Anastasia's P.O.V.-

I can't stop loving you.

That voice just now…. My eyes slowly opened as I followed on top of the bath water. My arms were spread out at my sides with rose petals all over them, and my hair flowing everywhere in the water. That voice…. Was it Paul's? Maybe…. or could it be…. Christian's? It sounded familiar but just indistinguishable enough for me not to recognize it. I guess it doesn't matter though, my hands played with a few petals. Paul…. My eyes lowered really tenderly. I love you, Paul; you must know that. I can't stop loving you either. You're my best friend- I will always love you as my dear, precious friend. I suppose it could have been voice I just heard in my head. The only other one who could have said it is….

My lips parted a sliver. Christian….. Several images of him flowed through me like water; I had to shut my eyes and take in a deep, stabling breath. Christian…. Christian! When I think of him, all I feel is pain. I've never liked anyone like I liked him before, and yet he'll never know. I'm going to die with him never knowing how much I….. My eyes winced at the horrific reality. Well, I guess I should feel fortunate. I lived long enough to feel that way at least once, even if he'll never know. And I'll want him 'til my last breath here on earth. Christian…. I remembered what it was like holding his hand back in the station. Christian….

Do you know how much happiness you've brought me in the short time we've known each other?

No, I guess you wouldn't; I never got a chance to tell you. And I never will. All I can do now is adore you from this solitary room. Maybe if I close my eyes, I can drift away…. to a place where I can see you one last time. If I'm lucky I'll fall asleep and dream of you… In dreams you're mine, all of the time…. I want to see you…. If I had one last wish, it would be to see you, Christian. See you and tell you how much you mean to me. Say the things I'll never actually get to say to you.

That's when I was suddenly plucked out of the water like a doll. My eyes shot open to see Lincoln standing beside the tub, holding me back in both his arms princess-style. Any rose petals still on me when he picked me up fell off my body onto the floor. His disgusting leer shown down upon me like an unholy, black sun. "Have a nice bath?" I couldn't speak, so horrified and disgusted as he proceeded to carry me back into the main room. He set me down on my feet and began to dry me with a pink, silk towel. Despite being soft fabric, it felt coarse against my skin. I winced as he rubbed me down, and I do mean everywhere.

When that was done, he dropped the towel off to the side and inspected me over, like I was a piece of artwork… or very delicious-looking cut of meat. His eyes moved up and down repeatedly; there was no part of me he hadn't seen. Eventually a sickening, twisted grin grew across his face and he took a menacing step towards me. "My sweet, perfect, little girl…" His hand reached out for me. No! I winced my eyes shut as I practically fell backwards. No, I don't want this! I don't want the last man to touch me to be him! No! Someone, please! Help me! I'm begging you! Help me!

"I've waited a long time for someone like you." "No! Don't touch me!" But I think his hunger had set in too much by this point; Lincoln acted as if he couldn't hear me. "I want you; I want you, lamb…" No! No, anything but this! Someone please, save me! Someone!

"Christian!"

My mouth shouted on its own accord. This surprisingly made Lincoln pause for a minute- only a minute, mind you. He blinked down at me puzzled. "Christian? Is that the wolf who imprinted on you?" No, my eyes shot open. Don't say his name; his name's too pure to fall from the lips of you! Hey, wait a minute. That's right; if I'm going to die anyway, I might as well die a lamb he'd be proud of. Who cares if I'm weaker than paper? That wasn't my choice. None of this was my choice. But now… I finally see an avenue for me.

"Yes, think of him; think of this Christian. Get the blood flowing, let it creep everywhere in you; it'll make your meat taste all the better," Lincoln licked his lips savoury. Oh, screw you! For the first time, I shot him a vicious glare. I'm gonna die anyway; might as well go down fighting. My hands balled into fists.

"Didn't you hear me, old man?! I said don't touch me! I'm a kidnapped woman, but that doesn't make me your property!" "W-wha-….." His eyes started to grow in dumbfoundness, and I saw fit to continue. "Blood pumping will make my meat taste better? Well in that case, I'm pretty damn calm right now! And here you thought I was going to make the best meal of your life- ha! I'm going to do everything in my power to deny you the satisfaction; I'll even kill myself if I have to. You're not worth it. You may be physically stronger than me, but you're sure a hell a lot weaker in my eyes! Look at you, unable to control your hunger- pathetic. News flash- I've almost been eaten before and he had the strength to let me go. That's something you'll never have, you hedonistic, murdering monster!"

I had to take a breath, I had been yelling so hard. Lincoln merely gawked at me with wide, stunned eyes. And I had just enough time to get a self-satisfied smirk in before I realized how bad my plan had backfired. I watched in horror as the lust in his eyes heightened; I think my yelling actually aroused him. Or maybe just the sound of my voice in general. All previous resolve went flying out the window once he swiftly tackled me to the ground. His heart was beating so hard, I could hear it through his shirt. He pinned me down using both hands as he proceeded to drool on me. His breathing was so heavy.

"I wish I could keep you forever. Or clone you and eat you every night…." He hissed hungrily. This damn bastard! I winced under his weight on me. He didn't to a thing I just said! "It appears that I was too soft on you, angel. Looks like you need to be punished." Gross! Gross! I gasped, trying not to vomit all over myself. His head bent down to run his nose along the side my neck. Everything inside me shook as his tongue came out of his mouth to run along my skin. His eyes turned completely black as I knew he was going into beast-mode. His hunger was consuming his mind.

"I'll punish you. I'm not going to accept hard meat, so I'll tenderize you instead. I'm going to bite you; shred your skin off until you're begging me to stop." My body was going back into defence mode again as I shook with everything I had. My eyes winced shut so hard, they hurt. "N-no! Stop! Stop it!" "I won't! I want you! I want to devour you inch by inch! I want your blood all over me!" "No! No, don't! Let me go! Don't!" My voice didn't sound like my own in those few seconds. I'd never been more desperate in my life. With his eyes now entirely crimson, his jaw opened wide as he began to lower his head down to my right bare shoulder. It hit me like a speeding truck. These are my last few seconds alive. I'm going to die; he's really going to kill me now. I'm about to die, to lose consciousness forever. One last tear rolled down my cheek. I'm going to die with no one knowing where I am or what's happened to me.

And I'm going to die alone.

Then, like divine intervention, the locked door was busted off its hinges. I didn't see cause my eyes were still shut, but something stopped Lincoln. I heard him cry out in pain as he fell off to the side, releasing me in the process. Shards of wood from the door flew everywhere; I used my arm to cover my face before looking. My eyes then slowly, hesitantly reopened. A figure was standing there; standing there and staring down at me. It took a second for my vision to clear but when it did, my jaw dropped open in more shock and elation I'd ever felt in my life.

Christian!