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Chapter 38

Elise’s POV

The world assaulted me in waves. First, a searing pain jolted through my skull like a boulder had been tossed against it. My eyes remained stubbornly shut, gritty and dry. Panic clawed at my throat as I tried to remember where I was.

Then, a familiar scent, warm and musky, washed over me, sending a wave of relief crashing through my terror. It was Rygan. My body, pleasantly warn under a sheet, felt safe nestled against his powerful frame.

Opening my eyes, I took in the unfamiliar room. Relief morphed into confusion. No sight of humans, no screams, no fight. Had it all been a nightmare? Had I dreamt it all? The kidnapping and everything? No, that couldn’t be, not when the memories were coming in slowly, like flashes.

“Fuck.” I muttered, taking his hands slowly off my body. I looked down to see marks on my thighs, figuring out the loud gasp that was about to escape my lips.

I didn’t want to ask him, not after this huge mistake I’ve made yet again. I wanted to curse my wolf for going into bed with Rygan once again.

I see nothing of my size in the clothing, only a dark tunic from Rygan’s clothes. I take the shirt, wearing it to cover my naked body. The shirt was more like a gown for me, as it slid just a little over my thigh. I put it on while sitting down by the edge of the bed.

It turns out I wasn’t so subtle and quiet, as I heard a groan before the bed shift: “El?” Rygan calls to me. I hear the bed shift, and I turn to see his frame knelt on the bed, his brows raised in surprise but now turning to confusion as he watches me.

Flashes of locked memories from last night were trying to thread back to the surface of my mind. As I recall a cave and him panting over me and calling my name with much affection as he climaxed, I shook my head to rid myself of that sexual thought. No, I was already confused as it was. I tried to stand up and run, but I was too late.

He dragged me back down until the bed dipped and my back was laid back down on it, his mighty frame on top of mine, with his two hands holding me in place.

“Rygan.” I was stopped before I could continue by a kiss to my lips, a kiss that I moved my head away from, but that didn’t stop him from joining our heads together till our brows touched and I could look nowhere but him.

His gaze was hard and menacing, like he was trying to map out the entirety of my face. What was he doing? What happened? I wondered, as part of my memory was still foggy

“You’re real, and you’re here with me,” he whispered, my heart tightening in my chest from his warm voice.

That voice that could make me mush and soft like puddles, his skin against mine felt like a literal drug that I had to fight away from gesturing intoxicated with.

And this time I used my hands, pushing him away from me as I stood up. Holding that bitter tear of yearning that threatened to fall.

“Stop..” I begged, “Don’t say another word. I really can’t deal with this right now, I called in my head, and I felt like it was being banged by a million hands. I close my eyes to stop the voices and memories from clashing together.

But Rygan did not listen to me as he rushed toward me, his face filled with worry. That was when I smelled warm copper on my lips. I was bleeding from my nose.

“Elise!” He hissed, taking my face in his hand. I pushed his hands off, rushing to the door I hoped was the bathroom and washing my nose on the sink. F**k, this can’t be happening. I looked to the side to see how restless he’d become.

“I’m fine. I’m just tired; it could be the poison just being flushed from my system,” I add, hoping he wouldn’t worry. I could

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15:39 Sun, Sep

Chapter as

see the dark circles on his face, already laced with so much worry

“I called the alchemist and healers we had yesterday, and they said there was no trace of poison on you; we need to talk about this.” he says, watching me from the door.

“You need to put on some pants before I can take you seriously, Mr. Alpha,” I bemused, turning away from his naked member and passing him by the door. I hated the limp in my steps; it made the blush when I felt a warm liquid from his load drip down my legs. I recalled how and who gave me a limp in the first place.

“This is not a freaking joke; you were taken away from me, I thought I…” but he stopped himself as he stared at me.his jaw slacked and eyes centered at me with seriousness.

“I know I was taken… Look, I need rest, but hot with you; away from you, you are making me more stressed out, Rygan.” I say it straightforwardly. I could see the hurt in our faces, but I wasn’t lying, being in the same room with him and me, unable to think.

I reach for the door, and please do not follow me, obey my wishes, please. I plead. I know I’ve begged him enough times to stay away, and I was pushing his limits day by day.

“The last time I did that, you were taken,” he argued, and I froze staring at his wretched features. He’s hardly had any rest since I was. I’m sure.

“Sleep. Rygan… please, for me? We’ll talk later. I’m in the moon house with you now; I won’t be taken so easily,” I assure him as 1 open the door.

“I can’t. I haven’t been able to; I’ve been terrified that you will be taken. Gods, Elise the way you were shaking in my arms; I don’t think I will; I can’t. He starts, and I can’t help but turn to him. I see that fear still bared in his eyes-fear and hurt for me. I shut the door back as I marched to him.

His talk was bent toward mine as he watched me. I felt like I could breathe as I entwined my hands with his. “Just for today,” I whispered.

Without any more speaking, I led him to the bed, climbing onto the red drape king-size bed. I then reached my hands for him to take, and even with his mighty frame, I opened her arms till he climbed and lay by my middle, his head placed on my breast

“I am here; I am alive,” I assure him as his head rests on my chest and he listens to my heartbeat. I try to pretend like this isn’t insane, even as 1 feel my heart summersault with each breath Rygan takes, and his right hold on me relaxes slightly.

“I can’t lose you; I can’t.” He mutters sleepily…not like Alana..”

I knew I might regret this crazy situation soon, but right now, I felt my body calm, and all the stress was gone as I pushed my hands into his dark, silken midnight locks. I felt a low hum and tumbled inside.

Dear gods, Rygan will be the death of me. “You came for me, and I am grateful,” I call, quietly feeling his breath even out, Slowly, Elise grew heavy, and Rygan was asleep with the help of my touch.

I carefully got into a more comfortable position with both our heads on the pillow and facing each other. After a few minutes of staring and admiring his handsome face, from the scar on his eyebrows to his roguishly handsome looks,

For a moment, I reached forward to caress his lips but stopped myself. This wasn’t right. I muttered before I slowly stood up. Even though my wolf whined not to leave, I headed for the door, giving one last glance before I left.

The moment I step out of the alpha king’s chambers, I meet Kaide, who is a few feet away. “Elise,” he calls to me, his face filled with relief and wonder as his hands reach to caress my cheeks.

I couldn’t help but give him an assuring smile before I turned around and headed to the familiar hallways leading to my chambers. All the more. I didn’t want Rygan to see him touching me so fondly,

15:39 Sun, Sep 1 GB G.

Chapter 38

Why do I even care in the first place? I wonder.

I reach my destination with Kaide still behind me. “We’ve all been worried sick; I’m glad you’re woken up,” he says to me.

I could barely think straight, and half the words he was making out felt like a puzzle to my puddled brain. “I’m glad to be back… It looks like you need to ask me something.”

“Rygan wouldn’t let any of us see you, but this is crucial. I’m sorry, but we need a detailed explanation of when you were taken and what happened. We’d like to meet you soon at the smily” Kaide says, his tone immediately turning serious and

I closed my eyes for a second as flashes of blood and dead men filled my vision before I shook my head to get their screams of horror away.

Tll meet you in a few hours and tell you what I remember, but after I freshen up,” I assure him, and he searches my eyes. with his gaze softening.

“I am glad to get you back, Elise,” he tells me. The moment the door clicks close, I rush to the toilet, dumping my guts out in the white-cord porcelain bowl that steadies me.

I dragged myself steadily to the sink before staring at my reflection. “I need you to come out and tell me what happened when I was out of control. I muttered to my wolf, but she didn’t answer. Only a flicker of power shows through my eyes for a mere second before it all turns normal..

“Alright, Elise, you will tell them everything you know,” I say to myself. “Even if it means digging back into that deep, dark place. I tell myself, wincing from the memory again.

I got into the bath, getting a much-needed wash, but one weird thing was that I didn’t feel all that dirty.

I thought it was my imagination. I saw Rygan with a towel cleaning across my body after I begged him to take me again, but I recall seeing him when I was half awake. Had he even slept the whole night? I wondered.

I come out of the bath, wiping the mist off the mirror, and stare at my features. I see small dark bites and purple bite marks over my chest and neck, a show of how ravenous and greedy Rygan has gotten with me. A creeping blush spreads over my face as I push that feeling aside.

The whole circle was going to be there, including Alvira. The meeting might not go well, but I have to turn off my feelings, and I have to face it head-on.

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