ANNELISE POV 

I slowly sat up on my bed, the realization of what I saw last night kicking in, and the fact that I was next to the monster.

After what I saw last night, the strange glow in his eyes, the heart of a grown human he had ripped out? I expected to be dead by now.

No one would believe me if I even tried to tell them. Hell, I'm still in denial myself.

What is he? Is he even human?

"Sweetness, you have to have your bath, you look a mess, just with a pretty face." He said and stood from the corner of the bed he was sitting.

"What are you? Are you human or... a vam..."

"Hell no, I'm not a vampire, eww, I do not feed on blood. And, humans are too slow for me to be that." He muttered, leaving me mute in utter disbelief.

He walked to the door and rested his back on it, his arms crossed together.

"I hate questions, but I get it. You saw something unusual last night, actually same situation that got that dumb man's heart ripped out. You shouldn't have seen that, you're too young for such sight." He sighed. "Well, I am Alpha Cassius Vale. I'm of the werewolf kind." He introduced as I subconsciously raised my brows in disbelief.

"A... a werewolf?" I whispered to myself, but somehow he heard me.

"You know enough, now go have your bath, your food will be served before you're out of the bathroom and new clothes will be sent to you." His voice suddenly went dark, strict and dismissive, letting me know that the conversation was over and left the room.

I still had a lot to ask, like why he still kept me alive and why he even cared enough to send my mother a doctor, but with the dismissal in his tone, I knew better.

How do werewolves exist in the real world? All my life I believed they were just fictional characters in books, and here I was in the home of one!?

No one would ever believe me if I told them, I wouldn't even believe myself!

This monster was a perfect looking one, a healthy towering build, he looked like he was in the 6ft5's. I was literally tiny next to him.

His facial structures were so perfect, I have never seen such perfection before! Jaw line so sharp that I bet it could give me a cut. His eyes were a fiery shade of gold, but somehow so bright and beautiful. Jet black neatly styled undercut hair, and a smooth olive skin tone.

I hate myself for recognizing a monsters beauty, he probably just sees me as his next victim.

I gently stood up, my bare feet meeting the chill black and white marble floor, I slowly looked around the room, taking in the modern vintage aesthetic. The up to down windows with very clean clear glasses, the very clean white painted walls, the beautiful unique paintings on the walls, chandelier falling down the ceiling.

It was a beautiful cage.

I hissed and walked through the door I assumed to be the bathroom.

I stood under the shower, letting the water rush down my skin. I had anxiety, I was scared of what next would happen, what he planned to do with me, he definitely isn't keeping me here for no reason.

He said he wasn't going to kill me, but do I want to be alive if it meant staying under a monster's roof?

I shut off the shower and grabbed the clean pink towel I found, I wrapped the towel around my body and walked back to the room, my brain still a roller coaster of thoughts and anxiety.

My meal was already served, rich looking steaming hot food neatly kept and covered on the table, the aroma so mouthwatering that my stomach churned.

But I had to snap back and remind myself of where I was.

My eyes caught the colorful bags on the floor, they were four branded shopping bags.

"Is he baiting me?" I whispered as I approached them, my hair and skin still dripping wet.

"These look expensive, I can't even afford to pay back if I had to." I sighed and sat on the bed, my eyes drifting from the rich looking food to the branded shopping bags filled with clothes.

The clunk of the door caught my attention and on the sight of him, I jumped off the bed, covering my body with both my arms.

"Please, can I have some moments to myself... please?" I politely asked, watching my tone in order not to get on his bad side.

He stood mutely by the door, staring at me like a meal he wanted to devour, he didn't even try to hide the fact that he was lusting over my body.

He let out a small smile and nodded. "Sure... I will be back though." He said and walked out.

He was so creepy and unpredictable!

I looked at my skin to see goosebumps rising, that was how he made me feel.

Would he ever let me go?

I turned to the glass partition leading to the balcony, his home looked heavily protected, it wasn't going to be possible for me to escape this cage.

I strolled to the balcony to see how outside looked, the height of the house blew my mind, I looked up to find out that he kept me in the last floor.

There were security cameras in every corner of the house I could see, indeed there was no escape for me.

I was stuck here until he decided my fate.

I went back inside the room, dried my skin with the towel and reluctantly took a dress out of one of the bags and slipped into it, it was a white sundress. A pretty one.

I sat on the couch staring at the food kept for me, but I suddenly lost my appetite. I was worried, worried about my fate here, worried about my mom. I hadn't heard from her, and I knew that she would be worried sick.

I couldn't find my bag anywhere in the room nor could I find my phone.

I must have dropped them on the street, I have to find a way to speak to my mom.

"Why aren't you eating, Annelise?" His voice sounded, startling me out of my thoughts.

How in God's green earth does he know my name!?

ALPHA CASSIUS POV

A human mate? The moon goddess did me wrong with that, humans were too dumb for my liking... too slow, but here I was, mated to one.

She was my mate and she didn't even know that, she was mine to own and I was never letting her go.

The way she smells, her hair, her eyes... Her body? I never thought I would ever find a human attractive, she was different, so fragile that I already knew that she would require a lot of protection.

The moment I set my eyes on her last night, my body burned for her, I have never felt that before, a strange spark so strong that I struggled with composure.

She smells of vanilla mixed with rich caramel, it was her natural scent. Her body looked so intoxicating that all I could think of was how she would feel wrapped around my arms.

She had this effortless soft femininity that I have never seen in any woman I have been with.

In less than twenty four hours she had taken control of my thoughts and emotions, she had so much power over me, and she didn't even know that.

And I would never let her know such vulnerable information, I hated the way I felt. I was almost acting out of character for the first time in my existence.

"Please, can I have some moments to myself... please?" She had requested earlier when I walked into her room and saw her in that little pink towel that barely covered her skin, her delicate light caramel skin, so smooth and soft looking that I desperately needed to feel it, devour her and have a taste of her.

My claws itched to sprout out and rip that silly towel off.

I almost said no to her request, but she sounded so careful like she was too scared of me.

I love having that effect on people, I love seeing people terrified of me, but I didn't want that from her.

I had granted her request, and left her to her privacy.

An hour later, I came back to find her sitting on the little couch, she was already dressed in a simple white sundress, her dark curls looking radiant as ever... But, her food was untouched.

"Why aren't you eating, Annelise?" She startled at the sound of my voice.

Damn! She was really scared of my existence.

I walked to her bed and sat down.

There was a long silence between us, not awkward for me, but I could see the tension in her eyes. She was anxious and avoiding my gaze as she nervously fuddled with her hands.

"Can I speak to my mom, please? I can't find my phone." She requested, not looking at me in the eyes.

"Then you have to eat first, I have your phone and bag. Everything is safe, now eat, Annelise." I urged as she nodded and opened the food.

She stared at the food hesitantly, I could tell that she loved what she saw, but was hesitant because it came from me.

Humans are so easy to predict.

I watched her slowly chew the food, all I could think of was how much I wanted her, how much alluring she looked in that sundress.

My wolf yearned to have her, we were losing control of ourselves for the first time.

I couldn't wait to mark her, to claim her, to make it known that she was my possession and there was no going back.

She was part of my world now, my forbidden mate.

My pack wouldn't like her, but no one's opinion ever mattered anyways... Not even hers in this case.

She adjusted herself on the couch after eating and chunked a full glass of water.

"Good girl, now tell me everything you want?" I said, impressed with how good she ate.

"Can I speak to my mom first... Please?" She requested, and I smiled with a nod.

"Maybe a video call would be better?" I asked as her eyes lightened up that instant, and she quickly nodded.

I had already asked the doctor to be alert for the video call, so he answered on the first ring, and I handed my phone over to Anne.

I watched how her face went from pale to excitement once she saw her mom on the screen.

"Mom! I miss you! How are you doing?" She asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Honey, I'm doing okay. The doctor is great at his job, I'm finally seeing some improvement in my health."

"I'm so happy to hear that..." She replied with a small smile, her eyes drifted to me for a second and she turned back to the phone. "I'm so sorry about..."

"Why didn't you tell me you have a boyfriend? You didn't have to lie about being on your way home, you're 23 Anne, you're grown Anne. He seems like a good man." Her mom said as I smiled to myself, adjusting comfortably on the bed.

It was so easy, I didn't expect her to believe me that quickly.

"My boyfriend?" Anne asked, I couldn't tell if she was annoyed or confused. The look she gave me was one of 'Are you kidding right now?'

I shrugged my shoulders and looked away with a smirk burning my left cheek.

"He said he will be taking you on a vacation soon, which means I only get to see you on FaceTime for now. But he got me a caregiver, so I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me, just have a good time, you deserve it." Her mom uttered softly, I could see the sudden change of emotion in Anne's eyes, her eyes were glossing with tears.

"Alright mom, take care of yourself. I will speak to you soon." She whispered shakily and ended the call.

She handed the phone to me and stood up, I followed her.

"What's wrong, Sweetness. Your mom is doing okay as you can see, why are you crying?" I asked, trying my hardest to hide the concern in my voice.

"You didn't fucking have to lie to her, doing all that to make her comfortable doesn't change the fact that this is forced proximity. This is literally kidnap and you're asking me why I'm crying!?" She yelled, emotions gushing out her voice.

No one has ever spoken to me in such disrespectful manner.

A human raising her voice at me was a day I never saw coming, but somehow I wasn't pissed off, I was impressed... Maybe she wasn't as weak as I thought.

"I'd advise you to watch your tone when speaking to me, Sweetness. I do not condone disrespect." I warned as she went quiet and walked to the balcony.

She walked away from me?

I was strangely aroused by her guts... I followed her.

ANNELISE POV

Lying to my mother was where I drew the line, but I couldn't do nothing, I was helpless. My fate was in his hands and I wasn't sure I wanted to die or feel any sort of pain.

The emotional trauma was enough.

The chill night air blew, dispersing my hair in all directions and obstructing my eyes as I leaned on the railing of the balcony.

How was it so easy to fool my mother? My mom has always had a strange instinct when something wasn't right, how did he get her to be so ignorant about my whereabout?

I felt more trapped than ever.

I looked around the huge compound, there were men patrolling the mansion, I assumed they were body guards.

I hissed and tucked the tiny strands of my hair obstructing my view behind my ears.

The realization that I was literally the only human in this part of the world weighed in my heart, I wasn't safe... I didn't feel safe at all.

I felt his presence behind me, he didn't need to speak, his strong cologne announced him.

He gently walked towards me and curled his arm around my waist, placing his hand on my lower belly making me stiffen, he was too close, his hand placement felt too intimate even without him feeling my bare skin.

He pulled me in, covering the space between us as he leaned over burying his face against my neck and sniffing my scent.

My toes curled at that gesture, I didn't understand how I felt. I wanted to be disgusted, I wanted to push him away, but I couldn't move, the feeling was new, no man has ever touched me in such manner before.

He brushed his lips on my neck, planting a soft kiss on it as I let out a subconscious moan. I was disappointed in myself, I hated my body for reacting to his touch.

"Next time you walk out on me, I would punish you so hard you would beg me to stop and I wouldn't." He whispered a warning in my ear, making me shiver at the strictness of his tone. "Be warned, Sweetness." He muttered softly and kissed my neck.

My breath was unsteady, I was losing control of myself from how close he was to me.

I shut my eyes, letting myself feel his every touch. I had let my guard down for a monster and had decided to live in the moment.

He slowly pulled away from me and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze.

"Sweetness, haven't you been touched before?" He asked as I stared at him for a moment and slowly nodded.

I lowered my head in embarrassment but he gently cupped my face and raised my eyes. "You're my gift from the moon goddess." He whispered, I didn't understand what he meant by that, but I stayed quiet gazing at his golden eyes, bright and pretty as ever.

Slowly he leaned in, the realization of what he was about to do made my heart race in a weird way, but I didn't push him away.

My heart was pounding like it was about to explode out my chest, my feet were cold.

I wanted to push him away, but I was too carried away to care anymore.

His lips gently pressed on mine and my heart stopped beating for a second, I didn't want him to stop and he didn't stop anyways.

Our lips intertwined for what felt like eternity and he suddenly pulled away.

"Go to bed, Sweetness. See you tomorrow." He uttered and walked away without giving me a chance to speak.

I was embarrassed and disappointed in my whole existence.

"What just happened?" I whispered to myself in utter disbelief.

My fingers hovered around my lips, I could still feel the softness of his lips, my lips were a bit swollen from the intensity of the kiss.

This was the best kiss I ever had, the last time I had a kiss was in high school, and it sure was a waste of time.

Cassius kissed me like he wanted me, like his life depended on me. The way he cuddled me while eating my lips up felt like he wanted to live in my skin.

I liked every bit of it, I wanted more of that intimacy, but it was him! The monster that kidnapped me, an emotionally unavailable murderer... A werewolf!?

I hated myself for reacting to his actions, for wanting him even more.

But I couldn't let him have such power over me, he has taken control of my freedom, I shouldn't let him control my libido.

I haven't been with a man sexually before, my first can't be an inhuman monstrous creature.

I rolled my hair up in a messy bun and walked back to the room.

I haven't stepped outside since last night, few hours earlier made it 24 hours of me being a glorified prisoner.

A cage princess, as it seems...

I fell on the bed, staring at the ceiling, different thoughts clouding my mind.

He had called me a gift given to him by a moon goddess, I didn't understand what he meant by that, and I was a bit curious.

What the hell could he possibly want from me, what do I possibly have to offer him?

He is obviously very wealthy, he could get any girl he wanted. I am not even on his league, what use am I?

***

I was woken up the next morning by the noises from multiple voices, I lazily opened my eyes to find two ladies standing next to the door, one with a book and the other speaking to her in whispers... loud whispers.

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat dramatically to alert them that I was awake.

"Good morning... Miss... Uhmm Ma'am" They greeted with a slight bow that caught me off guard, they were confused on what to call me.

"Hi, good morning, My name is Anne... Annelise, nice to meet ya." I politely greeted as they bowed again.

I didn't fancy that, they looked like they were my age mates or prolly a bit older.

"Good morning, Miss Anne"

"Good morning, Miss Annelise"

They both greeted as I nodded.

"I have been instructed by Alpha Cassius to get your choice of room decoration, we want to transform your room to your own style." The lady with the book said as I raised my brows in surprise.

"Oh? Okay, sure." I replied.

"And I'm here to clean your room." The other lady said as I took the book, it was a decor magazine with lots of options.

I was confused on what to choose, I didn't know my style. Never had such thoughts.

Cassius had given me a chance to make my little cage look better, I wasn't going to throw away an opportunity because I hated him.

"This, this is pretty." I replied, pointing at a picture page.

"Perfect option ma'am, this is a coquette style." She said and closed the page. "I will go report back..." She added and left.

The other lady had already started cleaning the room so I took the opportunity to leave my room and tour the rest of the house.

I stepped out of my room to meet a long empty hallway with multiple doors, a sudden wave of nervousness hit me. This was a whole mansion, and I knew no one here... Well, except my captor.

I walked a bit further and found a stairway, there was a lady mopping the stairs, once she noticed me she curtsied respectfully, I didn't like that gesture but I nodded and started walking down the stairs.

"Ma'am, Alpha Cassius has an elevator, and I think you're permitted to use it, the stair way is too long for you... And, I think Alpha Cassius instructed that you shouldn't leave this floor without a maid or a guard." She informed as I furrowed my brows.

What the hell? He's restricting my movement too!?

"What's going on here?" His loud masculine voice reverberated in my ears, making me almost flinch out of my skin.

How didn't we hear him coming!? Is he also a ghost?