Unwilling Bride (Married to the Underworld CEO)

Author: [writers hub]

The sun had barely begun its ascent, casting long, fractured shadows across the opulent Botermet estate, when Zara found herself striding through the silent corridors. Her heart hammered with a desperate urgency that drowned out her usual fear. The jade dragon, clutched tightly in her hand, felt like a cold, accusing weight. It wasn't just about her anymore; it was about her family, and the insidious forces that threatened Ragnar's kingdom through her.

She knew Ragnar's study was off-limits, but that was where she'd last seen him, where the dragon normally rested. She bypassed a silent-footed maid in the hallway, ignoring the woman's curious glance. The thought of being scolded by Madam Cho was a distant concern.

The study doors were slightly ajar. Light spilled from within, and Zara could hear the low murmur of Ragnar's voice. He was on a call. She hesitated for only a second, then pushed the door open.

Ragnar stood by the panoramic window, silhouetted against the rising sun, the city spread out beneath him like a plaything. He was still in the same dark suit from the previous evening, a testament to his relentless schedule. His voice was cold, decisive, barking orders into a secure phone. "Find out who's trying to penetrate our systems. This cannot happen again. The breach on Project Ares was an anomaly. Contain it."

His words confirmed her suspicion. He was talking about the prototype, the "accident." His focus was on the breach, not necessarily her.

He hung up, turning abruptly as he sensed her presence. His eyes, usually pools of cold indifference, narrowed to dangerous slits. A flicker of surprise crossed his face – Zara rarely sought him out, especially not at this hour.

"Zara," he stated, his voice a low growl, devoid of any pleasantry. "You're out of your room. And what is that in your hand?" His gaze fixed on the small jade carving.

Zara didn't waste time with pleasantries. She walked towards him, her steps firm despite her trembling legs. She extended her hand, the broken dragon stark against her pale palm. "This was outside my door this morning." Her voice was steady, fueled by a surge of desperate anger. "Along with a phone call."

Ragnar's gaze sharpened, his eyes darting from the cracked dragon to her face. His usual impenetrable calm began to crack. "A phone call?"

"A distorted voice," Zara continued, pushing past her fear. "They knew about the 'accident.' They knew I was framed. They threatened my family. My sister. They even played a lullaby, Ragnar. Her lullaby." Her voice broke slightly on the last word, the memory a fresh stab of terror. "This," she thrust the dragon closer, "this was their message. To you. Through me. I'm not just a pawn in your game. I'm the weapon they're aiming at you."

Ragnar took the jade dragon from her, his fingers brushing hers, and Zara felt a tremor run through his hand. His gaze was no longer cold, but razor-sharp, filled with a dangerous fury she had never witnessed before. He turned the small carving over in his palm, his thumb tracing the hairline fracture. His eyes hardened, shifting from Zara's terrified face to a distant, calculating stare.

"Bondi," he murmured, his voice a low, guttural sound, filled with a primal rage. "And Kim. They dare to make their move."

Zara's breath hitched. "You know who they are?"

He ignored her, his mind clearly racing, piecing together information she couldn't comprehend. "Director Ahn!" Ragnar barked, his voice suddenly echoing through the study, startling the silent bodyguards who materialized instantly at the door. "Double all security around Zara Jones's family residence. Triple the covert surveillance on her sister, Hana. Deploy the Shadow Wolves."

The last words, "Shadow Wolves," sent a chill down Zara's spine. It sounded like something out of a nightmare, a direct link to the underworld he controlled. His response was immediate, decisive, almost terrifying in its efficiency. He hadn't dismissed her claims. He hadn't doubted her.

Ragnar looked at Zara again, his gaze intense, assessing. "This changes things." He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming her senses. "You are no longer just a contract wife. You are a direct target in a war you know nothing about. And your safety... has just become my paramount concern." His words were cold, devoid of tenderness, yet in their stark directness, Zara felt an unexpected surge of something akin to a grim relief. He believed her. He would protect her family. But at what cost to herself?

He reached out, his long fingers tracing a stray tear on her cheek. "From now on, you don't leave my sight without my express permission. And you will tell me everything. Every detail of that call, every strange occurrence since you stepped into Botermet Tower." His touch was brief, almost clinical, yet it sent a shiver through her. "This is no longer just a contract, Zara. It's a fight for survival. And you, unwilling bride, are on my side of the battlefield."

His words, a chilling declaration of war, left Zara breathless. She was not just Ragnar Botermet's wife; she was his reluctant ally in a deadly game. And the thought, terrifying as it was, also sparked a dangerous, unexpected thrill.