Her words hit so hard I clutched my chest. Silent tears slid down my cheeks.
We’ll get out of this, I promised.
She hummed in agreement.
My silent strength.
???
I gave up trying to untangle my hair with my fingers. I took a long, hot shower and left my nourishing conditioner in while I worked through the knots. When I finally paused to look in the mirror, there wasn’t peace—but there was no longer that empty sorrow in my eyes.
I used another bedroom that night, staying up until I could no longer keep my eyes open. It might have been hours, but I told Bouda all about my family and my life so far. She told me about our history—what is now Ethiopia.
It was the first night I slept deeply and without interruption. Sharing my memories with Bouda reminded me of what I had to fight for, and why I couldn’t simply shrivel up and die.
The days passed in silence and mutual understanding. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Bouda wasn’t telling me everything. She grew a little edgy—nervous—but insisted that everything was as it should be.
I let it go.
Holding on hurt too much.
???
Was I being a petty bitch?
Absolutely.
I left a mess wherever I went. Paintings were askew. Ornaments twisted. I changed all the clocks to the wrong times. Dishes were stacked in the sink, countertops littered with crumbs and mug rings. Every day, I went into his room and messed with something. I even removed all of his light bulbs.
In his bathroom, I peeled the labels off the bottles, and every box of latex gloves went straight into the bin.
I wanted him to feel the urge to peel his own skin off when he saw the chaos.
Psycho fuck.
But as the days passed, I began to feel ill. Solid food gave me cramps, and I kept swinging between hot and cold flushes. Switching to soups and porridge didn’t help my stomach much. My period never came.
I started taking cold showers, but I still woke drenched in sweat.
There was no phone. No doctor. And that dickhead still hadn’t returned.
He was probably too busy ruining lives.
My blood ran cold at the thought of my family.
No. He wouldn’t… would he?
I think they’ll be safe, Bouda said thoughtfully.The beast inside him wasn’t trying to harm you.
What? How do you know?
I frowned, wincing as Adam’s face surfaced in my mind.
The bite.
I brushed my fingers over my neck. Only faint marks remained.
It’s instinct for a wolf to bind himself to a mate, she continued.
