Chapter 18:A Game of Shadows
607 Words
Alina’s breath came in sharp gasps as Viktor carried her through the halls like she was weightless. His grip was unyielding, his strength impossible to fight against. She clawed at his arms, kicked her legs, but he only held her tighter.
“Let me go!” she spat, thrashing in his hold.
Viktor didn’t even flinch. “Struggle all you want, printsessa, but it won’t change anything.”
She pounded her fists against his chest, but he barely acknowledged her efforts. The halls blurred past them until he reached a heavy door and kicked it open. He strode inside and slammed the door shut behind them before finally setting her down—only to press her against the wooden surface with his body, caging her in.
His towering frame loomed over hers, his breath hot against her temple.
“Run,” he murmured darkly, gripping her chin between his fingers and forcing her to meet his gaze. “Try it.”
Alina’s heart pounded, but she refused to show fear. She shoved at his chest. “You’re insane if you think you can just keep me here like some—”
Viktor’s grip tightened, forcing her words to die in her throat. His lips barely grazed her ear as he whispered, “I’ve kept my eyes on you for years, Alina. Do you really think I’d let you go now?”
A chill ran down her spine. His confession felt like shackles closing around her.
She shook her head. “You can’t do this.”
Viktor chuckled, low and dark. “I already have.”
He stepped back just enough to let her breathe—but only for a second before he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the massive bed. She stumbled, but he caught her, spinning her so her back collided with the mattress.
Alina gasped, trying to sit up, but Viktor was on her in an instant, pinning her wrists above her head. His weight pressed her down, his presence consuming every inch of space.
“I will never belong to you,” she hissed, eyes blazing with defiance.
Viktor’s lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes were unreadable, dark with something deeper. Obsession. Possession.
“You already do,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over her pulse point. “You just don’t know it yet.”
She jerked her head away, her body trembling with anger. “You’re delusional.”
Viktor exhaled slowly, his grip loosening just enough for her to feel a false sense of freedom. He traced the curve of her jaw with his knuckles, tilting her face back toward him.
“Maybe,” he said, voice deceptively soft. “But I always get what I want.”
His lips ghosted over hers—so close, yet not touching. A silent warning. A dangerous promise.
Then, just as suddenly as he had caged her, he pulled away, standing at the edge of the bed.
“Sleep, printsessa,” he said, amusement lacing his voice. “You’ll need your strength.”
Alina sat up, chest heaving, watching as he strode toward the door.
“I will never stop fighting you,” she said, her voice dripping with venom.
Viktor paused, gripping the doorknob. He turned his head just enough to meet her glare, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his lips.
“I’d be disappointed if you did.”
The door shut with a finality that sent a cold wave of reality crashing over her.
Alina clenched her fists, her pulse racing.
She would fight.
She would escape.
But Viktor…
Viktor would never let her go.
To be continued…
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- Writer
