Stolen Fate: Bound to Seven Alphas

WILLA

A familiar current shot through me the moment my fingers touched the mark.

I shuddered violently, dragging in a sharp breath before jerking my hand away.

That feeling. I knew it. It wasn’t the bond activation. It had nothing to do with it.

This was the same sensation I always felt whenever it was near.

My breathing turned uneven, quick and shallow as panic crawled up my spine. Wide-eyed, I scanned outside the window...

The parking lot. The swaying trees. The empty stretch of road. Nothing. And yet, the back of my neck prickled harder.

It was here. I knew it was.

The memory of our last encounter crashed into me all at once. The murderous intent in its voice. The way I had nearly died.

Twice. This would be the third time. I knew deep down it wouldn’t spare me again.

My gaze snapped toward Elyse’s parents. The Maddoxes. If it came here, they wouldn’t survive either.

As much as I loved this place, I couldn’t drag them into my nightmare. Into my mess. Fear clamped down my heart.

I yanked at the seatbelt hard enough to rip it free and lunged for the door. But Steven caught my arm before I could escape.

"Let me go!" I cried, struggling against him.

I pulled harder, but his grip never loosened. He only stared at me, concern etched across his face.

I didn’t care how suspicious I looked right now. I needed to get away from here. Fast.

My teeth clenched as I fought against his hold. "Let me—"

"I don’t think so," he said quietly, cutting me off. "Not until you tell me what really happened to you."

Did any of that even matter right now? I wanted to scream at him.

If he paid enough attention, he should have realized I was terrified. That every instinct inside me was begging me to get away from here.

Away from all of them.

"Elyse?" Steven called, gripping my shoulders and giving me a slight shake.

"Please..." My voice cracked around the word.

"Were you hurt at the party?" he demanded, his tone tightening as he ignored my plea. "That mark looks like someone tried to strangle you."

My pulse hammered harder.

"Answer me, Elyse," he pressed, his voice roughening. "Did someone hurt you at that damned party?"

The sharp edge in his voice cut through my panic for a moment, replacing it with something else entirely.

Because honestly? Getting hurt at the party would have been easier. At least then I would have known who to blame.

At least I could have fought back. But this thing...This creature hunting me— It wasn’t something I could point at or escape from forever.

If it finally caught me, it wouldn’t hesitate to destroy me. However, I wouldn’t let that happen.

"I need to speak with Alaric," Steven said abruptly, turning toward Whitney.

Only after securing my seatbelt back in place did he finally release me.

"And I want the names of everyone involved."

"She needs rest, Steven," Whitney said quickly, grabbing his arm before he could storm toward the administrative building. "And I don’t think that’s a good idea right now."

Whitney looked at me, her brows drawn together slightly. There was something in her eyes. Something I couldn’t quite understand.

She held my gaze for only a second before turning toward Steven. A silent conversation passed between them instantly, one that needed no words.

Steven looked ready to argue. His mouth parted slightly, but the moment Whitney shook her head, he exhaled sharply and gave in.

"Fine," he muttered.

He adjusted the seatbelt strap across me properly before walking around to the driver’s seat.

Whitney slid in beside me.

The moment the door shut, she reached for my hand and squeezed gently.

"You’ll be fine," she said softly. "Trust me."

Would I?

The question sat heavily in my throat, but I couldn’t force it out.

Something strange was happening. Not just with the mark on my neck or the entity hunting me. But with Elyse’s parents too.

The looks they exchanged. The things they never said aloud but somehow still understood between themselves.

It left me confused.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. Eventually, Steven pulled up in front of an enormous building.

I stepped out of the car slowly, sliding my hands into the pockets of my blazer to warm them as my eyes swept over the unfamiliar place. At the same time, I tried not to look completely lost.

The mansion was breathtaking.

Dark stone stretched across modern walls, softened only by the warm light pouring through towering windows. Black steel framed sections of glass, sleek and polished enough to look like something ripped straight from a luxury magazine.

A narrow pool stretched alongside the house, its surface smooth as black glass, reflecting the lights glowing from the mansion beneath the evening sky.

I let out a quiet breath, trying to take everything in at once. It didn’t feel real.

I wanted to keep looking, but Whitney gently looped her arm through mine and guided me toward the glass entrance doors.

The moment I stepped inside, I stopped short. The breath caught in my lungs.

The inside of the house felt completely different from the cold perfection outside.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the pool and gardens beyond, while a massive cream-colored sectional curved around a sleek black marble coffee table.

Built-in shelves lined one wall, filled with books of varying sizes alongside abstract sculptures and decorative pieces I couldn’t even begin to name.

A long fireplace stretched beneath a television larger than any I had ever seen before.

Warmth wrapped around me instantly, sinking deep into my chest and stomach. And the scent, lavender mixed with cinnamon. Soft. Comforting. Homely.

Everything about this place carried the same feeling as the Maddoxes themselves.

Safe.

Without realizing it, I slowly turned around. Steven and Whitney were both watching me closely, curiosity flickering openly in their eyes.

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

I glanced down at my feet for a second before lifting my head again, forcing a practiced smile onto my face.

"Your room," Whitney said gently, nodding toward the elegant spiral staircase.

I took a hesitant step forward before stopping again, my gaze drifting back to her. For a second, uncertainty rooted me in place.

This house. This family. None of it truly belonged to me. I had no right to feel warm and welcomed. I shouldn’t deceive them.

"I’ll show you," Whitney added softly, cutting through my thoughts, as though she already understood exactly what was running through my mind.

I followed without question.