Chapter 5

Tears streamed down her face. The whip cracked over her back. 

Number fourteen. 

She slumped against the bedpost her hands are tied to.

*

Marc had seen blood on the dressing gown Klara had been wearing, and had frowned. He saw Klara’s back to him, the tank top covered her whole back, he had hooked his finger under the hem gently pulling up, he saw the end of a whip mark before she had scrambled away from his touch. He had never expected it to be as bad as he was seeing. Klara’s back was ripped open, distinctively from a tipped whip. There were so many he was surprised she was alive.

Adelaide stormed over to her brother “I told you not to come in!” She tried to push him out the room “Tell me what happened!” he pushed through gritted teeth, his eyes wild. 

“It’s not my place!” Adelaide roared. Marc managed to side step his sister and went to the corner of the room where Klara was cowering, her knees up to her chest hiding her nakedness. He took a few breaths trying to calm the wolf that was angry at seeing his mate hurting. He wanted to pick her up, cradle her. But he refrained “Klara… I…” it was then he realised he had no words. What could he possibly say? 

Klara cowered, silently crying, tears streaming down her face as Marc loomed over her, he looked furious and she knew it was her fault. His belt glinted at her menacingly, she kicked herself at getting herself into a corner. But then… it was always worse if she ran from a beating. “I’m sorry,” she whimpered. Marc sighed and sat next to her, his back against the wall 

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. If I’d known I’d have helped you,” he explained. She wanted to trust the King, he’d been kind so far, and it was exhausting waiting for a beating that hadn’t come. Neither of them realised that they were now alone, Adelaide and the doctor had both silently slipped out. 

Marc knew this was going to be a long process, he had been there for his sister, now he’d be there for his mate, he would be anything she needed him to be, his wolf didn’t agree. His wolf was irritating him chanting ‘mark, mark, mark’ usually Marc and his wolf were one, they didn’t argue, they had the same goals. This was different, and he hoped he could control the beast. 

“Are you hungry?” Marc asked

“Not really,” she muttered, Marc nodded, they both sat in silence, their scents swirling around them even if for Marc, her scent was marred with ointments which were stinging his nose, but he didn’t care. Klara  glanced up to the tall man, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, he was stunning to look at. His straight nose was the perfect size, and his pale pink lips were slightly parted. She found herself staring at those lips and she wasn’t sure why... 

“C-Can I have a top?” Marc glanced over to her and found his lip between his teeth as his pupils dilated. He hadn’t realised she was topless and as he stared he could see the outline of her small breast leading down to her bare stomach. He closed his eyes trying to control his urges. He looked away, seeing a t-shirt lying on the bed he grabbed it and without looking, handed it to her. When he looked again, she was clothed. “Thank you,” she muttered as she peered her baby blues up to him again. “You need to eat, it’s been six hours since you last did… your body needs fuel to heal,” 

“OK,” she complied, not wanting to disobey and make him angry. Marc stood, taking a few steps before turning. Klara hadn’t stood, he smiled before leaving the room. She wondered if he had expected her to go with him, but she wasn’t sure. 

She stayed in her corner, too scared and anxious to move. Marc came back with a sandwich and fruit on a spotless white plate. He set it down next to her, before he moved to sit on one of the sofas in front of the balcony. He had noticed her jumpiness around him handing her food, so decided to not hand it over. He wondered if she’d only been starved or was food taunted to her? Which reminded him he hadn’t seen his baby brother for a few days - OK he wasn’t much of a baby anymore being twelve, he’d make a point to nip to the Family Wing, just to irritate him. 

Marc sighed as the familiar crackle of a mind link came through ‘Someone’s on the phone…’ Wade sounded nervous which wasn’t like him ‘Who is it?’ Marc replied, there was a pause 

‘Alpha Silversmith,’ Marc cut off the mind link almost instantly. He looked to Klara who had just finished her food “I…” he paused, he didn’t really want to leave her, he wanted to get to know her, he wanted not just his wolf to want her. “I just need to go, sort some work out. You’re welcome to explore this floor while I’m gone.” He fained his confidence. Klara nodded so he left the room.

‘Father…. I’m going to need your help on this,’ he quickly linked as he descended the sweeping steps, heading to his office. He opened the double doors to the circular office finding Wade’s bulk stood next to his desk. He nodded back to the door and Marc stepped back, Wade closing the door. “He’s claiming someone’s kidnapped his daughter and thinks it’s someone under our rule,” Wade quickly explained in a hushed tone. “He’s demanding permission to enter the Kingdom.” Marc scratched his neck 

“You’ve dealt with him before… what’s he like?”

“Ruthless, paranoid, but intelligent.” a deep powerful voice cut in 

“Father,” Marc gave a small bow of his head. The former King strode towards the two men, 

“The Silversmiths can’t be trusted.” 

“What do I do?” Marc asked

“Give his daughter back,” he responded simply.