I lay in a daze, my body a map of pain and degradation. Kalus had me like this–uncuffed but broken, his marks etched into breast.
The sound of the door opening sent a fresh wave of terror through. “Not again. Please, not again.” I couldn’t endure more punishment.
“Kaius,” Frost’s voice cut through my fear, firm but calm.
I turned my head slightly, enough to see Frost standing in the doorway, his ice–blue eyes taking in the scene–my battered body, the torn clothes, the cuffs tossed carelessly on the floor.
I’ll let this go, friend, Kaius replied, straightening from where he’d been gathering his things. It’s your turn; you will punish her
With that final command, he strode past Frost and out of the room, Teaving a cold silence in his wake.
Frost approached slowly, as one might approach a wounded animal “Why Elowen, why did you have to run away and place yourself in this situation?”
His gentle tone ignited something in me–a spark of fury that burned through the fog of pain.
You both are
hare sickos,”
I spat, trying and failing to sit up. The movement sent fresh pain shooting through my body.
Im not going to do anything to you,” he said, kneeling beside the bed.
“That doesn’t make you any different from him.” I managed to push myself up on my elbows, glaring at him through tangled hair “Maybe you should go ahead and punish me then… tell me, do you feel turned on by my tears?”
“I never r told you was the good guy,” Frost replied, his expression unreadable.
“Or what? You’ll stick my own panties into my mouth and place a duct tape over it?” The words tumbled and fear.
sharp with bitterness
“Elowen, you should be silent.” There was a warning in his tone nov
I couldn’t stop myself. The dam had broken, and all my terror, pain, and rage poured out in a torrent aimed at the only target available. “You weren’t this mouthy with him around, so if you’d prefer having him, then I could quickly arrange for that
Something flickered in Frost’s eyes–not anger, but a deeper emotion couldn’t name. Without another word, he rose and went to the bathroom, returning with a basin of water and medical supplies.
“This would reduce the pain,” he said, applying a salve to the worst of my injuries with surprising gentleness.
The cool relief of the medicine against my burning skin broke through my anger. “Thank you,” I whispered, the fight draining out of
“Is fine,” he replied, continuing his ministrations in silence.
As my physical pain eased slightly, my mind cleared enough to wonder about the future. I guess I have some restrictions now?”
“No more free run in the woods; your door remains locked at all times, and… he paused, looking at me directly. “Elowen?”
“Yes,” I acknowledged, bracing for more had news.
“Please don’t make Kaius mad now. He would hurt you only more.”
The quiet plea in his voice sparked a memory–the underground chambers, the captive women. “I know what you people do… down in those dungeons.”
Frost’s hands stilled. That’s the reason you ran away?”
“I know you guys keep girls and sell them off.” My voice trembled with the enormity of the accusation.
“Yes,” he admitted, surprising me with his candor.
“It had been a test, Elowen,” he continued after a moment. “One Kains didn’t think you would fall for. Those girls are captives. One in a while, some very foolish packs still decide to go on an all–out war with our pack, and when we conquer them, their members are being taken as captives. The females are given options. They could buy their freedom. The rest are released after a few years to roam about as rogues or serve the pack if seen fit.”
were never going to leave me all on my own in the woods, were you?”
I blinked, trying to process this information.
You
“No,” he confirmed,
“You knew that I wanted to leave.
“No, she hadn’t intended for us to find out, but did you really think we wouldn’t notice that someone came in?” Frost shook his head slightly. “Yet Kalus let it all happen; he wanted to see your reaction.”
“So Lysandra bringing me down to the Chambers was part of the test. The pieces began falling into place, creating a picture of manipulation more complex than I’d imagined.
I’m sorry, Elowen. You should rest; you are hurt.” He stood to leave
“Are you going to leave? I couldn’t hide the note of panic in my volt. For all my anger at him, the thought of being alone was suddenly terrifying.
“Do you want me to stay?” he asked, hesitating by the bed.
“Yes… please.” The admission cost me what little pride I had left.
sight of your tears doesn’t turn me on; it saddens me,” he said softly, settling into the chair beside the bed.
I closed my eyes, too exhausted to untangle the confusing mix of emotions his presence evoked. surrendered to sleep, escaping temporarily from the nightmare my had become.
with
h Frost standing guard, I finally
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