JESS POV I slipped back into the room, horrified over what I just heard. Addie was a strong, stubborn woman and she had been screaming like she was being ripped apart. She didn’t even scream when she was being whipped so I was scared to go in there and see what had been done to make her scream like that. It was horrible. She was laying half on and half off the bed, blood everywhere. The comforter was covered in it. Her eyes were swollen shut and there were long scratches all over her body, probably from Bane. I knew her wolf wouldn’t be able to heal her because of the silver. I sighed and mindlinked Angus, asking him to come over and bring some things to help. I approached her and tugged on her legs, trying to get them up on the bed like my Alpha commanded. She groaned and kicked out at me. “Shhh, it’s me, Jess. I’m gonna get you cleaned up, okay?” She didn’t respond but she also quit kicking at me so I took it as an affirmative. There was a light knock at the door and

ADDIE’S POVI wasn’t sure if it was night or day in this cell. I didn’t have much of a plan when I started my hunger strike other than to be removed from my room. Being put into a cell in the dungeon was not something I considered. I thought I’d be given a cushy bed in the infirmary with an IV. Misjudged that.It was also cold and damp in here and I’ve started coughing. I’m not really sick but hoping the guards get nervous and suggest that the dungeon isn’t good for the Alpha’s baby. I just have to remember to keep coughing. When the plate of food comes, I barely look at it. I’ve lived on little to no food before so it’s easy for me to ignore the hunger pains. Unfortunately, I seemed to underestimate the Alpha’s stubbornness. It surpasses mine, that’s for sure.++++++++++++++++++COLE POVI got word that Addie was still not eating and now she was coughing. Damn that girl. Damn her. I need her to be healthy and have a healthy baby. My mate heard the news and is bothering

ADDIE'S POV“I am going to leave right now and you are going to let me go. You are not going to tell anyone.” I spoke firmly, pulling my gift. I could tell it was weak but it should have enough power to work. James’ eyes widened as he looked at me. I grabbed at my head; the headache was intense and immediate and I took a few seconds to breathe through the pain before swinging my feet on to the floor. I pushed off the bed and my legs held, for about five seconds. Then I sank to the floor, weak as a kitten. James looked down at me with amusement.“Oh, Little Pup,” he shook his head. “You need to learn to trust me. We’re mates after all.”“Don’t call me that,” I growled. Why do people call me Little Pup? I’m damn near six feet tall. He looked confused. “Call you mate? But you are. Can’t you feel it or is your wolf still too weak?”Wait, what? I missed that. I was so irritated about being called my childhood nickname by a complete stranger that I missed the mate part.

ADDIE'S POV The next morning I woke and felt peaceful for the first time since I was a small child. I felt safe and content and my mind was not moving in a million different directions like it usually does. I suspected James had something to do with it but he had said he wouldn't be able to read my mind unless I let him. I never wanted him in my mind. I had too many awful things in there. He would never look at me the same way again and I was starting to like this guy. A lot. James ate breakfast with me. Actually, he ate breakfast and I drank mine. It was pretty bland but I was desperate for liquids so I sucked it down. It initially burned a little but then the pain stopped. I think my wolf had something to do with that because I could feel her stirring more than I have in the past month. I was happy. I had missed her and felt very alone. James and I ate in an easy silence and I tried to not be resentful of him for chowing down on the sausage links that were causing me t

ADDIE’S POVI could have sat on the couch forever watching the sunset, but as it’s wont to do, it got dark. I stood up and found the bathroom, admiring the tub which would accommodate even my long legs. When I came back into the bedroom, James had set out a cute tank top set to sleep in. He had also changed, shirtless with athletic shorts. I swallowed. He looked really good. My wolf was almost purring.“Sleep as late as you want tomorrow. Toby is going to take care of Pack stuff for another few days so I can help get you acclimated. Just open that door when you’re ready for me to come in.” James pointed to the doors that led to the living area.“Wait! Where are you going?” I was confused. He was my mate. This was our room. Did he not want to sleep with me?Now it was James’ turn to look confused. “I thought you would be more comfortable if you had the bed to yourself?”Okay. . . this is awkward. The man is going to make me say it. I’m just going to say it. Yikes.“Act