Chapter 2 ALINA'S POV still skin My eyes shot open in sheer terror , and I let out a scream , tears streaming down my cheeks . The burning sensation on my there , and as I frantically tried to claw at my body , I realized , my hands were cuffed to the headboard of the bed I was lying on Panic surged through me as I blinked away the tears , my eyes darting around in confusion like a scared mouse , desperately trying to make sense of what was happening . " What's going on ? Let me go ! " I yelled , my voice trembling with fear as I struggled against the cold metal cuffs , my wrists already raw from my frantic attempts to break free . I wasn't dead I wasn't in that burning warehouse . 1 was alive . Cuffed , but alive . " Adrian ' Seraphina ! " I called out , my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions . Was this their doing ? Another one of their sick games ? Had they come up with new ways to torment me ? A deep , anger - laden voice sliced through the silence , sending chills down my spine . " It's bad enough that you tried to elope with your lover on the night of our engagement , but calling out for him ? You really are testing my patience , doll ." Only one person ever calls me that . A figure stepped out from the shadows , emerging into the dim light . Lucian My breath caught in my throat . My heart raced in my chest . He wasn't dead . He was here , alive . Wait .. I had been reborn . " You … you're alive . " I managed to choke out , tears of relief spilling down my face . " Please , uncuff me ." I pleaded , my voice thick with emotion All I wanted to do was to wrap my arms around him . Lucian scoffed , his tone icy . " You think crying will make me uncut you ? " His cold hazel eyes were filled with nothing but resentment and anger And I couldn't blame him I had humiliated him . Memories of this night four years ago flooded back to me . I remembered it all too vividly . This was supposed to be our engagement ceremony , but I had listened to Seraphina's venomous instigations and tried to run away with Adrian . Lucian had caught us before we could escape . " Lucian , please . " I whispered , my tear - filled eyes locking onto his A flicker of surprise danced in his eyes . I understood why , I'd never actually called him by his name before . Not once . I always stuck to Mr. Blackwood , even though I knew how much he hated it . This was the first time I had ever uttered his name aloud . But just as quickly as the shock appeared , it faded , replaced by his familiar cold indifference . " You'd do anything just to be with your lover , wouldn't you ? " He scoffed . " Too bad I'm not falling for your tricks . You'll stay cuffed to that bed until you realize that beside me is where you will always belong . " " I won't run away again , Lucian . I promise ." My voice was soft , laced with sincerity . 1/3 627 AMP . Chapter 2 For a fleeting moment , his icy gaze softened , but he quickly masked it . He turned to leave , but I couldn't let him walk away like this , I had been given another chance , a chance to make things right . And I refused to let history repeat itself . " My wrists hurt . " I murmured , barely above a whisper , a pout forming on my lips . Lucian froze mid - step . Slowly , he turned to face me . His eyes lingered on my pouted lips for just a moment before shifting to my pale wrists , now raw and reddened from my desperate struggles against the cuffs . A flicker of pain crossed his face . Then , without a moment's hesitation , he rushed to my side . If there was one thing I remembered about Lucian , it was that no matter what I did to him in the past life , he could never stand to see me in pain . " I'm sorry . " He said , his deep voice softer this time . He pulled a small key from his pocket and unlocked the cuffs . My eyes never left his face . The moment my wrists were free , he stepped back , creating distance between us , aware of how much I had hated him being close to me in our past life . But before he could retreat any further , I threw myself into his arms , wrapping him in a tight embrace , my face buried in his neck . I held onto him as if my life depended on it . Because this time , maybe it really did . Lucian's whole body tensed against mine , but honestly , I didn't care . He was alive , that was all that mattered to me right now . " I'm going to protect you this time . I'll stay right by your side . I won't go anywhere . " I whispered into his ear , my voice shaking with determination . I knew he might think I was rambling or that the chloroform they used to knock me out earlier was still clouding my mind . But I meant every single word . After what felt like an eternity , he pulled hack , his hands gripping my shoulders as his piercing hazel eyes searched my face . For what , I couldn't say . And truthfully , I didn't care . All I wanted to do was to love him better in this life . " What do you think you're doing ? " He asked , his voice low and filled with suspicion " I'm not letting you leave the mansion if this is your idea of another little stunt , doll ." His tone had a warning edge , but all I could do smile . He had always said I looked like a porcelain doll - with my flawless pale skin , big gray eyes , and delicate features . I used to hate that nickname , but now , hearing him say it made my heart swell . WILS His expression shifted , confusion mixed with something deeper , something I couldn't quite put my finger on . His gaze had been more intense since the moment I saw him , his presence heavier , more possessive . It felt like he was hiding something I pushed that thought aside and met his gaze with unwavering resolve . " I don't want to go anywhere , Lucian , " I said softly , my smile bright as I wrapped my arms around his neck again . " I want to stay right here with you . His entire body went stiff . " Stop it . Just stop it ! " He growled , roughly prying my arms from around him and taking a few steps back . " Stop what ? " I asked , confused , moving toward him again . " You want me by your side , don't you ? " Suddenly , his hand wrapped around my throat - not tight enough to hurt , but just enough to keep me still . His eyes burned into mine , dark and blazing with fury . 2/3 P . Chapter 2 " You really expect me to believe that , out of nowhere , you suddenly want to be obedient ? " He said , his voice dropping to a dangerously low tone . " You've been pushing back against me , defying me since the very first moment crossed paths . And now , just like that , you want to play nice ? " He leaned closer , his breath warm against my skin , his grip firm and unyielding . " Whatever game you're playing , you'd better cut it out . Because I swear if this is just another trick , I'll kill that lover of yours and make sure those pretty legs of yours are broken so you can't escape me ever again . " Let him kill Adrian . Honestly , I didn't care . I was planning to take that bastard down myself soon enough . Right now , the only thing that mattered was earning Lucian's trust . " I don't care about Adri- " I began , but he interrupted me sharply .. -Don't you dare say his name in front of me Before he could finish his thought , I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss . AD