Without another word, she unlocked my cuffs and led me up a narrow stairway. My heart pounded as we reached the main floor. Every shadow, every creak of the wooden panels, sent chills down my spine.

We snuck through the hallways, avoiding the guards stationed by the entrance. Angela had studied their shifts, knew exactly when they’d step away for a break. When we reached the back gate, she pointed toward the tall, steel fence.

"Climb over it," she urged.

I hesitated for only a second before gripping the cold metal and hauling myself up. The sharp edges of the fence cut into my palms, but I ignored the pain. When I landed on the other side, I turned back to her.

"Thank you," I whispered.

She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. "Run."

And I did.

The night swallowed me whole as I sprinted toward the dense forest behind the mansion. Twigs snapped under my feet, branches scraped my arms, but I kept going. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, the darkness pressing in from all sides.

Then I hit a dead end.

A steep cliff stretched out before me, its jagged rocks disappearing into the abyss below. My breath came in ragged gasps as I spun around, searching for another way out. But there was none.

Panic clawed at my throat.

I needed to hide.

Spotting a small cave nestled within the cliffside, I hurried inside. The space was tight, barely big enough to crouch in. The damp walls pressed against my back as I tried to steady my breathing.

Then I heard it.

A hiss.

My body stiffened as I turned my head slowly. My stomach twisted when I saw the dark, coiling figure beside me. A snake.

A scream ripped from my throat, and before I could stop myself, I bolted out of the cave.

And that was my mistake.

A shadow loomed over me.

I barely had time to react before a hand tangled in my hair, yanking me backward. I gasped, pain exploding through my scalp as I was forced onto the damp grass.

Bryant towered over me, his eyes burning with fury and something else. Something darker.

"You really thought you could run from me?" he sneered, pinning me beneath his weight. His grip tightened, fingers digging into my wrists as his breath fanned over my face.

But his voice... it was a bit different. Even his stance was.

I struggled, but he was too strong.

"You're mine," he growled, pressing his lips to my neck. "And I'll make sure you never forget it."