Chapter 5 5

Morning came again, and once more, I was locked in the room.

My nerves were completely shot. I wanted to break something-anything. I couldn't take this anymore.

If Maya wants to be with him, fine. She's a grown woman; she'll handle it. The mate bond won't let the Alpha hurt her anyway, so there's no reason to worry. And if she ever decides to leave him, I'll help her.

I walked to the window and looked outside. With nothing else to do, I watched the guards patrolling the grounds. The window opened easily, so when one of them passed directly beneath it, I made a desperate decision.

Climbing onto the windowsill, I carefully swung my legs over onto a narrow ledge on the other side-and jumped. My natural agility hadn't failed me. I landed softly on the grass and slipped into the garden, deciding to hide there before making my way toward the small gate that led out.

Step by step, I reached the exit-only to find it locked tight.

"Damn you," I hissed, kicking the gate.

There was no other option. I would have to climb the wall.

Time was running out. Rolling up my sleeves, I grabbed the top edge of the stone fence, wedged my foot into a crack between the rocks, and started hauling myself up.

Something snagged on my shirt, and I heard the fabric tear. I didn't bother looking back-I had plenty of shirts. I pulled harder, the rip growing louder.

That was when I heard the growl.

A deep, menacing sound-right behind me.

My heart stuttered. Slowly, I turned my head.

A massive black wolf stood there, his teeth sunk into my shirt, tugging me down. One of the guards, obviously. I let out a sharp breath and dropped back to the ground.

The wolf released the fabric and sat back on his haunches, watching me. He was enormous-at least a meter and a half at the shoulder. We locked eyes, neither of us blinking.

"What do you want from me?" I demanded, folding my arms across my chest.

He tilted his head toward the house and gave a slight nod.

So that was how it was going to be. I had to go back.

I tried stepping left to slip past him, but he mirrored me flawlessly, blocking the path again. I shot him a glare and feinted right.

My mother always used to say, "Don't run from a wolf-he'll catch you, and it'll be worse."

She was right.

A hard shove to my back sent me sprawling. I rolled across the grass and ended up flat on my back.

Damn four-legged bastard! The look on his face-like he had just won a championship-infuriated me. He even planted a paw on my chest in triumph.

Anger flared through my veins.

"What do you want, you mutt? Planning to roll me in the dirt for fun?"

The wolf lowered his head and began sniffing me. His nose nudged beneath my shirt and brushed against my pendant.

"You like it?" I snapped. "Sorry, you can't have it-it's a family heirloom."

I could have sworn he smiled.

And then all hell broke loose.

His wet tongue dragged across my face.

"Ugh! Stop it!" I tried shoving him away, but he only licked my hands, my neck-and then his nose found the open collar of my shirt.

"You filthy dog!" I shouted, pushing at his paws.

They slipped, and I kicked him-hard-right under the tail.

He yelped and jumped back.

It wasn't my first time dealing with a wolf, so I knew exactly where to strike.

Without wasting a second, I scrambled to my feet and bolted toward the house.

The wolf didn't follow.

And, as if fate had a twisted sense of humor, I ran straight into one of the guards.

He shot me a stern look and escorted me right back to the room.

Before the door closed behind me, I glanced over my shoulder-toward the spot where the black wolf had stood just moments earlier. But he was gone. Not even a paw print remained.

Alone again, I hurried to wash off the foul scent of wolf.

I stripped out of my clothes, tossed them into the small washing machine, and drenched myself in soap and shampoo, scrubbing under the hot spray until my skin felt almost raw.

When I finished, I pulled on the bathrobe hanging from the door and lay down on the bed. That was when I realized just how hungry I was. They had fed me only once yesterday. If this kept up, I really would starve.

To distract myself, I replayed what had just happened.

Who was that wolf?

I didn't know why, but I had a feeling it was Max. That smug, self-satisfied expression-it was exactly like his.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I called.

I sat up, holding my breath.

If it was Max, I would give him a piece of my mind.

But it wasn't him-it was Nina, a kind woman with a warm smile.

"Mr. Kirill asked me to bring you some food," she said gently, "and then take you to him."

She set the tray on the small table by the window and turned back to me.

"Eat, dear. I'll come for you in half an hour."

I devoured the food as if I hadn't eaten in days. Within minutes, the plates were empty.

Nina returned exactly on time, just as she had promised. I threw on my clothes-wrinkled and torn, but at least clean-and followed her.

When I stepped into the Alpha's office, he was standing by the window, lost in thought. He stroked his perfectly groomed beard, then turned toward me. His eyes flashed with anger, and a chill slid down my spine.

"There's a document on the desk," he said coldly. "Sign it and leave."

I walked over, picked it up, and smiled as I read it. They were trying to buy my silence-with a couple of million. Generous, really. All I had to do was keep quiet about what I had seen.

I folded the paper in half. Then again. And again.

The pieces fluttered down across his desk.

"I don't need your money."

"Then what do you want?" he snapped.

"I want to see Maya once a week. That's it. I'll stay out of your business, and I'll keep my mouth shut."

His eyes blazed. For a moment, I thought he would refuse-and that his wolves would tear me apart and dump my body somewhere in the woods.

"Fine," he said at last. "You'll see her on Saturdays. I will personally bring her to the café where she used to work."

"Deal. So, am I free to go?"

"Yes. You may leave."

"You brought me here against my will," I said, lifting my chin defiantly, "so be kind enough to take me back to where you found me."