arred, allowing only a sliver of moonlight to slip through, casting shadows on the walls that felt more like a cage than a sanc

n the silence. She cried not just for her situation, but for the life she had lost, the freedom s

s someone wh

dismissing it as the weakness Lucien had described. But night after night, the sound began to gnaw at him. She wasn't just

ern. Rachel's crying had become more than just a noise; it was a constant reminder of the cruelty

im,* Mike thought. *O

the hallway toward Rachel's door. He hesitated for a moment, knowing that Lucien would disa

no response came, he gen

rapped around them in a feeble attempt to feel safe. Her head snapped up at the sound of t

, her voice hoarse from

the alpha's mate?* he wondered, shaking his head slightly. He t

ly, his voice gentle. "I heard you crying

ien's beta, his most loyal follower. She had heard stories of Mike's str

her voice trembling despite her attempt

that he wasn't here to harm her. "I'm not here because I pity you," he sa

ing to spill over once more. "You don'

at there, giving her the space she needed. They sat in silence for what felt like hours, neither say

her room, she would tense, her body rigid with fear. But Mike was patient, never forcing conversation, never pushi

hel began t

ince she had been taken to the palace. Every night, Mike would sit with her, sometimes talking, sometimes just listening as she poured out her hea

was about to leave,

she call

ith that same patient expre

e barely above a whisper. "For... everything. I don't kno

t have to thank me, Rachel. I'

't realized how much his presence meant to her until now. He

slightly, surprised by the sudden closeness, but he didn't move away.

ver made me feel... safe," she a

y brushing a strand of hair away from her

he first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't afraid. Mike's warmth env

for more than just comfort. What had begun as stolen moments of tenderness soon evolved into passionate embraces. Rachel had fall

g closeness didn

Rachel in his chambers, he had kept his distance, torn between his duty and his anger at the mo

llowed her small freedoms, like being able to walk the palace halls under strict supervision. Though he never admitted

is hand hovering over the doorknob, surprised by the sound. She had always been so silent,

osity piqued. Was this bond pulling hi

r a while before falling into a comfortable silence. Rachel lay beside him

ep this up," Rachel whispered, her fing

rowing. "I know. Lucien..

e and fear. "I don't care anymore," she said softly. "I lov

ey faced. Lucien was unpredictable, and if he found out ab

s against her forehead. "But we have to be caref

running out. The bond she shared with Lucien was undeniable, an