CHAPTER 6

Audrey’s POV

Warmth. 

It was the first sensation I felt as I woke up; the unbearable cold that I had felt for days was gone. It was replaced by a soft and comforting heat. 

I could feel Layla more than ever before; my spirit felt so strong… I was physically in pain; my body ached.

I slowly opened my eyes. I looked around; the view was amazing. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was the view of the city.

Where was I?

Memories began to trickle back— Kevin’s betrayal, his cruelty, his poisoned arrow—and then I remembered. The angel, I felt butterflies in my tummy as I remembered his face, his beautiful gray eyes that seemed to see through me.

“You’re awake.”

I heard a deep voice that sent shivers down my spine; my eyes darted across the room, and there he was— my angel.

“I… Where am I? I stuttered; my voice was hoarse.

“You are in my penthouse, pup,” he said.

Pup? Layla repeated,He gave me a nickname.

“You needed medical attention, so I brought you here,” he continued.

I tried to sit up, but my body protested, every muscle screaming pain… A hiss escaped my lips, and I fell back on the soft pillows.

“Don’t push yourself,” he said as he walked towards me. “You are still weak from the wolfsbane.”.

I looked at him; I lacked what to say; his presence was overwhelming; his gaze made my stomach twist. He was tall; his face was like a demi-god's; he had the perfect lips, and through his shirt, I could picture his abs.

“You should thank me instead of lusting after me,” he said with a smirk.

“For what exactly?” I shot back to hide the fact that I was embarrassed he caught me ogling at me.

“For saving your life”

I wanted to argue and tell him that I did not ask for his help, but the words wouldn't come out. He was right anyway; if he had not intervened, Kevin would have killed me—or worse.

“Thank you,” I said with my eyes fixed on the window.

He didn't respond; instead, he sat on the sofa close to me, and his gaze did not shift.

“Why?” I asked in a very low voice.

“Why what?” He asked.

“Why did you help me?”

“You rejected your mate. I have never seen anyone do that willingly; I was intrigued by your audacity.”

I frowned at his words, “You took me in because you were curious?” I asked, “Make it make sense,” I demanded.

He leaned in forward, “I took you in because you needed help, and moreover, you have nowhere to go. And you are mine.

His words hit me hard; I remember he had said that to me earlier, but I thought it felt like a dream. Now I realized he had said, "I was his.

He cleared his throat and continued, “The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes; you rejected your first mate for a reason, and you were given another chance—me.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “I do not want another mate; I did not ask for this.”

“And yet, here you are,” he said.

I did not know what to say, and he didn't seem like he was going to explain any further.

“Rest,” he said and stood up immediately. “You will feel better after you've had some food and some sleep.” He added as he walked towards the door without looking back.

I wanted to protest and demand answers, but exhaustion weighed me down. My eyelids grew heavy like a spell was cast on me, and sleep claimed me.

____

I woke up again; the room was brighter, and I could tell it was noon. The pain I was feeling had reduced, though I still felt weak. I slowly sat up and looked around the living room.

I shifted the blanket off me and swung my legs over the side of the couch. My bare feet touched the cool hardwood floor, and I winced in pain. I looked down, and I saw the bandages covering the wound from the arrow.

“You shouldn’t be moving yet.”

I looked up to see him standing in the doorway, a tray of food in his hands. He walked toward me and set the tray on the coffee table in front of me.

“I’m fine,” I said, though my body disagreed.

He raised an eyebrow. “Eat,” he said and pointed to the tray.

I hesitated as I eyed the food suspiciously. 

It smelled amazing… freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, and a side of fruit—but I couldn’t shake the feeling that accepting it would somehow bind me to him.

“Are you worried I’ve poisoned it?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

“No,” I said quickly, though the thought had crossed my mind.

“Then eat,” he said again, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, I picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite. The taste was heavenly, and before I knew it, I was devouring the rest of the meal so fast.

“You were starving,” he said with his voice softer than before.

I didn’t respond, too focused on the food to care about anything. As I finished the food, I leaned back against the couch, my stomach full for the first time in days.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, my eyes fixed on the empty plate.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said.

Silence fell between us again, but this time it was less tense. I could feel his gaze on me, studying me, but I didn’t have the energy to confront him about it.

“What happens now?” I asked finally, breaking the silence.

“You’ll stay here,” he said simply.

“For how long?”

“For as long as it takes,” he replied.

“For what?” I pressed, frustration creeping into my voice.

“For you to heal. For you to accept your new place.”

I frowned. “And if I don’t accept it?”

He leaned forward, his gray eyes boring into mine. “You will.”

There was no arrogance in his tone—only certainty, and that frightened me more than anything else.

I didn’t respond, too overwhelmed by the weight of everything that had happened. My life had been turned upside down in a matter of hours, and now I was here, in the home of a man I barely knew, with no idea what the future held.

All I knew was that there was no going back.