Left Me With No Choice

Selene sat on the edge of the cold bed, her thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory. Lucian had taken control of everything, the space around her, the time that passed, the choices she thought she had but Eve's words replayed in her mind, pressing against her like a weight she couldn't shake. "Then prove him wrong." Selene's fists clenched against her lap. She had been playing defensively, reacting to Lucian's moves instead of making her own. That had to change because if she waited any longer if she let him dictate every step, Eve would be the one paying the price. Her body tensed at the memory of Eve's expression, the silent plea hidden beneath the controlled exterior. She had always been strong, always willing to take the fall if it meant protecting Selene but Selene wasn't about to let that happen. A sudden knock at the door snapped her from her thoughts but she didn't move. The door opened without hesitation, and Lucian stepped inside. His presence filled the space immediately, commanding and suffocating. He was a man who never had to announce his authority, it was simply there, ingrained in every movement. Selene forced her breathing to remain steady, her shoulders relaxed. She couldn't afford to let him see how much the last conversation with Eve had shaken her. Lucian's gaze swept over her, assessing, before he closed the door behind him. 'You've been quiet," he noted, his voice smooth. Selene met his gaze without hesitation. 'You've been predictable." Lucian's smirk was slow, deliberate. 'Have I?" Selene didn't respond, silence was sometimes the strongest weapon. Lucian took a step closer, his hands slipping into his pockets. 'You spoke to Eve." Selene remained still. 'That's not a question." Lucian chuckled softly. 'No, it isn't." He tilted his head slightly. 'What did she say to you?" Selene exhaled, keeping her voice even. 'Nothing that changes anything." Lucian studied her for a moment before sighing. 'You see, Selene, I don't enjoy repeating myself. I gave you a choice but you refused it and now…" He paused, his smirk fading. 'It's time to show you what happens when you test me." Selene's pulse remained steady, but her muscles coiled beneath her skin, he wasn't bluffing. Lucian's gaze darkened slightly. 'Come with me." Selene didn't move. 'And if I don't?" Lucian smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. 'You will." The door behind him opened, and two of his men stepped inside. Selene inhaled slowly, rising to her feet. Fighting wouldn't get her anywhere right now so she had to be smart and patient. Lucian turned and stepped aside, gesturing toward the hallway. 'Let's not keep them waiting." Selene walked forward, her steps controlled, unhurried. The guards flanked her immediately, but she ignored them, keeping her focus on what was ahead. The hallway felt longer than before but Selene memorized each turn, every door, every possible exit point. She had been trapped in Lucian's world long enough to know that observation was survival. The corridor led to a large room, one she had never been in before. The walls were lined with glass, giving her a full view of what was inside. Selene's breath stalled as Eve stood in the center of the room, her hands bound in front of her, her expression blank but Selene knew her well enough to see past the tension in her shoulders, the slight clench of her jaw. Lucian stepped beside Selene, his voice smooth as ever. 'This is what happens when you hesitate."But Selene didn't look at him, she couldn't afford to. Lucian exhaled softly. 'It's a shame, really. You could have made this easier." Selene turned her head slightly. 'What do you want?"Lucian smiled. 'What I've always wanted." He stepped in front of her, tilting his head. 'Your loyalty." Selene's stomach twisted because that was never going to happen. Lucian sighed as if disappointed. 'I thought as much." He turned slightly, nodding toward one of his men. The door to the glass room had remained open since they came in, Eve's gaze snapped toward it, her body tensing as two more men stepped inside. Selene's breath locked in her throat. Lucian was proving a point. One of the men grabbed Eve's arm, yanking her forward. Selene moved before she could think but the guards beside her reacted instantly, their hands gripping her arms before she could lunge forward. Lucian simply watched. 'Do you see now?" Selene's body trembled with rage, but she didn't look at him. She kept her eyes on Eve. Eve met her gaze and something silent passed between them. Lucian exhaled slowly. 'One word from you, Selene, and this stops." Selene clenched her jaw. Lucian tilted his head. 'Just say it." Selene inhaled deeply, forcing her muscles to relax despite the storm raging inside her then, she smiled. Lucian's brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. 'Is this funny to you?"Selene's voice was calm, even deadly. 'No," she murmured. 'But watching you try so hard is." Lucian's smirk faltered just slightly. Selene tilted her head. 'You think you're winning." She gestured toward the room. 'But the fact that you have to do this proves otherwise." Lucian studied her for a long moment then, he sighed. 'I was hoping we wouldn't have to take it further." He turned toward the men inside the glass room. 'Go ahead." Selene's stomach twisted, but she didn't react as one of the men struck Eve across the face, the sound echoed through the room. Selene's nails dug into her palms, her breath steady, controlled, Lucian was watching her carefully. Eve straightened with the blood at the corner of her lip, but her gaze never wavered. Selene exhaled slowly, then met Lucian's eyes. 'You should have hit harder," she murmured. 'She's still standing." Lucian's smirk returned. 'That's what I like about you, Selene." He turned toward the men again, nodding. 'Again." Selene's chest tightened, but she forced herself to remain still. Lucian's voice was smooth, deliberate. 'Let's see how long you last."