Zoey felt the slight buzz from the alcohol come back now that it was quiet and the action had disappeared. She started to feel a bit dizzy, and the lights outside gave her a nauseous feeling.

Finally, Adam's house came into view. Sebastian pulled into the driveway and waited for Zoey to stumble out.

"I'll let Adam know about that wound tomorrow, so don't worry about it. Bye, Zoey."

She waved as he drove away. Her body felt stiff as she made her way inside. Adam and Ellie still weren't back yet, but it wasn't too late in the night yet.

Zoey grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt from her bag and changed in the guest bathroom. The second she stepped out, muscular arms wrapped around her waist.

"You're okay."

The Beast whispered with a deep sigh of relief into her neck. Zoey's stiff posture relaxed unconsciously.

He pulled away, placing his hands on her shoulders. "We have to go, Zoey."

"What do you mean "go"?"

"They can't know about you. About me. We have to leave before they find out."

The Beast grabbed her bag and began shoving all her things inside.

"Who can't know about us? Are you talking about Jay and Sebastian? Is this about the mark they kept talking about?"

Zoey was in an endless tornado of questions. Her head throbbed, trying to make sense of what he spoke of.

He continued to grab her things and zipped up the bag.

"We have to go now."

"Wait, no, I'm not going anywhere with you!" Zoey flinched as the throbbing got stronger.

"Zoey, don't be difficult."

"I'm the one being difficult? You're the one who won't tell me anything!"

"I don't want to force you, but I will if I have to."

"You can force me to do anything." Her voice came out softer as She felt too weak to yell.

"Please, Zoey, I'll try to explain what I can in the car."

Zoey clenched her head as the throbbing became unbearable. Her body suddenly felt it was on fire.

"No, you can't- ugh, I don't feel so good."

Zoey felt all the strength leave her body, and she fell to her knees. The Beast grabbed her before her head hit the ground, and all the lights went out.

Zoey's head smacked slightly against something hard, bringing her out from the darkness. She clenched it, wanting the throbbing to stop. Zoey pried her eyes open when she felt arms under her thighs and back.

She jerked up, looking in the eyes of the Beast.

"You kidnapped me?!"

"I'm sorry I had to."

"Did you give me something that caused me to pass out?"

"No, but someone did."

Zoey froze, wondering how that could have happened. She still felt a bit disoriented, and all this yelling was killing her head.

"So you just thought you could sneak me out the door while I was knocked out?"

No response.

"You're unbelievable."

Zoey looked around, but she could not see anything through the darkness. She knew they were somewhere in a forest from the silhouettes of trees.

"How far are we from Aria?"

"About thirty minutes past it." Panic surged through her when she realized he wasn't taking her home.

"Where are you taking me?"

"You find out soon enough."

Dread twisted in her gut. Zoey tried to wiggle out of his grip, but it only tightened.

"Where's my car?"

"I had to leave it."

Zoey felt a bit of relief from that. She hoped Adam would know that she was missing and would come and find her.

"Don't get any ideas. The chances of someone finding you out here is rare."

Zoey flinched and started to push herself away from his chest. She kicked her legs up, fighting against him. She hoped he would drop her so she could run back to town.

The Beast growled, grabbing onto her tighter. "Stop fighting me."

He suddenly tossed her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. The wind was knocked out of her, but she still continued to fight.

He made no reaction to Zoey, and eventually, she got tired.

Soon the Beast slowed down his pace. Zoey tried to peek around him to figure out where they were, but she could not see over his built frame.

She felt them moving up, and stairs came into her view. He stepped inside a building, and Zoey was able to see that they were inside a cabin once he flipped on some lights.

The Beast flung Zoey off his shoulder onto one of the couches. She grunted, clenching her stomach. She glared a hole into his head as he turned on the fireplace.

Zoey gazed around the cabin she found herself in. It looked like a newer place as it had electricity and modern-looking furniture. She couldn't imagine it belonging to the Beast, so he must have broken into it or something.

She looked over at him realized he had been staring at her. Zoey was surprised to find that she could see more of his face now. The only thing that remained covered now was his eyes.

"It's for your own good."

Zoey didn't realize she was making a face until she smoothed out her furred eyebrows.

"So, can you tell me why you brought me here?"

"I'm sorry, Zoey. I still cannot answer any of your questions."

"Why? What is stopping you from saying anything."

"There are... people that I must follow. When they say it's time, that's when I will tell you."

"Oh, so the great Beast does whatever he's told."

Zoey snapped but took a step back to process what he said. He's not the only one.

He ignored her comment, "You can do whatever you'd like while you are here but do not leave this cabin."

She groaned and opened her mouth to ask another question but stopped herself. It's not like he'll answer it anyway.

The Beast looked down at a watch on his wrist that Zoey didn't notice he had until now.

"I have some things I need to take care of, so I will be back later. Feel free to explore the cabin. The kitchen is stocked with food in case you get hungry."

He paused, his hand on his chin. He thought of what else he would need to inform Zoey while he was gone.

"Oh, there is a bedroom on the second floor for you when you get tired."

"Wait, so you are just going to leave me here?"

"Yes, I have to. Make sure you lock the door behind me."

"You're not even locking me in?" He gave me a puzzled look.

"I mean, you did kidnap me. Are you not worried I'll run back to town?"

"I don't want you to feel like a prisoner here. Anyway, if you go back to town, you won't get your answers."

Zoey huffed, realizing he was right. If she wanted to know why he took her and why he's been watching her, she'd have to stay.

"And just so you know, Zoey, you wouldn't make it back to town even if you tried."

What did that mean? Zoey thought. She wasn't sure if he meant he would get her before she reached the town or if something else would.

So much for not feeling like a prisoner.

The Beast grabbed onto the door handle, but Zoey stopped him before he could go out.

"Can I at least ask you one more question?"

He paused, unsure if he should say yes or no.

"What is your name?"

He chuckled softly. "It's Jaxson."

~~~~~~~~

Zoey locked the door as soon as Jaxson left. She wanted to explore the cabin but was too exhausted. Zoey went up the stairs to the second floor and went to the door that was open. The bright light blinded her eyes for a second before they adjusted.

The room was plain with a simple bed with white sheets in the middle. It was a change from the other parts of the cabin.

Zoey kicked off her shoes, leaving her dress on and climbed into the bed.

Within seconds she was out like a light.

Thanks for reading!!