I'd never had an active imagination. I wasn't a creative child. My only accomplishments were some soccer trophies stored away somewhere, but thinking about my highlight reel didn't keep me entertained for long.

I had resorted to playing with the restraint around my ankle. In the back of my head I knew I had no chance of escaping, but for the sake of my sanity I tried anyway.

I had deduced that I wasn't the first prisoner to wear these chains by the deep grooves carved into the metal, like an animal had gone at it.

It couldn't have been more than a day, but I'd already started to lose my sense of time passing. There were no clocks, and the only sunlight I saw was when my captors were gracious enough to open the basement door and come bring me food or let me go to the bathroom.

My other past time was closing my eyes and thinking of Caleb. Being able to feel him, even though he was tormented. Knowing he was alive was enough, and I'd found myself feeling guilty that he was not extended the same courtesy.

The grief he was feeling from losing his father was an emotion I was all too familiar with. The thoughts I tried to lock away, the emotions that rose up like bile in the middle of the night, Caleb's loss was bringing everything back. Everything that I'd tried so hard to avoid.

I refused to sleep, because with sleep came the nightmares. My therapist back home offered me medicine to keep the dreams away. I said no at the time. Now I was wishing I hadn't.

My head wouldn't grant me permission to sleep even if I tried. The constant pounding would keep me awake. It felt like my brain was too big for my skull, but it relentlessly pushed on the walls trying to make more room for itself.

I was counting the drips from the faucet when the basement door opened up. Butterflies wreaked havoc in my stomach at the realization of who was coming down the stairs. I pretended I didn't feel them.

"I found this," Alec said, holding up a first aid kit. He stopped in front of me, squatting down to my level. I didn't dare look at him.

"Thanks," I said, holding my hand out for the plastic box. I stood, walking over to the sink.

"I can help," he said, standing behind me, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.

"I've got it," I said, harshly.

I didn't even allow myself to look at his reflection in the mirror. I opened the box, pulling out a butterfly bandage for the cut on my forehead. I tore apart the packaging and moved to place it over my cut when the burn of my muscles stopped me. I groaned to myself, waiting for the pain to subside before I moved again.

"Let me help," Alec said, moving next to me.

For the sake of not wanting to argue I conceded. He threw away the bandage I handed him, the adhesive sticking together. Reaching over me he grabbed a new one.

"Look at me," he said.

I turned my head towards him, but looked down at my feet. I knew what would happen if I looked up and got trapped in his dark brown eyes, and I never wanted to feel that way about anyone other than my boyfriend. My mate.

Alec brushed away a piece of hair, his finger tip barely touching my skin, but it was enough to send an electric current through me. I gasped, pulling away.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low.

He pulled away the packaging and carefully placed the bandage over my cut. His hands lingered for longer than I would've liked, the sparks dancing across my skin making me uncomfortable.

We stood in silence for a moment, his hand tucking a new stray hair behind my ear. Alec hooked a finger under my chin, urging me to look at him. I made the mistake of doing so.

His dark brown eyes captivated me. I could practically see the gears turning in his head. My focus was on my breathing, so I had no time to react when he leaned forward and kissed me. His lips were soft. He'd only managed to steal a peck before I pulled away, turning my back to him.

My mouth sizzled. I touched my lips with a cold finger before darting out my tongue to wet them, pretending that the sparks were never there at all.

"Please don't do that," I said. My voice was quiet, weak. Alec placed a hand on my shoulder, but I jerked away from him, afraid of his touch.

He took a moment to clear his throat. "Fine," he said, gritting his teeth.

I moved back to the first aid kit, pulling out a small packet of medicine, hoping to find something to ease my headache. Getting knocked out on top of the concussion I already had was giving me the worst of migraines.

"We sent a message to your boyfriend," he said, taking the packet from my hand and opening it for me. He grabbed my wrist facing my palm up as he shook out the two white pills. He didn't let go of my wrist right away.

The sparks caused by his touch were comforting, I could revel in them. I just wanted them from someone else.

"And?" I asked, gently pulling my arm back. I tossed the pills in my mouth, dry swallowing them.

"We have a meeting tomorrow. You're coming," he said. He stepped forward grabbing me by the jaw and forcing me to look at him, his brown eyes bewitching me once more. "If I hand you over to him," he said, "I will get you back, Beatrice."

I could feel the tears beginning to form. "Please, don't hurt him," I said.

Alec tilted my head, exposing my neck to him. He stared at the bandage covering the mark Caleb gave me.

"It doesn't look like I have a choice," he said.

"Yes, you do," I said, failing at holding back my tears. "You don't have to do this." I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, watching his hard exterior falter at my touch. "I'm sorry about your mother," I said, "I'm sorry about what Arthur did to you."

I moved my hand to touch his cheek. The scar started on his forehead, cutting his brow at the tail. It trailed down his cheek and stopped at the corner of his mouth. Before I could touch him, Alec grabbed my wrist.

"But Arthur's dead-"

"His death was revenge for my mother. Taking over his pack is revenge for me," he said. "And taking the mate of my brother who has everything I deserve. That's just a bonus."

I tried to pull my hand out of his grasp, but he gripped it tighter. With a quick jerk of my arm Alec pulled me into his chest, wrapping his free arm around my waist to keep me close.

"Let go," I said, struggling against him. I watched his jaw tick, his eyes flickering to my lips.

Alec turned our bodies, walking me into the wall, pinning me against him. He leaned his head down to my level. A wave of heat washed over me as the air between us thickened. His nose brushed against mine as he contemplated his next move.

Where Caleb smelled like the forest, Alec smelled like pure musk. Sandalwood filled my senses at his close proximity.

"Do you want to know the most satisfying part about all of this?" He asked, lifting me up onto my toes, pressing our chests together. "It's that I know you're going to want me when all of this is over."

"You're wrong," I said. My free hand was placed flat against his chest, trying to encourage him to keep his distance.

"After I kill my brother," he said, fear slicing through me, "you'll be in so much pain that you'll beg me to mark you just to make it stop."

I didn't think before I spit in his face. The anger I felt over him threatening to kill Caleb took over, forcing me to react.

Alec, eyes closed, was quiet. He was as shocked by my outburst just as much as I was. Pushing off the wall, he pulled the bottom of his shirt up to wipe his face.

My heart was beating out of my chest in fear of retaliation.

He nodded to himself, coming to some conclusion before walking back over to me. In one quick motion he wrapped one of his large hands around my throat, the other twisting into my hair, forcing me to look up at him.

I wrapped both my hands around his wrist. His nostrils flared and teeth clenched he squeezed my throat lightly. His intention was to scare me, though I knew he'd never actually hurt his mate. His instincts wouldn't let him.

His breathing was labored as he brushed his lips against mine, hesitating only for a moment before letting me go.

"Get some rest," he said, making his way back up the basement stairs. "We'll leave in the morning."

I released a shaky breath, running a nervous hand through my hair, as he closed the door and left me alone in the dark once again.

I walked over to the mattress, sitting down and resting my back against the cold wall. I closed my eyes, they burned from lack of sleep.

Only a few minutes, I told myself, just to make the headache go away.

"Beatrice," Alec whispered, moving my hair away from my face. I relaxed from his touch, my body too weak from fatigue to fight it. "It's time to go," he said.

My eyes fought me to stay closed, only being able to open them seconds at a time before they forced themselves shut.

Warmth ran through me as Alec moved an arm under my legs, the other under my back, and lifted me from the mattress. I rested my head against his shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of his neck, shamelessly.

The sun had only just started to peak above the tree line, the air still damp with morning dew. There were three large, black cars outside of the large farm house we emerged from. Alec carried me to the closest one, opening the door and setting me inside.

"I can do it," I said as he began to buckle my seat belt for me. I struggled and failed to fight him for the strap as he clicked it in place.

Alec walked around the car, settling into the seat next to me. I sighed giving in to the urge to rest my head on his shoulder. The last thing I felt before falling back into unconsciousness was Alec caressing my cheek, sparks serenading me back into slumber.