ra

moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was. The last thing I remembered was the overwhelm

was in a large, unfamiliar space, lying on a bed that was so comfortable it felt li

was masculine, elegant, and screamed of power and wealth. A large fi

rt that was definitely not mine. It smelled of pine and storms

's s

the memories of last night came flooding back.

me here. Wher

rug. I looked around for my dress, but it was nowhere to be see

t. He had changed out of his suit and was now wearing a pair of low-slung grey sweatpants and a tight black t-shirt

I saw a flicker of something i

voice a low, calm rumble. "I

e whisper. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly ver

own on a small table. "You fainted last night. I didn't th

"What happened last nig

carried you out of the forest a

Alpha, a man with a reputation for taking what he wanted. But he

our shirt?" I asked

he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I had it

o me. The relief was so profo

oast," he said, gesturing to the

n't want to accept anything from him. I di

ch choosing that exact moment to l

es, making them crinkle at the corners. The sight was

mused. "Come on, Debra. Eat. We need to talk,

too confused to argue. I sat down in one of the plush armchairs by the fi

bbled on the toast, my eyes darting around the room, taking in every de

me with that same unnerving intensity from last n

and mug down and finally met his ga

e said

ed a beat. "Th

irm. "The Moon Goddess has chosen us for e

my voice rising. "I don't wa

re he masked it. It gave me a small, petty sense of satisfaction.

oice dangerously soft.

power he held over me, of the way he made me feel, of the bon

essed. "Why are you so d

It makes you weak. It makes you dependent. My mother loved my father, and he forgot about her the moment she was in the ground

me, his expression unreadable. I had laid my heart bare, exposed all my f

e leaned forward, his gol

g like your mother. You are a fighter. You are strong. And I would never, ever discard yo

uture I had never dared to dream of. But I couldn't let my

I whispered, my voice t

g it to you," he said, his voice filled with

ront of my chair. He gently took my hands in his, his

tle. "But you don't have to be. I will protect you, Deb

g kiss to my knuckles. The simple, tender gesture was more

in a very long time, I felt a flicker o

o