CAUGHT
1351 Words
ELLA’S POV
I woke up with a sore back.
My body screamed with
The room was dark aside from the dim lighting of a nearby lamp.
The room was deadly silent except for the slow, steady sound of Nickson's breathing.
Moonlight spilled across the half open curtains, highlighting Nickson’s sleeping form.
His sharp features seemed softer, innocent— almost vulnerable.
I lay there for a moment, watching him.
His dark hair was slightly messy, falling over his forehead.
His red plump lips— the same lips that had devoured mine only hours ago — were parted slightly in sleep.
His long dark lashes kissed his cheek, spreading an otherworldly beauty.
He looked like a cute little baby with a broad chest.
I wiped off a few droplets of sweat from his forehead.
He nuzzles against the back of my hand like a kitten.
My chest tightened.
Reluctance creep into my very essence.
Maybe I actually still felt something for that man?
Carefully, I slowly slipped out from under the sheets.
My body protested, muscles sore in ways that made heat creep up my neck as flashes of the night rushed back — his hands, the longing in his voice, the way he said my name like he meant it.
I pressed my lips together, steadying myself.
“Focus, Ella,” I whispered, mentally preparing myself for the journey ahead. “You have to get home before he wakes."
I rose to my feet, scanning the perimeter for what still remained of my outfit.
Near by were my half torn clothes, and heel.
I glanced a little longer, that was when I spotted my lace panties near the foot of the bed and hurried to pick them up, quickly getting dressed.
As I reached down to grab what remained of my outfit, something else caught my attention.
It was a used condom, half hidden underneath the bed.
My brows furrowed with confusion.
I hesitated momentarily.
Something about it looked… off.
I had seen one of those before but there was this feeling of dread that came with this particular one.
I squinted slightly, as I approached it.
There was nothing inside it.
No visible release.
It was as though nothing happened.
But I had clearly felt his body tensed up.
I felt the warmness of his seeds.
I heard his moans of relief, so how was this possible?
Was he faking his s****l satisfaction?
Nothing seemed to make sense as my gaze shifted back to the innocent man, peacefully sleeping in the corner.
For a second, confusion flickered through me.
Then I shook my head.
Maybe it had absorption properties.
Maybe I just didn’t understand how these things worked fully, after all I had barely used it with my ex-boyfriend.
My cheeks heated at the thought.
“Stop overthinking,” I muttered, tossing it into the trash bin nearby.
I glanced back at Nickson one last time.
Gosh, he was beautiful— Dangerous beautiful.
And somehow he was mine. Even if just for one night.
Something twisted in my chest.
Maybe pain, restraint, or regret.
Silently I prayed. “If I could have anything in my life, I wish it'd be you?"
With that I planned a quick kiss on his lips.
Then I slipped out of the room.
---
The mansion was eerily quiet.
The party downstairs had long ended. The music was gone. The laughter replaced by distant snores and occasional guard footsteps.
Most of the guards looked half-asleep, slouched at their posts.
It was perfect.
The perfect cover for my planned escape.
Keeping my head low, I moved through the hallways, heart pounding at every shadow.
If I got caught leaving the Alpha’s private wing at this hour— I would be publicly humiliated, or worse killed for plotting again the Alpha's household.
I pushed the thought away and quickened my pace. Dashing of the building in seconds.
Cold night air hit me the moment I stepped outside.
I exhaled sharply, hugging myself as I hurried down the long driveway and out through the servant gate.
Only when the mansion disappeared behind me did I finally breathe a sigh of relief.
---
By the time I reached home, the sky was still dark.
I slipped inside quietly rushed straight to my tiny basement room.
To my surprise Patra was still there pacing forth and back like a paranoid chicken.
She opened the door before I even knocked twice.
Her eyes widened.
“Ella! Where the hell have you been?” she asked, her tone laced with panic as she scanned my body. “What took you so long?"
Then she stopped.
Her gaze dragged slowly from my messy hair… to my swollen lips… to the faint marks on my neck.
Her jaw dropped.
“Oh. My. Gosh," she voiced, her eyes wide with shock. “Don't tell me you guys did it?"
I nodded.
Heat flooded my face.
I stepped inside quickly, shutting the door.
“I slept with him,” I whispered.
“No, you didn't," Patra shrieked — then clamped both hands over her mouth.
“You what?"
“It just… happened,” I said, dropping onto her bed. “I know I said I was going to do it but I never expected it to actually work."
I grabbed her hands, excitedly leading her to my rock hard bed.
She didn't resist, her face was still pale from the shock.
“Patra, it was… intense. Passionate. I’ve never felt anything like it. It was as though he really cared for me,” I explained, my face glowing with excitement.
My fingers twisted in the bedsheet.
Patra shock her head frantically.
“Hold on! Let me get this straight," Patra asked cautiously. “You had s*x with our Alpha prince, and you liked it?"
I nodded thoughtless
“Yes! Yes Patra! I loved it. I love his scent, his touch, everything” I whispered. “I even think I’m starting to feel something for him.”
Patra stared at me.
Her gaze scrutinizing as though I’d grown a second head.
Before she could respond—
A voice echoed from down the hall.
“Ella.”
My blood turned to ice.
Patra’s eyes went huge.
“That’s your stepmother's voice,” she reminded.
Panic exploded inside me.
“Oh my. Oh my. They weren’t supposed to be back yet,” I stuttered.
“Bathroom. Now,” Patra hissed, already grabbing clothes.
She shoved a nightdress into my hands, yanking off my outer clothes and tossing them into a laundry basket.
“Hair,” she said, grabbing a brush and roughly fixing it.
“Face—” She wiped at my lips, then pinched my cheeks to dull the flush.
“Okay. Okay. You were here all night. You felt sick. You slept early. Stick to that.”
My heart felt like it might burst.
I nodded continuously like a busted bubble head.
Just then another call ran forward.
“Ella!”
“I’m going,” I whispered, shaking. “Wish me luck friend."
“Good luck," she whispered back.
I stepped out into the hallway.
My heart beat loud in my ears.
Fingers crossed behind my back.
I was half way down the hall when I saw a silhouette that made me freeze.
It was my stepmother.
She stood there— silently waiting.
Her eyes were blazing red.
Was she angry because of Anastasia's break up, or was it because of a chore I did wrong?
“Stepmom, I was..." I mumbled but before I could conclude “Smack"
Her hand connected to my cheek.
Pain exploded across my cheek.
My head snapped sideways.
“I raised you,” she spat, voice shaking with rage. “And you dared to betray me like this?”
My ears rang.
My cheek burned.
And suddenly, a terrifying thought hit me.
She knew.
But how did she know?
Cold panic flooded my veins.
Did someone see me leave?
Did someone tell her? Or Was it Nickson?
My stomach twisted violently.
I was done for, she was definitely going to kill me.
- Writer
