𝙱𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚗 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 04: 𝙰 𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔

---

Her heart pounded in her chest, the echo of that

creature's growl still reverberating in her ears. Darius

stood before her, his expression dark and unreadable,

his earlier charm replaced by something far more

menacing. The contract lay on the table between them,

reminder of the decision she had to make.

"What was that thing?" she demanded, her voice

shaking.

"That," Darius said softly, "is what's been hunting you."

Elara stumbled back, her legs weak. "Why? Why me?"

Darius stepped closer, his eyes fixed on her. "Because

you've been touched by darkness, Elara. You've known

pain, suffering, and fear. The shadows feed on that.

You're a beacon to them."

She sank into the nearest chair, her mind struggling to

process what he was saying. "And if I sign this, they

won't come for me?"

Darius nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "They won't

touch you. I'll make sure of it."

The weight of the decision crushed her. She didn't want

to belong to anyone-especially not him. But she also

couldn't face the terror that lurked in the shadows

alone. She was out of options.

Her hand hovered over the contract. "What if I regret it?"

Darius smiled, dark and knowing. "You won't have time

to regret anything, Elara. Once you sign, you're

mine.Body, mind, and soul."

She swallowed hard, her hand trembling as it inched

toward the pen. Every part of her screamed to stop, to

fight, to run. But she couldn't.

Because deep down, she knew he was her only chance.

With one final, shuddering breath, Elara picked up the

pen and signed her name.

---