r before the heavy oak door. The head slav

aits," she s

ke a rag doll. The clink of metal rang through the corridor as they

from her ankle. Le

it-not once in all th

wnership, a symbol of her enslavement. The iron was forged to sl

ay forgotten

t it didn't. Her ankle felt bare-vulnerabl

shift in her fate, rough hands shove

he room. Steam rose from the bath, the water glimmering beneath the di

r of her tattered clothes. The f

he blood, the sweat, the years of filth. She sucked in a breath as ro

ingers brushing a mar

nce over her sh

ut

snapped, voice sharp

s, although there was no gentleness, no softness. Only purpo

out knots. Oils were massaged into her skin, easing t

h, her body felt lighter, but t

ounds with precision. Ointments soothed the las

turned to

thing across her skin. Deep-conditioning oil wa

nished, she barely

n the silver mirror. Not a slav

preparing h

was thrust in

a voice

he moment stretched thi

kill her, why go thro

forced the cup to her lips, swallowing in o

not fall

her mind: "After today, y

t to the Alpha's bed? No. The Beta wou

t was th

s gripping her arms once more. They marched her swiftly

his was not the way

r creak

ight of power pressing upon her.

of the Crims

upon her, calculat

owed, her

his voice cold as he circled her, studying

ed into a triumphant

silent, his gaze fixe

" His voice was calm, but there was an e

own her spine. What

. "Oh, I've seen to that," she replied smoothly. "A witch wi

oom, but Alpha Ethan remaine

s voice trailed off, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Lena. "This is not Kara

silent, heav

nd raced.

ce. She wasn't meant

hey wouldn't risk sending someone of true value

e

resolve unbroken. "I assure you, Lords of the Pack, the witch

could be spoken, t

ments swift and urgent. "Alpha Darius h

ttered when two imposing fi

heart

houlders. The weight of the fabric settled like a heavy shield, obs

Shadow Fang men inquired, hi

Lydia answered, he

truce is

na, dragging her back

ady turned toward the only course of action-escape. Once sh

ha