Chapter 4 — Settling In

AURORA

“This is the top floor. It belongs to me and my brother only,” Draven’s voice sounded, pulling me from my thoughts.

After his strange speech about me belonging to him, being the woman of his dreams, he had taken me away from his psychotic older brother.

He spent the next ten minutes showing me around, though I could hardly focus, my mind stuck on his earlier words.

The woman of his dreams. I needed to know just how mad these wolves were, so I could decide how best to survive them.

We entered a new corridor. A warm amber glow emanated from torches in the walls, casting flickers of light that made the stone floor gleam.

“This place is only open to me, my brother, and… special people. Like you,” Draven smiled at me.

I scoffed softly and looked away. I didn’t dare speak, especially not after the punishment I’d suffered earlier. I didn’t want to feel that kind of pain again.

“So, no one is allowed into this top floor except the few chosen maids who serve here,” he continued, watching me carefully. “They don’t sleep here, though. That’s why you’re different. You won’t be doing a regular maid’s job.”

He grinned, and the way he said it sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“The floor below is where we receive visitors, hold gatherings, and deliver orders.”

He stopped in front of a door and gestured toward it.

“This is your room.”

He pushed it open, and I hesitated before stepping inside. The space was far too large for a slave’s chamber. There was a bed draped in furs, a large closet, a big bathroom with a jacuzzi, and the faint scent of vanilla lingered in the air.

He pointed to two smaller doors across from each other.

“These are connecting doors. One leads to my chamber… and the other to Darius’s.”

I stiffened. I wanted to ask why my room connected to theirs, but fear locked my tongue.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why,” Draven said with a knowing smirk. “It’s so you’ll be able to serve us properly. Even at night.”

The way his words lingered made my skin crawl. I forced myself to keep looking around instead. The room was massive, larger than my bedroom back home, and far too luxurious for someone stripped of freedom.

“Feel free to explore,” he added.

Reluctantly, I moved toward the closet. My heart twisted when I saw the array of dresses inside and they were all in my size.

A bitter thought stabbed me: Had my father planned this betrayal all along?

I slammed the idea away before rage could consume me.

The bathroom left me stunned. It was larger than my entire house, with the jacuzzi big enough to fit ten people. I whispered to myself, Is this how all slaves live? But of course, I dared not voice it.

When I turned, I nearly collided with him. Draven filled the doorway, his tall, broad frame blotting out the light.

I stumbled back, but his arm shot out, wrapping around my waist, pulling me close against him.

“Easy now,” he whispered, his husky voice grazing my ear. “I don’t bite.”

That was a lie. He was a werewolf with claws and fangs. He was like a predator and I was his prey.

My body went rigid in his hold. He guided me out of the bathroom and toward the bed, sitting casually as though he owned every breath I took and maybe he did.

“Why are you so quiet?” he asked.

I glared at him but stayed silent.

He chuckled. “I asked you a question, Rory. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

My lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s Aurora. To you.”

Draven threw his head back and laughed, the sound rolling deep from his chest. “I can call you whatever I want… Rory.” His gaze sharpened. “Now answer me.”

I clenched my fists. “Your brother told me not to speak. Every time I open my mouth, I’m punished. So why ask me now?”

His smirk faded, replaced by something unreadable. Then he leaned forward, his voice low.

“Alright. You have one chance. Tell me everything on your mind. I won’t judge. I won’t interrupt. One minute. Make it count.”

I hesitated, but his stare demanded honesty. Suddenly, a sharp rage bubbled up inside me as my eyes hardened.

“You and your kind destroyed my home. You took everything from me and now you’ve taken my freedom. What else could I possibly say except that I hate you!”

The words ripped from me, fierce and trembling. And for one fleeting second, I felt free.

But then I saw the dangerous flicker in his eyes as he shot to his feet. I backed away quickly, fear coursing through me. I shut my eyes, bracing for the pain I knew was coming… but it never did.

Instead, his voice came, low and sharp. “Here.”

I opened my eyes. He was holding out a bundle of clothes.

“Wash these. And iron them,” he ordered flatly.

Confused, I took the garments. His anger had been written all over his face, yet he hadn’t struck me. I stared after him as he stormed toward the door.

At the threshold, he turned back, eyes glowing faintly.

“When I said you were the woman of my dreams,” Draven said, his voice laced with something dark and certain, “I meant it.”