Chapter 28

Sorin’s heart clenched at the thought of being with Colette in that way, but he knew he couldn’t. He could find a way, sure, but it wouldn’t be right for their first time. He couldn’t just take her like that. He wanted to show her love, to be gentle.

“I’m sorry, Colette,” he managed to say. “I want to help you, but this cage is—”

Colette turned away from him, and he knew she was trying to hide her embarrassment. She wanted him, and that made her feel ashamed, but he couldn’t give in. He just couldn’t.

“Colette, you deserve so much better than this,” he said, his hand clenched over his heart.

Before Colette could respond, the door to the room flew open. Ylenia, wild-eyed, rushed in.

“Ylenia, what’s going on?” Sorin asked, standing to face her.

Colette felt a wave of possessiveness wash over her as she realized Sorin was still completely naked.

“Dancescu wants Colette to get ready for tonight. He was going to send someone else, but I volunteered. He still doesn’t know you switched with Simu,” she said, hurrying to Colette’s cell.

“Tonight?” Sorin and Colette echoed together.

Ylenia gave Sorin a surprised look. “It’s the full moon tonight.”

Sorin felt a wave of anxiety wash over him, his chest tightening. The days with Colette had passed so quickly, he hadn’t even noticed.

He’d made plans for if Colette didn’t turn. His mother, who had been overjoyed at the news, had conspired with several other older she-wolves to create a distraction to draw attention away from Colette.

“But it’s not until tonight, Ylenia. Why does he need her now?” Sorin asked, stepping between Ylenia and Colette.

Ylenia glared at him. “I don’t know, Sorin, but we can’t disobey his orders,” she snapped.

Colette raised a hand to stop Sorin as he tried to step between her and Ylenia. “It’s okay, Sorin. I’ll be with Ylenia.” She’d grown to like Ylenia, who had tried to visit as often as she could.

Ylenia unlocked the door and pulled it open for the first time in weeks. The thrill was short-lived as Ylenia grabbed Colette’s arm and pulled her towards the exit.

Sorin followed them, wanting to keep an eye on Colette.

Ylenia gave him a stern look and a quick nod. “I don’t think the Alpha should see you, Sorin. You know this whole thing was a punishment for you,” she said quietly.

She was right. Alpha Dancescu was a possessive alpha. He saw his pack not as a family, but as property, and he wanted them to obey him at all times.

The bond between a wolf and his alpha was strong, second only to the bond between mates. It had been clear for a while now that Dancescu didn’t want to be outdone by anyone.

Sorin reluctantly stopped, his fists clenched at his sides.

Colette watched him over her shoulder for as long as she could before he was out of sight. He stayed in the room as Ylenia led her up the stairs and onto the first floor.

She squinted against the bright light and shielded her eyes. It made it harder to see where they were going, and she stumbled over her own feet.

Ylenia steadied her. “I really am sorry, Colette. I don’t want to do this,” she said, her voice filled with regret.

Ylenia led her to a room she hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t an office like the last room.

This room was more like a throne room. It was large, with deep red carpets and a single large chair at the back of the room, on a slightly raised platform. Dancescu sat in it, looking down his nose with a look of pure anger.

Ylenia pulled her down onto the floor in front of him until their noses were almost touching the carpet. Ylenia let go of her arm, and they waited in uncomfortable silence.

“How long do you need to prepare her, Ylenia?” he asked, his voice filled with a strange kind of excitement, as if he wanted her to fail.

Ylenia looked up. “It won’t take long, sir.”

He took a deep breath and tilted his head. “What does the preparation involve?”

Ylenia swallowed loudly. “There’s a body ointment, an elixir, and a complex incantation—”

He cut her off with a look of irritation. “Will she be ready by the full moon, Ylenia?”

She nodded. “Yes, sir. I—”

“Good,” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “Will you need to be at your place, or can you prepare her here?”

She licked her lips, clearly unhappy, but continued. “I’ll need to be at my place, sir. All my things are there and—”

“Fine,” he snapped, shifting in his seat. “But you’ll be watched.” He gestured to a man off to the side, who nodded in agreement.

Ylenia cringed at the sight of Avram. He was a heavily muscled man with long brown hair and pale green eyes, just like Dancescu. She’d always thought Avram was Dancescu’s illegitimate son.

“Of course, sir,” she replied, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

“Avram, let me know as soon as she’s done with the human girl,” he ordered.

~Human girl.~ It was clear he didn’t think this would work. What did he want from this? Did he not want her to possibly be Sorin’s mate? Would he enjoy killing her and making an example of her?

Ylenia had been annoyed with the new development at first, but the past three weeks had warmed her to the idea of having a mate of her own. She imagined she’d be out in the woods gathering ingredients, as she often was, and would come across a wounded male wolf.

She pictured it wouldn’t be love at first sight. She’d bring him home, not knowing he was her mate. Selene had told her that was often the case for many mates. She’d nurse his wounds, caring for him until he was strong enough to shift back into a handsome man. Then, she’d guide him back to his own pack. They’d pause for the night, making love under the stars on the forest floor.

She dreamed her mate would be warm, kind, and full of laughter. Not like Sorin, who was always so distant and icy. His pack would be a welcoming place, brimming with she-wolves, a true matriarchy.

Ylenia assisted Colette to her feet, and they left the room, Avram trailing close behind them.