Chapter 4: Fierce.

‎Adrian didn’t stop walking until he was a safe distance from the cottage.

‎Only then did he lift his hand. The one Estelle had grabbed. It was still trembling slightly.

‎Her grip had been starved and weak, but his forearm still burned where her fingers dug in. Not from pain. But from strange heat.

He frowned.

‎“ Did she do something to me?“

‎Adrian didn't generate heat, in fact one could say Adrian's couldn't generate heat unless he tried to do so.

So it was strange occurrence.

Something in his pants also stirred. Adrian's jaw ticked.

‎Running his fingers through his hair, he mumbled quietly under his breath. He was supposed to be the one doing things to her, not vice versa.

‎If he didn't distance himself from Estelle, he wasn't sure he would have kept his wolf in control. 'She's still injured.' Adrian caoxed himself.

‎But thinking of what happened a while back made Adrian's lips curve slightly.

‎That woman, half-dead, weak, and injured had threatened him over a bowl of meat. Watching her bare her canines in an attempt to threaten him was both admirable and laughable.

‎The way her eyes had gone sharp the moment she said Those words... Adrian felt incredibly amused.

He was curious of what she would have done if he didn't heed her words.

‎’ It seems like my life wouldn't be boring anymore.’

‎Adrian's eyes slowly turned dark has something intense swirled in them.

‎He smiled. But that smile didn't reach his eyes. When she fully recovered, Adrian was going to take her to his castle. The reason he didn't take her there right away was because he was afraid a werewolf with prejudices against the Winterbournes might attempt to kill her if they know who she is...

That would be a shame...

Because he hadn't done what he wanted to do with her yet. And honestly... ‎He hoped she would last long. He really did. It would be a disappointment if Estelle ended up like the rest.

‎The way she acted casually like she wasn't in her enemy's territory made him like her more and more.

‎Or maybe she just didn't care.

' Did that woman ever care about anything?' Thinking about certain things that happened when they clashed in the past, he wasn't sure.

There was the matter with her ribs.

‎Thinking of how she broke her ribs just to spite him made his mouth twitch. Although he speculated she also tried to inflict self harm as well.

‎“Idiot.” he muttered. “ You aren't going to escape from me, no matter how hard you try, I won't let you.“

‎Adrian's feet came to a stop. He had gotten to his destination.

‎Standing in front of a certain door, Adrian reached out for the door knob and twisted it.

‎___

‎*Back in the room*

‎As soon as Adrian left Estelle didn't waste time, she immediately dug in. The way she ate made her look unladylike. And if anyone saw her right now, they would think she was some ravenous fiend.

' At least am better than the Silonese.'

‎The meat was gamey. Tough. Barely seasoned. But Estelle didn't give a f*ck. All she cared about was eating the food in front of her.

‎She tore into it with her hands, ignoring the way her ribs screamed in pain. Every bite was fuel... and every gulp stitched something back together inside her. Her werewolf healing abilities accelerating the more she ate.

‎In less than 2 minutes the bowl was empty.

‎" Ohhh dear God..." Estelle let out a sigh as she licked her fingers. Her expression was one of pure bliss. Just then the door opened, there was no knock.

‎Adrian.

‎And behind him, there was a woman draped in grey fur. She seemed to be in her forties. Silver hair braided with bone charms. She was old and scarred. Her brown eyes were sharp yet tranquil.

‎It was the physician.

‎“Took you long enough,” Estelle said with her eyes half closed. “I thought you got lost, Adrian.“

‎Adrian didn't answer, as for Melissa the physician, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. Where did this woman come from? Adrian had brought a lot of women, but none spoke to him as brazenly as this. Even the bravest ones di—

‎“Melissa”

‎Adrian's cold voice pulled her out of her train of thought. One word was enough for her to get to work. She didn't ask questions.

‎Melissa crouched beside the bed, close enough that Estelle caught the scent of snow-mint and old blood on her hands.

‎Now getting a close look at the woman beside her, Melissa felt like she had seen before, but she didn't know where. Melissa didn't dwell on it and pressed her fingers just below Estelle's sternum, as a result Estelle sucked in a sharp breath with a pained expression.

“ Them ribs be damned.“

‎Looking at Estelle's face, Melissa spoke “ Alpha said you broke your ribs while trying to move recklessly. Please, don't put too much strain on your body. Just rest up.“

‎This caused Estelle to snap her head towards Adrian. At the same time the sound of something popping into place rang out.

‎“It was his fault.” She said through gritted teeth, her eyes shimmered with hatred.

‎Adrian leaned against the wall and clicked his tongue several times before saying. " My fault? woman, you are hundred percent at fault.“

‎Melissa shook her head. “Children.” Her back straightened as she stood up.

‎“ Am done. She isn't in any sort of danger. She will live... Unless she tries not to.“

‎“ That won't happen.” Adrian said. Still leaning against the wall.

‎Estelle rolled her eyes.

As if remembering something, Melissa's eyes shone “ Ahh, yes... here's the final thing."

‎Melissa pulled a vial from her furs. As soon as she uncapped it, a pungent smell enveloped the room prompting Estelle to cover her nose and shift towards the center of the bed. That wasn't for her right?

‎Even Adrian exhaled sharply as if trying to expell the pungent air he breathed in. Their enhanced sense of smell was a blessing, but it was also a curse. A human wouldn't be able to smell this unless they brought the rim of the vial to their nose. But for a Werewolf it was a different matter.

‎“Drink. It’ll set the bones. Tastes just as bad as it smells.” Melissa said with a grin.

‎“I’m not drinking—”

‎“You will.” Adrian cut in. He appeared beside Melissa and took the vial from her hands.

‎" That's enough Melissa. you did well, you can leave now."

‎Without another word, Melissa bowed and left. She seemed rather sad and disappointed she couldn't see Estelle's face contort because of her drugs.

‎With the sound of a door closing, the room went silent.

‎" Come on Estelle, don't be shy... Surely you wouldn't refuse something as marvelous as this." And for the first time since she came here, Estelle saw Adrian smile. Although it was a small smile, but a smile was still a smile.

‎" Sadist." Estelle spat as she slowly shifted further and further into the bed. She didn't want that thing near her.

‎Still holding the vial a whole arms length away from him, Adrian tilted his head as the fire from the hearth reflected through his eyes.

‎" Am I?" He said as he finally got to the bed.

‎This time, repulsion flashed through her eyes. walked closer to the bed. She didn't want that thing near her.

‎" Adrian don't you dare come closer." She said in a low tone that sounded like an animalistic growl. While she gently moved away, she didn't want to accidentally break her bones again, so she wasn't as fast as she used to.

" And what if I dare?" His large hand grabbed her shin before pulling her to edge of the bed.

‎" I will make you wish you were never born! I will tear you to shreds!" Of course, that was just a bluff.

She wasn't taking some random shit drugs.

‎" Oh..." Adrian's brows raised.

‎It seemed like the cornered rat had finally decided to fight back. That was good though, it would only make things interesting.

This time his hand clasped her shoulder and pinned her down. Estelle attempted to trash around, but Adrian was quick. He grabbed her hands and and pinned them above her head. Frost formed on her wrists. Freezing them in place.

‎" Y-you!!!" Her eyes widened in disbelief and horror. Then slowly, the vial that smelled like shit approached her mouth.

“ Adrian unhand me! Let me go this instant!“

“ Or else?“ Adrian smiled sadistically while Estelle trashed beneath him.

“ I said let me go! Are you deaf?“

“ Nope, but I know someone who is.“

“ You sick b*stard I said unhand me!“ Estelle continued screaming, a vein appeared on her head due to the shouting.

This time Adrian's fingers held her jaw in place. Estelle attempted to bite it , but she was unsuccessful in doing so.

Estelle's pupils dilated as she helplessly watched Adrian bring the veil to her mouth.

“ Or else what? what are you going to–“ He didn't get to finish his sentence as something solid slammed against his balls. Shaking his nine generations. The impact was so strong that even an Alpha werewolf like Adrian was shaken. His hand let go of the veil near Estelle's mouth which was open at the time.

And the result? The contents of vial poured inside her mouth. Punishing Estelle's taste buds.