Chapter 7: Chapter 7

SCARLET

Sunlight filters into my room, and I lay my arm over my eyes with a groan. ~Wait a minute. Where is the sunlight coming from? And…am I in a bed?~ I remove my arm and peek out with one eye as I adjust to the bright light that surrounds me.

I sit up, both eyes wide open as I take in the gorgeous room that I’m in. How did I get here?

Long velvety drapes frame a huge arched window. The walls are a light gray and are adorned with canvases displaying beautiful abstract designs that bring in some color. There is a large white dresser with a gigantic decorative mirror hanging above it.

I’m sitting in a huge bed with deep, wine-colored sheets and a lavender duvet. Goddess, I’ve never been in a bed so comfortable before.

The sitting area has two comfy-looking white armchairs with a small round table between them, a vase of pink roses centered on it. The exquisite hardwood floors are covered by a matching rug that lies in the middle of the room.

I throw the covers back before dangling my legs over the edge of the bed. Stretching and flexing, I take stock of my injuries. My body aches but not as bad as I expected it to. I carefully step down, my feet landing on the rug before I walk over to one of the doors to the room.

Opening it, I find a large walk-in closet, complete with a tufted stool and a full-length mirror. There are about a dozen outfits, all about my size, hanging in it along with several pairs of shoes. Besides that, it’s mostly empty.

I leave the closet and open the door next to it, finding a beautiful bathroom with a walk-in shower and stand-alone bath big enough for two people. I turn to the mirror above the sink, and I’m saddened by my reflection.

I walk closer, examining my dull, dirty red locks and the pallor of my ivory skin. My eyes are sunken, and I look sickly compared to my normal appearance. I’ve always been thin, given the lack of food in the Scourge, but now I look almost skeletal.

Turning around, I examine my back. It’s clearly been cleaned of any blood, and the wounds are now mostly healed with thin strips of gauze over them. I wonder who did this.

~Why am I not in the dungeons anymore?~ Maybe they finally realized I don’t have anything to do with those murders. I’m thankful not to be trapped in the darkness anymore.

I reach my arms around to try and peel the gauze off, but I struggle to reach. With a sigh, I turn around, trying to figure out a solution. I spot another small door and open it to find towels. A shower would be nice and would help with removing my bandages.

Quickly picking out an outfit from the closet, I go back to the bathroom and adjust the water until the room begins to fill with steam. I climb in and the hot water instantly relaxes my sore muscles causing me to exhale in relief.

I take my time as I lather up my hair and body, standing under the showerhead as water runs down me. I don’t know how long I’ll have such nice accommodations, so I might as well make it count.

When I walk out of the bathroom, toweling my hair off, I freeze mid-step. Sitting in one of the armchairs is my mate. He sits up straighter as he sees me, and I narrow my eyes at him, instantly on guard.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, my voice low and cold as I glare angrily at him. I’m in no mood to see him right now.

The corner of his mouth quirks up as he gestures to a tray of food on the table beside him. My eyes widen at the smorgasbord laid out in front of me: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, fruit—the works.

There’s a moment when I feel utterly torn. I’m starving and desperately want to dig into all of the delicious food displayed in front of me. I instinctively want to move toward the food that my body so urgently craves.

However, that would mean moving closer to my heartless mate. Before I can worry about eating, I want him gone. I purse my lips together and clench my fists as I gather my resolve. “Leave the food, and go,” I state as sternly as possible.

I watch him carefully, wary of his reaction. However, he doesn’t make one. He remains cool and aloof. The expression on his face doesn’t even change. He also makes no move to get up and leave as I ordered.

He casually leans back in the chair and looks up at me as he rests his muscular arms on the arms of the chair. “I just want to talk to you,” he proclaims calmly as he gestures to the seat across from him.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you so get out,” I firmly reply as I cross my arms protectively in front of my chest.

His lips purse together, and his eyebrows furrow. It’s clear that he’s angry, but I don’t plan on backing down. I straighten my back and lift my chin, staring him down.

He sighs and shakes his head before responding in a calm and slow tone, “I just need a minute of your time.”

I merely huff in irritation and roll my eyes at him. “Fine. If you won’t leave, then I will. I need to get back home anyway,” I remark determinedly before marching toward the main door.

I reach out to turn the knob, but my mate is fast, and he blocks the door before I’m able to get it open. His scent is heavenly, and having him close feels right. But it’s his fault I was locked up, his fault I was tortured.

I glare at my mate with rage simmering just beneath the surface. It’s taking everything in me to not blow up right now, especially when I notice the mocking smirk that appears on his handsome face. My heart skips a beat at the sight of it, but that just further irritates me.

“I said we need to talk,” he says, the aura around him radiating again but having no effect on me.

“You could have talked to me when I was moved from the infirmary. Now you’ve lost your chance.” I turn around, and he grabs my arm.

I try to pry his hand away. As I’m fighting to free myself, he moves swiftly and the next thing I know, he has my arms pinned down to my sides with his strong arms wrapped tightly around me.

I struggle against him, but it’s no use. He’s much stronger than me. He buries his nose in the crook of my neck and breathes in deeply. My eyes widen in shock. I freeze, scared of what he might do next and shocked at his behavior. What the hell is going on?

No longer resisting his hold, I notice the savory tingles running through me. His warm touch seeps into my body, making me want to relax against him.

Just as my body is about to give in, my mind jolts, realizing that this is not what I want. That damn mate bond is playing tricks on me. I begin pushing against his chest with all my strength.

He doesn’t even budge. He just lets out a sigh, his warm breath hitting the sensitive spot by my collarbone.

“Fine,” his voice comes out softly, sounding defeated. “I’ll go,” he continues as he straightens himself in front of me, still holding me pressed against his muscular physique.

I can feel my face heat up at the ambiguous posture, but I try to ignore it. One of his arms disentangles itself as he gently yet firmly pinches my chin and forces me to look up at him. I grit my teeth and exhale through my nose as I try to remain calm.

“However, we really do need to talk. I’ll be back later,” he states authoritatively before continuing with a pointed look. “Once you’ve calmed down. In the meantime, please eat some food, and get some rest. And don’t bother trying to sneak out, there’s plenty of wolves here that will catch you.”

Finally, he releases me and without another word lets himself out. “Ugh!” I cry out as I stomp my foot angrily.

My wolf tells me, “~Give him grace. He was only trying to protect his pack.~”

I ignore my wolf, and my stomach rumbles. The delicious smell of food wafts into my nose. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to eat while I’m here.

***

I debate leaving. After all, if he threw me in the dungeon once, he might do it again. I peek out into the hall and don’t see anyone in sight.

I creep down the plush hallway, every sense sharp and alert. The memories of the dungeon, the cold stone, and the accusations cling to me. I have to escape, to find safety. My bare feet make no sound on the carpet as I edge toward the door.

“Going somewhere?” The voice is smooth, but I can hear the authority beneath it. I whirl around, heart pounding. I recognize the person as Alex, who had been in the infirmary room. He leans against the wall, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“I need to leave,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Alex pushes off the wall and approaches me slowly. “You’re not a prisoner here anymore, Scarlet, but you need to talk to your mate. He wants to explain.”

I clench my fists. “Explain? He tortured me!”

“He had his reasons,” Alex says softly. “I know you’re hurt and angry, but he did what he thought was necessary. He cares about the pack, and about you. Running won’t solve anything. Stay and hear him out. You deserve answers, and he deserves a chance to explain. If you still want to leave after that, we won’t stop you. But you owe it to yourself to know the truth.”

I glare at him, but Alex’s calm presence and the strange pull of the mate bond weaken my resolve. I don’t know if I can trust them to let me leave, but Alex feels trustworthy and genuine. He’s right; I do want the truth.

With a reluctant nod, I follow him back down the hall.

I step inside, the door closing behind me with a soft click. The room is so luxurious, but it feels like a gilded cage. I walk to the window, looking out at the city below, trying to calm my racing heart.

I can see the Scourge from here. How dark and different it is compared to the clean streets directly below.

“~At least he’s very handsome,~” my wolf chimes in, interrupting my thoughts.

I scoff at her before replying, “~Great. So, my mate is hot and has decided to stop starving me. I’m so lucky.~”

My voice is laced with sarcasm, and my wolf rolls her eyes at me. “~I’m just saying he’s not all bad. You don’t have to be so sassy.~”

“~Yeah, well he’s not good either. And no matter how good looking he is, it certainly doesn’t make up for his shitty behavior,~” I argue, growing more agitated from this ridiculous conversation. The image of my mate pops into my head unwarranted, and my body heats up. I scowl. Stupid mate bond.

The argument with my wolf is interrupted by a loud knock on the door.