Tendrils of my hair stuck to the bright white material of his sweater as I pulled away from him, knowing I had been embracing him but unable to feel his warmth or the pressure of his touch. I couldn't feel anything, nor the floor beneath my feet, nor the beating of my heart quickened by his presence, nor the large tan hand that cradled my cheek. All I could feel was the gentle content being in his presence had always brought me. Like he was my barrier against all the stresses and worries of the rest of the world.

His face was blurry, I could just about make out that he was smiling down at me, saying something but I couldn't make out what. All I could do was stand there as strands of my dark hair slowly dropped away from his sweater.

Suddenly his hand was on my shoulder, I heard more than felt myself gasp at the sudden searing heat compared to the absence of feeling from before. He slowly began to fade away though his grip on my shoulder remained tight, taking with him the content warmth blooming in my chest. I opened my mouth to call out to him, reaching out to stop him as he faded into a blur of tan and white but suddenly everything went black.

I opened my eyes, blinking away the drowsy bleariness of sleep only for his face to come into focus. All sharp edges and bright colours that I'd come to hate despite how dizzyingly beautiful they may be.

"Time to wake up baby. Were you dreaming about something nice?" He asked, red lips quirking into a small smile as he made no attempt to hide the fact that he was deeply inhaling my scent. I pulled away from the touch that had cruelly pulled me away from the wonderful image my brain had conjured so I could finally feel the peace he was currently getting high off of sniffing, and completely ruining.

I gave a small nod, avoiding his eyes, hoping he wouldn't ask but knowing he would. I wondered what would happen to that smile if I were to mention the name of my fiancé?

"What about?"

"A white sweater." I answered, looking directly into the bright amber eyes that always seemed to be on me. His brows furrowed for a moment and I felt a brief flash of amusement at his expense. Hopefully if he thought I was insane he'd decide he could do better and leave me alone.

"I ordered Indian food, I hope that's okay."

He seemed to have come to the conclusion that he wasn't going to get much more out of me and given up. I shrugged in response, my poor appetite hadn't gotten better. If anything it had gotten worse.

At least for my first few weeks here I had been able to cry myself to sleep at night, but now I lay tense and wide awake in the stiflingly warm embrace of my captor night after night. Only when the sun came up would my eyes droop closed for what felt like seconds before he was awake. My body somehow sensing the danger and instantly waking me up so I would be conscious as he pulled me impossibly closer, kissing my forehead and acting as though we were some lovesick couple.

I felt numb, and though I had never weighed less since hitting puberty, my limbs felt impossibly heavy. Food held no appeal, nothing here did. Everything, including him was loathsome. Instead of being sad I was aggravated, I'd taken to biting the inside of my cheek to keep from saying things to him that would get me five claws digging into my internal organs. There was a constant wound in my right cheek from the biting, spicy curry would be a right delight today.

I tucked my legs up to my chest, hoping he would leave me alone in favor for returning to the paperwork he had been bent over since he had forced me to come sit in his office. I'd grabbed a book off the shelf to give myself something to look at other than him.

"Food's here." He said suddenly, holding a hand out to me to help me up. I kept my gaze lowered as I stood up, hoping it would seem as though I hadn't seen his hand despite him having thrust it right before my face.

I bit into my cheek as I heard him let out a slow steady exhale. I'd only been awake for two minutes and I'd somehow already pissed him off.

I made my way downstairs, legs a little wobbly but I tried not to show it, gripping onto the bannister in the stairs to help support my weight. The last thing I wanted was for him to notice and take it as an opportunity to put his paws on me. He didn't seem to need an excuse, but nevertheless I tried to avoid giving him one.

My back stiffened as I heard him open the front door. I turned around to see him grab a large brown takeout bag from the porch, my eyes greedily taking in the sight of the outdoors, heart sinking as I saw the black gates outside the house slowly closing. I wondered how many days it had been since I had been outside, since I had felt sunshine on my skin, or the night air blow through my hair. How long had it been since I had been trapped here?

The door was shut on the first real glimpse of the outdoors I'd seen in weeks, and I could feel him watching me closely. I forced myself to turn away from the door, not wanting to make him too suspicious and trudged into the kitchen, pulling out a chair and sinking down into it.

His gaze was focused on me even as he got out plates, and poured us both water, pulling out containers of food allowing the smell of spices and butter to waft into the air. He poured out a few different types of curries into my plate, and set a piece of naan on it, doing the same for himself but not being as careful to not let the curries touch and intermingle in his own plate.

We ate in silence as usual, my stomach turning as I forced down bite after bite even though normally I could eat Indian food even at midnight with relish. Nora would often crave the most random things at night, and so we'd order in and eat together. Butter chicken was one of her favourites.

As soon as I'd finished the first piece of naan, he placed another in my plate. I shook my head as I pushed the plate just an inch forward to make it clear I was done eating.

"Do you not like Indian food? Is it too spicy?" He asked. I shook my head in response, I'd always liked spicy food, and Indian food in particular.

"You need to eat more mate."

I glanced up at the Alpha and shook my head, tired of playing this game with him at every meal. I wasn't a child, I didn't need to be ordered to eat more.

"Athena eat, or I'm going to feed you myself. You've lost way too much weight, it's not healthy." The Alpha said making me grimace.

"I'm done." I answered, standing up to go wash my hands.

My wrist was suddenly grabbed and I was tugged back forcefully making me fall into his lap. His arm immediately wrapped around my waist tightly to keep me from moving.

"I warned you mate." He growled, dunking his naan into nihari before bringing it up to my lips. I turned my face away, disgusted at the thought of eating from his hand or his plate.

"For fuck's sakes Athena don't make me shove it down your throat."

"I'm not a fucking child." I gritted out, struggling to be released from his hold.

"Then stop acting like one." He snarled viciously making my heart skip a beat.

I dug my elbow against his chest, trying to push away from him, only stopping when his hand suddenly gripped my waist so tightly I felt like my bones would crack beneath the pressure.

"Look at how thin you've gotten, your body was so soft when I first met you and now I can feel your bones. I'm not going to let you starve yourself, do you understand? If I have to feed you like this everyday then so be it. It only fucking pleases my wolf to do so but I think you'd rather sit in your own chair and eat by yourself, wouldn't you mate?" He growled lowly into my ear, words biting and harsh. Tears filled my eyes and I went limp in his hold.

"I-I can't eat more, I feel sick." I said softly. His grip slackened at my words and he wrapped his arm around my waist, resting his hand on my thigh. He let out a quiet sigh against my hair, nuzzling his cheek against my head a moment.

"You have to try. I'll get you some ice cream, go wash your hands."

He pressed a kiss to my hair before releasing me. I hurried towards the sink, hands trembling violently as I washed them, vision blurry with unshed tears. How many more episodes like this could I stand before I became as docile as a doll, doing anything he said just to avoid his wrath?

Seeming to have given up on his own meal as well he washed his hands before scooping some ice cream into a bowl for me. Setting it down before me with more ice cream than I would have eaten even back before I had met him.

I brought a spoon of it up to my mouth, wiping at my eyes to get rid of the tears that burned in them. The sweet and slightly bitter chocolate ice cream cold against my tongue, melting slowly.

I ate half of what he had poured for me before looking up at him hesitantly, afraid he would throw another tantrum but to my relief he merely grabbed the bowl and spoon from my hand. I forced myself to not grimace as he put the spoon with a bit of melted ice cream directly into his mouth, his long dark lashes fluttering closed in a way that made my stomach clench.

He finished off the bowl quickly enough, and picked it up, along with our plates both still filled with food and set them on the counter.

"I still have some work to do, but you can watch TV if you'd like." He said and I nodded immediately, eager to take an opportunity to spend some time away from him.

I settled down on the couch in the furthest end of the room, flicking on the television and turning it to some channel playing an action movie that was seemingly halfway through. I couldn't stomach romance these days, anything that reminded me of Ethan would make me sad and the Alpha smelling my distress would only get touchier, cuddling me against him as though that would help.

I tucked my legs up against my chest and rested my head on one of my knees, wondering if it were my imagination or if it really was bonier than it used to be. Even I couldn't deny I had lost weight, before all this I had constantly been between 140-145 pounds, standing at 5'7 it left me to be an average weight, but now I looked thin, sickeningly so, perhaps due to the way the weight had been lost.

I smiled sadly to myself imagining the way my mom would have fretted over me if she saw me this thin. I wondered when I would get to see her again, I hadn't brought up seeing my family again after the disastrous phone call but he had made it clear he intended to take me to see them. When that was I didn't know.

All I could hope was that it would be soon, and I'd be able to keep him from meeting them. The thought of him with his short temper around my mother or sister nauseated me.

The movie came to a rather violent end and the channel immediately put on the sequel. I was forced out of the blank stupor the plotless violence of the films had put me in as I heard footsteps thundering down the stairs.

"I'll be there, send Marcus and Mun Yeong here." I heard the Alpha say.

"Tell them to hurry or they'll have me to answer to." The Alpha snarled down the phone. I didn't have much time to ponder over how I felt abut him speaking to his pack members in the same demeaning manner he did me, worried I'd have to meet them.

Wolves were very much attached to both their Alpha, and the Alpha's mate. I wouldn't be able to stomach the mindless wolves gushing over me and following me around, nor them judging me for not fawning over their Alpha the way they did.

The Alpha hung up abruptly, cutting the other individual off and his angry gaze landed on me making me shrink back into the couch, clutching the remote tightly. He was before me in a flash and gripping my upper arms he had hoisted me off the couch onto my feet, so close my chest brushed against his with each breath. My heart thundered in my chest but I stayed very still, eyes focused straight ahead at his chest, afraid to anger him further.

"Athena listen to me, there's been an emergency, my pack needs me. I have to go but two of my wolves will be right outside the door if you need anything."

I nodded immediately, trying to ease myself out of his grip but it tightened until I was arching upwards to loosen his hold, looking into his eyes as he had intended.

"Don't do anything stupid mate, I'll know if you do." The Alpha said lowly, eyes flashing red making my heart skip a beat in my chest.

"Be good for me." He murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to the side of my throat, nuzzling his nose against the skin there before pulling back and releasing me with another heated look.

He was gone in the mere blink of an eye leaving me with aching arms and trembling hands. Whether they trembled from fear or adrenaline I didn't know.

I turned up the volume of the television, suddenly glad for all the unnecessarily thunderous music that played during the fight scenes which were plenty. I fully intended to ignore his warning in the very worst way he could imagine.

I'd have to cover my scent, it was the only way they could track me with the head start I would get. Hopefully with the television on in the house the wolves would be unable to hear me escape nor tell whether I was in there or not.

I walked upstairs slowly, going straight into the bedroom and grabbing articles of clothing that had just been washed and brought them into the washroom with me. I stripped off my clothing, turning on the shower and stepping beneath it to rid myself of his scent, trying to be both thorough and quick. I dried my hair quickly with a towel, before pulling on the clean clothes.

I found his wallet in the bedside drawer and pulled out a few bills. As soon as I was off his territory, I could take a cab. I knew it was stupid to go home but I needed to see my family once. After my disappearance my family would be closely watched in the hopes that they would somehow lead the Alpha to me so I wouldn't get another chance for god knows how long.

My stomach turned at the thought of the enraged Alpha questioning my parents, but by law he wouldn't be allowed to hurt them. At any meetings Alpha Russel would have to be present to keep him in check.

I couldn't even tell how loud my footsteps were over the sound of my own thundering heartbeat, and the faint buzzing in my ears as I made my way down the stairs. Grabbing the shoes I had been wearing when I was brought here before making my way to the kitchen. The kitchen window faced the back of the home, it was my safest bet of getting out of here.

I coughed forcefully as I pulled it open to cover the sound. I got up on the counter, and turned so my back faced the window to be able to slowly ease out of it instead of having to jump out. I kept my hands on the sill as I lowered my legs before pushing the rest of my body out until my feet touched the ground.

My entire body was too filled with sickening anxiety to revel in being outdoors for the first time in weeks. I hurried through the backyard, to the very edge of the wooden fence, ignoring the door because it would make far too much noise and instead trying to climb over it. It took a few tries for my weak arms to be able to lift my own weight, but soon I was out and running along the path of trees beside the road to avoid being seen. I didn't even glance back, not wanting to ever set sights on that nightmarish place ever again.

I sprinted towards the woods that bordered his territory, going through the woods was a longer route than the roads, but I would likely be seen if I were on the roads. Though his pack had never seen me, an unfamiliar young human girl running along the street was sure to raise suspicions and be a memorable thing to mention to the Alpha when he found out his young human mate had gone missing.

I knew I had only been running for a few minutes but already there was a painful stitch in my side and my breathing was so laboured I was positively gasping for air. I forced my feet to continue on even as they began to ache terribly. I had no other choice but flats were not made to run in. I couldn't go barefoot or any taxi driver would have all the more reason to be suspicious if they even let me into their car.

He'd have a country wide alert out in just a few hours so I had to make good use of the little time I had before he realized I was missing. I would have liked to put as much space between us as possible, but there was no way I could leave the country right now, anyone who saw my passport would alert him and I'd be held hostage until he arrived to pick me up.

I had fantasized about escaping more times than I could possibly count. My father's childhood best friend lived further up the country away from the cities in a quiet little town. So far that we only saw her once every couple of years and exchanged holiday cards, but they spoke on the phone weekly. She was one of the humans who very much hated wolves, and was one of the bravest women I knew. I could go to her knowing she wouldn't turn me away.

It was a lot to ask, any human or wolf harbouring an escaped mate would be punished as their Alpha deemed fit. I hated to have to ask this of someone but it was either this or live the rest of my life as a prisoner feeling myself withering away beneath the forced affection and violent bursts of anger of my captor.

I wouldn't stay with her long, just enough to find a way to escape the country without using the standard legal methods. Alpha Onyx would hunt me down relentlessly, but at least in other countries he would have much less say and the world was huge, I'd spend the rest of my days running if it meant I could be free.

It was a brazen thought but perhaps I could find a way to get into contact with Ethan and get him to come with me. We could run away together, go to another country and start a life far away from here. I'd be asking him to make a huge sacrifice, but I would have done it for him in a heartbeat, and there were many things I was unsure of right now, but not Ethan's loyalty.

The thought of the future I could have if I managed this kept my feet moving as my mouth grew incredibly dry and legs began to feel like they were trapped in cement blocks. My neck began to ache terribly as I constantly looked over my shoulder, unable to hear much over the sound of my blood rushing in my ears and my own panting.

I was forced to come to a stop as bile began to rise up my throat. I hunched over, arms wrapped around myself as I threw up the contents of my stomach. The bile burning my throat so terribly it brought tears to my eyes. I wiped the sleeve of my sweater against my mouth when I finally stopped. Using the same sleeve to wipe at my running nose as I forced myself upright and staggered a few steps away from my own vomit, the smell of it making me want to throw up again though thankfully now my stomach was empty.

My legs buckled beneath me and I sank down against a tree. Trying to swallow away the terrible taste in my mouth in between gasping for air.

I rested my head back against the rough bark of the tree, vision swimming with exhaustion. I should have allowed myself to take a break a little earlier, but even now as I sat, limbs too weak to even try getting up, I felt consumed by my own fear of wasting the precious little time I had. Just if I weren't so weak from the weeks of insomnia and a poor diet.

I forced myself up, using the tree as a support, trying to keep my thoughts focused on my family and Ethan so that the anxiety and exhaustion wouldn't overwhelm me. Placing one foot before the other even as my muscles protested.

The sun had set a while back, I had lost track of time but the stars were out now against the dark sky, the clear night chilly causing my sweat to cool against my skin. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself and stumbled through the woods, tripping on a few roots here and there. Even the slightest of rustle had me whipping around to look, worried I would see bright red eyes flashing behind me in the darkness.

I had to fight with myself constantly to keep from thinking of what might happen if I were to be caught. He didn't respond well to any defiance and this was something he would consider to be the gravest of offenses. I didn't have time to work myself through a panic attack though and so I blocked out such thoughts by focusing on what I would say to my family when I saw them.

At last the trees began to thin and I broke into a jog, pushing myself until I could see the road. A large sign stating this was now Wimhove city, which was part of Alpha Edrei's territory. I waited by the trees to avoid being seen by a passing car for a taxi to drive by.

Minutes passed by as I stood there shivering in the night, my thoughts taking a darker turn the more time that passed, the chances of him not knowing of my disappearance decreasing with each passing second. He could be tracking me through the woods right now and I would have no idea, just sitting here waiting for him to hunt me down like the most foolish goddamn prey in the woods.

I jumped up as an orange car came into view, coming closer until I could clearly see the sign atop that declared it a taxi service. I rushed out into the road, waving frantically until the cab came to a stop.

The window was rolled down so that I could see the middle aged driver, wanting to cry in relief at how obviously human he was. He looked most concerned about my appearance, surely all the running, walking and throwing up had me looking quite haggard, moments away from passing out probably.

I asked him if he could drive me to the intersection closest to my house. My voice coming out hoarse due to how dry my mouth and throat were, having to clear my throat and try again before he was able to make out my words. He looked most reluctant, probably suspicious that I didn't have any money on me. I held out all the notes I had stuffed into the pocket of my hoodie, glancing up at him unable to keep the desperation off my face. He took the money I had offered and unlocked the doors at last.

"Please hurry." I croaked out as I climbed inside, falling back against the seats in relief as the taxi began to move.

"Here, have it." The man said, passing a water bottle to me and I accepted it gratefully. Drinking down nearly all of it in one go, and swishing around the little remaining in my mouth to rid it of the terrible taste.

I stared out the window into the night, hands gripping the water bottle tightly, watching the trees flash past as we sped by them, counting down the seconds in my head until I saw my family again.

Author's Note

Hello my lovelies! I know it's been a long time since the last update, I'm so sorry I'll try my best to have the next chapter up soon. I've already started working on it so fingers crossed it'll be done quickly.

It's not even been a month since university started but it's already so much work. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, let me know what you think. I wrote about 14 drafts for this one but there was always something missing, I'm not happy with this, I'll probably come back and edit it at some point. It's been very roughly edited so there might be some errors. Also did anyone catch my It's Okay to Not Be Okay reference? I'm so obsessed with that show, ignore my weird hyper fixation if you didn't and have a great night.