Anika/AnyaThe morning light filtering through the thick drapes did little to ease the anxiety that knots my stomach. The plush bed, with its satin sheets, felt like a cage despite its luxury. I barely slept, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind over and over. Alpha Bastien’s questioning gaze, and the stark realization that I was far from freedom.My reflection in the ornate mirror opposite the bed showed a pale face, dark circles under my eyes, and disheveled hair. Is this how I looked last night? God, I need to shower and get out of these clothes.A soft knock jolts me from my reverie, and I sit up. Before I can respond, the door opens, revealing Alpha Bastien, his presence immediately filling the space. His tall frame is clad in a crisp suit, but it’s his eyes, dark and probing, that catches my attention. There is a quiet intensity about him, and I felt like an open book under his gaze.I swallow deeply, instinctively pulling the sheets closer around me. Bastien’
Read more