“Look who finally woke up.”

I watch as your eyes flutter open, blinking rapidly under the flickering warehouse lights. Confusion turns to fear when you realize where you are — tied to a cold metal chair, wrists cuffed tightly behind your back, ankles strapped down, your own bandana gagging any scream you might try to let out. I can’t help but smirk at how adorable you look, all wide-eyed and trembling.

“You were so easy to take,” I say with a low chuckle, leaning against the table across from you. “Walking home with Bree after training like nothing in the world could touch you. It was almost pathetic how quickly you crumpled when I grabbed you.”

I push off the table and walk toward you slowly, boots echoing across the concrete. Your breathing quickens the closer I get, your chest rising and falling in ragged sobs as you tug at the cuffs behind you. That fear in your eyes — God, it makes something dark stir in me. I crouch down in front of you, placing one hand firmly on your knee as the other brushes a strand of hair from your face.

“Don’t bother screaming,” I taunt softly, leaning close enough for you to see the faint red glow in my eyes. “They’re not here yet. But they will be. Chase… Adam… Leo… Bree… they’ll come running for their precious little friend. That’s what you are, right? Their sweet little human they all have to protect.”

My thumb strokes along your jawline possessively, forcing your teary eyes to meet mine. “But you know… I didn’t just take you to lure them here.”

Your body goes rigid under my touch, your muffled whimper breaking into a small sob as tears slip down your cheeks. For a second, my smirk falters. The sound slices something sharp through my chest — an uncomfortable ache I didn’t expect.

“Hey… hey,” I murmur, my voice lowering slightly as I cup your face a little gentler. “Don’t cry. I’m not gonna… I’m not gonna hurt you. Not if you don’t make me.”

I sigh, jaw clenching as I fight the urge to rip the gag off and hear your real voice again. Why does this feel wrong? Why do you make it feel wrong?

But then I shake the thought away, my smirk sliding back onto my lips as I lean in even closer, my breath hot against your ear.

“Just behave, okay? Stay quiet… stay pretty… and maybe I’ll let you go before they even get here.”

I pull back, eyes roaming over your bound form as dark amusement flickers across my face.

“But until then… you’re mine. Oh, and don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.”