Blood coated the grey fur around his mouth.
Shuddering sobs erupted from my chest, and I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the sounds.
Fear. Horror. And knowing this was my fate.
To die at the hands of a monstrous wolf.
I closed my eyes, wishing I could unsee what had happened, but the darkness made it worse. My stomach lurched, but nothing like the sickness I had feigned this morning.
“Now you know what kind of a monster I am.”
My eyes snapped open, and Blaidd stood where the wolf had.
How?
How could this be possible?
I nodded.
He turned and walked out of the room.
I began to cough and reached for the plastic bowl to vomit up the dinner that Adam had brought for me. Between the sobs and tears, I moved as far as I could from Adam’s body. I clung to the pillows, taking the only comfort I could.
???
I remained huddled beneath the covers when I heard someone come and remove the body. Then the scrape of the wooden door being dragged along the floor. My body trembled, but this time it had nothing to do with the cold.
From the corner of the covers, I saw Blaidd pick up the bowl of vomit. I closed my eyes as if I could hide away from the beast. More tears slipped silently down my face. I heard him flush the toilet and wash the bowl.
The footsteps grow closer until they stilled.
“Get up,” he said, his voice dull and flat.
My hand trembled as I pushed the covers down. I didn't look at him. I couldn't bring myself to.
He gripped my wrist and peeled back the surgical tape before he eased out the needle. I stared at the drop of blood forming in my arm.
“Go wash up and get back into bed.”
I eased my feet out of the bed and walked around the bed, avoiding the rug where I’d last seen Adam.
I didn't care that I was naked or cold.
I didn't care that my tears wouldn't stop.
My footsteps were slow and steady, padding on the polished tiles until I reached the toilet. In a daze, I washed and brushed my teeth. When I turned to leave, I saw his feet by the doorway.
I couldn't move or look up.
“This is the difference,” he said, walking towards me.
He circled me.
“This is why I own humans,” he whispered close to my ear.“Deep down, they know that they are beneath me.”
He nudged my shoulder, and I stumbled forward.
I shuffled out, and as I moved around the bed, his voice cut through the air.
