Attachment 436

In Chapter 436 of “Attachment 436,” Mina awakens in a state of confusion, questioning her own existence and the circumstances that led her here. She reflects on her near-death experience in a hidden basement, where she felt abandoned and exploited by those she thought were her allies. The oppressive atmosphere of her previous captivity contrasts sharply with her current surroundings, which are clean and high-ceilinged. As she struggles to comprehend her situation, she is met by Elias, who expresses both concern and frustration over her condition.

Elias’s presence brings a mix of emotions for Mina, who is both comforted and unsettled by his care. Despite her injuries, she feels a strange warmth from the new garments she wears and the gentle way Elias treats her. Their conversation reveals the depth of their bond, as Elias admits he sensed her danger and came to her aid. However, Mina’s past trauma lingers, making it difficult for her to accept his kindness fully. The tension between them is palpable, as Elias’s protective instincts clash with Mina’s stubbornness and desire for independence.

As they navigate their conversation, Mina expresses a need for normalcy, wanting to take a bath despite her injuries. Elias’s initial disbelief turns into a playful exchange, showcasing a lighter side to their dynamic. However, the moment becomes tense when Mina flinches at Elias’s touch, a reflex born from her traumatic experiences. This reaction highlights the scars left by her past and the challenges she faces in rebuilding trust. Elias, recognizing her discomfort, offers to help her, and in a surprising turn, he lifts her “princess-style,” showcasing both his strength and his desire to protect her.

The chapter encapsulates a range of emotions, from Mina’s fear and confusion to the warmth of Elias’s care. It illustrates the complexities of their relationship as they grapple with the shadows of the past while trying to forge a new path forward. Mina’s journey toward healing is just beginning, and Elias’s unwavering support may be the key to unlocking her strength and resilience.

**TITLE: Attachment 436**

**Chapter 436: Princess-style**

**MINA**

Was I… dead?

For a fleeting moment, that singular question echoed through the hollow chamber of my mind, reverberating in the silence that surrounded me.

Everything felt muted, as if the world had wrapped itself in layers of cotton. Even the pain that should have been gnawing at my bones like a wild beast was merely a distant whisper. It was as though I had detached from my own body, floating in a void that felt both familiar and foreign.

Images flickered in my memory—thirst so intense that I thought my tongue would crack. I recalled the cold, unforgiving floor of that hidden basement, where I drifted between consciousness and oblivion, unable to fully wake. I remembered the taste of stale water from the old flask, a desperate sip that I knew I should have conserved for a more critical moment. But what did preservation matter in that forsaken place? No one was going to stumble upon that house. Rowena was far too clever, Calista too self-absorbed, and Corvin too cowardly to venture into the depths of that darkness.

No one would even think to check for me.

They would weave a tale—a dramatic, tragic fabrication about how I had run away, gotten lost, and likely met a grisly end at the claws of a bear. Perhaps they would shed tears at my funeral, weaving my absence into the fabric of their lies.

After pouring over Garrick’s letters, the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. His kindness contrasted sharply with Rowena’s bitterness, her piercing gaze cutting through me as if she were looking past me, seeing only my mother, hating me for a story I had never even been told.

They wanted me dead. They always had.

They had merely kept me alive long enough to exploit my usefulness.

So why was I waking up now?

Why was I no longer trapped in that basement?

As I struggled to open my eyes, I drew in a shaky breath, the blurry ceiling above me slowly coming into focus. It wasn’t the damp stone of the basement I had come to know so well.

Instead, it was… high, beautifully crafted, and remarkably clean.

A frown creased my brow as I attempted to push myself upright, only to be gently guided back down by a firm hand on my shoulder.

My eyes widened in surprise.

Elias loomed over me, his expression a tumultuous storm of emotions, yet the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.

Without meaning to, I mirrored his frown.

My cloak was absent, replaced by warm garments that felt foreign against my skin.

Yet, strangely, I didn’t feel the discomfort I would have expected.

“Elias?” I ventured, my voice barely above a whisper.

He exhaled, a mix of relief and irritation flooding his features. “Just lie down,” he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.

“What are you doing here? What am I doing here? What day is it?” My words tumbled out in a rush, too fast for my own comfort. Everything around me felt disjointed, like pieces of a broken puzzle.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture that spoke of exasperation. “Goodness. You ask an awful lot of questions for someone who’s been beaten and bruised.”

I shot him a weak glare. If I had the strength, I would have made it a more formidable one.

“You didn’t come to our meeting place,” he continued, his voice softening.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. “As you pointed out… I’m beaten and bruised.”

His jaw tightened, the tension palpable. “Who did this to you?” he asked, even though the answer was already etched in both our minds.

Turning my face away, I sensed his understanding. He clicked his tongue again, frustration pouring from him.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. “Why would you let this happen to you?”

“Rowena has a power,” I murmured, my voice heavy with resignation. “Calista and Corvin wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. Not everyone possesses your strength, Alpha,” I replied, my tone flat.

For a brief moment, his expression softened, but the underlying fury was still present, simmering just beneath the surface.

“Now,” I pressed, “you still haven’t answered my question. What am I doing here?”

He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair—a gesture I had only ever witnessed when he was profoundly troubled.

“I just felt it,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

I frowned, confusion knitting my brow. “You felt it?” I repeated, searching for clarity.

“I can’t explain it,” he replied hastily. “I just knew you were in danger.”

Then, as if to shift the conversation, he cleared his throat.

“The doctor has already examined you and treated your wounds. Your left wrist is broken, but thankfully, the other injuries are superficial.”

My throat tightened at the mention of my condition. I struggled to find the right words.

“Where are we?” I asked softly, my voice trembling.

“In my quarters,” he replied, and I froze at the realization.

His quarters.

His room?

Before I could fully process this revelation, he reached out, taking my hand with a gentleness that sent warmth radiating through my skin.

“You’re safe here,” he murmured, his voice soothing. “No one is going to come looking for you.”

I pressed my lips together, knowing all too well that Rowena would not easily relent. She was relentless, unhinged in her pursuits. The only person more relentless than her was…

Elias.

His hand remained on mine, a steady anchor in the storm of my thoughts.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the fog that clouded my mind.

Then, gathering my resolve, I pushed myself up once more.

He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “What are you doing?”

I turned to him, fatigue evident in my expression but honesty shining through.

“I want to take a bath.”

Elias frowned, disbelief etched across his features.

“What? That’s your concern right now?”

I huffed, feeling the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. “I stink.”

“No, you don’t,” he countered instantly, the conviction in his voice surprising me.

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Elias.”

He froze, his lips pressing into a thin line of contemplation.

“You need to rest,” he insisted, adopting the authoritative tone of an Alpha, as if expecting me to comply without question.

But I didn’t.

With determination, I pushed the blanket aside and swung my legs toward the edge of the bed, intent on standing despite my body feeling like it had been wrung out and left to dry under the sun.

Elias sighed in defeat. “You really are stubborn.”

I shot him a glare, my annoyance flaring.

Our eyes locked, and something shifted in his gaze. A moment later, his mouth curved into a small, genuine smile. Before I could react, he playfully flicked my forehead with his finger.

“Your face is a weapon,” he teased.

In that instant, the world around me blurred, and my heartbeat stuttered. Rowena had used those exact words right before she struck me, right before dragging me down into the depths of that basement.

My breath caught in my throat, fear clawing its way up my spine without warning.

Elias’ expression shifted instantly, concern washing over his features.

He reached for my cheek, but I flinched instinctively, unable to stop myself.

He froze, his hand hovering in the air as if afraid to draw closer. His jaw clenched tightly as he dragged both hands through his hair, pacing a small distance away.

“Fine,” he said quietly, his voice laced with resignation. “I’ll allow you.”

I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and nodded, my heart racing. I attempted to steady myself on my feet once more, but before I could even tighten my grip on the edge of the bed, he moved.

In one fluid motion, he swept me off the mattress, one arm cradling my legs, the other supporting my back.

Princess-style.

I gasped, my hands instinctively flying to his shoulders for balance.

“What are you doing?” I exclaimed, a mix of surprise and indignation coloring my tone.

He looked down at me with the calmest, most infuriatingly confident smirk I had ever seen.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I’m helping you take a bath.”

In that moment, as Elias cradled me in his arms, the weight of my past began to lift, if only slightly. The fear that had gripped me since my entrapment in that basement started to dissipate, replaced by an unexpected warmth. I had spent so long believing that I was alone in this world, merely a pawn in someone else’s cruel game. Yet here was Elias, defying all odds, offering me not just physical support, but a glimpse of hope—a reminder that I was more than just a victim of my circumstances. With each step he took, I felt the walls of my isolation begin to crumble, allowing the possibility of healing to seep through the cracks.

As we moved towards the bathing chamber, I realized that this simple act was more than just a means of cleansing my body; it was a symbolic rebirth. Elias’ unwavering presence was a promise that I was no longer invisible, no longer a forgotten child lost to the darkness. I was being seen, being cared for, and for the first time in a long time, I dared to believe that perhaps I could reclaim my narrative. The laughter that bubbled up between us, despite the heaviness of my past, felt like the first rays of sunlight breaking through a stormy sky. In this moment, I understood that I was not just surviving—I was beginning to live again.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, readers can anticipate a deepening exploration of the complex dynamics between Mina and Elias as they navigate the aftermath of her harrowing experience. With Mina still reeling from the trauma inflicted by Rowena and her allies, the stark contrast of her current sanctuary in Elias’s quarters will raise questions about trust and vulnerability. As she grapples with her newfound safety, the tension between her past fears and the potential for a brighter future will come to the forefront. Will Mina be able to let her guard down enough to accept Elias’s help, or will the shadows of her past continue to haunt her?

Moreover, as Elias takes on the role of protector, the chapter is poised to delve into his own internal struggles. Readers will witness his determination to shield Mina from the threats that linger beyond the walls of his quarters. Yet, with Rowena’s relentless pursuit and the looming danger she represents, Elias’s resolve will be tested. The interplay of their emotions—Mina’s reluctance to accept kindness and Elias’s frustration at her stubbornness—will create an electric atmosphere, setting the stage for pivotal character development. As secrets unfold and the stakes rise, the chapter promises to leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Mina will confront her past and whether Elias can truly safeguard her from the darkness that seeks to reclaim her.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.