Chapter9
932 Words
Samara's POV
Finally, I'm home.
I felt relieved, but I couldn't deny the emptiness I felt inside.
The memory of Michael’s piercing gaze, the way his hand had shaken as he released me, and most of all, the guilt in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
Why?
Why did he look at me like that? Why had he let me go?
After nearly sucking the life out of me, he had the audacity to feel guilty. My fingers traced the faint bruises on my wrist, the imprint of his hands were still visible on my skin.
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
I laid in bed, forcing myself to sleep and accepting the fact that no matter how much distance there was between us, Michael still lived rent-free in my head.
“Samara!”
Lucian’s shrill voice echoed in my house, pulling me out of my sleep. I sluggishly dragged myself to open the door for him.
He looked at me with pure relief in his eyes, and his hug was almost crushing.
“I tried to find you! I searched everywhere, but it was like you had vanished into thin air!” He pulled back, gripping my arms, scanning me for injuries. “What happened? Are you okay?”
I sighed, feeling my chest tighten. “It’s a long story, Lucian.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’ve got time,” he said, guiding me out of the house towards a fallen log.Sit. Talk.”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. There was no avoiding it. He deserved to know.
****
I told him everything.
From the moment Michael had taken me, to the way he had nearly killed me, and finally, to how he let me go with guilt in his eyes.
As I spoke, I found myself describing Michael more than I intended; his commanding presence, the way his touch burned like fire even when it was meant to hurt and the way I felt attracted to him despite everything.
Lucian snorted. “Wow. You sure do make him sound like a misunderstood hero rather than the crazed Alpha who kidn*pped you.”
I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. “What? No, I don’t.”
Lucian smirked. “Oh, you do. Just a few seconds ago, you were talking about his eyes like they held the entire universe or something.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I was just explaining what happened.”
Lucian shook his head with an amused yet disbelieving look. “Samara, listen to yourself. He almost killed you. And now you’re acting like he's an angel” He exhaled sharply, his expression turning serious. “You can’t go back there.”
I stiffened. “Lucian-”
“No,” he cut in firmly. “I mean it. Whatever game he’s playing, you’re caught in the middle of it. I don’t care if he looked guilty. I don’t care if he let you go. You need to stay away from him.”
I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t understand. He’s the Alpha, Lucian. He will get what he wants, one way or another.”
Lucian’s eyes darkened, frustration flickering in them. “Then let him try,” he growled. “I won’t let him take you again. I’ll protect you, whatever it takes.”
His words sent a chill down my spine. I shifted in my seat. Lucian had always been there for me, always ready to shield me from the things I didn’t want to face. But Michael on the other hand was a force neither of us could control.
I stood abruptly. “I don’t need you to protect me, Lucian.”
“Sama-”
“I mean it.” My voice was harsher than I intended, but I didn’t take it back. “You’re acting like I’m helpless. Like I'm a child.”
Lucian rose to his feet, his jaw clenched. “Because I know you, and I know how this won't end well. You’re already attracted to him, aren’t you?”
I opened my mouth to argue but found no words. Because deep down, I knew he was right.
A heavy silence fell between us, the air became thick with tension.
Then, without another word, I turned and walked back to my house, leaving him standing there.
*****
That night, I couldn't sleep. I laid restless in bed, staring at the ceiling, reminiscing about every moment I shared with Michael down to the argument with Lucian.
Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
A part of me knew I should be afraid that Lucian’s words were all true. But another part…
Another part of me wanted to understand why Michael let me go. Why he looked at me like I was more than just his blood bank.
A cool breeze drifted through my window, making me shiver. I turned on my side, pulling the blanket tighter. Just as I began to drift into a restless sleep, a voice whispered in my head, low, commanding, familiar.
“Samara.”
I jolted awake. My lips parted before I could think.
“Michael?”
My own voice startled me. It was barely audible but I was sure of what I heard.
Enough for Lucian, who was still standing outside my door to hear.
I turned my head sharply, finding him in the doorway. His brows f
urrowed, his expression unreadable. But his eyes…
His eyes were full of worry.
I heard the voice call out to me again.
“Samara, I need you.”
- Writer
