Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Fresh Air

Penelope POV

Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps coming up

There was a shuffling movement outside my door. The door opened and I got up with a jerk

Drexel walked in with his trademark scowl. He closed the door behind him. He glared at me as he closed the gap between us. I wiped my eyes, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of showing that I was crying. Like a predator, he came to stand next to the table and sat on its edge, while still looking at me

"Why did you leave when I ordered you to stay in the apartment?" he growled

"I didn't want to be a third wheel between Freya and you," I said, rage bubbling in my chest

"You couldn't have interrupted even if you wanted to," he replied and I felt like slapping his face

"Good," I tried to reply as calmly as possible

"Then why are you here? I am sure someone is

waiting for you in the apartment."

"T told you that you and I have to talk," he said, coming in an interrogation mode

I clenched my fists on my sides, my palms getting clammy. "About what?"

"When I went to the log cabin to search for Drexel, I found your scent over there," he asked, his face turning murderous. "What were you doing over there?"

I froze but for a moment. If I showed him that his question affected me, I was sure that he would suspect me all the more. "I was there early in the morning before sunrise." I chose to go with the truth. Well, partial truth. "T stayed there for a few minutes and then came back."

His jaws clenched. He jumped off the table and was kneeling in front of me in less than a second. He grabbed both my arms. "Do you know how dangerous that would have been?" he growled, his eyes flickering golden. "If you had gone when Steven was there, he would have abducted you! Have you no regards to safety?"

His body was trembling at this point

I twisted my arms in order to get out of his grasp and then I shifted away from him. "Why do you care for my safety?"

"Because I own you!" he said

"Or because you want to use me as your breeder?" I snapped

Drexel froze as he stared at me. Something inside him shifted as a rumble emanated from his chest

I continued, "And then discard me when you get the pups?" I nodded with my lips trembling

"Yes, your dirty little secret is out!"

After staring very hard at me, he rose to his feet and growled, "You can stay in the attic for all you want. I don't care. But you won't step out of the packhouse. Freya will be coming here in two weeks and then it will be over." He turned and stormed out of my room, banging the door close behind. The gamma warriors remained stationed in front of my door. Of course, they will be

After all, now I was his precious breeder, one he had bought from an auction

I didn't feel like eating at all, having lost my appetite during the last conversation with my ruthless Alpha. At night, I had a horrible time sleeping

Suddenly, I sensed my body locked in some kind of a vise. Panic worked its way in my chest and I tried to be free, but it was impossible. I jerked open my eyes and found myself pressed against a very muscular and hard, naked chest

His strong cedar scent overwhelmed my senses and calmed me. But how come I was with him?

I looked around only to find that it was very dark, and that I was in his bed. He must have carried me to his apartment when I slept. How come I never felt it? When I tried to break free, his arms only became tighter around me "It isn't safe, Lippy, he murmured. "T can't... I can't live like this much longer." I wanted to ask him too many things, but I didn't. I just closed my eyes and went off to sleep all over again In his protective embrace. It felt like we both belonged to each other

In the morning when I opened my eyes early the next morning, my body was humming. I stretched my hands and legs. When I looked towards his side, he was missing. I got up to see where he was in order to ask him questions, but he wasn't there at all. When I opened the door, I stared into the faces of the gamma warriors

For the next two days, the same thing happened

I would wake up in his embrace and he would leave me alone for the whole day in the morning. Alpha Leo had given me a week's leave because of 'his' orders. I was so bored and furious. On the third day I went to Kimberley's room, hoping that she was there

I knocked her door softly. She opened it and I could see her puffy eyes. "Penelope!" she squealed and threw herself on me. She started

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"Shh..." I said and led her inside, closing the door behind me

When she stopped crying, she whispered, "He escaped that day, saying he would come back for me and you very soon."

"Then why are you crying? You should be happy."

"He is my mate. My wolf is howling on the inside for him. She wants to go to her mate

Every day it hurts me, to not be with him." She sniffled

What could I do except sympathize with her? I

hugged her tightly, feeling as if we were both in the same boat

Drexel also just... left me. I felt like the last kid in the school whose parents hadn't come to pick them up. "You need an outing," I said, but Kimberly shook her head. For the next two days, I spent time with her, so that she feels better. It was the fifth day of Drexel avoiding me. Enough. I decided to go out for fresh air

Kimberley and I were on the pool deck of the packhouse in the middle of the afternoon, reclining on the sun chaises with snacks and books and iced beer between us. I slathered myself in suntan lotion and wore a red bikini, borrowed from Kimberley. She was wearing a black one

I was least prepared for what was coming next