Desperate escape

EMELIA

I stood there, frozen in shock, as Kieran's words hung in the air like a dark cloud. "I'll kill him one day," he said, his voice dripping with venom. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Kieran and Keiden were supposed to be close brothers, and yet... I thought back to all the times Kieran had acted strangely around Keiden, the way he would tense up or make snide comments. I had brushed it off as sibling rivalry, but now...

"Kieran, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why would you say that?"

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "You don't know what he's capable of, Emelia. You don't know what he's done."

I shook my head, feeling a chill run down my spine. "I don't want to be a part of this. I won't help you hurt him."

Kieran's expression turned cold. "Fine. But if you refuse to help me, then you're no better than he is. And if you're not with me, then you're against me. I'll leave you with him, and you'll suffer the same fate as him."

I felt a surge of fear at his words. "What do you mean? What fate?"

"The curse," Kieran spat. "It's what's been slowly killing him all these years. And if you don't help me, then you'll be trapped with him, suffering alongside him until you die too."

I was horrified. I had no idea what to do. "Please, Kieran, give me some time to think. I need a few days to consider everything."

Kieran nodded curtly. "You have three days. That's all. After that, I expect your answer."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. But then Kieran dropped another bombshell.

"Now, go to Keiden's house. And don't think about trying to warn him. I'll know if you do."

I felt a pang of fear. "Can't I stay in your pack until I make my decision? Please?"

Kieran's expression was unyielding. "No. You need to leave. Now. Get dressed , eat and go meet your mate.

I walked into the dining room, my heart still racing from Kieran's warning earlier. "Don't even think of escaping," he had said, his eyes glinting with a sinister intensity. "I'll know if you try."

As I took my seat at the table, Kieran sat across from me, his eyes watching my every move. I felt like a prisoner, trapped in a gilded cage.

The maids served us food, and I picked up my fork, trying to eat despite my racing thoughts. But my mind was elsewhere, thinking of ways to escape, thinking of Keiden and the curse that was supposed to afflict him.

Kieran seemed to sense my thoughts. He smiled, his eyes glinting. "Enjoy your meal, Emelia," he said. "You'll need your strength for what's to come."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words. What did he have planned for me?

I glanced around the room, looking for any possible way out. But the windows were barred, and the doors were guarded. I was trapped, at Kieran's mercy.

I stuffed my face with food, trying to gather as much energy as possible for what lay ahead. But as I finished eating, I attempted to feign illness, hoping to escape the clutches of Keiden's cursed house. I clutched my stomach, trying to look as sickly as possible.

"Kieran, I don't feel well," I said, trying to sound weak. "I think I need to rest."

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "Don't try to pretend, Emelia. I know you're faking it. You're not fooling anyone. It's better to dance according to my beat than to try and escape. Stop the pretense, or you'll only end up getting yourself blamed."

I felt a surge of fear at his words. I knew I had no choice but to comply. I nodded reluctantly, and Kieran gestured to one of the maids.

"Take her to the bathroom to freshen up. Then, dress her up in the room next door."

The maid led me to the bathroom, where I splashed water on my face, trying to calm my racing thoughts. As I dried my face, I made a mental plan to escape. I would wait until the maids were dressing me, and then I would make my move.

The maid led me to a lavish room filled with clothes and jewelry. Two maids began to dress me in a beautiful but uncomfortable gown. As they worked, I whispered to them.

"Please, help me. I don't want to go to Keiden's house. I'm scared."

But they just shook their heads, their eyes fearful. "We can't help you," one of them whispered. "Kieran will punish us if we don't do as he says."

Once they finished dressing me, I was told to wait in the sitting room while the guards arrived to take me to Keiden's house. I paced back and forth, my heart racing with fear.

When the guards arrived, Kieran gave them instructions. "Take her to Keiden's house and make sure she's dropped off at the front of his pack. Don't leave until you've seen her safely inside."

I knew I had to think fast. As we walked out the door, I turned to the guards.

"Please, don't take me there. I'll go alone, I promise. I don't want you to be influenced by Keiden's curse."

One of the guards hesitated, looking at me with a glimmer of sympathy. But the other guard shook his head.

"We have our orders," he said firmly. "We can't disobey Kieran."

As we approached Keiden's house, I saw my chance to try and convince them again. I turned to the guards, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

"Please, can't I just walk to the house by myself from here? I don't want you to be affected by Keiden's curse. It's not fair to put you in harm's way."

The guards exchanged skeptical glances, but I could see the doubt in their eyes. They had heard the rumors about Keiden's curse, and they didn't want to risk it.

"I don't know," one of them said hesitantly. "Kieran instructed us to take you all the way to the gate."

But I pressed on, trying to persuade them. "Please, it's just a short walk. I promise I'll be fine. And think of your own safety. You don't want to risk being cursed, do you?"

The guards looked at each other again, and this time, I saw a glimmer of agreement.

"Okay, fine," one of them said. "But we'll be watching you from afar. If you try anything funny, we'll be on you in an instant."

I nodded, trying to look relieved. "Thank you, I promise I'll be good."

The guards stopped at the edge of the property, their eyes fixed on me as I began to walk towards Keiden's pack gate. I pretended to head in that direction, but as soon as I saw the guards were out of sight, I quickly changed course.