*

a creak broke

oze, lying completely still, holding my breath. My heart raced, thumping so hard

d use to defend myself. But before I could grab anything, rough hands found me first, pinning my wrists down

I won't hurt you," said

ke people nervous. But this-this was something far worse than I could have imagined. Panic seized me, and I struggled, trying to

my fingers brushing the glass until I managed to grab it. With all the strength I had, I swung the bottle

d forward, looking ready to lash out. But just as he m

as L

person, but I quickly remembered who Lycri

the broken glass, Enzo's blood, and me on the flo

he demanded, her voice har

king with fear and anger. "He... he tried to-" But before I coul

on?" she spat, her voice

he slap, hoping she would believe me. But she jus

er tone cold. "We don't want her...

me, only that I was still useful to her. I wasn't a person to her, just

h. Lycril grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet, her grip bruising. "Clean yourself up," s

e; all that mattered to her was that I was "presentable.

uld, trying to wash away the awful feeling left from Enzo's touch, from Lycril's slap. Tears blurred my visi

-

ed over my face. I gasped, shivering from the shock, as I looked up to see Amanda, Lycril's daugh

tes," she said, sounding utterly bo

h twist with dread. I had known this day w

ought about the dress I had sewn for myself. I had made it in hopes of wearing it for someone special, a true mate who would l

was supposed to be my eighteenth birthday, a day I had once thought would be

-

rough the house. I heard Lycril barking orders in her sharp, demanding v

ped inside. He was tall, his figure filling the doorway. His gaze was cold

d, his voice smooth bu

nd obedient," she said with a smile, as if she wer

my skin prickle with unease. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over the fabric of my dress. His touch was

ured, his voice dripping with mo

and Amanda had shaped for me, a future I could feel closing around me like a cage. I wanted to

me, to break my spirit. But I held on to that small, stubborn part of myself,