I stare into his echo eyes, hoping for a trace of mercy that isn’t there. There’s something more humiliating about going willingly to my own ruin. And yet, I think of Selene. Alphaslovefeeling like they’re in control. Making him force me might remove any possible negotiation for her safety…
“You’re bound to me, Diana,” Judge says, almost like he’s actually trying to soothe me. “You have nothing to fear when I’m with you.”
What a load of shit. “That’s a dark set of stairs,” I quietly say.
“Do you want me to carry you?”
When I take too long to respond, he reaches out, and I reluctantly take a step forward. I keep climbing, my stomach a complete mess, until it’s clear that at the top of the steps, it’s a massive attic space. Well, less of an attic that I’m used to, and more like the roof pitch is just insanely tall ,and the space is like a bonus room. At the end of the room, the ceiling and walls are made of glass, as if someone may have once used this space forits natural light. Well, glass is good. Glass is breakable. Escapable.
For a few seconds, I pause to stare at the stars that are so gorgeous above us. They were partially hidden behind branches in the courtyard.
I whip my head back around to keep taking in the space that’s lit up with plugged-in lamps. There’s a floor bed with many different blankets and pillows. With no real flow, there’s also a couch, a dresser, and a bookcase filled with books. There are corners and doors, like this place is larger than it seems.
“What is this?” I ask, my voice so loud in this utter silence.
“Wherewewill spend time.”
Oh my god.
Is this… is this anest? No, that’s supposed to be a sacred space. Sure, the other one was just as bad, but I was in full-blown heat and didn’t care about anything other than a rutting cock. But now? With full mental clarity? Nests are supposed to be shared bymates. I near the glass wall, like seeing the expanse beyond it will help me breathe. It looks out into what seems like another courtyard of sorts with a large fire in the center, and lots of cars and oil drums with fires in them. There are people moving about, all dressed in something warm.
“That’s the gathering grounds, below you. They can’t see you. The windows have a privacy film on the other side.”
“I don’t want this,” I state.
“We need to get to know each other. This allows it.”
I turn around. “Why can’t I be with thescraps?”
“Ravina showed she can’t be trusted. So now you’rehere.” He examines the space. “It won’t be forever. There are books.” He looks around a dark corner, something I already plan to explore if given the chance. “You can try to escape, if you want.” He points up to a corner with a small black thing with three red, glowing dots. “There are cameras all over. So I’ll know right away.”
My lips curl upward. “You’re going to watch me the entire time?”
“I’m going to ensure you are where you’re supposed to be,” he corrects.
A huff escapes me, which rolls into an incredulous laugh as I toss the blanket off my shoulders. “I’msupposedto behome! I’m supposed to befree!”
“You can be free in here with my scent,” he replies, as if I didn’t just say that. “Again, it’s temporary.”
Oh, I could grip his ego and strangle it. “This is a load of shit. I need a social life, you know.”
“You will get plenty from me. Again, yourmate.”
I glare at him, my lips parted like he can’t be serious. “No, not mates! Based on the secrecy of this, and the fact that you haven’t bitten my neck, it makes me think youcan’t. So not my mate. I still don’t even believe you about the scent match!”
His eyes rage, and I can tell I hit a nerve. I try not to panic, because that’s good information for me. He then growls, and my body shivers with pleasure. “You really have to stop doing that,” I say through a whine.
What the hell was that?
“It works because Iamyour mate, whether there’s a bite or not,” he spits. He growls again, and I back away, remembering how he felt on my body.
I go quiet and slide against the wall, my shoulders rising and falling dramatically. Is he right? Can he command my body like that because we’re… because Judge is my scent match?
“I’m below you, just so you know. I’m never far,” he says. “I’ll leave you here.” He nears me, and I refuse to let my head face his direction. He squats down, gripping my chin to force me to look up at him. “These are not ideal circumstances, but I willnotrisk your life or health. Do you understand? I will go to great lengths to protect that. You’ll believe me in time.”
I refuse to answer or look at him, and Judge eventuallystands. He drops a note into my lap. “This is from Selene, and is proof that she’s here. Whenever she has made it to where she’s going, she will write another letter to you.”
The door creaks as he turns to leave, that broad silhouette framed by the darkness of the stairwell he’s about to descend. “Get some sleep,” he says over his shoulder. “You’ll need it. Food will be brought shortly.”
