Chapter Five
Sameen
Her mate? This man she’d never seen, who’d found her unable to speak or protect herself, who’d not only stopped the Thirteen from taking her, but had cared for her, comforted her, and made her feel like a human being again...was her mate?
The Thirteen had spoken of mating around her before. After a few years, they’d stopped thinking of her as a person. Of course, so had she. They’d talked freely. Of their plans. Of the elementals who’d foiled them. Of what they wanted to do once they’d harnessed the power of spirit.
Sameen was still wearing nothing but the blanket wrapped around her, and she could feel the dirt and sap stuck to her body every time she moved. Peter had drawn her a bath, guided her over to the tub, and had made sure she knew exactly where the soap and towels were before leaving her alone—but not too alone.
She could hear him moving around in the bedroom, and a part of her wished she’d been strong enough to ask him to join her. Or help her. Despite not knowing him—not knowing a lot of things—she trusted him more than she trusted herself right now. And she was attracted to him. When he held her or said her name, something warmed in her core.
Easing herself into the water, she sighed as her muscles started to loosen. The Thirteen had taken so much from her. Freedom. Memories. Her very identity. But what she wanted most of all at the moment? Her sight.
Maybe if she could see her own face, she’d remember who she’d been.
Anxiety curled around her heart as she ran her hands over her body. Had her breasts always been so small? Her stomach so hollow? She didn’t think so. Touching the brand on her side brought a flash of memory. Screaming. The scent of burning flesh. Hers.
Then dread. Because they’d told her what they were about to do. One of the few times any of the Thirteen had actually spokentoher.
“No! Please! You can’t do this. I’m a person. Not your property.”
“You are what we say you are,” Celia replied. “A conduit. Nothing more. You will not speak, you will not fight us, and you will obey our every command.”
Sameen almost called out for Peter as Celia’s words echoed in her mind. The feeling of helplessness that had overtaken her in that moment...it was like she’d died chained to their altar. Whoever she’d been...that woman was gone.
Stop it. You’re free now. You can be someone new.
Did she even want to be someone new? As she worked the knots out of her long hair, she tried to imagine who she’d even care to be.
Strong. Unafraid. Bold.
She was none of those things. Not after everything they’d done to her.
The simple act of running the washcloth over her cheeks made her feel more human, and when the water started to cool, she fumbled for the drain plug, wrapped herself in a towel, and carefully made her way to the door. “Peter?”
“Right here.” He was at her side before her feet touched the thick rug. “I spread the clothes out on the bed. Take my hand?”
Bras and panties on the left. T-shirts next. A pair of jeans. Two pairs of what he called “yoga pants.” Socks. Sweaters.
“I’ll turn around. But if you need help...”
Sameen stopped him, confused. “You’ve already seen me naked.”
“You didn’t have a choice then. You do now.”
Choice. He thought to give her a choice? Her entire life had been taken from her, and Peter was giving it back to her piece by piece. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but in a few minutes, she’d have to talk to the rest of his pack, and she wasn’t sure how long her voice would hold this time, so she just nodded and waited for his shadowy, hazy form to move a few feet away.
The bra proved difficult, but she managed it after three tries. With every piece of clothing she picked up, she reclaimed a little more of herself. Until she tugged on a pair of socks. Tears burned her eyes. How could she have forgotten the comfort of a thick, warm pair of socks?
“Okay. Done.”
Peter turned around, and when he didn’t say a word, Sameen started to fiddle with the hem of the sweater.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Shit. No.” Peter ran his hands down her arms and linked their fingers. “You’re gorgeous, Sameen. I was right about your hair. It shines.”
Her cheeks flushed hot, and she pressed closer to him. “I’m scared, Peter.”
