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ALANA'S POV

I woke up with a jolt, my lungs filling with a rush of air. The sound of my breathing echoed loudly in the quiet room, the only sign of life. I attempted to move, to rise, but was unable to. Something was restraining me—something tight and painful.

Looking down, I saw my wrists and ankles bound by ropes coated with silver, their harsh grip digging painfully into my flesh. My vision was blurry, as if I were peering through a mist, and I felt weak and heavy, as though submerged underwater.

"Where am I?" I croaked, my throat dry and sore. "What's going on? Where is everyone?”

I didn't know where I was or what was happening. The last thing I remembered was the party, the happy faces, and the cheers. Then, after a wave of nausea from drinking my wine, the world spun out of control before it all went blank.

An overflow of fear shot through my chest as I thought of my children. Where were they? Were they safe? I started to thrash against my bonds, shouting for help, hoping some