His Tender Touch.

Rhea's POV

"Here's your room," the maid who had followed me from behind informed me. She had been commanded by the Blackthorns to show me to my room.

I nodded, fear still tugging at my heartstrings as I pushed the door open. The room was dark and cozy. It was better than my room at the Shadow Fang pack.

I definitely was going to be comfortable staying here, only that I didn't have the plans to stay. I couldn't be one of their mates that goes missing after a month or turns into an insane wolf.

No matter what, I needed to run from the danger I had found myself in. With a sense of urgency coursing through my veins, I walked towards the window, pushing them open.

I could still recall seeing a tiny dark path by the side of the woods that surrounded the pack house. That would be my escape route.

"It's now or never," I muttered under my breath as I lifted my hand, ready to reach for the frame and jump out, when Aria, who had been silent all this while, finally decided to speak up.

"What do you think you are doing? Have you gone nuts?" she snapped.

"More like what I'm trying to escape from. If you hadn't slept with them last night, I wouldn't be in this mess!" I argued bluntly.

"It wasn't my fault. They are our mates. The mate bond was stronger. I couldn't control it!"

"Well, now, I'm about to control my future. I can't be bound to triplets! I can't be owned by them. They scare me!" I protested and was going to jump against Aria's wish.

When, unfortunately, a knock on the door—loud and clear—startled me. Swiftly, I jumped back into the room, blinking rapidly as I tried to maintain my composure. I couldn't be caught in the act; that would mean me ruining my own escape plan.

The door opened, and a maid walked in with a black dress in her hand. "I was asked to hand this over to you. Put it on and come for dinner," she informed.

Before I could ask questions, she bowed to me, turned on her heels, and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

"I never said I was hungry," I grumbled as I lifted the dress to my face.

"You need to go. If you don't, they might get furious. You don't want to make our mates furious," Aria warned.

I rolled my eyes as I darted my gaze to the window. I didn't escape now didn't mean I wouldn't. I just needed to clear the air with the Blackthorns, then return and carry out my plans.

Walking towards the mirror in the room, I wore the dress. It was a long black dress with the back opened from the neck down to my waistline. A slit by the right ended right above my knee, revealing my thighs.

"Isn't this too revealing?" I complained, but Aria didn't see it as a bad idea.

With one last glance at myself, I walked out of the room and headed for the dining room, which was slightly difficult to locate.

Once the doors to the room opened, I was welcomed by the chilling glare of the Blackthorn brothers already seated at the long table.

Alpha Damon, who sat at the opposite end of the table, instantly slammed his cup against the table, startling me immediately. My eyes flinched as I stared at his gaze on me. I wasn't sure why he hated me but still claimed to burn the Shadow Fang pack for me.

"What are you doing here?" His deep voice echoed through the walls of the room as he locked his eyes on me.

"The maid asked me to—"

He cut in sharply with a low, disapproving growl, "I'm not hungry anymore."

The loud screeching of his chair filled the silent room as he stood up and left the place, his eyes leaving mine the moment he passed by me.

I held my breath in fear. Once the door slammed behind my back, I tried to act cool and sit. But as I relaxed on the chair before me, it happened again.

"Thinking I was going to have a peaceful dinner tonight." Draven slammed his spoon harshly on the table, stood up, and left with a hiss.

My head bowed to the ground in both sadness and regret. If only I didn't listen to Lilith that night. Maybe all of this would have been avoided.

Just as I fiddled with my fingers, regretting it all, a hand—gentle and soft—touched my shoulder. I lifted my eyes with a soft gasp escaping my lips.

It was Dax, the last of them. He oddly had a soft, tender smile on his lips, his eyes carrying a warm, gentle glow as he stared at me. For some reason, I felt peace in his presence.

"Don't listen to my brothers, Peach… they are not always this strict," he said calmly, his voice soothing and thrilling too. He leaned closer to me, his eyes trailing from mine to my lips, then back to my eyes seductively.

"You know, they feel embarrassed knowing that they couldn't control their wolves last night. I mean, who wouldn't be?" His finger brushed my jaw as he smiled. "You were impossible to resist." His every move tempting and emotionally intense.

He stood erect, his hands sliding into his pockets. "They'll come around soon. I assure you."

With that, he left the dining room, leaving just me before their meals. He was different, and I could tell.

"I think I'm loving Dax. I'll need to get more closer to him," Aria shrieked at the back of my mind, but I refused her statement.

I needed to leave no matter what. Soon, I got back to my room, made sure I shut the door tightly this time around before changing into my dress.

I climbed the window and, with one last glance at the room, I didn't hesitate to jump down. Luckily, it was easy for me to escape through. Once I got my footing, I picked up my pace, running faster than my brain could have ever imagined.

"You are taking the wrong step, Rhea. Let's go back. I have a bad feeling about this!" Aria begged.

"I'm sorry, Aria, but I'm not going back to that place no matter what. I can't be in danger and smile through it."

My breaths came out in ragged gasps as each tree struck my shoulder, my legs dashing harshly against stones and dried leaves on the ground. But I didn't stop.

I wasn't far gone when the sudden loud howling sound filled the woods.

My head snapped backwards, my eyes bulging as I realized what it was for. They knew I was gone. They were going to chase after me.

I ran faster now, wanting to escape totally, to live a new life, when just then, I tripped on something and crashed to the ground, the impact painful and jarring.

I groaned in pain, holding my sides as I tried to get up. But then, I paused at the unfamiliar scent that wafted through my nostrils.

My eyes lifted upwards to find a man in a mask standing right before me. "Who are you?" I pondered as I stared at him.

He stretched his hand towards me. "Come with me or risk getting trapped by the Blackthorns."

A heavy voice echoed behind me, "Find her no matter what!"

My breath hitched as I turned back to the masked man. What was I going to do?

"Make your choice before it's too late."