Chapter 2
A sleek, panther-black luxury sedan pulled silently up to the hospital entrance—totally out of place amid the chaos.
The lawyer opened the door for me, and inside was a whole other world: cool, genuine leather seats that muzzled the noise outside right away.
The car didn’t head downtown. Instead, it wound up a mountain road, finally stopping in front of a massive building perched on a cliff—majestic like a medieval castle. The huge iron gates creaked open, revealing a courtyard that felt like stepping into the jaws of a beast.
I was led into the main house, and the space took my breath away—over-the-top luxury mixed with stark elegance. Cold stone, heavy tapestries, a fireplace with huge logs burning—everything felt ancient and intimidating, like it was hard to breathe.
They put me in a fancy but freezing guest room. No welcome, no explanation—just a maid with an elegant meal and a short message: “The master will be back tonight.”
As darkness fell, the castle got terrifyingly quiet—only the wind howling outside. I curled up on the sofa, my heart racing with anxiety. Who even was Caleb Reed, anyway?
Just as I started to doze off, the door was slammed open!
A tall figure burst in, bringing a bitter chill with him. It was him. Caleb.
Even in the dim light, his sharp, handsome features stood out. But something was wrong—those deep-set eyes glowed with an unnatural red, his breathing was heavy, and his whole body gave off this wild, dangerous energy, like a cornered predator.
He crossed to me in a few long strides, his overwhelming presence freezing me in place.
“Olivia,” his voice was deep and raspy, full of barely contained pain and urgency, “come here. I need you.”
It wasn’t a question—it was an order.
I stepped back instinctively, scared out of my wits. “What… what are you gonna do?”
My resistance seemed to tick him off—or maybe the pain had already drained his patience. He suddenly reached out, grabbing my wrist hard enough to almost break it!
“Ah!” I cried out in pain.
He didn’t even notice. He roughly grabbed the back of my neck with his other hand, pulling me toward him, then bent down, pressing his forehead to mine!
In an instant, this indescribable, storm-like force tried to invade my mind! My head felt like it was splitting open—I was a tiny boat in a violent storm, about to be torn apart.
But right then, something inside me woke up. A gentle, cooling feeling spread from deep within—like a clear spring calming the storm.
Caleb let out a sound close to a satisfied groan. His furrowed brow relaxed a little, and his grip on my wrist loosened.
This went on for who knows how long, until the red in his eyes faded and his breathing steadied. He let me go like nothing had happened.
He stepped back, fixing his messy collar, switching back to that cold, distant attitude—as if I was just a tool he’d used.
“Remember your place,” his eyes were empty, his voice ice-cold. “You don’t come near me unless I say so. Except…” he paused, his gaze sweeping over my fear-pale face, “…except when I need you, like just now.”
He turned and left without another look.
I collapsed onto the floor, my wrist bright red from his grip, my forehead still tingling from his cold skin. The air still smelled like him—cedar mixed with something dangerous, like a wild animal.
I got it now. This was the “companion obligation” in the contract. This was the “special condition” he needed me for—a terrifying blood rage.
And I was just the medicine to “calm” him down.
Humiliation and fear washed over me. Was this gonna be my life for three years? No dignity, just getting manhandled whenever he felt like it?
