Episode Nine
1333 Words
Chapter Nine
*First Person's Perspective*
~Marie~
Marie's POV
It came to my realization that I was used as a hostage to get something out of him (my boss).
'Did he really care about me that much? The way he sounded at first, he was so protective,' my heart felt warm.
'Get over your fantasy, Marie, eww! He only sounded that way, cause maybe he wouldn't be able to forgive himself, knowing that he is the reason for your death, or maybe because of his reputation, nothing attached,' I tried to shove off that thought.
"Step down."
My ears perked up. Step down from what?
"Excuse me? Step down from what?" Lazarus demanded, his voice sharp, almost shocked.
"You know what I mean, Lazarus. Don't play dumb," Brandon spat. He sounded like he was getting angrier. His voice was as sinister as his intentions.
"You know that can never happen," Lazarus shot back, his tone unwavering.
Panic gripped me. Was this it? Was this how I was going to die?. Step down from what in the first place? Was it his position as CEO? Were they brothers? What was happening? How had I ended up in such situation?
"Then Say goodbye to your pretty human," Brandon sneered. His voice filled with venom and I knew this was not just a threat. "Imagine a madman in your position. What good is a leader who's lost his mind?"
They were speaking in riddles, codes I couldn't crack.
"I don't-"
"Ow!" A sharp slap stung my face, cutting off his words.
My head spun violently, and my vision blurred. Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I gagged, then threw up, the cloth gag in my mouth slipping free.
"You bastard!" Lazarus roared. But his voice wasn't his own anymore. It was deeper, darker-inhuman. "I said, do NOT lay a finger on her again!"
"Or what, Lazarus? Step the f**k down," the man taunted.
"How? Here? Now? Do you even think?" Lazarus retorted, his anger barely contained.
"Your word. I need your word."
Lazarus sighed, frustration and helplessness bleeding into his voice. "Fine. You have my word."
"That's not good enough, and you know it," the man snarled. "Don't try to play smart, Lazarus. You're not."
"Come on, Rand-"
"Pass me the taser, Clint," Brandon interrupted coldly.
Taser? My heart sank. What had I done to deserve this?
"Taser? No, no, no!" Lazarus protested. "Fine! I, Lazarus Grey, give you my word. I'll step down."
"Now that's more like it." Bradford chuckled darkly. "Untie her. Heal her wounds."
"They're not real wounds," Clint muttered. "Except for the busted lip. The rest were just for show. We needed Lazarus to crack fast."
"I don't care. Make her look as perfect as she was when we took her," Bradford snapped, slamming the door on his way out.
When Clint came face to face with me, I tried to say something but he simply raised his arm and spread some liquid out of a little container. The same sweet lemon scent I smelled the first time wafted into my nostrils. I tried to focus, but the world spun uncontrollably, and I passed out.
---
Lazarus's POV
The call from Brandon shook me to my core.
"I have your mate," he had said, his voice dripping with malice.
How the hell did he know? I hadn't told anyone except my mother when I left town.
This was why I hated the idea of a mate. Someone I'd known for barely two months was now my biggest weakness.
But when it came down to it, I couldn't let her die. Even if it meant giving up the throne-my birthright, my everything-I couldn't watch her suffer because of me.
Passing it on to Brad would be chaotic, both for us werewolves and the humans too.
But, I couldn't bring myself to do it. What I had been trying to go against ever since the first day she came to my office was coming to pass.
I wanted her to hate me, I wanted to push her away from me, but I was still the one who brought her closer.
The day she stepped into my office, I knew there was a problem. It was inevitable.
"Come pick her up," Brandon sneered over the phone. "She's in the guest room. But don't try anything stupid. Her life is still in my hands."
I clenched my fists, my claws threatening to break through. Damn him. Damn this mate bond.
---
When I found her, she was unconscious, her body limp on the bed.
"Marie," I whispered, my voice trembling with guilt.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked at me with confusion.
"Where am I?" she murmured, her voice weak.
"Shh. You're safe now," I said, placing a finger gently on her lips.
Her body relaxed as if she believed me. She drifted back to sleep, her breathing soft and steady.
I couldn't help but stare at her. Even in her fragile state, she was beautiful. A masterpiece. But the more I looked, the more familiar she seemed.
Was it the mate bond? Or was it something deeper?
She shifted in her sleep, clinging to me instinctively. My chest tightened. I shouldn't feel this way. She wasn't safe with me.
But I couldn't stop myself. My hand moved to her hair, stroking it gently. Before I knew it, my lips were on hers, soft and hesitant.
"f**k!" I pulled back, cursing under my breath. "What's wrong with me?"
I had to push her away. It was the only way to keep her safe.
---
"Hello, is this Carrie Talker?" I called her sister, keeping my voice steady. I knew her family would be worried sick after not seeing her for two days straight
"Yes, sir" The lady at the other end of the phone answered
"I am Lazarus Grey, your sister's..."
"Oh I know you. Do you know where Marie is?" she cut in. Her voice tense
"She's with me," I lied smoothly. "We had to leave for an impromptu business trip. She forgot her phone at the office."
"Oh, thank Goodness! That's a relief. I thought something bad happened to her," she said with a deep sigh.
"Can we hear her voice?" an older woman chimed in. Her mother, no doubt.What now? Am I not trustworthy enough for them to believe without asking questions?
"She's... uh... in the closet. Getting dressed," I stammered. I hope they buy that.
"Are you sure that you both went on a business trip or there's something else......" Oh my goodness! Why would that woman even think of such?
I could hear them chuckling. Great. I should have just said she was in her bedroom or maybe she stepped out or something. Sigh!
"Ahem! Um...well..." I was tongue-tied. Why? I had no idea.
"It's no problem, Thank you, Mr. Grey, we wish you two a safe trip back. Tell Marie to call me when she's done," her sister said, and I nodded.
"Sure, goodbye," I responded and the line got disconnected
Now, how the hell do I get her to go on with my cooked-up story, knowing how strong-headed she was?. What if she decided to report this incident to the police or something? That would ruin everything. I couldn't have the Humans finding out about our existence. It's going to be chaos
Or Maybe I wouldn't have to have her play along. A clean slate might be better. I glanced at her sleeping form and made my decision.
I could just wipe off her memories of the last two days, or I could hypnotize her, now that she is asleep. I nodded. That's exactly what I'd do
I'll wipe her memory," I muttered to myself.
For her sake, and mine.
But that would have to wait. I had been very exhausted from the drive here I needed to take a nap
That being said, I drifted into dreamland beside her
- Writer
