Cercei’s POV


    With an icy demeanour, he did not spare even a fleeting nce in my direction, not lingering longer than I did.


    “No, put back her cuffs,” hemanded, his voice sending shivers down my spine.


    As I gazed down at my restrained hands, a wave of sorrow flooded me, realising that the man I had once loved was no more. The person I knew as Lucian, with whom I had shared enchanting moments in Dinan and the strongest Alpha I encountered in the mansion, had transformed into a wholly different being.


    My attention shifted to Frank, standing beside him, a sly greeting concealed in his eyes. Lucian paid me no attention as he engaged in conversation with his men, issuing authoritative orders.


    “Good to see you again, Miss Cercei,” Frank addressed me while the firm grip of one of the men held my left arm.


    “I can’t say the same,” I retorted, unwilling to feign any semnce of pleasure at encountering the man responsible for my mother’s abduction.


    Ignoring my response, Frank pressed on with a sickeningly polite tone, “I hope you enjoy your stay.”


    Suppressing the fury bubbling inside my heart, I gritted my teeth, yearning to free my hands from the shackles and deliver a punch right at him. Surely, one punch couldn’t threaten therger n in motion.


    “Where is my mother?” I demanded, remembering the purpose that brought me here. I couldn’t afford to be consumed by heartbreak for the person Lucian once was or be swallowed whole by anger directed at Frank.


    The air was fraught with tension, my emotions coiling like a tightly wound spring, poised to unravel in this dangerous dance of intentions.


    Bound by a n, I could not afford to act on my impulses. The consequences were far-reaching, endangering my life and Vincent’s and the lives of thousands of men who might be drawn into a conflict if I sumbed to the whims of my inner voice.


    “Take her to her cage,” Lucianmanded Frank, leaving both of us stunned. A cage? What on earth did he mean?


    “Do we have a cage here?” Frank furrowed his brows, striving for rification from Lucian, who responded with a knowing look. Frank nodded and proceeded to lead me away.


    A rush of bewilderment and resentment surged into my heart. A cage? Surely, I hadn’t expected a luxurious suite, but this was beyond anything I could have imagined. What had I be in Lucian’s eyes? A mere animal? Perhaps his resentment towards me was deeper than I could understand!


    “Is he joking about the cage?” I inquired anxiously, but Frank merely nced at me, withholding an answer.


    We arrived at a small cer wrapped in ss. It was scarcelyrger than a closet, barely amodating a bed or possibly a chair. I couldn’t be certain. Panic and disgust flooded me as I was trapped in this confined space.


    “I have ustrophobia,” I admitted, my fear and difort were apparent. With its unforgiving square walls, the ustrophobic cell felt like a prison worse than hell.


    “I’ll request a bedroom prepared for you,” Frank stated, his tonecking any genuine concern.


    “Thank you,” I replied out of habit, although I couldn’t shake the feeling that gratitude was unnecessary in this situation.


    “As you should,” Frank retorted with a faint smile before locking the cer and departing.


    With a sigh, I acknowledged thepletion of the initial stage of our n. I found myself in a tightly cornered space, watched over by guards stationed just metres away. The ss walls seemed to mute all sound, leaving me alone with the sound of my own breathing.


    Utilising a concealed earpiece, I secretlymunicated with Vincent. The advantage of this soundproof chamber allowed me to speak to him without raising suspicions or beingbelled as a crazy woman talking to myself.


    “Hey,” I whispered, even though no one was around to hear us. One of the guards nced in my direction, prompting me to hide my mouth behind my hair to suppress the movement of my lips.


    “Cercei, you’re alive!” Vincent’s relievedughter came through the earpiece.


    “You doubted it?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood despite my dire circumstances.


    “No,” Vincent’s voice sounded hesitant, and I could only shake my head in a discreet response.


    “The first part of the n isplete,” I reported, trying to maintain a pretence ofposure.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    “Then proceed to the second part,” he urged.


    “I don’t think it’s going to work,” I admitted, biting my lip nervously.


    The sess of our entire n hinged on Lucian’s alleged ‘feelings’ for me, words that I struggled to believe.


    “What do you mean?” Vincent asked, his confusion evident.


    “He’s… changed,” I faltered, my voice breaking slightly. A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line, and tears threatened to escape my eyes. I disliked the unfolding truth, but I had to face it.


    “He’s cold and ruthless, indifferent. He’s not the same person anymore, Vince, and I don’t think our n stands a chance,” I confessed, my hope fading away. It pained me to admit this reality, especially because I deeply loved him. Seeing him again, after leaving him behind in Dinan, stirred emotions that felt like ages ago, though it had been merely a short span of time.


    “Then remind him,” Vincent suggested, offering a glimmer of hope.


    “Remind him of what it used to feel like. Make him remember who he used to be,” he encouraged.


    “All I want is my Mamà back,” I tried to steady my voice, but my tears betrayed my efforts.


    “You know it’s more than that,” Vincent responded meaningfully.


    More than that, he said. I wiped the tears from my eyes, scolding myself silently for breaking down when I knew crying wouldn’t fit into this dangerous n.


    “You’re right. I will remind him. I will get my mother back sooner than you think,” I said, attempting to regain my strength.


    “Good, ’cause I’m too busy for our wedding,” Vincent tried to lighten the mood.


    “Aww, I was already getting excited about my wedding gown,” I quipped, eliciting a chuckle from him.


    “You can do this, Cercei. I know you can,” he encouraged, his voice sincere.


    “Thank you, Vince. I’ll be in touch,” I expressed my gratitude before switching off the earpiece.


    Lucian Red, you may act cold and indifferent all you want, but I’ll make sure to remind you of everything we had-the way you looked at me, the way you spoke, and the way we kissed. I’ll reboot your heart, and this time, I’ll ensure my influence on you is unforgettable.


    When you finally remember, I’ll take back my mother right under your nose. I’ll make you give up everything for me, just as you used to. I long to see that lost puppy look on your face once more.


    And rest assured, I’ll exact my revenge for putting me in this wretched cage. This suffocating space is tormenting me. I despise small ces, and I swear to make you regret ever locking me up here.