The Alpha's collateral

walls seemed to close in, and everything felt so surreal but so re

I hear footsteps approaching closer to me. Turni

e smirked at me, his voice dripping with hatred. I attempted to speak, but no words formed

tinued, his tone becoming more evil with each word. "Well, you're not. You're nothing but an

his validation, to tell him I wanted him to accept me but my mouth wouldn't cooperate. My heart pounded in my chest, each

room, a sound that sent chills down my spine. He gripp

hat were once vibrant and full of life, were wilted and dying. John p

bled, landing among the thorny bushes. The feeling was too real. Too real becaus

d forcing me deeper into the bushes. "Stay down where you belong," he spat,

azed up at him, my sight blurry." Why are you doing this?" I finally managed to c

here in this world, and you never will." Having said that, he rose to his feet and

d as I jolted awake. The room was enveloped in darkness, the only sound filling the air was my erratic breath, echoing in the silence. I looked around and realized I was in the cel

t at all throughout yesterday. Every muscle in my body resisted when I attempted to s

d slight comfort, but it was something at least. I leaned against the rough wall, shutting down my eyes briefly, tr

nding however strangely soothing. The dark waves of his hair framed his face gently, and his forest green

was gentle, o to the har

up in his arms. His strength was very visible to me, but his touch was extremely tender as if he was afraid o

breath warm against my ear.

ch tapestries, their complicated patterns almost seeming to move in the dim light. We entered a magnificent hall, the ceilings soaring high and embellished with chandelie

ide was a bedroom, far more alluring. The bed was big I'm guessing king-sized, draped in rich, burgundy fabrics. It was stunning, I ha

ftly, brushing a strand of hair

in more details. It was beautiful yet it held an air that is unsettling. The dark, sturdy furniture, thick curtain

me and helped me with his hands steady and reassuring. The delicious aroma of freshly

. It felt like a warm hug in my hands, and I savore

us, and I felt some of my strength returning with each mouthfu

the bed. "Because you don't deserve to be treated like this," he said, his voice firm. "No one does." There was something i

, authentic grin that made him more welcoming. "You're welcome. Now, let

e walls were lined with dark tiles, and a large clawfoot tub sat in the middle. T

reassuring nod. "Take your time". I watche

air, carrying the scent of sandalwood and easing some of the tension from my muscles. Stripping off my clothes, I sank into the water, closi

f to simply relax and recover, still very much weary that I was in this ruthless beast's territory and one

moans and grunts coming from the next room. I understood immediately that the Alpha

ncident that happened. Feeling defeated, I slid down the wall and hugged m

ld be sleeping here, in his room because he didn't trust me at all. After all, I might consi

g eye before standing up, his chiseled stomach visible as his shirt rose. I watched as he went into the closet and tossed me one of

y suddenly magnified. I awkwardly tugged the cloth over myself, I couldn't shake

the tension like a knife. "Even if you were the l

ep on the couch "Uncouth being" he mumbled the last w

ted raining again only when I heard it drum against the windows, I shivered involuntarily, the chill creeping into my bones. Annoyed by my discomfort, he didn't offer any sympathy. Instead, he sat on his study table and

ff the cold that seemed to seep into every corner of the room. It was the

commanded, his voice as cold and unwaverin

isrupting

me with his grip firm as he lifted me from the

Don't make me repeat myself." Feeling powerless against his commands, I allowed myse

, wicked nature but again, why did he offer me his bed? I decided not to read meanings into it knowing it would be best for