Page 7 of Wolf Proclaimed

I felt like a caged bird in my chest as my heart raced. I hoped the guard couldn't hear it and that he couldn't see past the façade. My body may have acted the part, but inside, my mind was a storm. Thoughts whirled and clashed. Plans to escape warred with my growing despair and fear tangled with a strange and growing curiosity about Bastian.

I'd spent my time here oscillating between fear and fury, and while fear was the more rational response, it was fury winning. My wrath was a fire, burning hot and fierce within me, a beacon of hope that refused to be extinguished.

Yet, I knew better than to show that fire, not yet. I needed to win their trust first, to lull them into a false sense of security. Only then could I make my move!

I blinked at the guard, a plea in my eyes. "Please," I said. The word tasted bitter on my tongue, starkly contrasting the sweetness of the hope I was pretending to feel.

The guard seemed to hesitate momentarily, sizing me up before nodding slowly. His eyes never left me, expecting me to pounce any second. If only he knew how right he was. But not today. Today, I was playing nice.

I gave him my best grateful smile, feeling a twisted satisfaction when he seemed taken aback. Good. Let them underestimate me, I thought. Let them think they've won. Little did they know, the real game had only just begun.

Moments later, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and in walked Bastian. His tall, broad silhouette was framed by the soft morning light seeping in from the windows, creating an almost angelic aura around him. Yet, there was nothing heavenly about my predicament. I locked my gaze with him, noticing a hint of curiosity in his striking blue eyes. Was he trying to read me? To gauge if I was still the firebrand he'd locked up?

I decided to throw him off track. "Bastian," I said, my voice softer than I intended. He cocked his head slightly, a subtle invitation for me to continue. "I wanted to apologize for my... earlier behavior," I forced the words out, each syllable heavy with insincerity. "I understand that you're just trying to help me."

His eyes widened slightly; the surprise was evident. Then slowly, he nodded. "I appreciate that, Mira."

Encouraged, I pushed on. "Thank you, Bastian," I said, plastering a smile. He looked at me for a moment as if trying to peel back the layers and understand what was happening in my mind. Then, he turned and left the room.

My heart pounded as I was left alone once more. Had I convinced him? My question was answered when he returned with a velvet-covered hanger. Bastian held out a long dress, his voice wavering slightly as he said, "I thought this might suit you. We're dining with Theon and Dmitri in the grand dining room.

The dress, a provocative red, was designed to showcase the wearer. Cut low in the front, it promised to accentuate my curves, curves that had always been more of a curse than a blessing. A surge of excitement coursed through me, though not from the prospect of looking beautiful. It was the chance it offered to play a part I knew all too well yet had been battling to keep under control.

As my fingers grazed Bastian's while taking the dress, I let the seductress inside me stir awake. Her coquettish smile, lingering touch, and flirtatious eyes were my weapons, my armor. But she was a potent force, an intoxicating power becoming increasingly harder to rein in.

"Thank you, Bastian," I replied, my voice a sultry purr, though I tried to infuse it with a hint of innocence. His eyes widened, taken aback, and I could see my effect on him. But the thrill of the hunt was not for him. Not yet.

Holding the dress against me, I could almost visualize the night ahead—the grand dining room, resplendent with sparkling chandeliers and rich aromas. Theon and Dmitri fall for the charm of a beautiful woman. And me, pulling the strings, turning the wheels of my plan.

An innocent captive, a bewitching seductress, a desperate escapee—it was time to play all the roles tonight. After all, it was not just a dinner invitation. It was the invitation to a game, a game that I was hell-bent on winning.

As the meal progressed, I could see Theon and Dmitri subtly studying me. An extra blink here, a giggle here and there. I could see the cogs turning in their minds. They were picking up on the tell-tale signs of my unsteady mental state. Yet, to my relief and mild surprise, they didn't seem too bothered by it. Instead, they matched my erratic energy with their relaxed charm, their easy banter and laughter providing a comforting blanket to my turmoil.

"Theon, you must tell me about your latest hunting expedition," I heard myself ask, my eyes flickering with excitement. His tales were thrilling, but they served another purpose. They kept my mind busy, kept the darkness at bay—for a few moments, at least.

"Ah, Mira," he replied, a wide grin spreading across his face. "It was one hell of a chase, let me tell you."

As Theon spun tales of his thrilling hunts, I leaned in, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "You know, there's just something exhilarating about a threesome," I said, my voice breathy and light. The double entendre hung in the air, rippling through the room.

Theon paused mid-sentence, his eyes glinting with sudden interest. "Is that so?" he inquired, leaning slightly forward. The corners of his mouth turned upwards into a mischievous smile.

Dmitri, the quieter of the two, now looked positively intrigued. His dark gaze was fixed on me, and he leaned in, following Theon's lead. His eyes strayed briefly, drawn to the plunging neckline of my dress. An unspoken approval passed through his eyes, his lips curving into a subtle, appreciative smile.

Seeing their reactions, I couldn't help but feel a thrill run down my spine. My words, my innuendo, had stirred their interest. More importantly, it had shifted their attention from my unsteady demeanor to my allure. My strategy was working.

As Dmitri caressed my hand with his thumb, I noticed Bastian out of the corner of my eye. His brow was furrowed, his gaze intense and unsettling. While Theon and Dmitri seemed content to ignore my erratic behavior, Bastian seemed perturbed by it. Concern was etched on his face, a worry I didn't quite understand. After all, hadn't I agreed that I needed his help?

Throughout the dinner, I could sense his unease growing. The clenching of his jaw, the tapping of his fingers, the way his gaze never truly left me. It was as if he was anticipating something he was not entirely prepared for. An escape attempt, perhaps?

As the dinner progressed, his anxiety became almost palpable. His smiles were forced, his laughter was hollow, and there was a certain hardness in his eyes that wasn't there before. I could almost see him questioning his decision, regretting his choice of inviting me to the dinner. But it was too late now. He had let the fox into the henhouse, and there was no turning back.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I realized Bastian was on high alert, ready to call in his guards at a moment's notice. This added a new element of danger to my plan and a thrilling challenge. It was a game of cat and mouse, and I was ready to run. But I had to continue playing the innocent captive's role and weaving the web of my intricate escape plan.

The wine flowed as the evening wore on, and laughter echoed through the grand dining room. I knew it was time to make my move. Feigning a soft giggle, I leaned in towards Theon, my fingers lightly brushing his arm.

"Theon," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the clinking of wine glasses and the murmur of conversation, "I would love to see the garden. Would you accompany me?"

A suggestive smile played on his lips as he nodded, rising from his chair. He offered me his arm, playing along with the charade, clearly unaware of the real motive behind my request. As we moved toward the double French doors leading to the lush gardens, I stole a glance back at Bastian.

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