Glen and Dan forcefully drag the hooded man out of the office, heading towards the elevator with him. I stand frozen in my spot. A hand gently squeezes my shoulder, causing me to jump in alarm.
I turn to see James standing beside me, his expression filled with regret. 'Sorry you had to see all that, Astrid,' he mutters, his voice tinged with nervousness. 'I did tell Dad it wasn't a good idea, but he says it will help toughen you up for when you, um, become my mate.'
Stepping back from James, I fix him with a stern gaze. 'I never agreed to that,' I assert firmly, my frustration mounting. Zenith, however, responds to my defiance with a grin. ‘See, son, I told you it would toughen her up!’ He speaks.
I meet James's gaze, sensing the hurt in his eyes as he continues, 'You and I being together as chosen mates would make a lot of sense. I am attracted to you, Astrid. You are gorgeous. The most beautiful she-wolf I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I think you would suit our pack well, and everyone you’ve met there so far adores you.'
My anger boils at the notion, and I glare at him before fleeing from the office. I dash into the she-wolves' room and lock myself in a cubicle, where I finally allow my tears to flow. The pain of missing Ryker, the longing for a true home, and the fear of being manipulated and hurt in this unfamiliar world overwhelm me.
Minutes later, the door creaks open, and James' voice breaks through the silence. 'Let's go home, Astrid.' But the house I long for is not the one he imagines. I want to go back to Ryker, but without having to live with Vanessa and Alice. It's a dream I know will never come true.
I open my eyes reluctantly, taking comfort in a daydream in which I'm encircled in Ryker's arms, my head resting on his chest, while I take pleasure in the sound of his comforting heartbeat. My daydream is interrupted when James knocks on the cubicle door. I stand and exit the cubicle. My heart is heavy with longing for Ryker. I walk past James without uttering a word.
James follows closely behind me as I enter the elevator, my tears hastily wiped away. Zenith, wearing an unsettling grin, joins us inside. The atmosphere in the elevator is dense with silence; no one dares to speak, and the only sounds that break the silence are my faint sobbing and sniffles.
Finally, with a 'Ding!', the elevator doors open, revealing John seated in his car. Zenith opens his car door and gestures for me to get in. I hesitate, glancing at James, who offers an alternative, his eyes filled with hope. 'You can always go in my car,' he suggests, trying to provide me with an escape from the tension-filled situation.
But I don't want to be near any of them. I look back at Zenith, who is becoming impatient. 'I'd like to thank you for your hospitality,' I say curtly, my voice laced with determination. 'But I won't be getting in the car. I'm leaving now to find a new job in the city and a place to stay.' Without waiting for a response, I turn and walk away, content with my decision.
My heart skips a beat as a strong hand suddenly grabs me, pushing me into the back seat. Panic surges through me as Zenith's voice booms, 'Get in. You're not going anywhere, Astrid.'
I move across to the other door, but it won’t open from the inside. Trembling, I stare back at Zenith, horrified, and he smiles.
'Please, let me go,' I whisper, my voice barely audible in the confined space. Zenith ignores my plea and slides into the car, sitting beside me. I avert my gaze, staring out the window, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. When the time comes, I'll make a run for it as soon as I'm released from this car.
We're about halfway to his packhouse when Zenith's phone rings, and I listen to the conversation.
'What kind of problem? I see. Do you think his mate would return? Good. Vanessa, now listen to me! Yes, you will. I’m your father! I don't care what you have to do to bear his pups! Drug him if you must! Alice will put it in his food. It will be fine. It's been long enough. You should have already had his pups by now,' Zenith says, frustrated with Vanessa.
I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. Vanessa is his daughter, and Alice is the Luna of Shady Crest! They were never slaves.
'I don't care if he doesn't want you! This isn't about love; this is about power! If we want to expand and become the greatest pack in history, then you will bear his pups! Then we will kill him and combine the packs,' Zenith declares, his words chilling to the core.
Suddenly, Zenith notices the horrified expression on my face, my chest heaving rapidly as the colour drains from my face. He narrows his eyes at me, studying me for a moment, and then a revelation comes to his mind. 'Vanessa, what was his mate's name?' He asks, his voice sharp.
My stomach churns, and I feel like I'm going to be sick. With no one else in the car to help me, I desperately pound on the windows, trying to get someone's attention as we pass Jim's Diner.
Zenith lets out a twisted, sick laugh. I grab the car handle and try to force the door open, but it's futile. My attempts to break the window only result in hurting my knuckles. 'Well, Vanessa, I can assure you she won't be a problem and won't be returning to Shadow Crest, as I have her with me right now,' Zenith says, his laughter mocking me.
He places his hand on my leg, and I recoil, shouting, 'Don't you touch me!'
'Vanessa, I need to go. Your brother's chosen mate needs to be put in her place. Yes, that's right. Why? Because I said so! And you will find out in eight days why!' Zenith says before abruptly hanging up the phone, leaving me in stunned silence.
My stomach churns, and I feel like I'm going to be sick. With no one else in the car to help me, I desperately pound on the windows, trying to get someone's attention as we pass Jim's Diner.
Zenith lets out a twisted, sick laugh. I grab the car handle and try to force the door open, but it's futile. My attempts to break the window only result in hurting my knuckles. 'Well, Vanessa, I can assure you she won't be a problem and won't be returning to Shadow Crest, as I have her with me right now,' Zenith says, his laughter mocking me.
He places his hand on my leg, and I recoil, shouting, 'Don't you touch me!'
'Vanessa, I need to go. Your brother's chosen mate needs to be put in her place. Yes, that's right. Why? Because I said so! And you will find out in eight days why!' Zenith says before abruptly hanging up the phone, leaving me in stunned silence.