TWELVE
Eden pov
Lazily, I blinked awake and realized I . needed to use the bathroom really badly. The thought of running around the forest to find an area I could use sickened me, but it was what it was until we found a proper living space, I had to suck it up.
Only… That wasn’t quite the case.
I had no idea where I was, but there was a weight pressing me down into something soft beneath me and it felt like limbs were tossed over my body. On top of that, whatever was obviously lying nearly on top of me was so hot, my clothes were sticking to my skin, I was drenched in sweat.
Holding my breath, I tried to wiggle out of the vice-like grip someone or something had on me. It stirred and I froze while my heart was beating against my ribcage at such speed, I feared it might stop any moment.
Then, came the sharp intake of breath and deep, husky voice. “Where do you think you are going?” A man asked.
My head was spinning – where was I and why did I sleep next to a complete stranger?
The survival instincts kicked in at the realization. I was a fighter, always had been and I wasn’t planning on quitting being one anytime soon either.
I tried my best to push the man away, to pry his hands off me and escape the place, but all my fight was to no avail as he snuck his massive arms around me and pulled me against his body.
“Why are you trying to escape me, mate?” He asked, sounding half- asleep. Once again, I froze. Mate? Had he just called me his mate? No. Impossible. I didn’t have a mate, not anymore.
Fear surged through me as I tried to understand what was happening. What was the last thing I remembered? Asher rejected me and I accepted his rejection. He threatened me to take me
to his pack, but Richard and I escaped
that place.
Had Asher found us and still dragged me to his pack while I was unconscious? That was a possibility, only the man who held me didn’t sound like Asher. Also, it wasn’t like I had a clear view of him, or any at that, but I was pretty sure this man was way bigger than Asher.
“Don’t make me repeat myself again, I am a man of little to no patience. Why are you trying to escape me, mate?” He spoke with a slight undertone of a growl lacing his words. “I need to pee,” I muttered the first thing that popped into my mind.
As embarrassed as I felt saying those words, at least they worked. His grip on me loosened and finally, the weight disappeared and I could breathe again.
“Bathroom is the door on the left. Don’t bother to seek an exit, no place has security as tight as one I have in the castle,” he mumbled and turned to the other side just to add. “Five minutes and if you’re not out of there by then, I will come in without knocking. The door on the right is the walk-in closet, get yourself something else to wear, I didn’t change your clothes while you were out, you’re covered in dirt.” 2
As I slid out of the bed, he still spoke, but this time in a whisper as if he was complaining to himself. “A reminder to myself – toss out the sheets as soon as possible.” I almost chuckled at how grumpy he sounded, but thankfully, caught myself before I did. Technically, this man was my kidnapper and he held me hostage, so why would I ever find him funny?
To avoid annoying the grumpy ogre even more, I tip-toed to the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me, I didn’t lock it and squeezed my eyes shut at the brightness of the light inside.
The bathroom was… To put it in simply stunning. Like the places I had seen in interior magazines I found around my step-mother’s pack house.
The tiles on the walls and floor were a beautiful light gray color and the marble vanity top for the sink was a mix of white and gold colors. I really liked the balance between the darker and lighter tones here.
While my eyes took everything in, I lost track of time and realized I had been standing here, staring like a fool only when the door to the bathroom opened and the stranger grumbled, “why are you taking so long?”
Startled by the gruffness of his voice, I yelped and flinched away.
I heard his steps before I felt his arms wrap around me and pull me against his body. “Shh, don’t be afraid, I really didn’t mean to scare you. You don’t need to fear me, I just thought maybe something happened since I didn’t hear anything. I wouldn’t hurt you. Ever.”
Now that his voice was calmer, gentler even, I found myself leaning into him and closing my eyes. Despite the odd reaction to the closeness I never wanted, I still feared to turn around and face him.
“I got distracted by the bathroom,” I admitted. The chuckle that left him was the most melodic sound I had heard. It was odd, yet I wanted to hear more.
“Distracted by the bathroom? Well, that’s the first time I hear someone say something like that,” he mused.
“Yes,” I retorted with more confidence.
“I’ve never seen a place this pretty sol
wanted to take in every detail, that’s
all.” I added.
“Is that so? And here I was, spending my life thinking this was the most basic -looking bathroom someone could have. Looks like you are very set on surprising me.”
I didn’t know how to respond. Not only was a complete stranger holding me in his arms, but also, he was acting and talking as if he was planning to keep me prisoner.
How was my life so messed up? Why
me? From one prison to another. Surely, the one I escaped wasn’t close as expensive-looking as this bathroom was, but a golden cage still was a cage.
As the silence dragged in, I was startled out of my thoughts by the stranger, pressing his lips to my cheek and chuckling. “It’s early. I planned to sleep in, but now that I’m awake, I won’t be able to fall asleep again. How about you grab something to wear from my closet and take a shower? In the meantime, I will send in the maids to change the sheets and bring you warm towels. When you’re ready, one of them will wait at the door and walk you downstairs. I’ll make you breakfast.”
With those words, he finally released me and my knees almost gave in from under me. My legs were shaking and I didn’t know what to think anymore.
I heard him stop in his step and hiss under his breath, but still didn’t turn around to look at him. It was easier tosurvive if I didn’t know the face of another possible tormentor. Men couldn’t be trusted, if anyone, I knew how true the statement was.
“Almost slipped my mind, sorry. My name is Lucius and I would be over the moon happy if you would share your name with me during breakfast. I’ll let you have some privacy now.”
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