Rise of Queens

e thin thread of my sanity, leaving me in an uncontrollable frenzy. It was weird sitting around a conference table with people whose focus was solely on the matter at

I couldn’t bear seeing her like that. She somehow stirred on my arms and used her hands to wrap around my neck. She nuzzled her head in the crook of my neck, which somehow slurped every bit of anger I felt. I pulled her closer to me like a second skin. The gesture made her eyes flutter open. "No, you cannot take me up. I will be punished gravely if they find me upstairs. I'll be forced to walk on burning coal. Drop me," she whimpered and kicked while trying to break away from my hold. "No one is going to punish you. You are here with me," I said and held her still. “Everest? Her sweet tiny caramel voice chirped weakly. Her ocean-blue doe eyes opened wider as she took me in. “Yes, Sarah,” I replied. “Please don’t let them catch me. I don’t want to go back there. They will hurt me.” “I promise, I won't let them hurt you, baby. Trust me. You are safe with me. They will have to pass through me to get to you." I got stuck between carrying her to the bed and holding her in my arms. Sure, I have no issue holding her up. She weighs less than a feather, but I needed her to be comfortable. I looked at her again, and she was already fast asleep again. Her neck was slightly bent to fit into my neck, and since I didn't want her waking up with muscular pain, I decided to drop her on the bed. I couldn't fucking believe she was made to walk on burning coal. I felt rage pulsated through my veins at the mere thought of her walking on burning coals for reasons as trivial as sleeping on a bed. On impulse, I checked her feet, and true to her words, scars from burnt were indeed under her feet "Goddammit," I groaned between clenched teeth. I forced myself to take calm breaths, and with no other idea to help myself remain calm, I climbed onto the bed with her and stroked her hair. Once again, she nuzzled into me why I flung my arm around her and pulled her closer to me, allowing her scent and warmth to overshadow my anger. I must have laid there for several hours before finally drifting off into a restless sleep. When I woke, the realization that Sarah wasn't in bed hit me harder than it normally should. Did she have a bad dream of someone punishing her in bed, and that's why she left? My mind wandered like that for a bit before I stormed outside and saw her sitting in the living room—opposite Francis and Viola. Viola looked serious, almost bored, while Francis looked like Francis—flustered and cheerful. I heaved a sigh "Hey, Sarah," I called sweetly, but she glared at me. Awe. I felt the love "What?" She snapped at me, and my wolf sighed, content in hearing our mate's voice. Where did all the cuteness and body-touching of the early hours of today go? Bro, it is pathetic, but according to Francis, if I must yield good results in our relationship, I must learn to travail in patience and tolerance. I sighed too, and Viola chuckled. ______________ Everything in me was telling me to run after her. To chase her down, make her see my reasons, but I knew that wouldn't work with her. Forcing Sarah to do anything would only further push her far away for the opposite reason. She had been telling me from the beginning that she needed space, so I planned on giving it to her. First day, second day, and now the third day. It felt like dying a slow death, but we both needed it—her to think and me to get my shits together. I walked into the packhouse because I wanted to see her and not because I wanted to talk to my beta and zeta like I claimed—that was my silly excuse to see her one more time for the