Chapter 5 Getting Caught

I opened my eyes and sat up straight, darting my eyes around the room as I tried to remember everything that happened last night.

"That's right, I was chosen." I murmured to myself before clutching the pillow close to my lips. "Did I fall asleep ?" I wondered, getting out of bed and into the bathroom. After washing my face and taking a quick shower, I headed up to the wardrobe, opening it and picking out a casual summer dress. As soon as I wore them, someone knocked on the door and before I could give them permission to come in, the door flew open and in came the girls, each one of them wearing a stunning outfit with matching heels.

"Come downstairs to eat." Kristen said, and I slowly nodded before grabbing the black slippers, quickly slipping them on.

“hanna, go tell them we'd be down there soon.” she instructed and one of the girls nodded obediently before rushing out of the room. Normally, I would have at least said something back but I figured that although they can't see it yet, we're all in this together and at the end of the day, we need each other to survive here.

"You missed the event last night." Diana sneered as I tied my hair into a ponytail and I looked at her in confusion.

"Did something happen later? Because-" I paused when I noticed the bandage on the girl's neck as they rolled their eyes. My eyes widened and I stared at them in disbelief.

"You let them...?" I trailed away when Hanna came to me, flipping her hair to a side as she cleared her throat.

“You didn't even showed up. They were all expecting us last night. " She said but her words seemed unclear to me as I reached to touch her neck. She scowled, making a disgust look as she took a step back and I couldn't help but feel sorry for this poor soul.

“Does it hurt? It must have hurt" I stated softly, and I heard the three of them scoff before Kristen walked up to me.

"Not everyone is a cry baby like you. Stop pitying us and worry about yourself!" she stated, raising her voice and I stared at her in surprise. "I don't know why Alex even bothered to give you a chance." she finished, giving my shoulders a hard push as I stumbled backwards.

"Is there something wrong?" a voice interrupted us and we all turned to look at a vampire.

"David!" The three girls said together and I looked up to meet his gaze as he smiled at me and then at the girls.

“We were just inviting her for breakfast.” Kristen lied and I didn't bother to fight back. I don't want to cause any trouble. I watched David nod before averting my gaze back on the floor, hoping he would leave us alone.

“Am I the only one who didn't let them drink my blood yet? What if I'm next?" my thoughts started to bubble up and I was about to turn around when Diana grabbed my hand.

"Let's go,” she said in a sickly sweet voice as I faked a smile before shaking my head.

“Oh, don't be so difficult, you'll get used to it.” she said clutching my wrist roughly as it hurt and I was about to swat them away when she started dragging me out of the room.

“How come you didn't show up last night?" I heard David ask before Diana and me came to a halt in the hallway. We both turned to face him and I fidgeted nervously.

"I-I fell asleep." I stammered a little and he simply nodded with a warm smile, which made me feel a little better. Maybe this guy wasn't so bad?

“Now go eat.” he smiled and I was about to say something when Diana started dragging me again.

As the girls guided me into living room, I noticed Franklin and Joey sitting on a sofa, next to David as they all talked and joked around.

" Eat." I hear David say before pointing to a small coffee table full of muffins and pastries. There I didn't even bother to smile or utter a word. I stood still in my position before a hand grabbed my wrist and started dragging me towards the sofa.

“No, I'm not hungry.” I said, jerking my hand away and Joey turned to look at me before sighing.

“I get that you're uncomfortable but at least eat something.” he said softly .I shook my head, glancing at the girls and then the guys, who were now staring at me. I noticed that Alexander is missing and it relieved me beyond words. but A lot more vampires are present here.

"Just have something." he insisted and I gave him a quick look before rushing towards the table and grabbing a chocolate muffin. As soon as I took a bite, I took a few steps back, making sure to keep a safe distance between me and the vampires which didn't seem to please some of them.

Kristen walked up to a random guy and sitting on his lap while the other girls followed her lead, doing the exact same thing. Usually, I would have gagged in disgust but I was worried for them. What if they decide to feed on them again?

"Come sit.” David called but I shook my head.

“You don't have a choice." I heard another guy say before he bolted up to me, grabbing my hands and jerking me towards him. I immediately tried to brush him away when he glared at me, causing a shiver down my spine.

"Danny, go easy on her. She's just shy." I heard Joey say and I quickly used this chance to jerk myself away from him.

"For how long? ” he snapped, rolling his eyes.

“Just leave her be for now.” another guy muttered as I stood before them biting the inside of my cheeks.

“She's going to let us taste her sooner or later," I heard Danny say, causing goosebumps all over my body.

“Maybe it's about time ." I hear someone say before Danny grabbed my hands again. I gasped before shaking my head.

"Stop! Let me go!" I yelled, trying to jerk his hands away but he was a lot stronger. A whimper escaped through my lips as I struggled to free myself.

"What's going on?" Alexander's voice caused everyone to freeze and I look at him enter the room before appearing in front of us within seconds.

“She's being difficult again. We can't even continue this meeting." Danny muttered, releasing his grip and I went silent when I realized Alexander is glaring at me.

"What's she done now?" he asked, softly yet harshly and Kristen explained how I refused to sit with any guy. I just stared at her, finding it hard to believe that she'd rather take a vampires side rather than her own kind.

"Sit. With anyone you want to." Alexander ordered, sitting down on the sofa and I glimpsed back at him before giving a quick glance across the room. I could see David pointing his index finger towards his face as he kept mouthing the words “pick me” but I ignored him and stared at each and every one of them.

“I don't want to sit with anyone.” I stated my words carefully, hoping it wouldn't annoy or piss off Alexander but of course I was wrong.

"Oh, for fuck's sake." I heard him mutter at my silence before he grabbed my waist, pulling them down. I squealed and landed on his lap as he wrapped an arm around my waist before shooting me a glare.

“Stop, I feel uncomfortable-" I said quickly, trying to brush his hands away when he grasped my upper arm before giving them a tight squeeze, causing me in pain.

"Stop-resisting," he whispered into my ears through gritted teeth and I went silent before nodding, feeling weak and helpless.

"Begin." he instructed and everyone nodded before the so-called-meeting began.

Even after an hour, Alexander kept going on and on about some special meeting with the humans. I'm surprised I wasnt shaking as much as I expected myself to.

“If only I picked David or anyone else rather than-” my thoughts trailed away when I felt Alex's hand trail down to my thighs before he started running circles on them with his fingers, causing my breath to hitch in fear. I glanced at him but he was still talking to the other guys, completely ignoring my presence.

I started squirming in my position uncomfortably and about to say something when I noticed that the girls are mad that of all the people, I got to sit with Alexander. But it's not like I wanted to.

"So we hold a meeting and ask the girls to give a speech-" I interrupted Draven, who stopped to look at me before his eyebrows furrowed together in annoyance.

"What?" he muttered and I looked down to stare at his right hand that was still placed on my thighs. He followed my gaze and didn't say anything.

“Why? Does this make you uncomfortable?" he finally asked, squeezing my thigh softly and I gasped before grabbing his hands but he held them firmly, making sure that I wasn't able to move.

"Yes!" I said, raising my voice a little and I watched his hands move all the way up. 'then I suggest you stop- moving.” he whispered into my ears, emphasizing the last two words and I blushed slightly before turning away. He wouldn't dare... would he?

“The meeting will be tomorrow or within this week. Tonight we go out." Draven said to which everyone agreed and nodded. I watched all of them get up and I am about to stand up as well when he pulled my upper arm, holding me in place.

"I suggest you don't do anything reckless today.” he leaned closer to whisper in my ears and I shuddered when I felt his lips brushing against my earlobes. Little does he know that I am planning to escape tonight.

"Yes" I said shortly, hoping he'd let me go now but apparently he had something else to say as well.

"If I catch you doing anything stupid, which I have no doubt you will, sooner or later," he started, sarcasm dripping in his words and I held back the urge to roll my eyes. Perhaps if he wasn't a blood-thirsty, creepy and ill-tempered vampire who I was not afraid of then I'd probably show off a lot of attitude. “I'll make sure you regret it.” he finished, his voice turning dead serious within seconds and I gulped softly before nodding again.

That night, I paced around the room, biting my fingernails as I tried to come up with the perfect plan.

“Oh god, who am I kidding? The only way out for me is through the window." I muttered, turning to look at the window that is now wide open. Tonight was my second night here, which means that I'm going to let at least one of those vampires have a taste of my blood before I go to sleep. Like hell I was going to let that happen.

"Dinner's ready, are you coming down?" Gracy's voice caused me to gasp as I turned around to watch her walk inside my room.

"You should've knocked!"I blabbered out.

“I did, several times actually. You didn't respond.” she said and I blushed slightly before turning away and remaining silent.

"I'll be downstairs soon.” I replied as she nodded.

"By the way, there is going to be a meeting with the humans tomorrow. You're to give a little speech about our hospitality.” Gracy said as I gave her a look of confusion before nodding, trying to get rid of him as soon as possible so that I could come up with an

escape plan.

“"Everyone's downstairs already, except you and Alexander . So ,make sure you come down before he arrives. okay?"

She advised and I nodded again before she walked out of my room. Now, it's my chance to escape?

Without thinking straight, I found myself rushing out of the room before tiptoeing down the stairs, while silently praying that nobody will notice me.

“What am I doing?!” panic stricken thoughts started in my mind but I quickly shut them out as I glanced around the palace .

"It's now or never katarina." I whispered to myself before walking silently up to the main door and grabbing the handle. I started to open the door when suddenly, David's voice echoed through the mansion, making me freeze in my position.

“Katarina? What are you doing?" He ask out loud and without delay, I burst open the door and started running outside.

"Hey! Katarina is on the run!” David screaming almost ripped my heart out but there was no turning back now and I was aware of that. I ran across the lawn as fast as I could when I noticed that the main gate was still opened. Just as I got near the gate, my face collided to someone's chest, causing me to stumble back and gasp as I fell on a sitting position.

I looked up and was caught dead when I saw Alexander standing in front of me, his eyes not wavering for even a second, as if he's already knew my little plan coming.

"Tsk, tsk-" was all he could say before I picked myself up and started sprinting to the other side. I don't know why I even bothered to waste my energy, thinking that I could outrun a vampire, because the next thing I knew, he appeared in front of me and I squealed before taking several steps back, fear rushing all over my face as I tried to calm myself down and think of a way to slip past him.

"Don't move," he suddenly snapped, grasping my shoulders before I could turn around and I stiffened in my position, my breath hitched in fear as I stared into his fierce blue eyes.

"Don't move.” he repeated softly, his eyes growing a shade darker and I gulped softly. My hands began to tremble when I realized that he just used his compulsion because now, my feet refused to move . Why did I make this stupid choice? I should've known that this would happen.

“Katarina, why.." David's voice complain from behind me but I didn't turn around to face him. I couldn't.

"She's practically begging for punishment." Alexander's cold voice caused a shiver down my spine . I looked at him with her as katarina's plead filling my eyes as I tried to find the right words to say.

"It probably won't happen again."

“I don't fucking care. I warned her!” Alexander cut off David, raising his voice as he inched forward, closing the space between us .

"It-it won't happen again. I was just-"

“Killing you would be too easy. How about we make it a little more interesting?" His voice cut me off and I opened my mouth to apologize when he spoke again.

“Your parents-” he started and I look at him in fear, the color on my face drained away within seconds. "Perhaps hurting the two people most precious in your life is the best way to teach you a lesson." he finished and my heart dropped dead at his words. He is definitely a sadist, because upon seeing my petrified expression, a cold and sadistic smirk appeared on his face which caused tears to glisten in my eyes as I came to realize exactly what he was capable of.

This monster is threatening to kill my parents and was dead serious about it now.

“Please don't, it won't happen again!" I started pleading, trying to take a step forward to convince him but due to his compulsion, I was forced to stay still.

“Beg some more and maybe I'll consider it.” Alexander taunted and his cruel words made me angry, but I was more desperate than angry.

"Please, I'm sorry! Don't bring them into this, I'm begging you-" I started pleading as tears started rolling down my cheeks but I quickly brushed them away, knowing that crying wasn't going to get me anywhere when it comes to Alexander Ivanov .

"Alex, consider it." I heard David's voice before he let out a sigh. I almost forgot he was there. If I knew that he would hurt my parents, I would have never done this.

"Please...I'm sorry." I choked out, clutching my dress as he stared me down with his cold, merciless blue eyes. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stood there helplessly, gazing down on the ground. My breath hitched when he suddenly tangled his fingers around my hair from behind, leaning his lips closer to my ears as he brought himself closer to my body. A heavy sigh escaped his mouth and I shuddered when his lips brushed against my earlobes before he uttered the words that caused me to panic.

"Apology not accepted, Barbie doll."