“You can say that again,” I mumbled, thinking about all that Neil had done to inflict harm on me and my loved ones. “So what are we going to do if we’re not escaping right away?”
“I suggest we wait for the wolves. Blaze needs to know that you’re not alone. There’s four wolf packs that want you back, as well as the Madame and the human settlement by extension.” He smiled. “And myself, of course.”
I laughed and hugged him harder. Hope bloomed in me, the first real hope I’d felt since arriving here.
No matter how dark things seemed, everything was going to be okay. I had Eric, Ramsay and Colton looking out for me, and now Noro as well.
Four protectors. All for my sake.
A soft knock at the door made us break apart. I tried not to frown as Bastian poked his head in the door.
“Is everything all right in here?” he asked meekly.
“Yes, Bastian,” Noro told him. He was doing his best impression of a man who wasn’t just tenderly embracing the pride’s prisoner. “We were just finishing up our talk.”
“Ah, okay.” Bastian nodded.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” I murmured to Noro, suddenly frightened he would go.
He shot me a sympathetic look. “I probably shouldn’t stay…”
I grasped his arm, not caring that Bastian saw. “Please don’t. I need you.”
Noro thought this over for a moment, then smiled to Bastian. “I’ll stay here as a guard tonight.”
“Inside the room?” Bastian asked.
“Yes, and you can guard the door. That way we’ll have double the security.”
Bastian nodded slightly. I wondered if he would’ve shot down the idea if anyone except his older brother and the pride’s magic Keeper suggested it. “All right.”
My heart leapt.
“How about some dinner?” Bastian suggested, excited about having something to do. “I’ll go get him something to eat. Pregnant omegas need to eat!”
“Sure,” I said. I hadn’t felt my appetite properly until now--probably because I hadn’t felt safe enough to eat properly.
“Great!”
I exchanged glances with Noro, smiling. His presence was so comforting that I could almost forget I was being held captive against my will.
But it’s not for long. Once my mates get here, this nightmare will all be over.
Chapter 9
After a surprisingly pleasant dinner, Bastian took up his post outside the door, while Noro remained inside with me as an ‘added security measure.’
I could barely tear myself away from him. If he moved to the window to look out of it, I’d follow. If he went to wash up in the marble basin, I did the same.
Now as evening fell upon us, so did fatigue. I’d been physically tired and mentally exhausted since my abduction, but this was the first time I truly felt safe enough to sleep well, without one eye open for danger.
The bed was massive, with no expense spared. The sheets were silky white, with multiple down pillows and a down comforter for the cool mountain nights. But I had a feeling tonight I wouldn’t be needing a blanket for warmth.
Noro and I assumed our places in the bed without the need to speak. It was a given, after our emotional conversation earlier. We gravitated towards each other like two streams converging on a single point.
His warmth pulled me in. I found myself in his arms, strong yet gentle. My heart beat rapidly and I felt itthump, thumpingagainst his chest. I flushed, embarrassed at how it had quickened.
It wasn’t just my heart that was reacting to the closeness. A blush spread across my cheeks, and something below the waist had grown excited too.
