Chapter 6

Sable

The next day, I woke up and joined Joss for another jog. I think it’s becoming a daily routine—and honestly, I need to find a way to get through to him somehow. I need to make him fall for me.

'But it’s wrong,' Selene whispered in my mind. And I already knew her reason.

Yeah—Brant.

After our jog, we had breakfast. I was on my way to give Rhett his fruit when my foolish self decided to walk along the edge of the pool. I stopped for a moment, staring at the water. I’ve always wanted to learn how to swim, but fear has always held me back. I tried once, back in school, and nearly drowned. That’s when the fear took root.

I noticed Rhett rolling toward the pergola. I turned around—but my foot slipped, and my body tilted backward. I instinctively closed my eyes. In that moment, I thought it was the end… yet I held on tightly to the bowl. At least Rhett would know I tried to save the fruit. A foolish thing to think, I know.

Then I felt a hand on my back—steady and firm. His warm, woody wolf scent immediately enveloped me as my head rested on his chest, eyes still shut. When I opened them, I met his hazel gaze. I quickly stepped back, my hand pressing lightly against his bare chest. He was so close again—and once more, those lips were dangerously near mine.

'Our life-saver. A knight in shining armor,' Selene chimed in.

“Be careful. You might really end up slipping one of these days,” he said.

“At least I’ll have you to save me,” I replied with a half-smile.

“Are you alright?” Rhett’s voice came from my right. I turned to him and smiled.

“I saved your fruit, sir,” I said with a light laugh.

Brant let out a soft chuckle, his signature smug smile spreading across his lips.

“The fruit doesn’t matter. What matters is your life, Sable. Or… can you swim?”

“No, I can’t,” I admitted, glancing back at Brant. “Thank you for saving me, Mr. Brant.”

“There’s no need to thank me, Miss Knox,” he said—then dove straight into the pool.

I handed Rhett his fruit, and we went to his bedroom for his leg exercises… and, of course, the usual seductive massages. Yet the man was still a rock. Unmoved.

Joss had gone to the company that day, so I headed to the kitchen to see if I could help with something. One thing about me—I hate sitting still. I lose my mind if I’m not doing anything.

Dani tried to talk me out of helping, insisting I should rest.

“You should take it easy, Sable. Relax.”

But I shook my head. “I can’t—I’ll go crazy just sitting around.”

We were in the middle of our friendly tug-of-war when one of the maids walked in.

“G… G-good morning,” she said, her voice small and hesitant.

I turned to her and smiled. “Good morning, Loren.”

Loren was sweet but painfully shy, and her stammer often made her nervous around people. She always seemed like she was trying to disappear into the background. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and her eyes flicked between me and the floor.

“Th-th… there’s someone out… out waiting for you,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “He… he said it’s important.”

“Who’s that?” Dani asked before I could.

Loren shifted awkwardly on her feet.

“H-he said the missus kn-knows him.”

“Let me go check,” I said, walking out of the kitchen.

But… who could possibly be here for me?

My circle in life is small, and no one even knows I’m staying at the Paxtons'.

As I stepped out and walked toward the gate, I scanned the area—when suddenly, a van screeched to a stop in front of me.

Before I could react, a sack was thrown over my head, and strong hands grabbed me, forcing me inside the vehicle.

Whoever held me was powerful—definitely a man. And worse, I could sense he was a wolf too. I couldn’t even struggle against him. My limbs were frozen. All I could do was hope someone had seen me being taken.

Eventually, the van stopped. I could hear music thumping in the distance, and the thick, pungent scent of sweat, alcohol, and perfume hit me hard. A club. I knew it instantly.

But why would someone bring me to a club?

They dragged me out of the van and led me—no, forced me—probably through a back entrance. The music was muffled but still loud enough for my wolf ears.

I was pulled up a short flight of stairs and into a room. They tied me to a bed and left. I heard the door slam shut behind them.

"Help! Help!" The voice wasn’t mine. It was Selene’s.

I hadn’t even realized I hadn’t screamed until she did. Why hadn’t I?

'What’s going on?' Selene said in a panicked voice. 'Why are we tied up? I don’t like this, Sable.'

'Do you think I’m enjoying this?!' I snapped internally, my chest tightening as tears began to sting my eyes.

The door creaked open again, then closed.

“Who's there? Please—help me!” I pleaded. No answer.

Then I heard the unmistakable sound of a zipper.

No. No, no, no…

This can’t be happening. I didn’t want to even think about it. I couldn’t.

I felt a presence hover over me. My shirt was lifted, and the head of something cold and rubbery pressed to my stomach, circling around.

The head of a cock… a dildo. It had to be.

But that didn’t make it any less terrifying.

“Please stop… Please! Stop playing this sick joke on me,” I begged, my voice trembling. My fear twisted into something agonizing and inescapable. I didn’t even know who this person was—but whoever they were, they were unhinged. Sick. Deranged. And they knew me. But how?

A phone rang.

Whoever it was got off me, walked to the door, and slammed it behind them as they left.

I exhaled shakily, trying to calm myself as I began to struggle. The ropes around my wrists and ankles burned as I pulled against them, but I didn’t stop.

The door opened again, and someone walked in.

That warm, woody scent hit me instantly. I knew who it was. I had never been more relieved to feel his presence. I tried to speak, but no sound came. My voice was gone.

Without a word, he began untying the knots. He freed my hands first, then removed the sack from my head before moving on to the ropes around my ankles.

As soon as I was free, I slid off the bed. My legs wobbled beneath me, weak and unsteady—but I managed to stand. And without thinking, my body moved toward him.

I threw my arms around him. It wasn’t even me anymore. It was Selene. And this time, I didn’t stop her. I wasn’t angry. I was just... grateful.

I hugged him tightly, burying myself in his familiar, calming scent. I could even smell cigarettes on him, but I didn’t care. He came for me. He saved me.

But then—everything changed.

“Do you now understand why I’m out of your league?”

I pulled back, stunned. That stupid, smug smile was plastered across his face.

Anger surged through me. My hand shot up toward his face, but he caught it mid-air, twisted both my wrists, and tied them behind my back in one swift move.

He stepped closer, closing the space between us.

It hurt. But not as much as the ache in my chest. Not because I cared. Not because I had feelings for him. I hated him. I fucking hated the bastard.

“Don’t you dare,” he growled through gritted teeth, tension radiating from him in waves. The heat of his breath ghosted across my neck, and a shiver slid down my spine as his teeth grazed the tender skin near my ear—slow, cruel, blurring the line between threat and desire.