Hell in his arms

kidn*pped

My eye lids opened slowly, I still felt a bit dizzy, but I couldn’t see much, the bag was still over my head.

Where am I?

I could smell mildew, oil-stained floors and rusted metal.

My arms and legs were tied so tight behind me I couldn’t feel them.

For hours, maybe more, I lay on the cold floor, no one said a word to me.

I could hear whispers, the sound of footsteps and distant voices.

“They say she’s Cassian’s toy.” I heard one of the voices say faintly.

“Let’s see what he does when someone cracks his perfect little doll.”

Goosebumps washed all over me, I tried to scream, but nothing came out anymore.

I was shaking, but I wasn’t even sure if it was from the cold or pure dread.

What if they were right? What if they really were going to kill me?

What would happen to my parents?

And where the hell was Cassian?

CASSIAN'S POV

Cassian knew something was wrong the moment the guards reported Anya hadn’t returned from the restroom.

He stood up so fast the chair scraped harshly against the marble floor.

“She had how many minutes of no contact?”

“Twelve—sir, but—”

Cassian didn't wait for the guards to finish, he was already moving.

Twelve minutes was enough for her to be gone.

His blood roared. That pressure behind his eyes, that rage that never fully disappeared, surged to the surface.

He wasn’t sure what pissed him off more, that someone dared touch what was his, or that the panic rising in his chest made it hard to think.

The thought of them laying their hands on his little one made him very angry. No one dared lay a finger on her, she was his.

His wolf groaned in approval, he thought of different ways he was going to mutilate them.

I'll make them pay. He thought to himself as he clenched his fist.

“Activate her tag,” he ordered.

A small blinking dot lit up on the screen, she was still alive.

But it won't be for long, he knew the Bloodfangs will try something like this, he had put a tracker into each of her jewelries.

The Bloodfangs were know to fight dirty, because they were cowards.

The warehouse was in the outer city, tucked behind abandoned train yards and factories.

Cassian arrived alone, driving something inconspicuous.

He could’ve brought his men, but he didn’t, this wasn’t a mission, It was personal.

The moment he stepped out of the car, he could smell blood.

The cold air burned his throat. His pulse slammed against his temples.

He hadn’t fully shifted, but his senses were already heightened.

His eyes gleamed faintly, his wolf was close.

His claws slide out, and his wolf was angry, the only thing that could calm him down was spilling blood.

He didn’t knock, he silently entered Into the warehouse.

The first man didn’t even see him coming, just a flash before his neck snapped like a twig.

The second screamed before Cassian slammed his skull into the concrete wall, blood sprayed.

Cassian smiled at himself, he was enjoying this.

Three more to go, he thought. The men looked terrified, like they had seen a ghost.

They tried to shoot, but they were too slow.

Cassian ripped through them, snapping limbs, blood spilled on his face and he loved the feeling of it.

Their bodies dropped one by one as he moved through the building with terrifying precision.

With no mercy or hesitation.

Only one thought repeated over and over in his head: She’s mine.

ANYA'S POV

I heard the first scream, then a crash, then a gunshot.

More screams

What is going on?

Panic kicked in, I tried to sit up, to wriggle free from the ropes biting into my wrists, but I couldn’t move.

Then something growled, It wasn’t human, the door slammed open.

I flinched, but I couldn't see anything.

The thing or person approached, I shifted back into the wall. Hands reached out and removed the sack bag.

I sat there, face to face with Cassian, his face was like salvation.

He was covered in blood, his arms were still dripping in blood. His white shirt was torn at the seams.

His face looked different, it was sharper, darker and wilder. His eyes glowed, and his teeth were slightly elongated.

I couldn’t speak, I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, I had been so scared.

“Shhh little one, don't cry.” Cassian said stroking me.

That’s when it hit me, It was him, he had done all this for me.

My heart raced. The smell of blood, the horror of what I’d seen, it all became too much.

The last thing I saw was his blood-soaked figure crouching beside me, reaching out, and then the darkness took me.

My eyes fluttered open, I shut it back immediately because of the light, and slowly opened it, adjusting it to the light.

My eyes felt heavy, and my body ached like I’d been hit by a truck. I blinked, trying to get my bearings. I wasn’t in the warehouse.

The lights were soft, the bed under me was warm.

I saw a figure sitting beside the bed, it was Cassian.

He sat there with his shirt sleeves were rolled up, and for once, he didn’t look untouchable. He looked tired, really tired.

When he noticed me moving, he straightened and looked at me.

Gods, he looked so handsome despite looking so tired.

“You’re awake,” he said quietly.

I stared at him. “Where… am I?”

“You’re home,” he said. “You’re safe.”

I swallowed hard, the memories came back in flashes, the van, the needle, the blood…… Cassian.

I didn't want to think about what I saw or heard.

“You found me,” I said.

His jaw tensed. “Yeah.”

“How?”

“I put a tracker on you. Days ago.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but right now, I was just grateful. “They were going to kill me…”

“I know.”

There was something in his eyes, anger? guilt? It was something deeper.

He looked away for a second, like he didn’t want me to see too much.

“I should’ve had more guards,” he muttered. “Should’ve known they’d try something.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said quietly. “They came out of nowhere.”

He looked back at me then. “It is my fault. You’re in this because of me.”

I didn’t know what to say, for once, he didn’t look like the cold, powerful Cassian Virell.

There was a knock at the door, and two men walked in, apparently, they were doctors. They greeted Cassian with a respectful nod, then turned to me.

“She needs fluids,” one said. “Some rest, maybe a mild sedative. We’ll run more tests later.”

Cassian stood, gave me one last look. “I’ll be right outside.”

I nodded, I didn’t want him to go, but I didn’t say it.

The doctors worked quickly, checked my vitals, put a drip in my arm, asked a few questions I barely answered.

Not long after, sleep pulled me under again.

But this time, I felt safe. Because Cassian was close.

I couldn’t breathe, I was back in that warehouse, only this time, I wasn’t tied up, I was standing alone.

The lights flickered, the air smelled like blood and smoke.

I took a step forward and heard something c***k under my foot, it was human bone. My heart started racing.

Then I saw Cassian.

He stepped out of the shadows, shirt soaked in blood. His eyes were glowing gold, but they weren’t like before.

“Cassian?” I asked, voice shaking.

He didn’t answer, he just kept walking toward me, like a predator.

“Stop,” I said, backing up. “It’s me. Anya. Please—”

Still no response, his expression didn’t change. No emotion, Just those golden eyes, locked on mine.

Then his hand shifted, long claws extending from his fingers and he lunged.

“Cassian!” I screamed.

I tried to run, but I barely got two steps before he grabbed me and slammed me to the ground.

His weight crushed me, one clawed hand wrapped around my throat, the other pinned my wrist down.

He leaned in, face inches from mine. His mouth opened just enough for me to see the sharp canines.

“You made me weak.” was what he said.

Then he raised his claws again, I screamed and jolted awake.

I was soaked in sweat, the room was dim but warm, not cold and dirty like the warehouse. My fingers clutched the blankets like they were my last lifeline.

It took me a full minute to realize I was in bed. Safe.

The door burst open.

Cassian rushed in, shirt rumpled, eyes wide, like he’d sprinted through the house

“Anya!”

I froze.

My body reacted before my brain did, seeing him in the doorway, backlit by the hall light, made the dream flash again in my head.

He stepped closer, and I flinched.

He stopped, his expression shifted, still tense, but now laced with something else.

“It was just a nightmare,” he said, voice low, trying to sound calm. “You’re safe.”

I didn’t answer.

“I heard you scream,” he said.

I pressed my back against the headboard, hugging my knees. “You were the one trying to kill me… in the dream.”

His jaw clenched. “I figured.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the tension thick between us.

He looked like he wanted to come closer, but didn’t dare.

“I’m not him,” he said finally. “Whatever version of me your mind created, I’m not that.”

He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, slowly and carefully. “You don’t have to be scared of me, Anya. I’ll never hurt you.”

I wanted to believe him. But the look in his eyes in that dream, I couldn’t erase it. I just gave him a slight nod.

And even though I didn’t move any closer to him…

A small part of me was relieved he came.