My Ex Left Me Years Ago Then I’m Married to a Billionaire novel Chapter 176

Crowned by Fate

Chapter 176

Skye’s POV

“It’s you?” I stared at the man standing before me, recognition dawning. “You’re the staff member from the second trial.”

He leaned against the wall, taking another drag from his cigarette. A smirk spread across his face, revealing yellowed teeth.

“Well, well. I thought you women only remembered the shiny Alphas,” he sneered, flicking ash onto the concrete floor. “Surprising that you’d remember someone like me.”

His comment only deepened my confusion. This didn’t make sense. Why would a council worker kidnap me? What could he possibly gain?

“Aren’t you staff from the North American Council? Why would you kidnap me? Who ordered you to do this?” The questions tumbled out of me in rapid succession.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke that drifted lazily toward the ceiling. “Too many questions, sweetheart.”

He dropped the cigarette to the floor and crushed it beneath his boot. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small container of pills. My stomach twisted as I watched him shake several into his palm.

He crouched beside me, his face uncomfortably close. The stench of tobacco and stale coffee washed over me as he grabbed my jaw with surprising strength. His fingers dug into my cheeks, forcing my mouth open.

“Swallow these like a good girl,” he muttered, shoving the pills past my lips.

I tried to resist, but his grip was too strong. He reached to the corner of the room and grabbed a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap with his teeth. Before I could spit the pills out, he was pouring water into my mouth.

The liquid rushed down my throat along with the medication, causing me to choke and cough violently. Water spilled down my chin and soaked the front of my shirt.

“Relax,” he said, standing back up. “It’s not poison. Just something to keep you from shifting.”

I fought to catch my breath, glaring up at him through watery eyes. “What do you want with me? Are you using me against Adrian?” My voice was raspy from coughing. “The oven in the second trial–you sabotaged it, didn’t you?”

A smile spread across his face. “You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you? All you need to do is lie here quietly for two days. If Adrian comes for you, I’ll let you go.” His smile disappeared. “If he doesn’t show up, well… I can’t promise anything.”

“Two days?” I asked, trying to make sense of his timeline. “Why two days specifically?”

“Because the day after tomorrow is the final trial for the Alpha King competition.” He stated it matter–of–factly.

This information gave me some relief. I’d only been unconscious for a day. The competition was still on track.

“So you’re trying to prevent him from competing in the Alpha King election?” I pressed. “Is Alpha Maxwell behind this? Or Alpha Rodrigo?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled out another strip of duct tape and moved toward me.

1/3

10:31 Fri, Oct 3 M

Chapter 176

“Wait,” I said quickly. “I need to use the bathroom.”

He didn’t pause. “If you need to piss, do it right here.” His voice turned cold. “You think I’m that stupid?”

He pressed the tape firmly over my mouth and left without another word, the heavy door slamming behind him.

A

Alone again, anxiety coursed through me. I had to escape before the final trial. Adrian needed to compete–too much was at stake.

I surveyed the room, looking for anything that might help me. The concrete walls were solid, the floor bare except for some dust and debris. The door was metal and firmly locked. My restraints were secured to a metal ring embedded in the wall.

I tested the ropes binding my wrists, pulling hard despite the burning sensation from the wolfsbane. The effort only resulted in the ropes cutting deeper into my skin, drawing blood that trickled down my arms.

Hours passed before the door opened again. My captor returned with a paper bag that smelled of grease and meat. My stomach growled involuntarily–I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.

He ripped the tape from my mouth in one quick motion.

“I brought food,” he said, unwrapping a hamburger and placing it on the floor in front of me.

“You’ll have to untie my hands,” I said. “How am I supposed to eat like this?”

He laughed. “You and Adrian passed the third trial, which means you’re both resourceful and strong. I’m not giving you any chance to escape.” His eyes gleamed with malice. “Eat like the dog you are, or go hungry. Your choice.”

He leaned against the wall, lighting another cigarette, clearly intending to watch my humiliation. I swallowed hard, maintaining what little dignity I had left.

“Your life must be truly pathetic,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Is this really what brings you joy? Tormenting a woman?”

His expression hardened. He extinguished his cigarette against the wall and left without another word.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify