Chapter 28

Mabel’s POV

I blinked, trying to shake off the grogginess clouding my thoughts. The room around me was neat, too neat—pristine, even. The bed beneath me was soft, but it felt strange, like I didn’t belong there. A second bed stood off to the side, the sheets folded neatly as if no one had touched it. My mind raced, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

Why was I here with Zane? Why was I sharing a bed with him, of all people? And where were the others?

I glanced at the man beside me, his breathing slow and even. The usual thoughts swirled in my head—crazy, paranoid thoughts. Was this his plan? A ruse to sell me off, harvest my organs, and toss me out in the woods for the wolves to finish the job?

I couldn't bring myself to wake him, not yet. Moving too much would only draw attention, and that wasn't something I was willing to risk. So, I resigned myself to the situation and stayed as still as I could, not daring to make a sound.

The warmth of Zane’s body against mine felt oddly comforting, but it made my cheeks burn. I shifted a little, trying to keep my distance, but the moment I moved, I could feel the weight of his arm—heavy, protective, but utterly confusing. His scent—woodsy, dark chocolate, and something earthy—lingered in the air. It had a strange calming effect on me, even though I hated how it made me feel... safe.

I shut my eyes, hoping for sleep to take me again, to whisk me away to that damn chocolate forest where I could finally get some peace.

But just as I was about to drift off, I felt the shift. Zane’s body moved, pulling me in closer, trapping me against his chest. My breath hitched, skin tingling where his warmth pressed into mine.

His breath brushed against my scalp, and I felt my hairs stand on end. I couldn’t see him, but I knew—knew—he was smiling, smug and satisfied with how easily I’d surrendered.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized he had never truly been asleep.

He’d been awake all along, waiting. Watching. But he didn’t move, not yet. He just let me feel his presence, just let me stew in my confusion. Maybe he wanted me to say something, anything. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction, though. Not yet.

I was aware of the bruises on my body, the hunger gnawing at my stomach, the injuries I couldn’t ignore. Zane knew too. He had to. But in that moment, he chose to keep me close, keep me here, like I was a fragile thing to protect.

And he was right—I was fragile. He held me so easily, so gently. But there was something more to his touch, something deeper, that made my body ache in ways I couldn't describe. A part of me hated how natural it felt to be in his arms, to let him cradle me like this. But another part—the part I couldn’t quite understand—wanted more.

My heart pounded as I tried to force my thoughts away from the tingling sensation he caused, from the sparks that shot through me each time his skin brushed against mine. It was impossible to ignore. How was he making me feel this way?

His hand rested lightly on my waist, warm and possessive, and I couldn’t help but notice the intensity of every little movement, every spark that surged from his touch.

I could feel his breath steady against me, each inhalation a reminder of how close we were.

There was no escaping the pull.

And yet, I fought it. I fought every instinct in my body that screamed for more. He was Zane, the terrifying Alpha who could crush anyone under his heel. And here I was, lying in his arms like some kind of helpless child.

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t one of the women he normally surrounded himself with—his type, the beautiful, the powerful. What mattered was that right now, in this moment, I was here, and I didn’t know why.

I wanted to ask him why he was holding me, why he didn’t just let me go. But my tongue refused to cooperate, and all I could manage was a weak mumble. "Did you sleep well?"

His voice, deep and steady, pulled me from my thoughts. "How do you feel?" His question was soft but firm. "Are you still in pain?"

I nodded, the movement small and barely noticeable.

"It’s fine..." I barely whispered, the words leaving my lips reluctantly, as if saying them made them more real.

I didn’t belong here. I didn’t belong in this bed, in this moment, with this man. I had escaped the Silverwood pack for a reason. Yet now, here I was, tangled in Zane’s arms, unsure of what to do next.

The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating.

"Hey... Do you—"

"I have a name." He cut me off, the sharpness in his tone not cruel, but commanding.

A little embarrassed, I quickly corrected myself. "I’m sorry. Alpha Zane..."

"No." His voice was stern but strangely gentle. "Just Zane."

I froze. "Zane..."

The name felt foreign on my lips, but it also felt... right. And as I said it again, his smile deepened, and I hated how that made my heart skip.

"Can you let me go?" I asked, my voice small, a weak plea I knew he’d ignore.

But his response caught me off guard. "Why are you making it sound like I'm holding you against your will?"

I blinked, confusion taking over my expression. Was I? Did I give him permission to hold me? Did I... fall into his arms without realizing it?

"You fell off the bed," Zane continued, the humor in his voice impossible to miss. "I'm holding you so you don’t end up with another bruise."

I blinked again, processing what he said. "Oh..."

"Well, thank you," I mumbled, my cheeks burning. "Can you let me go now?"

He cocked an eyebrow, his gaze teasing. "Do you want to freshen up? While you shower, I can order some food."

"Will you let me go if I agree?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Not necessarily." His reply was deadpan, and I couldn’t help but laugh, even as the tension in the room climbed higher.

I swallowed hard. "How am I supposed to shower if you don’t let me go?"

"We can shower together."

My eyes nearly popped out of my head, horror written all over my face. How could he say that so casually? What did he think I was, some damsel in distress?

Zane caught the panic flashing in my eyes and quickly cleared his throat. "I meant... if you need help, I can assist you."

I almost choked on my own breath. "No thanks."

Before he could say anything else, I scrambled out of bed, my limbs clumsy as I nearly tripped. I dashed into the bathroom and locked the door with a click, my heart pounding.

Zane’s gaze never left me. And I could almost feel the weight of his silent amusement pressing against the door.

He probably thought this was some game, but right now, the only thing I could think about was how I was trapped in a whirlwind of emotions—and how much I wanted to escape.