Chapter 171
Chapter 171
I hold her close, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine as we step carefully onto the bath mat. Water drips from us, pooling on the floor, but I don’t mind the mess. With one arm wrapped securely around her, I reach for a towel and drape it over her shoulders, tucking the edges snugly to keep her warm. Then, moving toward the closet, I stay close, almost unwilling to let her go. I pull out a soft t-shirt and gently slip it over her head, the fabric hanging loosely on her slight frame. Next, I grab a pair of shorts to bring along. She slips her arms through the oversized sleeves and nestles back against me, her grip tightening, refusing to let go. I don’t push her—I can sense there’s something deeper beneath the surface, something left unspoken, and it unsettles me.
We move to the bed, where I sit down, bare skin meeting the cool sheets. I hold her quietly, letting the silence stretch between us for a moment before I break it. “Lamb, please, talk to me. I know there’s more to this. They took you, left you all alone with no one to turn to. What happened after that?” My voice is gentle but urgent.
She breathes in deeply, and through the connection we share, I feel the raw ache in her heart. It’s the same crushing pain I sensed when we found her nearly frozen in the snow. A wave of nausea rises in my chest, but I push it down and rub soothing circles on her back. I want to run my fingers through her tangled hair, but the stubborn knot perched on top of her head warns me off-any attempt would only make things worse.
Slowly, she pulls away, creating a small space between us. Her eyes close tightly, and I wonder if she’s trying to gather her thoughts or avoid meeting my gaze. After a long breath that causes her chest to rise and fall, she whispers, “They took me back to their camp, tied me up inside a filthy, makeshift tent. Jason’s uncle came in, ranting about how they would come for me, how he’d be waiting. Something about reclaiming his place in the pack, being denied what was rightfully his… I didn’t really listen. I was too terrified, just trying to figure out how to escape.” She nervously twists the hem of the t-shirt in her fingers. “Then he… he… umm… yeah Her voice falters, but I need her to say it, to confirm the nightmare I fear. If he took her innocence, there’s no forgiveness for him. “He forced himself on me. Said it was what a human like me deserved.” Her sobs break through as she hides her face again. After a shaky breath, she continues, “Then he let a few of the others do what they wanted. None of them were creative, and they didn’t physically hurt me p>
“What do you mean they ‘didn’t physically hurt you’? They ra-” Before I can finish, she presses her hand firmly over my mouth.
“Don’t say it. I haven’t even said it out loud yet. I can’t. I try to block it from my mind.” Her fingers thread gently through my hair, calming me when it should be the other way around. This woman, so fragile and strong all at once.
“How did you get away?” My voice trembles with barely contained fury. I know she can feel the tension radiating from me, but I force myself to stay composed. Inside my head, my wolf paces restlessly, threatening to take over and bring a pounding headache in its wake. I might have to leave her side soon, go for a run just to calm the beast beneath my skin. I can almost feel his fur ripple under my flesh, so close to breaking free. The most update n0vels are published on.net
“That part is true,” she says quietly. “I figured lying outright would be too complicated, so I just left out the things no one can change. I was already treated differently because I’m human—I didn’t want another reason for people to stare or judge. They didn’t tie me up very well, and I managed to take down the three guys who were supposed to be watching me. I didn’t have much knowledge about weapons, but I found a knife and stabbed Jason’s uncle in the back. I didn’t stick around to see what happened next, but I’m pretty sure those dozen or so upward stabs into his vital organs couldn’t have left him in good shape p>