Chapter 4

Kael’s grip on Elara’s arm was like iron, and his demeanor was a stark contrast to the supposed savior he had pretended to be. The moment of false safety had ended, replaced by a growing dread that knotted in her stomach.

He led her through the dense undergrowth of the forest, moving with purpose, but not toward safety. His presence was suffocating, his intentions now clear in the way he handled her. Every so often, he would tug her roughly, his touch leaving bruises in its wake.

Elara tried to pull away, but each attempt was met with a tighter hold. Her heart pounded, each step feeling like it took her deeper into a nightmare she couldn’t escape. She could hear Kael’s breathing — harsh and uneven — and his occasional mutterings that were more to himself than to her.

“This is what you wanted, right?” he said suddenly, his voice cold and mocking. “To be saved by someone who doesn’t give a damn about you?”

She could only manage a weak shake of her head. The fear and exhaustion had reduced her to a quivering mess, barely able to stand. “Please,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Just let me go.”

Kael laughed, a harsh, cruel sound that echoed through the trees. “Oh, Elara,” he said, leaning close so she could feel the heat of his breath on her ear. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I don’t do charity cases. You’re coming with me, and you’re going to learn what it means to be under my control.”

His hand slid from her arm to her waist, and Elara flinched at the touch. The way he looked at her — with a predatory gleam in his eyes — made her skin crawl. His fingers traced a line along her side, too familiar, too invasive.

“Stop it,” she pleaded, trying to jerk away. “I don’t want this.”

Kael ignored her pleas, his smirk widening. “You don’t get to decide that. You’re mine now, and I intend to make sure you understand that fully.”

He pushed her against a tree, his body pressing in on hers. His hand traveled up her arm, gripping it tightly, his touch leaving bruises. She tried to squirm free, but he was relentless. His lips were inches from her face, his breath hot and rancid.

“You’re scared, aren’t you?” he taunted, his voice low and menacing. “Good. You should be. The world you’re entering isn’t forgiving.”

Elara’s heart raced, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. She wanted to scream, but the forest swallowed her cries. Her mind raced, desperate for a way out, but all she could think of was how to protect herself from his increasingly invasive touch.

Kael’s hand slipped from her arm to her thigh, his fingers brushing against her skin in a way that made her shiver with revulsion. “You think you can just escape your past?” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “You think you’re special?”

Elara shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the sensation, trying to block out the reality of her situation. Her world had narrowed to the feeling of his hands on her and the terror that gripped her heart.

“No,” she choked out, her voice barely a whisper. “I just want to be free.”

Kael’s expression twisted into a cruel smile. “Freedom isn’t something you get to have. Not in my world.”

He released her abruptly, pushing her away from the tree, and Elara stumbled, barely managing to stay upright. Her legs felt like jelly, her body weak from the combined toll of fear and exhaustion.

Kael’s eyes followed her with a predatory gaze. “You’ll learn soon enough,” he said. “Just remember, there’s no escape from me. I always get what I want.”

Elara’s spirit was broken, her hopes shattered. She was alone again, her “rescuer” nothing more than another cage. The forest, once a symbol of hope, now seemed a cruel trick. Her only solace was the faint, stubborn flicker of hope that she could still find a way out, despite the darkness that surrounded her.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***