30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
Victoria
T aking a deep breath, I lean my back against the headboard of the bed, my legs are pulled up to my chest. It feels like time is going by slower in this room. At least slower than it did in the cell. It’s probably because I was more alert and aware with what was going on with this crazy family.
I was already basically chosen, and this last test would be it….my life is over either way. Be it by being killed…or being given a new identity and married off. “This fucking sucks.” I mutter to myself. It isn’t fair either way but then life’s not fair. I know this but still I can’t help thinking those words. As I'm in my own thoughts I hear a knock, and someone opens the door.
I frown seeing the man I’m not familiar with walk through it. He's tall, has broad shoulders with bright blue eyes. He has dark black hair that’s longer in the bangs and at the sides while the back is short. His presence is what makes me tense up, he gives off a domineering ‘back the fuck off’ aura.
His eyes sweep over the room and looks at the food before he releases a sigh, “Not hungry?” He asks, and I shake my head watching his movements wearily.
“You should eat when we bring you dinner. I came to see if you’d like to try to eat lunch….” He trails off glancing at the food once again. He closes the door, so it’s just the two of us in the room. I sit straight, letting my legs go to sit normally. If I need to move quickly I can in this position. He seems to see this, and his lips twitch into a smirk.
“No thank you.” I tell him blandly, not taking my eyes off him. Something about him makes the hairs on my arms stand on end, just like Elijah. He has a domineering presence.
“My name is Gabrial, I’m one of the boys' fathers…and one of her husbands.” I tense at his introduction, and narrow my eyes at him, but say nothing.
“Ava was a bit upset coming out of here, but I know how she was when she got to this point in the tests.” He gives me an amused look as a flicker of fondness flashes through his eyes.
“I don’t want her upset so I figured someone else coming in would be better….” He spoke softly, as if he was trying to talk to a scared animal. Biting my lip, I try not to snap at this man in front of me.
I stare at Gabriel, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the anger and fear churning inside me. His casual mention of Evangeline's past and her ‘adjustment’ to the family makes my skin crawl.
"I don't care if she's upset," my voice is low and tense. "I don't care about any of you or your feelings. You kidnapped me. So why should I care if your wife is upset?"
Gabriel's eyes harden slightly at my words, though his voice remains calm. "I understand your anger, Victoria. But lashing out won't change your situation. It's better to accept things as they are and move forward."
I let out a harsh laugh, while shaking my head, "Move forward? Into what? A life of cannibalism and murder? A prisoner who is going to be forced into a marriage with four men…. who will most likely end up ‘punishing me’ which is just a fancy word for abuse.” I know I should keep my mouth shut, but I’m at the breaking point.
Gabriel's eyes become cold at my words, but I don’t care. He could lash out; and still, I just don’t care anymore. I hear his sigh and see that his eyes are still as cold as his voice when he speaks, "You're not a prisoner, Victoria. You're a potential new member of our family. There's a difference."
He pauses before continuing with my other accusations, “As for abuse, we don’t condone that. Yes, you can be punished if you try to run away or try to hurt a fellow family member, but we have rules on how far punishments can go.” He was looking at me with his blue eyes which reminded me of Marcus and Jasper. They’re alot colder than Marcus though, making me shift uncomfortably.
Releasing a harsh laugh, unable to hold-back the bite in my words. "Oh really? So, I can just walk out of here whenever I want? Go back to my old life?"
Gabriel sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's not that simple, and you know it. You've seen too much, learned too much about us.”
“That makes me a prisoner,” I snap. If I’m not allowed to leave when I want, must be supervised… I can’t do what I want, when I want to do them, I’m in no way, free.
I see annoyance cross his face as he steps forward, causing me to freeze. I see him pause before he let a deep breath out before kneeling so he could look at me. “If that is how you want to think, this is going to be a very hard transition for you.” He gives me a sad look, “My boys are very fond of you, and I know from what I’m hearing you will fit in here.”
I glare at him and at his words, “I said this before, and I’ll say it again. I don’t want to fit in here. ” I really don’t. I keep being told this; and I still don’t like it. Does that mean I am that unhinged to be told I’ll fit in with this crazy family?
“You really are a stubborn one.” Gabriel laughed, making me want to snap at him, but I kept myself in check. I was already aggravating him. No need to make it worse.
“Now, little lady, once you pass the next test, you will be brought into this family. It will be a hard transition from the looks of how you are acting.” He gives me a dark look, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end, “You may hate us for a while, even curse and a lot of other things, but you will learn .”
I stare at Gabriel, a chill running down my spine at his words. The casual way he speaks about my future as if it’s already decided makes my stomach churn. They’ve all been doing this. They say I will pass….but a small part of me wants to fail. I want to take the easy way out to escape the fate they insist will be my life.
"And if I don't learn?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "If I never accept this... lifestyle of yours?"
Gabriel's eyes harden, his voice taking on a dark and dangerous edge. "That's not an option, Victoria. One way or another, you will adapt. The only question is how difficult you want to make it for yourself."
I swallow hard, fighting back a wave of fear and despair that’s threatening to overwhelm me. "You and the others keep talking like I've already passed this final test," I say, fighting to keep my voice steady. "What if I fail? What if I refuse to do whatever twisted thing you have planned?"
Gabriel's eyes hardened, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "That would be... unwise. It would be a shame to see all your potential go to waste."
I take a shuttering breath, reading the unspoken threat in his words. "And if I somehow do pass this test... what then? Become a part of your family and be groomed into something you want.”
Gabriel once again sighs, the dangerous glint fiercely appearing in his eyes. "You will embrace your new reality. To understand that fighting against us will only bring you pain and suffering." He leans in closer, his voice dropping low. "My boys may like you…and can see you as their wife…but don't mistake that for weakness. They will break you if they have to."
I shift trying to keep myself together, this man is definitely more intense than I’m used to. Is it because his sons want me to like them? Were they this way too? I glance at Gabriel, “They said they didn’t want me broken. Would they go back on their word?”
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly at my question. "No, they don't want to break your spirit entirely but make no mistake - they will do whatever is necessary to ensure your compliance and loyalty to this family.
He pauses as he studies me intently before continuing, as his voice lowers to a low whisper, "My sons can be... intense when they feel challenged or threatened. They've inherited that trait from me, I'm afraid. It's in their nature - in our nature - to dominate and control. And if you don’t fall in line with our family you could end up being a threat."
I suppress a shudder at his words, remembering the cold gleam in Jasper's eyes during Amber's torture, the possessive way Elijah has spoken about me belonging to them, "And what exactly does this family need me to be?" I ask, dreading the answer I already know, deep down in the pit of my soul.
Gabriel's lips curve into a cold smile. "A loyal wife. A devoted mother to the next generation. Someone who will uphold our traditions and way of life without question."
I suppress a shudder at his words, imagining what kind of ‘creative’ punishments they might have in store if I’m not going to be someone they want. "So, what you're saying is, I have no real choice here. It's either submit willingly or be forced into submission."
Gabriel looks at me, with softening eyes as he stands up, making me shift back a bit away from him, "You're a smart girl, Victoria. I can see why my boys are so taken with you." He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“You will do just fine in this family. I know my boys will…help with the adjustment period that I’m sure you’ll go through.” He then leans down, kissing my forehead. My body went still not daring to move or even breathe until he took a step back.
“Now be a good daughter-in-law and get some rest. I will have food delivered later and I expect you to eat it. One of the boys will be here to ensure you do.” He gives me one last look before leaving me alone in the room. My stomach turns and my body feels like ice as I sit here alone.
“I’m not your daughter-in-law... yet” I mutter into the empty room; I know he’s no longer there, but I still needed to say those words.
I sit in a stunned silence for several minutes. The silence of the room almost makes my ears ring. Gabriel…his words echoing in my mind. The casual way he spoke about my future, about breaking me, if necessary. It sent chills down my spine. Once again, I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop the trembling that has taken over my body.
Part of me wants to scream, to rage against the injustice of it all. But what good would that do? They’ve made it abundantly clear that my feelings, my desires, mean nothing to them. I’m just a prize to be won, a possession to be claimed and molded to their liking.
"I'm not your daughter-in-law," I whisper again, as if saying it out loud somehow makes it true. But deep down, I know I’m fighting a losing battle. They’ve made it clear that I have no real choice in the matter. Once again, I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop the trembling that has taken over my body.
"This can't be happening," I whisper to the empty room. But I know it is. This nightmare is all too real, and it seems there’s no waking up from it. I don’t like when my choices are taken from me, and this whole situation is very much out of my control. I also know that I’m probably never going to have that kind of control of my life again.
As the hours tick by, I find myself growing increasingly anxious about what this final test might entail. After everything I'd been through already, I can’t figure out what else they could possibly do. Curling up in the corner of the bed, with my back pressed against the wall, I keep my heavy eyes on the door, knowing someone would eventually come. What I wasn’t expecting, was to close my eyes and be pulled into sleep.