Behind Locked Doors

POV: KAELIA

I stood pressed against the cold plaster of the ballroom corner, still gasping for air as the remnants of the severe panic attack ravaged my chest. Every shallow breath felt like inhaling broken glass. My heart hammered wildly against my bruised ribs, protesting the lack of oxygen. A few feet away, Ryker, Thorne, and Torin quietly huddled together in a tight circle. They kept shooting worried glances in my direction, discussing my alarming physical reaction in hushed, serious tones.

"Is she hurt?" Ryker asked, his dark brow furrowed in deep concern as he watched me defensively clutch my side.

"I do not know. Probably." Thorne shook his head, looking at me with a mix of confusion and undeniable sorrow that made my skin crawl. "She told me that she was roughhousing with some warriors out on the training field. But I doubt it."

Torin stepped closer to the other two, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Kaelia does not roughhouse with my warriors. I do not let them roughhouse with any girls. It is too dangerous because girls are not allowed to train. My men know the rules."

Thorne locked eyes with Ryker, his expression turning grim and resolved. "That is what I thought. Her dad did it."

The helpless pity swimming in their eyes made my stomach churn. I hated being looked at like a fragile, broken thing. I struggled to draw a breath through the sharp agony radiating across my battered torso. I finally snapped at them, unable to take the whispers for another second.

"Would you all shut up? Stop talking about me like I am not here." I hissed, glaring at the three of them.

Moments later, the heavy wooden doors of the conference room slammed open, hitting the adjacent walls with a resounding bang. Draken stormed out into the grand foyer first, his face red with unbridled rage. He marched straight out of the packhouse without a second glance. The rest of the Alpha men followed close behind him, their expressions hard and unyielding. The high council had made their final ruling.

Kastor strode straight toward me. His commanding presence parted the crowd of lingering guests with effortless ease. He stopped right in front of me, his gaze intense and unwavering.

"Go upstairs and pack your things immediately. You are leaving this packhouse tonight with me." Kastor spoke with unquestionable authority, leaving no room for argument or hesitation.

My father stumbled forward from the dispersing crowd, heavily slurring his words as a twisted smile spread across his flushed face. "That is not necessary. I can come upstairs and help her pack so we can say a proper goodbye."

Kastor and Ryker immediately exchanged a dark, knowing look. They saw right through his drunken facade and the sinister intent hiding behind his words.

"Too bad. We are definitely coming with you." Kastor replied flatly.

He refused to let me out of his sight, flat-out rejecting the idea of me being alone with the monster who had caused my injuries. Both men closely followed us up the grand staircase, down the long, carpeted corridor, and into my apartment. I walked straight into my bedroom and headed for the large wardrobe. I would need these clothes for the functions I was expected to host. My father leaned against the doorframe, watching my every move with a blank, calculating stare.

I reached my arms up to pull my heavy suitcase down from the top shelf. The upward stretching motion pulled hard on my bruised ribs. I involuntarily hissed in pain and grabbed my side, my knees buckling slightly under the sudden spike of sharp agony.

Kastor closed the distance in the blink of an eye. His strong arms wrapped securely around my waist to steady me. Breathtaking, electric sparks raced up my sides at the sudden contact, sending a jolt of heat straight through my nervous system. I froze, stunned by the intense, pleasant sensation. It was the first time a touch had brought me warmth instead of fear. He easily reached over me, brought the heavy luggage down, and set it on the bed with gentle care.

Leaving the men in the bedroom, I retreated into my en-suite bathroom to collect my toiletries. I needed a moment of peace away from their heavy stares.

The thick bathroom door slammed shut behind me. The lock clicked into place with a sharp, ominous snap.

I spun around. My heart dropped straight into my stomach. My father stood right in front of me, blocking the only exit. His eyes were wide, glaring with a menacing, psychotic rage that I knew all too well.

Heavy fists began hammering on the thick wood from the outside. Kastor and Ryker shouted my name, realizing what had just happened.

My dad stalked closer, backing me aggressively into the cold tiled wall. His alcohol-laced breath washed over my face, hot and suffocating in the enclosed space. The claustrophobic terror gripped my throat, threatening to drag me back into another panic attack.

"I know you think you have escaped me for now. But do not think you are staying there for too long. I will get you back. And when I do, you will regret everything that you have put me through tonight. The humiliation, the torment. Everything." He growled low in his throat, his tone dripping with pure malice.

I pressed my spine flush against the tiles, terrified but desperate for answers.

"Why do you even care if I leave? I thought you would be happy to get rid of me." I demanded, keeping my voice as steady as possible.

He sneered, leaning in until his face was mere inches from mine. "Because you are my daughter. I made you and I can treat you anyway that I want. I will not let that new Alpha dickhead get in the way. We will get you back. And you will be sorry the second that we do."

The solid wood door shattered with a deafening crack, breaking off its frame in a shower of jagged splinters. Kastor surged into the small bathroom. He grabbed my father from behind by the collar. With terrifying strength, Kastor threw him effortlessly out into the hallway. Ryker immediately grabbed the thrashing Beta and hauled him away from my room.

Kastor stepped toward me, his chest heaving with lingering adrenaline. He gently placed his large hands on my trembling shoulders. The contact sparked those same deeply pleasurable goosebumps across my skin. It was a stark contrast to my father's horrific, bruising touch.

"Let us finish packing quickly so we can get out of here." He urged softly.

I shoved the last of my things into my bag and headed downstairs. I did not bother changing out of my formal dress. Kastor wanted me out of this place as fast as possible, and I wholeheartedly agreed. Before walking out the front doors forever, I turned to the only friends I had in this hellhole. Lorna, Thorne, Jarek, and Torin waited near the entrance to see me off.

I embraced Lorna first, saying a tearful goodbye to the girl who had always been kind to me. Thorne promised me that we would stay in touch, swearing he would see to it personally. I then moved on to hug Jarek and Torin. Kastor stood rigidly nearby. He was visibly displeased and deeply uncomfortable with me hugging other men, his jaw clenching especially hard when I wrapped my arms tightly around Torin.

Outside, the night air was freezing, biting at my bare skin. Ryker opened the front passenger door of their sleek SUV, forcibly relegating a furious, complaining Vesper to the front seat. She shot me another venomous death glare before sliding inside. Kastor escorted me directly to the spacious back seat. He climbed in from the other side, choosing to sit intimately beside me while Ryker took the wheel.

We drove away from the pack borders, leaving the only home I had ever known behind in the darkness. The tension inside the vehicle felt thick and suffocating. No one spoke a single word.

For an hour, the only sound was the low hum of the engine on the dark, empty highway. My mind raced with the terrifying events of the night. I stared out the tinted window, wondering what my new life would actually look like with my mate, until a shrill, sharp voice broke the silence from the front seat.

"So Kastor, I guess this means that we are not getting married next week." Vesper said, her tone dripping with passive-aggressive venom.

I froze, my blood running cold. I snapped my head over to look directly at Kastor.