R

weeks

ood outside my door at all times. It had been stupid to r

ed nothing. Rook liked hurting me. Mayb

he had been waiting for his chance. I shoul

omething between us. Not a mate bond, but m

have given me a place in his pack at Goldenreac

out the window, Rook was there

as Kael charging in and starting a war. So I did what I always did. I

cking me back in my cage. Rook only had to

es. I ignored them. Pain was normal now. I was a prisoner

me off to someone else. That was how it worked. I didn't know what

rong ab

dn't leave tonight, Victor would come home. If he did, my li

hands. His mouth. The way he looked at me like I mattered. I had never felt anythi

of Goldenreach w

reach him. I

I didn't leave tonight, I

ock t

to the door and into the corner beside i

h, but sometimes it was enough. It had kept

t him wh

r was

't Rook

as L

y went

blood, but we were never close. I didn't even know she wa

er father dragged her away that day.

rious at

ked like she had been crying for hours. W

I just needed to tell you. In case...in case things end

ost l

reason I was trapped

was flat. Empty. "Are you sorry for tak

ouldn't have saved you. I

en took a step toward me. I

d of me," she

with me," I said. "It doesn't matter anymore. It's done.

then. I was sure he would be mine. I convinced myself we had a mate bond. I was wrong. When I re

ed. "Th

save

htened. "Save

t the door again. Then she mo

ur father wanted you to ki

up. "What are yo

drink on your wedding night. They would tell you it would help with the pa

od wen

thing was wrong then. But I was scared he wouldn't listen. So I made sure no one would let you near him

ice cr

. I thought you were finally free." She looked at me