Chapter 5 5

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

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

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

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

Climbing onto the windowsill, I carefully swung my legs over to a narrow ledge on the other side-and jumped. My natural agility hadn't abandoned me. I landed softly on the grass and decided to hide in the garden 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.

No other choice. I'd have to climb the wall.

There wasn't much time left, so, rolling up my sleeves, I grabbed the top edge of the stone fence, found a foothold in a crack between the rocks, and started pulling myself up.

Something caught 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.

And that's when I heard the growl.

A deep, menacing sound-right behind me.

My heart skipped a beat. Slowly, I turned my head.

A huge black wolf stood there, his teeth clamped on my shirt, tugging me down. One of the guards, obviously. I sighed and dropped 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 tall at the shoulder. We locked eyes, neither of us blinking.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

He turned his head toward the house and gave a small nod.

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

I tried stepping left to slip past him, but he mirrored me perfectly, blocking the path again. I glared at him and feinted right.

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

She was right.

A hard shove in the 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'd just won a championship-infuriated me. He even planted a paw on my chest in triumph.

Anger burned 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 pushed under my shirt and brushed against my pendant.

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

I could swear he smiled.

And then all hell broke loose.

His wet tongue started licking my face.

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

"You filthy dog!" I yelled, shoving at his paws.

They buckled, 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 hit.

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

The wolf didn't follow.

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

He gave me a stern look and marched me right back to the room.

Before leaving, I glanced over my shoulder-where the black wolf had stood just moments ago. But he was gone. Not even a paw print left behind.

Alone again, I rushed to wash off the disgusting smell of wolf.

Ripping off my clothes, I threw them into the small washing machine and drenched myself in soap and shampoo, scrubbing under the hot spray until my skin felt raw.

When I was done, I put on the bathrobe hanging on the door and lay down on the bed. That's when I realized just how hungry I was. They'd fed me only once yesterday. If this went on, I'd starve to death.

To distract myself, I thought about 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 on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I said.

I sat up, holding my breath.

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

But it wasn't him-it was Nina. A kind woman, smiling warmly.

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

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

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

I attacked the food like I hadn't eaten in days. The plates were empty within minutes.

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

When I entered 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 ran down my spine.

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

I walked closer, picked it up, and smiled as I read. 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'd seen.

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

The shreds scattered 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 second, I thought he'd refuse-and that his wolves would tear me apart and dump my body somewhere in the woods.

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

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

"Yes. You may leave."

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