Kidnapped Alpha Mate

Chapter 4- Stranger Danger

<< Picture of Edward>>

Sophia's P.O.V

I woke up to the cool glow of moonlight streaming through the window, the pale beams landing softly on my face. The silver light painted the room in quiet shadows, and for a moment, peace settled over me. I hadn't slept this well in ages, and the feeling was almost foreign—comforting but strange.

I inhaled deeply, savoring the stillness, but then it all came crashing back. The memories hit me like a train: the chaos at Em's house, four guys breaking in, fighting with a blond-haired guy, and those other, and I passed out somehow . My chest tightened as I recalled the heat of the scuffle, my fists colliding with anything it can, the way the air had been filled with adrenaline and fear.

But something else quickly pulled me from my thoughts. The room around me—it wasn't mine. My breathing hitched as I took in the dark green walls, so different from the soft, familiar light blue of my bedroom. A sense of disorientation swirled in my mind, my pulse quickening.

When I tried to sit up, an arm tightened around my waist like a vice. My body froze, every muscle locking up in panic. I didn't notice it at first, the warmth of the arm, the solid weight of it around me, sent a chill down my spine.

That's when I really flipped.

I shot out of bed so fast, trying to find my footing as the blanket tangled around my feet. My heart hammered in my chest as I stood over the bed, my breath coming in shallow gasps. There he was—the blond guy from Em's house, lying there like it was the most normal thing in the world. My stomach twisted.

A scream ripped from my throat, shattering the quiet. Fear gripped me like a cold hand around my heart.

His eyes shot open. As soon as he saw me, he sat up, his movements unnervingly smooth.

"It's okay, Sophia. Calm down." His voice was low, soothing, but it only made me more afraid.

My eyes scanned the dark room looking for an exit, on the opposite wall I could see the outline of a door and the handle shinning in the minimum moonlight. Before I could bolt, he moved—faster than any human should. In a blink, he was in front of me, his hands gently gripping mine. His touch was firm but oddly careful, as though he were holding something fragile, I immediately pulled away.

"No! Please, no. Leave me alone. Please." My voice cracked as I stumbled back.

I back away as far as I could retreating to the corner, my back pressed against the cold, unforgiving wall. My chest heaved as I tried to make myself small, curling into a ball.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from his chest, vibrating through the air.

"I won't hurt you. I could never hurt you," he said softly, his voice full of some emotion I couldn't place.

He began walking toward me, his steps slow and deliberate. I screamed again, the sound raw and broken, tears spilling down my face. My sobs now coming in heaving gasps, and my throat burned as if I'd swallowed fire.

"No! Not again. Not again," I whispered, the words tumbling out in a shaky mantra. My hands flew to my face, tears soaking my palms as I rocked back and forth trying to stop the flashes from playing over and over in my head. The room spun, closing in around me. My lungs strained for air, every breath sharp and shallow.

The door burst open with a loud crash, the sound cutting through my spiraling panic.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" a familiar voice roared, fierce and protective.

Through the haze of my tears, I looked up. It was Em. My vision blurred, but I could make out her determined expression as she rushed to my side.

"Em?" My voice cracked, barely audible.

She didn't hesitate. She rushed to me, wrapping her arms around me, holding me tightly. Her warmth enveloped me, grounding me in the storm of my fear.

Another growl echoed through the room, low and threatening. The blonde was advancing toward us, his eyes flashing with something primal. I whimpered, burying myself deeper into Em's embrace. Her grip tightened protectively.

He stopped in his tracks, his body tense. His sharp features softened, and he glanced over his shoulder as another voice spoke up.

"Edward, you're scaring her." It was the brown-haired guy—Jackson, I think they said.

He stepped forward, his tone calm but firm.

Edward hesitated, his eyes flicking back to me. The intensity in his gaze made my skin crawl. Finally, he stepped back, retreating to stand beside Jackson. Two more figures entered the room, faces I recognized from Em's house, their expressions a mix of worry and pity.

The weight of their stares bore down on me, and a fresh wave of tears streamed down my cheeks. My body shook with silent sobs, every breath feeling like a battle.

Em's voice broke through the unnerving silence.

"It's okay, Soph. I'm here. I'm always here." Her voice was a steady, soothing whisper, like a lifeline in the dark.

I clung to her words, trying to focus on her presence.

"I was so scared" I stuttered, "I-I thought it was - " My words came out in broken fragments, each one heavier than the last. My chest heaved as I sobbed from the thought.

Em stroked my back gently, her voice calming and unwavering. "Shhh... it's okay, Soph. I'm here for you. And I told you, that will never happen to you again. Not while I'm alive."

Her words wrapped around me like a protective shield, and slowly, my breathing began to steady. The tightness in my chest eased, the storm within me quieting. I felt my eyelids grow heavy, the exhaustion from the night finally catching up to me.

Still clinging to Em, I let the darkness take over, falling into a deep, dreamless slumber.