Chapter 4

Gloria's POV

The tension in the room was a tangible thing, a tight wire stretched between the three of us. Arnold shrugged off Hunter's grip, but he didn't step closer. Instead, he walked to the kitchen area, grabbing a bottle of water. He moved with a fluid grace that screamed lethal agility.

"So," Arnold said, leaning against the counter. "Is she staying? Or are we ransoming her back to Daddy Dearest?"

"She stays," Hunter said, his voice leaving no room for argument. He finally stepped back from me, giving me room to breathe. "Go upstairs. Second door on the left. There’s a shower and fresh clothes. Put them on."

It was a command. My wolf bristled at the tone, but my human side knew he was right. I was shivering, sticky with blood and rain.

"Thank you," I muttered stiffly.

I stood up, my legs wobbling. Hunter watched me, his gaze feeling like a physical weight on my skin. I made my way to the stairs, conscious of how the torn back of my dress exposed my skin.

"Don't take too long, Princess," Arnold called out. "We haven't had dinner yet."

I hurried up the stairs, locking the bathroom door behind me with trembling fingers.

The shower was hot, the water pressure stinging my bruised skin. I scrubbed until my skin was raw, trying to wash away the feeling of the crowd’s eyes, of Jaxson’s rejection. I watched the water swirl pink with blood and dirt down the drain.

When I stepped out, I found the clothes Hunter had mentioned. A black oversized t-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants. They smelled like him. Cedar and musk.

Putting them on felt intimate. Like I was wrapping myself in his scent. It was wrong. It was forbidden. But it made me feel strangely safe.

I looked in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, my lip split. I looked like a tragedy.

No, I told my reflection. You are a survivor.

I walked back downstairs. The smell of searing meat filled the air. Hunter was at the stove, cooking steaks in a cast-iron skillet. Arnold was setting the table.

"Look who cleaned up," Arnold smirked. "You almost look like you belong here. Almost."

I ignored him and sat at the table. "What happens tomorrow?" I asked Hunter.

He flipped a steak. "Tomorrow, we train."

"Train?" I blinked.

"You're weak," Hunter said bluntly. "Physically. Mentally. If you want revenge, you need to be able to take it. I’m not going to fight your battles for you, Gloria. I’m going to teach you how to win them."

He placed a plate in front of me. The steak was rare, bloody.

"Eat," he commanded.

I picked up my fork. "And what do you get out of this, Hunter? Really?"

Hunter sat across from me. Arnold sat at the head of the table, watching us like a tennis match.

"The Silver Moon pack took everything from my family," Hunter said low. "My rank. My home. My mate."

I dropped my fork. "Your mate?"

"My father killed her," Arnold interjected, his voice devoid of humor now. "Because she was a rogue. Hunter never got to claim her."

Hunter’s jaw tightened. "I want to watch that pack burn, Gloria. And I think the best way to light the match is to use the daughter they threw away."

He leaned forward. "But understand this. Once we start, there is no going back. You will be a traitor. You will be hunted. And you will belong to us."

"Us?" I looked between them.

"We share everything," Arnold said, his eyes flashing gold. "The fights. The food." He licked his lips. "Everything."

My heart hammered against my ribs. This was dangerous. They were dangerous.

But then I remembered Jaxson’s cold face. I remembered my father turning his back.

I stabbed the steak with my fork.

"Fine," I said, meeting Hunter's dark gaze. "teach me."

Hunter smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. It was the smile of a wolf who had just trapped his prey.

"Good girl."