The Alpha's Unusual Mate

Chapter 3

***Rose POV***

‘Oh, I know all about you, Rose, and of Sarah. Was Matilda keeping you late at work tonight?’

I remembered then that I hadn’t seen Sarah at home. At first, I figured she was still at James’s, crashing on his sofa, but now I started to worry that this devil might have done something to her.

‘What did you do with Sarah? Where is she?’ my voice rose as fear for my friend and roommate took root in my chest.

‘She’s lucky. You had no contact with her since you left work, so we have no need to visit her as well.’

‘How do you –'

‘Enough! Or do you want Dimitri to give you another lullaby?’

The man in the driver’s seat chuckled, and the rumbling sound set my teeth on edge. I shut my mouth firmly and the Devil, for that is who this evil man was in my eyes, gave me another sneer before turning his gaze back to the road ahead.

My shoulders were starting to hurt from being bent backwards for so long, and I was aware of a dull ache at the base of my skull, but still I kept silent. I looked out the window to try and make out where we were, but all I could see were trees. We were driving down a narrow road flanked on both sides by what must be a vast forest. I wondered how long I had been out cold for, as it was clear we were nowhere near the cookie-cutter homes of the estates surrounding the city.

What little hope I had of escape quickly left me. There was no way I would be able to find my way back running through a forest with no shoes or clue where I was going. The distant skies were starting to lighten when we finally turned onto a dirt road. Dimitri didn’t slow the car down, even as the headlights of the car did little to illuminate the road ahead.

The ride became even more uncomfortable as I was bouncing in my seat because of the uneven road, and it took a lot more willpower not to say anything. A low chuckle from the front of the car drew my gaze and I looked at the side profile of the Devil as he smirked at my obvious discomfort.

The large SUV lurched as it barreled through a particularly uneven patch in the road, and I was flung out of my seat and onto the floor. A string of curses left my mouth that would have made any mother scowl. The two men chuckled and I could feel my cheeks heat up from anger and embarrassment.

My pencil skirt rid up my thighs as I struggled to get back into my seat with arms still tied behind my back. When I finally managed to get semi comfortable again and looked up, I found the Devil staring at me intently.

There was a dark look in his eyes, but it was slightly warmer than before. He stared at me unapologetically for a long moment. Finally, he blinked, and I let out a breath, thinking that he would return his gaze to the road ahead. Instead, his eyes made their way down my face, chest and down to where I knew I was showing too much leg.

There his gaze lingered, and I squirmed as if he was touching me. I hated this feeling of being trapped and unable to cover my exposed skin, but I forced myself to stay perfectly still. If this man got off on kidnapping women and having his way with them, I would not give him the satisfaction of showing my fear and discomfort.

These types of men liked their women to scream and fight, and I would not give them that.

At last, the jerk in the driver’s seat slowed down and came to a complete stop in front of what looked like a very large house. It looked out of place here, being surrounded by rows and rows of trees. The two men got out of the car and Dimitri took hold of my upper arm after opening the door to my left.

Without warning, he yanked it until I all but fell out of the car. I would have crashed down on to the gravel if it weren’t for the strong grip on my arm. With his other hand, he grabbed hold of my other arm. I struggled against his grip as I didn't like being this close to the chest of the giant of a man.

He towered above me, taller even than the Devil, and his chest was impossibly broad. His blond shaggy hair fell into his eyes and he reminded me of a Viking. I was not used to feeling this short compared to someone else, as I was quite tall myself. In fact, I was over six feet tall when I wore my high-heeled shoes and liked it. I liked the power it gave me, as everyone around me instinctively let me take control of a room.

Therefore, being barefoot and several inches shorter than the giant who was manhandling me, made me nervous.

‘Stop f*****g around, D and take her to the cells.’

The Devil hadn’t raised his voice, but there was no doubting the annoyance and displeasure laced in every word he uttered.

‘You don’t want to get this over with, boss?’

I tried to wrench my other arm free as well when Dimitri let go of my one arm, but it was futile. The giant had a vice-like grip that I knew I would never be able to break. For a moment, the Devil’s eyes flitted over my face before he looked at Dimitri again.

‘No. I’m tired. It’s been a long night. I will deal with her tomorrow.’ With that he turned to leave.

‘Wait! You can’t keep me here! Please, just let me go. I won’t tell anyone what has happened,’ I pleaded.

I didn’t like the idea of being placed in a cell and didn’t know what he meant about dealing with me tomorrow. But he remained silent, and just kept on walking, entering the house through the massive front door. I winced as the door slammed shut, the sound reverberating off the trees.

‘Come on, you heard him.’

Instead of being led to the house, we made our way around the side to a square building with no windows, set apart from the house. The small stones of the path dug into the soles of my feet, but Dimitri didn’t show any indication that he was even aware of my various aches and pains.

I felt numb. I knew I was scared. Scared for more than just my life. I was terrified not just of dying, but also of what else they could do to me.

I was led down a flight of stairs shortly after we entered the building. A series of prison cells lined the length of the corridor and I wondered who these people were and why they would need so many cells.

Dimitri stopped in front of the third cell on the left and waited for it to be opened. Once the guard swung open the heavy bars, Dimitri gave me a shove and I stumbled forward. I expected the door to close immediately, but Dimitri entered the cell after me and I quickly backed up all the way until my back hit the opposite wall.

I didn’t want him to touch me again. Knowing that I was completely trapped and would not be able to flee if he were to try anything, made me panic.

‘Get away from me! Don’t you dare touch me!’ I spat at him.

‘Or what? What are you going to do about it, hey?’

I had no answer, knowing he was right. There would be nothing I could do. I was completely and utterly powerless.

‘Don’t worry, I’m not into that. Turn around so I can untie you.’

But I didn’t budge. I didn’t trust him and would not make it any easier for him to take advantage of me. The thought sent bile to my throat and I had to fight the urge to gag. This made him angry as his face set into harsh lines before he reached for me.

Another scream left me as he forced me to turn around and pinned me against the wall. I tried to prepare myself for the feel of his big, calloused hands on my body, but could not and tears pooled in my eyes.

Before they could spill over, however, I felt his grip leave me completely and felt the agonizing release of my arms. My shoulders protested at being forced to face the right direction again, but I ignored the pain. Before I had time to turn around again, I heard the door slam shut.

I was alone. When the sounds of footsteps drifted away, quiet set in again and my first sob sounded like the tolling of a loud bell in the silence.