The Alpha novel Chapter 48

*****Warning: This chapter contains sexual assault*****

Scarlet's POV

When I come to the first thing I notice is my wrists. My arms are stretched above my head and out to the sides, tied to bedposts. I yank on the leather straps that hold me as I test the strength of my bonds. I should be able to break them normally, but when I inspect the cuffs on my wrists I see that silver is clasped around the outside. This ensures that I'm not being burned but that I'm also unable to free myself. I try to turn my body, unfortunately I notice that I can't move my legs either. My gaze travels down and I see that my ankles are restrained in the same fashion as my wrists.

I can feel my heartbeat as it starts to race in my chest. My eyes continue to take in my surroundings and with each detail I become more anxious. First, I notice that not only am I bound, but I am done so in a manner that as me sprawled out on a large four-post bed on top of the deep red duvet. Then I see that I have been changed into a sheer white gown that leaves nothing to the imagination. I can easily see my body through the barely-there material and a shiver runs up my spine as my stomach begins to churn. I feel as though I'm set up like a virgin sacrifice and I can feel my fear and anxiety as my chest tightens. My breaths turn uneven as I begin to hyperventilate and I hastily force myself to inhale deeply to avoid having the panic attack that I feel coming on.

The next thing I notice is the most chilling of all. My jaw drops open and my eyes widen in shock as they scan the area around me. The entire room is covered in painted canvases, all of them displaying pictures of me in varying stages of undress and in a multitude of sexual positions. In one I am lounging on the chaise like when I had posed for him. However, in this portrait there are half naked men all around who seem to be worshipping me in some way. One is holding a golden platter of fruit, while two others fan me with fronds. Lastly, there is one standing behind me with his hand groping my breast while another has his head between my thighs. I feel utterly sick to my stomach. I thought Lucien might have just wanted me because he was bitter about Ethan no longer wanting his daughter, but I was terribly wrong. The man is clearly obsessed, scarily so.

Panic grips me again as my chest begins to rise and fall at a rapid pace. I quickly close my eyes as I try to focus on my breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Once I've regained control of my fear, I try to reach out to Ethan with my mind-link, but it isn't working. I can barely feel my wolf and I think it is because of the chloroform. I wonder if they laced it with wolfsbane.... Every time they drug me with it, I struggle to connect with my wolf once I've awoken.

I begin twisting my hands as I try to squeeze them through the silver enforced cuffs. Though I don't have my wolf to help me right now, I refuse to just lay here and wait for my captor to arrive. Unfortunately, they are too tight for me to escape. I stop pulling against my restraints as I relax my body before I begin trying to dislocate my thumb. However, before I succeed, I'm interrupted as a large wooden door swings open.

My head immediately turns to see who is coming in and my fear spikes once more as I see Lucien stride into the room with a smirk on his face and an evil, lustful glint in his eye. I desperately begin pulling at my bonds again as I struggle to free myself while Lucien comes around to the side of the bed. "Hello, my muse," he coos at me as his gaze travels up my exposed body, eyeing me hungrily. I feel nauseous and my skin begins to crawl.

Fear and disgust are consuming me, but I try to ignore it as I narrow my eyes at him, trying to look brave and intimidating. "RELEASE ME NOW!" I demand as I yank on the leather straps again in defiance.

He seems to freeze for a moment as he eyes my bonds. His hand twitches as if he is thinking about it, but just as quickly, he seems to regain his determination. His eyes flick up to meet mine and a disturbing smile spreads across his face. "Now why would I do that?" he questions mockingly which just further angers me. "I have the perfect woman served up to me in such a magnificent display. I'm looking forward to devouring every inch of you."

"Don't you fucking touch me you sick bastard! Now let me go or I swear to goddess it will be the last thing you ever do," I warn and am happy that my tone comes out threatening and dangerous instead of stuttered and fearful.

"You see? I love that fire in you. It's so... sexy," he remarks as he gestures down to the growing bulge beneath his trousers.