4. Eat or Strip, Mate

~Lucienne~

I whipped my head to the back, to see who was holding the huge log of wood used to hit him.

"Did you really think you could run from me, Lucienne?" His cruel voice filled my ears again and I unconsciously began to tremble.

“Daniel?”

“Yes, mate. It's me. Your one and only!” He chuckled, placing the log of wood on his shoulder now. “Did this fucker think he could take you from me?” He scoffed, looking at the man's unconscious body, lying just in between the driver and me. “Anyways he's learned his lesson and now, over to you. What did you want to do? To leave me? Your one and only fated mate?” 

“N-no,” I stammered, trying to move away but my legs were practically paralyzed due to the accident so they refused to move.

“No? But you clearly told my father you wanted to be with him. Now tell me, Lucienne, is that how much you despise me?”

Although the answer was pretty clear, I despised him very, very much but I dare not say that.

“Answer me, Lucienne!” He demanded, and I flinched before opening my mouth to say no, to say anything that would at least force him to calm down but nothing was working.

He threw the log aside, and picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder like a bag of rice. “By the time I'm done with you, other men wouldn't even be an option for you.”

As Daniel hoisted me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, I felt a surge of fear and helplessness engulf me. His grip was tight, his strides determined, and I knew I had to beg for mercy. If not, fifty-four punishments were just the tip of the iceberg.

"Please Daniel, put me down!" I begged, pounding my fists against his back, but it was futile. His pace only quickened, and soon we were out of sight from the wreckage of the stranger's car.

"Where are you taking me?" I screamed, the panic rising in my voice.

"To where you belong," he replied coldly, his tone sending shivers down my spine.

I squirmed and wriggled, but his hold remained firm. My mind raced with thoughts of escape, of finding a way out of this nightmare, but with each passing moment, it seemed more and more hopeless.

He bundled me into his car this time and drove off. Finally, we reached our destination, a secluded building hidden by the woods, far from prying eyes and any residential area. Daniel tossed me onto the bed with little regard for my well-being, causing pain to shoot through my already battered body.

"Lucienne, you thought you could just walk away from me? You thought you could embarrass me then some stranger could take you from me?" His voice was venomous, filled with a possessiveness that sent shivers down my spine. “Or you think leaving me would end your suffering? No, Lucienne, your fate is tied to mine. You belong to me, and no one else. The Moon Goddess made sure of that!"

He grabbed me forcefully, pulling me up. My legs wobbled beneath me, weakened from the accident. I stumbled, but he held me in an iron grip. "You'll learn your place, Lucienne. You can't escape what destiny has written for you.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, and I realized the gravity of my situation. Daniel wasn't just a possessive lover; he was a dangerous force that I couldn't easily break free from no matter how much I tried. It was like the saying "till death do us part" even though I never wanted to be stuck with or to him.

“It's time you learn that every one of your actions comes with consequences. Now stay put," he ordered, his voice dripping with malice, before storming out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him.

Alone and terrified, I curled into a ball, tears streaming down my cheeks. How had my life spiraled out of control so quickly? From a night of humiliation at the hands of my mate and brothers to being forcibly taken by the very man I had tried to escape, it felt like a nightmare from which I couldn't wake up.

Minutes passed in pain due to my aching and bleeding body, the only sound was the creaking of the old cabin and the distant chirp of birds. I prayed for a miracle, for someone, anyone, to come and rescue me from this hell.

I waited for minutes and although my prayers were answered, I wasn't sent the person I desperately wanted to see.

“I need her to be in good condition within twenty-four or less. I don't care how you do it!” Daniel barked at the doctor while pointing at me. 

The doctor looked at me with concern, his eyes briefly revealing a mix of sympathy and helplessness. "Crown Prince, I'll do my best, but healing takes time," the doctor replied cautiously, avoiding direct eye contact with Daniel.

"I don't care about time. I care about results," Daniel retorted, his tone unwavering. “Do as you're told, or your family gets it, okay?”

The doctor nodded and then approached me, his movements slow and deliberate. His gaze shifted from my trembling form to the bruises and cuts that adorned my body. "I need to examine her properly. If you could give us some privacy..." he suggested, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.

Daniel shot him a menacing look but eventually left the room, leaving me alone with the doctor. As the door closed behind him, the doctor sighed, a mixture of fear, sympathy, and frustration evident on his face. I wanted to ask him to help me but seeing that Daniel had already threatened to harm his family, I couldn't bring myself to add to his troubles.

Once he had finished treating my injuries, the doctor gathered his supplies and prepared to leave. I lay on the bed, my body still sore and aching from the ordeal I just endured. The events of the past few days replayed in my mind like a broken record, each memory a painful reminder of the nightmare I desperately wanted to escape.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Daniel entered the room, carrying a tray of food. My heart skipped a beat as fear gripped me once again, my instincts screaming at me to flee.

But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. I was trapped, at the mercy of a man whose intentions I couldn't begin to fathom.

"Here," Daniel said brusquely, setting the tray down beside me. "You need to eat."

I recoiled instinctively, my stomach churning with fear and revulsion. "I-I'm not hungry," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

Daniel's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You will eat," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You need to regain your strength."

I shook my head, my hands trembling as I pushed the tray away. "I can't," I whispered, the words catching in my throat. "I'm okay.”

For a moment, Daniel's steely exterior softened, his gaze flickering with something akin to regret. But it was gone in an instant, replaced once again by the cold, merciless facade I had come to know every day of my life.

"Eating wouldn't stop your pending punishments, Lucienne. It would only postpone them and the doctor's family would have to suffer too. You know I wouldn't hurt you…" he began, his voice low and dangerous. "...unless you deserve it. But if you refuse to eat, I can't guarantee my anger won't lead to another punishment."

“Why are you doing this?” I wanted to ask but I swallowed it instead as tears welled up in my eyes. I stared at him, my heart pounding with fear and uncertainty. Even if I was going to eat the food, Daniel feeding me wasn't an option. What if he pushes the spoon deep into my throat or worse? I couldn't put that past him.

"Still not going to eat?" Daniel thundered, then dropped the tray aside. "Fine! It seems you have a lot of energy. Stand up and strip! I have a lot of things I plan on doing to you now that you've made me ditch the ceremony at the arena."