The Moonlight (On Hold)

XI

(Violet Juliet Blackwood)
Trigger warning!!!
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I slowly opened my eyes, a flutter of confusion clouding my mind as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. The room I found myself in was cavernous, its cold, stone walls stretching far beyond what my limited vision could comprehend. Panic began to grip my heart as I realized that this place was completely unfamiliar to me. Why was I here? How did I end up in this vast room?

Before my racing thoughts could find any answers, a door in the distance swung open, drawing my attention. Out stepped my supposed mate, Alessandro, water dripping down his chiseled physique, the only fabric he adorned being a towel hastily wrapped around his waist. The sight of him only intensified my anger, as I remembered vividly that it was he who had kidnapped me under the moonlit sky.

"What in the world do you think you're doing?" I screamed at him, my voice echoing off the walls, carrying the weight of my fury. "Why did you bring me here?"

Alessandro's eyes met mine, his expression a mix of guilt and longing. "I understand your anger," he started, his voice heavy with regret, "but please, hear me out. There's more to this than you could possibly imagine."

I scoffed, crossing my arms in defiance. "I highly doubt that. You kidnapped me, Alessandro. No explanation could ever suffice for such an act."

With a cautious step, he began to edge closer to me, determination etched on his face. "I know this may sound unbelievable, but please believe me when I say that you're in danger out there. I only took you to keep you safe."

His words left me momentarily speechless. Danger? This couldn't be true. How could I trust someone who had betrayed me and forcibly brought me to this mysterious place? The conflicting emotions of anger and curiosity waged war within me.

Alessandro must have sensed my wavering thoughts because he continued pleadingly, "Please, just give me a chance to explain. Once you hear the whole story, then you can decide if I'm a monster or not."

Reluctantly, my anger began to subside, morphing into a cautious curiosity. It was true that Alessandro, despite being the kidnapper in this bizarre scenario, did possess an undeniable handsomeness. However, at that moment, my focus was steadfast on finding answers, not on his appearance. I nodded silently, urging him to continue.

As Alessandro closed the distance between us, his presence growing stronger with each step, I instinctively stepped back, desperately trying to create some physical distance between us. My heart thundered against my chest like a wild animal yearning for freedom, as fear and confusion battled fiercely within me. The cold stone wall halted my retreat, leaving me trapped and vulnerable.

His gaze locked onto mine, Alessandro's eyes burning with intensity. There was a hunger in his gaze, a longing that I couldn't deny, even amidst the anger and betrayal that had consumed me. It was as if he had been starved of my presence, and now, in this moment, he couldn't help but admire me in the most unnerving way.

"Why did you reject me?" he whispered, his voice carrying a mix of pain and vulnerability.

His question struck me with a force I hadn't anticipated, rendering me temporarily speechless. I had rejected him, pushed him away, convinced that his actions negated any possibility of love. But now, faced with his proximity and the weight of his gaze, I questioned my own resolve, doubting the certainty with which I had rejected him.

My thoughts were interrupted as he brought his hands up, placing them on either side of my head, effectively trapping me between his touch and the wall. My breath hitched at the sensation of his warmth radiating through his palms, the heat penetrating the walls I had built into my heart. The tension in the room grew heavier, enveloping us both in its embrace.