Aina’s heart raced as the black car sped through the dark streets. Her hands, clenched into fists, trembled in her lap. The cold metal cuffs bit into her wrists, a cruel reminder of her fate.

Her mind spun with questions. Why? Why had her father done this? Why had he gambled everything—including her—to settle his debts?

The car came to a stop in front of a towering mansion. Dark stone walls loomed like prison bars, and an eerie silence swallowed the air.

“Out,” the driver commanded.

Aina’s throat felt dry, her voice a whisper. “Where are you taking me?”

He didn’t answer. Rough hands dragged her from the car, and her feet stumbled on the gravel. She caught herself just in time to see the massive door swing open.

She was ushered inside—a world of darkness and luxury collided. Black marble floors gleamed under golden chandeliers, and shadows danced along the high, vaulted ceilings.

“Move.” The driver shoved her forward.

Her heartbeat pounded like a drum as they entered a room. It was cold, dimly lit, and smelled faintly of leather and whiskey.

A man stood near the window, his broad back turned to her. The air thickened with his commanding presence. His black suit hugged his form, tailored to perfection. Slowly, he turned.

Piercing blue eyes locked onto hers.

Aina felt her breath hitch. This was the man her father had sold her to.

“Leave us,” he ordered, his voice deep and cold.

The driver left without a word, the door clicking shut behind him.

Silence stretched between them.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked, his eyes never leaving her face.

Aina swallowed hard. “You’re… Alric.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Good. At least you know that much.”

Her pulse quickened as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her. She felt small, fragile under his intense gaze.

“There are rules,” he said, stopping just inches away. His scent, a mix of leather and danger, enveloped her. “You will speak only when spoken to. You will not question me. And you will obey without hesitation.”

Aina’s mouth went dry. “I—”

He lifted a hand, silencing her. “No arguments. No excuses.” His voice was a low growl. “When we are alone, you will call me Master.”

The word hung between them, heavy with power.

Her eyes widened, and her voice broke in a whisper. “Yes… Master.”

“Good girl,” he murmured, a glimmer of satisfaction in his gaze. His hand brushed her cheek, fingers trailing down to her jaw. “Submission suits you.”

Aina shivered under his touch, fear and something far more dangerous curling inside her.

“You are mine now,” he said, his voice a velvet command. “Your life, your choices—they belong to me.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Yes, Master.”

Alric’s smirk deepened. “Remember that, Aina. It’s the only way to survive in my world.”

Alric’s grip tightened on Aina’s waist as if staking his claim.

The door creaked open again, and Aina flinched at the sharp sound. Two women in dark dresses entered, their eyes cold as winter frost.

“Prepare her,” Alric commanded without a glance. His tone was ice and fire, a voice that brooked no defiance.

The women moved without a word, their hands firm yet efficient as they unclasped the cuffs from Aina’s wrists. Relief should have flooded her, but the bruises on her skin burned like an invisible chain.

One woman tilted her chin with a sharp lift of her hand. “Look at me.”

Aina obeyed, her eyes dull with suppressed tears.

“You will wear this,” the other woman instructed, holding out a silk dress as black as midnight, its neckline daring, its fabric whispering promises she wasn’t ready to hear.

Aina’s lip trembled, but she didn’t resist. Her fingers clutched the fabric as if it might anchor her to sanity.

“Be quick,” Alric’s cold command snapped across the room. “I won’t wait all night.”

They guided her behind a gilded screen, pulling the plain dress from her body with mechanical precision. Heat flushed her cheeks as unfamiliar hands touched her bare skin, but shame kept her silent.

The silk slid over her, cool and sensual. The dress hugged her curves, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

When she stepped out, Alric’s eyes darkened. He drank in the sight of her, a slow, possessive inspection that made her knees weak.

“Perfect,” he murmured, voice like velvet and sin. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing her waist. “You look exactly as you should—mine.”

Aina bit her lip, her heart thundering as she whispered, “Yes, Master.”

Alric’s grip tightened on Aina’s waist as if staking his claim. She felt the heat of his hand seep through the silk, igniting her skin. The possessiveness in his touch sent a tremor down her spine, but she didn’t dare move.

“Every breath you take belongs to me,” he whispered near her ear, his voice dark and intoxicating. “You will not hide from me, Aina. You are mine to watch, to control, and to command.”

Her heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might escape her chest. “Yes, Master,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Good girl,” he murmured, a dangerous edge to his satisfaction. His hand slid up her back, his fingers brushing the bare skin beneath her hair. “There’s no need to fear me unless you break my rules. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Look at me.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his. His eyes, sharp as blades, searched her face for defiance. There was none. She had no fight left—only submission. His stare made her feel both powerless and consumed.

“You will learn obedience,” he continued. “I’ll teach you to trust the chains I place on you. They are not to bind—they are to protect.”

“Protect?” Aina’s voice quivered with confusion.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “Yes. From a world that would devour you. You’re safer in my grasp than anywhere else.”

The words coiled around her like a dark promise. “I’ll obey, Master,” she whispered.

“Good,” he purred. “Kneel.”

Aina’s knees sank into the plush carpet as she lowered herself before him. Her breath quickened, the weight of his command pressing on her chest like an iron hand. She felt exposed, vulnerable—and utterly his.

Alric circled her slowly, his eyes predatory as he drank in her submission. His voice cut through the heavy silence. “You will learn to follow every rule without hesitation. Obedience will be your salvation. Defiance…” He let the word hang, its sharp edge biting into her soul. “...will earn punishment.”

Her lips trembled. “Yes, Master.”

“The first rule,” he began, pausing behind her, his breath hot against her neck, “is to trust me completely. Even when it frightens you. Especially then.”

She nodded, her voice a whisper. “Yes, Master.”

His fingers traced her jaw, tilting her head back so her eyes met his. “Second, you will speak only truth when I ask you a question. Lies have no place between us.”

“I understand, Master.”

“Good.” His eyes darkened. “Third, you’ll dress as I desire. Every garment you wear will reflect your place as mine. Modesty in public. Submission in private.”

Her heart thudded, her cheeks flushing. “Yes, Master.”

“When we are alone,” he continued, his voice a sensual caress, “you’ll kneel when I enter. Your gaze will remain lowered unless I command otherwise. Respect begins with posture.”

Aina’s pulse quickened. “I’ll remember, Master.”

“And finally,” his tone turned possessive, “your body is mine. Every touch, every kiss, belongs to me alone.” His thumb brushed her lips. “You will not grant another what is mine.”

“I won’t, Master,” she whispered, the words a vow.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “Now rise.”

The tension in the room thickened as Aina stood. Alric’s eyes never left her, burning with possession and a hunger that made her heart race. He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting her face.

“You will wear only what I give you,” he commanded. “Tonight, you’ll sleep in my bed. No protests. This is the beginning of your training.”

Her breath hitched, her body trembling at his words. “Yes, Master.”

He released her, stepping back. “Remove the dress.”

Aina’s eyes widened. A wave of heat crashed over her, and her hands faltered as she reached for the hem. Alric’s gaze darkened as he watched her hesitation.

“Do not delay,” he ordered, voice sharp.

Her fingers moved quickly, slipping the silk from her body. Vulnerability prickled her skin as she stood bare before him.

“Good,” he said, a dark satisfaction in his tone. “You’ll learn to trust in my commands. Now, to bed.”

The dimly lit room was eerily silent as Aina followed Alric to his bedroom. Each step she took felt heavier than the last, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum. She clutched her trembling hands to her sides, unsure if it was the fear or his commanding presence that caused her breath to hitch.

Alric pushed the double doors open, revealing a grand room bathed in shadows. The bed in the center was massive, draped in dark sheets that mirrored his aura—intense, dominating, and untouchable.