CHAPTER 22

I woke up to bright sun rays piercing through the open curtains and falling on my face. Blocking it with my hand, I groaned and turned to my side, only to find myself sleeping in something so soft and velvety.

'Kael's bed.'

'Shit!'

I sprang up, looking around in anxiousness. His room was empty. Realization dawned, and I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Tying my loose locks into a bun, I gulped and looked beside me. The bed was made, showing no signs of someone having slept there last night.

But I knew he was here. Those whimpers, cries, his nightmares—they were all real.

Tip-toeing out of the bed, I turned around to clean the sheets and fold the comforter when I heard a pair of footsteps approaching, and I froze.

"You're still here?" came his nonchalant voice, and I gulped, wrapping my arms around the comforter.

"I–I was just leaving," I replied, but he barely offered me a glance.

He strode in, walking toward his cupboard. Ripping it open, he took out a suitcase and started throwing clothes into it. I blinked, staring.

'Was he leaving? Where? How many days? When will he be back?'

I should have been relieved by his absence, but instead, I was scared. That man—what if he returns today? Who will save me if he attacks again?

'Dom. Yes, I have him. He'll protect me.'

Closing the suitcase, he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the top button of his shirt. A look of irritation was plastered on his face.

Turning around, I was going to walk out when I heard his voice, and my steps seized.

"Doll."

The authority in his voice made my bones rattle. Gulping, I turned around to face him.

"Y-Yes, Alpha?"

"Come here."

Clenching my fists, I walked closer to him. All this while, his eyes refused to give me enough importance to even acknowledge me. He was busy getting ready to leave.

I stopped three feet away from him when he asked in an impatient voice, "Do you know how to tie the knot of a tie?"

I gulped and nodded, only to hear a scoff leave his lips.

"Good to know you aren't that useless after all."

The next thing I knew, a tie was thrown at my face, and I caught it before it could fall. My hands literally trembled in his presence.

"Hurry up."

He turned toward me, and I took a step closer. His expensive cologne hit me, and I held my breath, looking up.

'Damn it. What was he, 6'4"? And I was barely 5'5".'

Tip-toeing, I tried to put the tie around his neck, but to no avail. He was too tall. Biting my lip, I literally jumped this time, finally succeeding.

'Thank Moon Goddess.'

He was too busy staring at a device in his hands to take note of my embarrassment. Holding both ends of the tie, I tried to overlap them, only to be left disappointed.

I jumped once again, and this time, he looked up from his device. Crimson shades colored my cheeks as he furrowed his brows at me.

"I–just–I—"

His jaw hardened at my futile attempt to speak, and before I knew it, two strong arms were planted under my thighs. I was lifted up and slammed back against a wall, reaching his level.

My heart leaped in my chest as our faces stood inches apart, close enough for his discarded breath to kiss my lips.

"Hurry up, doll. I don't have all day."

His cold, emotionless voice sent shivers down my spine, and I looked down to find my hands shivering as I tied his knot. Through my lowered eyelashes, I could see him staring down at me blankly, and it did something weird to my stomach.

"D–Done," I said, looking up.

Our eyes connected. He was staring at me with a strange expression, his gaze flickering down to my lips. Then, in a blink, those pools of steel returned.

He abruptly pulled back from me, and I came crashing down, my back slamming against the wall as I leaned forward.

"Ahh!"

He looked down at my body, resting near his feet, only to clench his fists.

"I'll be gone for a week."

Picking up his suitcase and adjusting his tie, he walked past me, his last words lingering in the air.

"Try to stay alive in my absence."

My ass ached as I tried to get up, and my eyes stung. Getting up, I limped out of the room in search of Dom. He was the only one who could help me. I needed to find him.

"Have you seen Dom—I mean, Sir Dominic?"

The cleaner looked at me from top to bottom, scrunching up her face as if I were garbage. Walking past, she ignored me, and I sighed.

'Great. Even talking without getting humiliated is a task now.'

I walked aimlessly when I heard a familiar voice from behind.

"He's in the training room."

'Bella.' I didn't trust her one bit.

"Go underground. Third door to your left."

With that, she left, and I stood in the hallway, lost.

'What if he's actually there? What's the worst that could happen?'

I started walking down the stairs to reach the specific door. It was too dark here. I'd seen the training grounds outside, but I'd never been to the training room.

Pushing the door, I walked in to find what looked like a shower room.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

I looked up to see a broad, sculpted, naked back, and my throat suddenly went dry. A towel was loosely hanging around the man's waist, and his hair was wet.

He looked over his shoulder, and I was struck by familiar, comforting eyes.

"Dom!"

"Astrid? What the fuck are you doing here?"

My insides finally found respite. 'Thank Moon Goddess he hasn't left with Kael.' Whether I admitted it or not, every time, he had proved to be my safe haven.

"Dom! Thank God I found you! I need to tell you something!"

He turned around, and my eyes inadvertently dropped lower.

'Shit! He's a sculpted Adonis.' An eight-pack of abs stared right back at me.

"You can't be here, Astrid," he declared, stepping closer to me.

I furrowed my brows. "Why? Is it Kael—"

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. Before he could reply, a chorus of approaching footsteps and male voices echoed around.

"Dammit!"

He looked at the door, and the next thing I knew, he pulled open one of the cubicles and pushed me in. His face was contorted in fear and concern.

"Hold your breath and don't step out till I ask you to. Understand?"

I barely nodded when the door was slammed shut in my face, leaving me trapped in a pitch-dark cubicle. The only light came from the slits in the door.

Within seconds, I saw the room fill with men—very naked men. They were joking around while my heart thudded rapidly in my chest. I continued to hold my breath when I heard one of them say:

"Man, have you heard the latest gossip?"

"Bark, arsehole."

"One of my bed warmer maids told me she saw that hideous Silver Moon girl step out of Alpha's room this morning."

"She was fast. Didn't I say the silent ones open their legs the widest?"

"Indeed. She's just another whore. Nothing more. I wonder if she'll be handed over once Alpha gets bored of her. I'd love to fu—"

His words were silenced by a loud bang, and I saw everyone stand at attention as Dominic made his presence known. They lowered their eyes immediately.

"S–Sir Dominic. Good evening…"

One of the men stuttered, greeting Dom, but Dom's eyes didn't move from the two men who had just commented about me. He walked toward them, and I saw them literally shivering.

"She is your fucking Luna! Learn to respect her, or I swear I'll rip you to shreds right here!"

"I'm so–sorry, Sir… we didn't mean…"

They apologized, but their words had already pierced my heart. A tear slid down my cheek, and I bit my hand to silence my cry.

'A whore. He'll discard her. Hideous.'

I failed to silence myself. I flinched as everyone suddenly went quiet.

"I smell a female here," one of the men said, and my heart stopped.

"Yes, I smell her too."

I heard footsteps approaching, and my palms pressed against my mouth.

'No… no, please. This can't be happening.'

A click was heard, and I knew there was no escape from this.