Eliza’s POV
“You?" My eyes widened in disbelief as I set my gaze on him. The grin on his face made my stomach churn.
“Oh yes, it’s me. I bet you didn’t think you would see me again anytime soon, huh?” He chuckled from the front seat of the car, and I felt a wave of nausea crash over me.
“Morgan? What do you want? How did you even escape? You’re going to regret this!” I growled, my voice shaking with anger, but he merely laughed, a sound dripping with malice.
Before I could say another word, something was pressed over my face, causing the world to slip away and fade into darkness.
When I finally arrived, I realised I was no longer in the car. Pinching myself, I tried to sit up, but every part of my body ached. I wasn’t in my bed; I was trapped in a dark room with no windows, the air thick with a putrid smell that made it hard to breathe.
“Jasmine? Where are we?” I called out to my wolf, but she didn’t respond. Panic began to rise in my chest as I groped around in the darkness, struggling to find something, anything that could give me a clue about where I was or how I’d gotten here.
“Let me out of here!” I yelled, banging on the door with all my strength, but no one answered. No one was out there. Whatever they had done to me also affected Jasmine; she was silent, leaving me more alone than ever.
Morgan was insane. Did he think my father and brother would stand for this? He was a fool; soon, he would understand how wrong he was. My father would kill him.
"Awake, I see." His voice broke through the darkness. The door creaked open, and Morgan stepped inside, his grin widening. He pulled me up, and I had no choice but to go with him.
“What do you want from me?” Despite the growing fear, I spat, summoning any ounce of defiance I could muster.
Morgan leaned against the wall, casual and imposing. “Oh, I want many things, Eliza, but first, let’s ensure you’re comfortable. You see, the game has just begun.”
My heart raced as he pulled me out into a dimly lit corridor. The walls loomed around us like giants, and I fought the urge to collapse into hopelessness. “You think this is a game? You're sick!” I shouted, rage fueling my voice.
“Of course it is!” he replied, laughing lightly. “What’s the point of all this if it isn’t fun? Your family is so serious. They think strength is all that matters. I intend to show you just how naïve they are.”
“Naïve? My father won’t rest until he finds me,” I snapped, desperation edging my tone. “He’ll come for me. You’re making a huge mistake. He is the king!”
Morgan stopped and turned to face me, amusement glimmering in his eyes. “Ah, but that’s just the thing. They won’t find you in time, and I’ll be waiting when they do. You’re my little secret weapon now.”
A cold dread settled in my chest. “You think you can control my family? You’re underestimating them,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tightening in my throat.
His smile widened, revealing a madness that made me shiver. “Do you know how easy it is to manipulate the people who love you? They’ll do anything to protect you, and the moment they show their hands, it’s game over.”
“Let me go!” I yelled again, but my protest fell flat against his sinister resolve.
“Not yet,” he replied, moving closer. “First, we need to have some fun. You’ll become a real asset for me, Eliza. Or, perhaps, your family will learn the hard way that they can’t protect you from everything.”
“Get away from me!” I snapped, my pulse racing as I struggled against his grasp. But it was no use. Fear echoed back, swallowing me whole.
He released me, stepping back with a faux look of concern. “You really should just relax. You might find this more enjoyable than you think.”
I clenched my fists in defiance, my heart pounding like a war drum. “You’re wrong. I won’t let you win. I refuse to play your sick game.”
“What do you want?” I growled at him angrily, my claws instinctively extending as I tried to keep my fear at bay. Morgan’s delusion was palpable, his malice wrapping around me like a fog.
“I want you all dead,” he spat, his voice dripping with venomous hatred. “I will lead my pack again, and you and your pathetic family will be gone. Including that whore Lara and her arse of a mate. She cheated on me with Theron, and it’s time the lot of you paid.”
His words sent a cold shiver down my spine. I had known he was angry, but hearing his threats out loud twisted something deep within me. “You think killing us will win you sympathy?” I shot back, trying to mask my rising terror with defiance. “You’re a fool, Morgan.”
He stepped closer, his eyes darkening with a rage I had never seen before. “You don’t understand the depths of my pain, Eliza. Lara betrayed me and left me for someone she thought was better. She took my Grayson from me. And now I’ll make her suffer. I’ll make you all suffer. The pack will fall behind me once I take back what’s mine.”
“Your pack?” I scoffed, willing, my voice steady even as my heart thundered. “You think they’ll follow a madman like you? You’re a disgrace. You’re not their leader anymore. The quadruplets are alpha now or Creek.”
Morgan’s laughter was chilling. “You think I care what they think? They’ll follow me out of fear. I’ll make sure they understand what happens to those who betray me. You’ve all taken so much from me, and I will not rest until I have my revenge.”
The anger radiating from him was noticeable and alarming in a way that made me instinctively brace myself. “You’re obsessed,” I hissed, my fists tightening. “This won’t end well for you. My family won’t stand idly by while you try to destroy everything.”
His expression twisted into something feral. “Your family isn’t the one you should worry about, Eliza. It’s you. You’re the one who’s going to pay for all of this.”
I swallowed hard, pushing back against the fear creeping into my chest. “You think you can intimidate me?” I snapped. “You’re wrong. You have no power here.”
“Oh, but I do,” he answered, almost purring with delight as he leaned closer. “You’re the best bait I could ask for. Once your father and brother come looking for you, that’ll be their undoing. I’ll have my revenge, and you’ll be the one who leads them into my trap.”
A wave of despair pushed me forward. “You’re sick, Morgan. You can’t control everything. I won’t let you destroy us.”
He chuckled darkly. “You think you can resist me? You’re already trapped in my game. But I admire your spirit; it makes this all the more delicious. Remember, the more you resist, the more painful it will be.”
I grimaced at him, my heart still racing. “You may have me now, but I won’t stay here as your pawn. You can’t break me.” Stubbornness flooded through me, igniting the fires of rebellion deep inside. He shoved me down a small step, and I almost fell and tripped, but he grabbed me. The next thing I knew. I was in another room with a proper single bed and a small lamp.
“Good,” he declared with a twisted smile. “I want you at your strongest. It’ll make the game all the more worthwhile. Morgan sneered, slowly turning away. “And that is why this will be so much fun.” He exited the room, leaving me in the darkness. The door clicked shut with a finality that echoed in my ears.
“Jasmine, please. Where are you?” I whispered, the silence suffocating. I felt so disconnected from my wolf, a gap where our bond should be, and it made me anxious.