His knot had ripped me open, and my skin was covered in bruises, scratches, cuts, and bite marks. Blood smeared nearly every inch of my body and the sheets beneath me.
Even after my surgery, I hadn’t felt like this.
Cigar smoke wafted in from the living room, where Premier Ulfic had gone to celebrate after he’d paid thorough “attention” to my body.
He connected his phone to the speakers and played some classic rock, the music covering the sound of my muffled sobs as he sang along.
The lights flashed.
A tear ran down my cheek.
Then the front door opened and I held my breath.
“Victor! Took you long enough. So who finally caved—you or the winged bitch?”
Victor didn’t answer, and I heard his footsteps as he walked straight down the hall and entered the bedroom.
My eyes were closed, my face turned towards the pillow to keep from seeing the anger I was sure painted his features. But I could feel his presence in the doorway anyway, his rage pulsing like tidal waves from his epicenter.
I just hoped he’d make it quick, however he would punish me.
He stepped closer, pulling off the sheet that stuck to my wounds and gasping in horror. I felt his hands hover over my body, focusing on the points that hurt the most. He pulled my legs apart, surveying the damage done by the werewolf’s knot.
But he didn’t say anything. All I heard was the music from the other room and Victor’s hard breathing.
Then he lay down next to me, digging his nose into my neck. “Oh darling… oh darling, what did he do to you?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice raspy from screaming. “I didn’t tell him, I promise. He guessed, and I tried to stop him, but—”
“Darling, my beautiful Sage, my mate… why are you apologizing to me? This is my failure. I’m your alpha, your mate. I’m supposed to protect you.”
I sobbed as he held me, surprised I still had any tears left to shed. His touch, his voice, his scent all comforting me for the first time since we’d met.
“Victor! What are you doing? Come out and celebrate with me! Bring the witch if you want, although she might be a little broken now.” His chuckle echoed through the hall. “You know how I get with my toys.”
Victor ground his teeth behind me, whispering in my ear. “I will be right back.”
I heard him exhale slowly, and then he left. The sudden absence of him behind me made me shiver, and I just wanted him.
I… I wanted him. That was new.
“Kain. Sorry about that. Had to take care of some business first. Can I get you something to drink?”
His voice sounded calm and inviting, but I knew him well enough to pick up on the hint of violence lurking beneaththe surface. The thinly veiled darkness held back by only the thinnest of tethers.
A glass clinked. “Already helped myself.”
“… So you did.”
Then chaos erupted.
Snarls and roars, growls and snapping. Grunting and hissing.
Furniture splintered and bodies fell.
I winced at each sound, suddenly fearful for my alpha. What if Victor lost? What would Premier Ulfic do to me if…
I lost myself in my nightmare, and didn’t even notice when Victor re-entered the room, dripping in blood. He walked to the side of the bed.
