CHAPTER 14

He walked past me, and when I looked back, he was standing there naked with his back to me. The shower was running, and the hot water pouring out of it made steam engulf the room.

He stepped under the shower, and my heart leapt in my chest.

I couldn't look away.

How can a man be so beautiful on the outside yet so evil on the inside?

Water poured over his jet-black, silky hair, making it darker, if that were possible.

He tilted his head up and ran his fingers through his hair, and I blinked, staring at his countenance.

A razor-sharp jawline, a perfectly straight nose, and thick brows above those long, perfectly curled eyelashes.

Water trailed from his chin down to his broad, muscled chest, and my mouth ran dry as I gawked at the contours of his perfect eight-pack abs.

He was the epitome of virility.

A true male alpha in every sense.

My eyes were about to trail lower when a crude voice echoed off the bathroom walls, and I flinched.

"I bet no body wash can clean the filthy germs your touch left on my body."

"Get out and tell one of the maids to clean this bathroom. The room stinks of your disgusting scent already."

Tears stung my eyes as I heard his words. Yes, I was filthy, but whose fault was it? His pack members hadn't allowed me to wash in days. Hell, they didn't even give me anything to eat.

Struggling to pull my body out of the tub, I slipped and bruised my elbow against the marble.

Damn it.

Blood dripped, tainting the tub red, and I tried to clean it with the sleeve of the shirt I was wearing.

Getting out, I stormed out of the room without looking back.

Thankfully, it was early, and no one saw me like this.

Rushing up to the attic, I slammed the door shut and breathed heavily.

Sunlight fell on me through the window, and my freezing body welcomed it.

I looked at my state in the broken mirror, and more tears stung my eyes.

My eyes had dark circles under them, and my skin was pale, marred with mud and dried blood.

My wild hair was a tangled mess, and my cheekbones looked hollow.

Approaching the mirror, I discarded Dom's shirt to see my body covered in cuts and bruises.

My naked feet were covered in mud, and they looked ugly.

I could see why he was so disgusted with me.

I would be disgusted with myself as well.

I don't remember how long I stayed there.

A loud banging on my door jolted me awake.

"Get out here, you filthy girl! Are you planning to die in there? Who's going to wash the clothes?"

I pulled open the door and bowed.

"I'm sorry, Madam Martha. I'll get to work immediately."

She was shocked. Her mouth hung open, and I walked past her with my head lowered.

Storming into the maid's quarters, I picked up the short maid outfit and changed into it.

"She's still alive? I thought the Alpha killed her."

"What a waste of fresh air."

"Why doesn't she just go and kill herself?"

I ignored their words and rushed out to begin my duties.

Taking the list of responsibilities from Martha, I was walking down the halls when suddenly I felt a hand muffling my scream, and I was pulled into a dark corner.

I tried to scream for help, but the person only tightened his grip on me.

"Princess Astrid. What a cruel existence you have. Why don't you just give up, huh?"

The person seethed, and all I could see were brown eyes through a black mask.

I thrashed to no avail; he was stronger.

And that's when I saw him pulling out a syringe from his pocket.

"Surprise, surprise. What do I have here? I promise you, once it's inside you, you'll be relieved of all the pain in your life."

"We won't have to see your disgusting face anywhere in our pack anymore."

No. I can't die like this.

He moved the syringe closer to my neck, and at that second, it clicked.

My legs were free.

Pulling up my knee, I knocked it into the place where the sun doesn't shine.

His grip on me loosened, and I sprinted away.

Stumbling, I got up and ran mindlessly, not knowing where I was going.

Tears streamed from my eyes; my heart was thudding rapidly.

Moon Goddess, why? Just give me a break already. Why are you doing this to me?

I searched around desperately for someone, and before I knew it, my feet were taking me toward his office.

I looked back to find the man right at my heel.

Oh, god, no!

I turned to my right, and that's when I saw him.

His back was to me as he was seeing off the Alpha who had accompanied him. Guards followed behind them.

"Send me the details, Alpha Kane. I'll go through them and let you know."

"Thank you so much, Alpha Kael. You don't know how much this means to us. In times like these, when no one is helping, your support means so much."

Hope ignited in my chest, and I opened my lips to scream his name.

"Kae—"

I couldn't complete it. The man pressed his disgusting palm over my mouth and muffled my scream.

Kael's footsteps stopped, and he turned around, but it was too late.

The man had me pinned behind the wall.

His masked face was the only thing I could see.

"Do you think your highness will save you?"

He chuckled wickedly, and my heart dropped.

I knew Kael hated me, but he wouldn't.

No, he couldn't order my death.

"He's the one who ordered me to kill you, bitch! Go die!"

And that's when something pierced my neck, and slowly, everything around me began spinning.

The man pulled back his hand, and I leaned back against the wall.

I couldn't move.

I felt too weak.

I could feel my heart slowing down, my lungs protesting.

Everything felt numb.

I don't want to die. Please, someone save me.

I tried to mind-link Dom, but my senses were too weak.

I don't have much time.