The Mafia Alpha's Forced Bride

Breaking Point

The first thing I feel is the headache.

It pounds behind my eyes, dull and heavy, like someone stuffed my skull with wet sand. My throat burns next—dry, scratchy—before a sudden wave of nausea rolls through me.

I jerk upright, gagging.

Coughs tear out of my chest, harsh and painful, scraping my throat raw. My vision swims, blurring the room into gray smudges. I squeeze my eyes shut, breathing slowly, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

When I open them again, the room comes into focus.

Large bed. Dark walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows covered by heavy curtains.

My heart sinks.

I'm not dreaming.

I'm really in the scary man's mansion.

The memory crashes back all at once — the murder, the car, the locked room, his cold eyes.

My stomach rumbles faintly, a hollow, painful sound. My throat protests again, dry and aching.

It's been a whole day.

No food.

No water.

My lips crack when I try to swallow.

How long do they intend to keep this up?

I drag myself toward the door, using the wall for support. My legs tremble beneath me. The dizziness hasn't fully gone away, and the room tilts slightly with every step.

Still, I keep going.

I reach the door and raise my hand. My knuckles sting instantly — bruised from yesterday’s desperate pounding. I wince, then slam my palm against the wood instead.

"Hello?" My voice comes out hoarse. "I'm thirsty… please."

Nothing.

Silence presses against me.

"Hello?" I try again, weaker this time. "Please… I just need a sip of water."

Still nothing.

I want to curse.

I want to bang on the door until my hands bleed.

But I don't have the strength.

My arm falls limply to my side.

I slide down the door slowly, collapsing onto the floor. My breathing comes shallow, uneven.

I shouldn't have looked.

I should have minded my business and gone home.

Why did I have to be curious?

Why did I have to see him kill that man?

A sudden click breaks through my thoughts.

My head jerks up.

The door swings open.

Kai Dragunov steps inside.

Even in my weakened state, my heart stutters.

He's dressed immaculately in a black shirt and suit, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders. His dark hair is slightly tousled, falling over one eye, softening nothing about the sharp, cold lines of his face.

He shuts the door behind him but doesn't lock it.

A small flicker of hope sparks inside me.

If I can just outsmart him… maybe I can run.

If I can gather enough strength.

"Are you ready to accept my offer?" he asks, looking down at me like I'm something stuck to the bottom of his shoe.

I force myself to sit up, leaning against the bed for support.

"I'm thirsty," I croak.

His gaze flicks over me.

"Thirsty?" he says mildly. "That's not right."

He turns toward the door.

"Get me water."

Footsteps retreat.

My heart pounds.

This is my chance.

No one's guarding the door.

If I can tackle him—

I drag myself up, pretending to shift toward the bed. My legs wobble dangerously, but I grit my teeth and push forward.

Then I lunge.

I throw my full weight at him, aiming to shove him aside.

He doesn't budge.

Instead, his arm wraps around me instantly, locking me in place. My back slams against his chest, his grip iron-tight around my waist.

My breath catches.

He's warm. Solid. Unmovable.

My senses flare.

That scent again.

Strong. Dark. Something wild beneath it.

Is he… a wolf?

My mind spins.

I writhe, kicking and flailing weakly, but it's useless. He doesn't even strain. He simply shifts and pushes me down.

I collapse onto the floor.

Every ounce of energy drains from me.

The door opens again.

The guard enters, holding a glass of water. Kai takes it, waiting until the man leaves.

"That was pathetic, Pytka," he murmurs. "Though I admire your effort."

He crouches slightly.

"Water?"

Yes.

I stretch my fingers toward the glass.

If I can take a sip, maybe I'll regain some strength.

He extends it toward me — but not fully.

I reach higher.

He pulls it back.

Then, slowly, deliberately, he lifts the glass to his lips and drinks.

My heart drops.

I watch helplessly as he drains the water, gulping loudly. Tiny trails slide down his chin.

My fingers curl weakly against the floor.

He exhales, satisfied.

Then he looks at me, eyes gleaming with dark amusement.

"Oops."

My chest tightens.

"Oops?" I whisper.

"You sick bastard!" I rasp. "Let me go… please."

"Accept my offer." His tone remains calm. "It's simple. You become my pretend wife. You tell the police we were together the night that man died. They believe you — you're free to go. I'll even compensate you."

My mind spins.

Pretend wife.

Lie to the police.

He's asking me to help him escape murder.

I shake my head weakly.

"No."

His jaw tightens slightly.

"Then enjoy the rest of your day."

"No… wait—"

Too late.

He turns and leaves.

The door shuts.

Silence fills the room again.

"f**k…" My voice cracks as a tear slides down my cheek. "Let me out…"

The hours stretch endlessly.

The hunger comes first.

It gnaws at my stomach, sharp and relentless. My body feels hollow, weak. Every movement drains me further.

Then comes the thirst.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. My throat burns. Even breathing hurts.

I try knocking again.

My hands barely lift.

No one comes.

I lie on the floor, drifting in and out of sleep.

Sometimes I think I hear footsteps.

Sometimes I think I smell food.

But nothing comes.

Night falls.

I know because the room grows colder.

My body trembles.

The third day is worse.

I wake with my lips cracked and bleeding. My head spins constantly. My limbs feel heavy, like they don't belong to me.

I try to stand.

I collapse.

I crawl toward the door.

I whisper.

"Please…"

Nothing.

Time blurs.

At some point, I curl into myself, shivering. My thoughts grow hazy. Memories flicker — home, laughter, sunlight.

I wonder if I'll die here.

On the fourth day, I don't wake immediately.

Darkness lingers longer.

When I finally open my eyes, everything is blurry.

I can't move.

My body feels numb, distant.

My breathing is shallow.

I'm cold.

So cold.

I try to swallow.

Nothing.

My lips part.

"Water…"

It comes out as barely a whisper.

Footsteps.

Are they real?

The door opens.

A figure steps in.

Tall.

Dark.

Blurred.

Kai.

I try to speak.

My voice cracks into nothing.

"I…"

My chest tightens painfully.

"I… I'll do it." My voice barely exists anymore. "I'll be your.... wife...."

The words scrape out, faint and broken.

Silence follows.

Then movement.

He crosses the room quickly.

Strong arms lift me from the floor.

Warmth.

His scent surrounds me again.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" His voice sounds distant, irritated… and something else.

I try to focus on his face.

It's blurry.

His expression tightens slightly at he takes in my cracked lips, pale skin and shallow breathing. Yet all I can do is get lost in his looks.

Dark hair.

Sharp jaw.

Everything fades.

My body grows heavier.

The last thing I feel is him holding me tighter.

Then darkness swallows me whole.