RIA'

ead warriors' rooms-a task I didn't mind too much. At this hour, the warriors would all be outside training, leaving their q

in my grip. The house was still waking up, faint murmurs of voices and footsteps echo

of my neck. It was subtle at first, like the faintest whisper of unease, but i

lway wa

watching my every move. My heart picked up speed, and I swallowed hard, telling myself I was just imag

ldn't shake

n floor. My breath hitched as the unease grew heavier, almost tangible, wrapping ar

kly behind me. My hands trembled as I slid the lock into place, th

y my erratic breathing. The room was dimly lit by a sliver of sunlight peeki

footsteps, a creak of the floorboards, anything to expla

agnar and his friends had done earlier, it wouldn't

ble fingers were tracing patterns along my spine. I shook my he

th the task, focusing on the rhythm of cleaning to calm my nerves. As I wiped down the de

right. I just d

my escape, a task where I could lose myself, block out the chaos of my existence, and just..

way, ready to tackle the next room. Six more to go, I reminded my

orce. Before I could react or scream, another hand clamped down over my mouth, silencing me. Pa

sation was as shocking and overwhelming as before, like my very nerves were being set alight.

ainst the wall. His arms caged me in, his strength making escape impos

led, his voice echoing w

utterly confused and terr

ng?" I stammered, my voice trembling a

His hand shot up, grabbing a fistful of my hair

anymore, you worthless slave! Do you think you can just waltz your

. My mind reeled, trying to comprehend w

ut?" I managed to choke out

cent with me, Valeria. Don't you feel it? The bond, the pull? Of al

ddenly, the shocking waves I felt earlier began to make sense-or at l

, shaking my head

m mine. "And I'll be damned if I let a filthy no

sbelief warring inside me. How could this

. "And you're parading around this pack house as if you don't know anything. Co

rotest, but his words didn't stop,

low and menacing, "and then tried to be nice to him right in front of me.

g about? I'd done no such thing, but there was no reason

ce twisting with disgust. "You just wait and watch what I'll do to you. From now o

hand lashed out, delivering a slap so hard that my head snapped to the side. Pain

t the wall. The bucket I had been holding clattered to the floo

lwind of emotions raging inside me-fear, confu

ed so inhuman that by the time I blinked, he was already gone.

fell freely, soaking my cheeks, but I didn't bother wiping them away. My legs gav

o me? What had I done to dese