Novel-novel oleh Benita Abel

Maya Pov I woke up screaming.In my dream, Uncle Marcus had found me. He dragged me back to Silvercrest, back to the basement, back to the darkness. Sienna stood at the top of the stairs laughing while I begged them to let me out.Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and I thrashed, fighting to get free."Maya! Maya, it's okay. You're safe. It's just a dream."The voice penetrated the panic. I blinked, gasping for air. Alpha Ryker knelt beside the bed, his hands gentle on my shoulders. Moonlight streamed through the windows—it was night now."You're in Shadowpeak," he said softly. "You're safe. Nobody's going to hurt you."My whole body shook. I couldn't catch my breath."Breathe with me," he said. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. Come on. With me."He demonstrated, breathing slowly and deeply. I tried to copy him, but my breaths came in harsh gasps."That's it. You're doing good. Keep going."Slowly, my breathing evened out. The panic faded, leaving me exhausted and embar

Maya Pov Understanding dawned in his eyes. "Maya, I'm not going to force you to do anything. The bedroom is big enough for both of us to have space. You'll sleep in the bed, I'll take the couch until you're comfortable."I stared at him. "But the contract—""Says you're my intended mate. It doesn't say I have to claim you immediately. We have time." He stepped closer, and I fought the urge to back away. "I know you've been hurt. I know you don't trust anyone, especially not me. But I meant what I said in the car. You're safe here. Nobody will force you to do anything you don't want to do."Tears burned my eyes. I blinked them back. "Why are you being kind to me?""Because you deserve kindness." He said it like it was obvious. "Come on. Let's get you fed and then Zara can check your injuries."We went back downstairs where Zara had set out bread, cheese, fruit, and soup. More food than I'd seen in months."Eat as much as you want," Zara said. "There's plenty more."I sat down carefull

Maya Pov I couldn't stop shaking.The car was bigger than my storage closet room. Soft leather seats, tinted windows, and enough space that I didn't have to curl into a ball to fit. But my body didn't understand safety. It only knew fear.Alpha Ryker sat across from me, watching with those ice-blue eyes. The other two men sat beside him—one with green eyes and brown hair, the other younger with a friendly face."Maya, this is Kade, my Beta," Alpha Ryker said, pointing to the green-eyed man. "And this is Owen, one of my warriors."I nodded, not knowing what to say. My hands twisted in the fabric of my gray dress, the only dress I owned."Are you hurt?" Kade asked gently."No." The lie came automatically. I'd learned to hide injuries. Showing pain only invited more of it."Maya." Alpha Ryker's voice made me look up. "You're safe now. Nobody here will hurt you. But I need you to be honest with me. Are you injured?"My throat felt tight. I didn't know how to do this—how to talk to peopl

Maya Pov When I entered, three men sat around the table. Alpha Ryker in the center, with two others flanking him. All three turned to look at me."Closer," Alpha Ryker said.I took a step forward, my hands clasped in front of me to hide their shaking."Why do you smell strange?" he asked directly.My eyes widened. Nobody had ever asked me that before. They either ignored it or mocked it."Answer Alpha Ryker," Uncle Marcus hissed."I... my wolf was bound." The words came out barely above a whisper."Bound," Alpha Ryker repeated, his eyes narrowing. "When?""When I was twelve. And again when I was seventeen.""Twice." He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "That's unusual. Why would someone bind a wolf twice?""She killed my brother and his mate," Uncle Marcus said, his voice hard. "Her own parents. The first binding was supposed to be punishment, but she was dangerous even without her wolf. The second binding was necessary for pack safety."I closed my eyes, waiting for the disgust

Maya Pov "Where is that worthless girl?"I heard Uncle Marcus yelling from the main floor. I was already moving, grabbing my cleaning bucket and hurrying from the tiny storage closet where I'd been scrubbing floors. My bare feet made no sound on the cold tile.The moment he saw me, his hand connected with my face. I didn't make a sound. Five years of this taught me that crying only made it worse. My cheek burned but I kept my eyes down, waiting for whatever order would come next."We have important guests arriving in two hours. The meeting room better be spotless." His breath smelled like coffee and anger. "Alpha Ryker doesn't tolerate mess, and I need this alliance."I nodded quickly. Alpha Ryker. I'd heard whispers about him from pack members when they thought I wasn't listening. The most powerful Alpha in six territories. A man who'd absorbed three other packs through combat. Someone even my uncle feared, though he'd never admit it."Do you understand how important this is?" Uncl