ELAINE'S POV. As Savio took the tray from me, I leaned back against the headboard, feeling more relaxed than I had in a long time. It was strange how his mere presence seemed to calm me down. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this safe and protected.As I watched him take the tray to the door, I noticed how his broad shoulders filled out his shirt and how the muscles in his arms bulged as he lifted the tray. My eyes lingered on him a little too long, and I quickly averted my gaze when he turned around to look at me."Feeling better?" he asked, his voice gentle.I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yeah, I am. Thanks to you."He smiled back at me, and for a moment, we just sat there in silence, basking in each other's company. It was nice to not have to worry about anything for once, to just be able to relax and enjoy the moment.I looked down at my hands, noticing how they were still trembling slightly. It was a reminder of the ordeal I had just been through, and i
ELAINE'S POV. I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears, still shaken by the memories of the whipping. "Savio," I said, my voice quivering. "How could you work for someone like Atlas? He's so heartless and cruel, how could you possibly defend him?"Savio's expression grew serious, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out at me. But instead, he just shook his head and sighed. "Elaine, you don't understand. Atlas is my alpha. I have sworn my loyalty to him, and I will always serve him, no matter what."I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "But he ordered his men to whip me," I said, my voice rising with each word. "How can you defend someone like that?"Savio's eyes hardened, and I could see the alpha in him come to the surface. "Watch your tongue, Elaine," he warned. "You may be in my room, but you're still in his territory. You never know who might be listening."I felt myself start to shrink back, closing up again. I had almost forgotten where I was and who I was with. Sav
Nyx'S POV. I lay on the cold, hard ground of my cell, staring blankly at the dimly lit ceiling. My body was bruised and battered from the countless times I was whipped by Atlas's men. My heart ached with regret and sorrow. How had my life come to this? How had I become a prisoner, trapped in this cruel world ruled by an alpha who had no regard for life?As I lay there, I started to rethink my entire life. All the choices I had made, all the people I had hurt. The thought of how I had lied to Elaine, my only friend in this hellhole, made my stomach churn with guilt. How could I have been so selfish? I should have told her the truth from the beginning.Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the things I could have done differently. I could have fought harder to stay with my pack, I could have stood up to Atlas and his cruel ways. But it was too late now. I was trapped, alone and broken.Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the things I could have done differently. I
ATLAS'S POV.I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to find peace in my thoughts. Sleep eluded me as my mind kept drifting back to her, Nyx. Her image played like a movie in my head, and I could feel her scent everywhere, even in my own room. The memory of the passionate night we shared, the way her body moved under my touch, the way she moaned my name, all of it was etched in my mind like a tattoo.But I couldn't deny the truth anymore. I had developed strong feelings for her, feelings that went beyond just physical attraction. I tried to deny it, tried to convince myself that it was just my body reacting to her, but that was a lie. I cared for her, more than I should have. And yet, I had punished her for my own dirty desires.The guilt was eating me up inside. I had used my power to hurt her, to break her, and now I couldn't even face her. I had been so convinced that she was just a criminal, someone who deserved to be punished. But now, as I lay here, alone in my thoughts, I
ATLAS'S POV.Spent, I lay there on my bed, staring into the ceiling, my mind clouded and in an ever-raging torment.I couldn't get her out of my mind. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face, her body, her scent. It was driving me insane. I knew I shouldn't want her like this, shouldn't crave her touch, but every bone in my body wanted her, even more than my need to breathe.I paced back and forth in my chambers, trying to shake her from my thoughts. I couldn't focus on anything else, couldn't even enjoy the company of other women. I needed her, but I didn't want to admit it.Frustrated, I decided to pay her a visit. Maybe seeing her face would quell the hunger for her in my chest. But as soon as the idea entered my mind, I was plagued with doubt. What if I couldn't control myself around her? What if she rejected me? What if I hurt her again?I sat down on the edge of my bed, rubbing my temples. I glanced at the clock on my wall. It was late, but that didn't matter. I'd go meet he
NYX'S POV.I slowly opened my eyes, feeling disoriented as I tried to figure out where I was. The last thing I remembered was being in that cold and damp cell, chained up and left to rot. But now, I found myself lying on a soft, comfortable bed in a room that was entirely white. The walls, the ceiling, the curtains, and even the floor were white. It was almost too bright for me to bear, but at the same time, it was calming.I felt good, better than I had in a long time. There were few pains and sore regions, and I could stretch my body without any restriction. My head felt clear, and my thoughts were no longer foggy. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this way. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, relishing in the feeling of being free from the cell.I tried to sit up, but as I moved, I noticed the sharp sting of pain in my wrists and ankles. I looked down and saw that they were bandaged, and I could see the outline of a healing spell on them. I ran my fingers over the b
RILEY'S POV.Strong, beautiful, and confident, it was not so hard to see how my respect for Nyx turned into a full-blown crush. Her resilience in the face of adversity and her unwavering determination had captivated me from the moment I met her. Yet, I knew deep down that she saw me only as a kind friend, someone she could trust in this unfamiliar pack.Even now as I walked out of Nyx's room, my thoughts were filled with her. I couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness towards her. Seeing her vulnerable, recovering from her injuries, ignited a desire within me to support her in any way I could. I was grateful for the chance to be there for her when she needed a friend the most.As I made my way down the hallway of the pack's infirmary, my mind raced with memories of our interactions. The conversations we had, the smiles we shared, and the moments of genuine connection replayed in my mind like a cherished film reel. But I couldn't ignore the pang of longing that accompanied thos
ATLAS'S POV. As Riley returned with the thermometer, Nyx greeted him with a smile, and I could feel a stab of jealousy pierce my heart. They began to chat amicably again, and I listened in, my eyes trained on them.As I watched Nyx and Riley chat away, my jealousy raged within me like a wildfire. I couldn't believe how at ease they were with each other, and every word Riley spoke to her was like a dagger to my heart. I tried to keep a calm exterior, but inside I was seething with anger and insecurity.I wanted nothing more than to storm over there and demand that Riley leave Nyx alone, but I knew that wasn't an option. He was her doctor, and I couldn't risk putting her health in jeopardy by causing a scene.But that didn't stop me from imagining all the things I could do to him if he wasn't under the guise of professional responsibility. I imagined myself punching him square in the jaw, watching him crumble to the ground as I towered over him, triumphant in my victory.It was a dange