that I had heard the omega right.

"Do you think she gave me the wrong information?" I asked, my gaze searching for any indication that I was in the right place.

"I don't know," Asena said. "She seemed pretty sure of the information. She even repeated it."

The sound of running water slipped from beneath the closed bathroom door—there was definitely someone here.

"Someone's in the shower," Asena said.

"Do you think it's Lex?" I asked.

“I can’t pick up his scent,” Asena murmured, her voice sharp with worry.

That spiked an unease within me, my anxiety mounting as I glanced around. Something felt off—deeply off.

I rounded the bed, spotting a heap of clothes tossed carelessly atop the covers. My fingers trembled as I picked them up. The scent on the clothes was familiar, but I could tell it wasn't Lex’s.

Panic surged through me. My instincts screamed at me to leave, but my feet wouldn’t move, as if something were holding me in place.

Why did I feel so...?

In mere seconds, my heart rate spiked, and my limbs felt heavy, making it difficult to breath.

"Goddess," I muttered, feeling my mind grow hazy and clouded. "Why do I feel so—like I've been drugged...?"

Heat—uncontrolled, lustful heat—rippled through my body, making me moan as it settled in my core, the need to mate increasing with every breath.

"Isn't that—?" Asena whispered, her attention landing on incense burning in the corner of the room. Was that what was making me hot and bothered?

I managed to get my feet moving, concentrating on every step I took.

Why did I feel so damn aroused?

"That's not just any incense," Asena said. "That's specifically designed to stimulate—"

The bathroom door creaked open, and Asena’s words trailed off. Steam billowed out, followed by a hulking shadow.

"I was wondering when my entertainment would arrive..." A familiar, venomous voice cut through the air.

My blood froze. I turned, barely breathing, and found myself face-to-face with Alpha Darius.

"Who the hell let him out?" Asena snarled weakly in my mind. "Shouldn't he be in jail awaiting his punishment?"

My eyes widened when he leaned into the doorway, blocking the way of escape. A towel was draped loosely around his hips, and he clutched a half-empty bottle in one hand. His eyes were red-rimmed, and a cruel smirk twisted his features.

"Did the cat catch your tongue now that you find yourself in the big, bad Alpha’s room?" he sneered, his voice thick with menace and drunken satisfaction.

"It was an honest mistake," I muttered, stepping forward to leave. "I'll take my leave now!"

"Mistake?" he hissed, shifting his weight with a cold smirk on his lips. "There is no mistake. You are exactly where you should be—in my room. You're not leaving."

“Wait, what? I—I thought—” My voice cracked. “Where’s Lex?”

Darius’s laughter was jagged, chilling. “Lex isn’t coming, my dear,” he sneered. “But I am. Inside you, darling. All... night... long....”

Asena whimpered weakly, the scent clouding her senses and making her weaker. “Run, Lilly. Run! Get out! Save yourself!”

But I couldn't; my body wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I staggered backward, my hip clipping the bedside table. A lamp crashed down, glass scattering. Darius’s smile only grew wider and more twisted—he knew I was afraid.

“Clumsy little girl,” he taunted, advancing with slow, deliberate steps. "But don't worry, when I'm done with you, you'll wish you were dead..."

He closed his eyes for just a second, taking a deep breath. "Mmmm," he said. "I love the smell of your fear mixed with arousal—it excites me."

Fear crippled me even more. My legs buckled under my weight.

I managed to press myself against the wall, breathing shallowly, every instinct screaming danger. “You’re supposed to be in prison,” I whispered, my voice trembling, hoping that would scare him off. But that only made him smile wider. “How... how did you get out?”

His eyes glinted with twisted delight. “Oh, isn’t that the question?” His tone was mocking, almost playful.

He moved closer, casting me in shadow. “Turns out, there are powerful people who want to get rid of you. They gave me freedom—for a small favor. All I need to do is ruin you and make you leave.”

The implication hit me like a slap. It could only be Sade or Angelica.

I forced myself to meet his gaze, though my knees threatened to buckle. “Tell me who sent you, Alpha Darius," I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt. “Was it Sade or Angelica? Which one?”

Darius let out a low, theatrical sigh, feigning disappointment. “So feisty, for such a little kitten. I like it... why does it matter to you?"

"Answer me, damn it!" I snarled weakly.

"Why should I?" he asked, watching me. "You are mine now, and I can do whatever I want. I don't answer to you.” He stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking.

I raised my chin defiantly, meeting his eyes.

"I want to know," I said, anger sprouting through me like wildfire.

He stopped, and something flickered in his eyes.

“Let’s just say you have enemies, and you're interfering in their precious plans. They have their reasons for wanting you gone... and I agreed because I wanted to see you on your knees, begging me to take you once more...”

His words were poison, each one tightening the noose of dread around my throat. My mind screamed for escape, but I was trapped—his towering presence blocking any hope of flight.

"Lex will come looking for me," I warned.

“No, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice dropping to a venomous hiss. “No one is coming. Not Lex, not Zack, no one. It’s just you and me now. And we are about to have some fun.”

He lunged, snatching my wrist in a grip that sent pain shooting up my arm. I twisted and kicked, desperation lending me strength. My efforts were worthless and weak.

Asena tried to take control to help me, but even she was unable to fight him off, influenced by the sweet scent in the air.

A knock on the door made Darius freeze, anger filling his face.

"Stay quiet," he demanded, pushing me back and clamping his hand over my mouth.

I screamed as loudly as I could, but only muffled sounds filled the room.

The next moment, a thunderous bang shattered the air—the unmistakable crack of a door being kicked in. Wood splintered; the handle jerked violently. Darius’s grip faltered, his head whipping toward the commotion.

Hope flared, raw and wild, as the door crashed open.