Chapter 12 BRIANNA’S POV I never wanted to come to this auction in the first place. Sebastian made me. I had a bad feeling about the whole thing and now, that bad feeling was playing out before me. “If Sebastian doesn’t know the value of a pretty slave like you, I very much do,” while still holding me in such proximity to him, he smirked and leered at me like he did on the day of the auction. I knew that look. That smirk. It only meant one thing and that thing was what I hated the most. Hermes was a champion at it. But thank goodness we were in a public place. “Please let me go,” I cried out, struggling so hard to free myself from his grip. I could already feel the pain slowly kicking in my elbow. “I promise to leave at once.” He only looked at me and bubbled out a scorn. Just being so close to this harasser prickled my every being. At that moment, I was ready to do anything to get away from him. To get away from all this. “Come here,” his hands slid from my elbow to my wrist as

Chapter 14 SEBASTIAN’S POV “Catherine, it’s not what you think,” I took cautious steps toward her, trying to clear what negative thought clouded her mind. I didn’t know what she had seen or how long she’d been standing there but I know I wasn’t doing anything bad with Brianna. I was only checking out the bruise on the side of her lips that spoilt, filthy bastard - Nolan had inflicted on her. “You lying son of a devil!” She cursed, her face swollen with anger. “Not only did you take that slave girl to the cocktail party, but you also tried to kiss right her in front of me. You're shameless, Sebastian."“I didn’t try to kiss her,” I defended, even though it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do so. She was so close and smelled so good. But I resisted every urge to kiss her. It was the wrong thing to do, especially with what happened at the party. “She had an accident. An injury on the side of her lips. I was only checking it out.” “You take me for a fool,” she shook h

Chapter 16BRIANNA’S POV*****After Hermes deflowered me mercilessly, I felt broken. So broken I could barely walk. My womanhood stung with so much pain that seared my waist and thighs. Blood smeared my thighs. I had managed to wash them off before slumping into the bed.I huddled and buried myself on the bed, whimpering uncontrollably as my tears wet the sheets, the scenario replaying in my head like a horror movie even though I tried hard not to think of it.Days passed and even weeks. I wasn’t sure since he locked me up in his hell hole. My daily routine was to wake up, wallow in agony, nibble on the food brought by the castle maids, knit some pieces and watch the rise and settling of the sun from the window. The last two were the only activities that managed to untangle me from my web of gloom. It's been a bit long since I saw Hermes. And I was happy about it. I wished I’ll never see him again. But my wish didn’t come true.One evening while I was peacefully watching the sun dip i

Chapter 18SEBASTIAN’S POVThis garden held a special place in my life and heart. It held memories that are forever stuck with me like glue. Almost every morning, I like to come here, play my music and let the serenity envelope me. I let the calmness take care of me. Pamper me. It was more than a garden to me. It was my antidote. My escape from the world threatening to swallow me whole.In our two years of marriage, Catherine never knew of my special connection to this place. No one knew. Except... Brianna. Now that I've brought her here and told her.I had brought her here, thinking perhaps the music and serenity will wipe away every pain. Every trauma. Yesterday’s dreadful scenario at the cocktail party. Wipe away everything that burdened her. But I was wrong. The moment I saw those glistening tears on her pale, heart-shaped face, I knew it did more harm than good. Perhaps, it was a mistake bringing her here. Perhaps, I shouldn’t have plugged those buds in her ears. But the song was

Chapter 20 SEBASTIAN’S POVIt baffled me to know she couldn’t read like everyone else. I had always thought every wolf went to school while growing up. But I just learnt that wasn’t the case. After she told me her story, I felt for her. She had been through a lot. Witnessed so much pain that I so desperately want to erase. As she told me her story, her fragile soul was threatening to drown in the sea of her pain and sorrow. But I didn’t let that happen. I pulled her out immediately by promising to teach her to read when I get back from my business trip. She raised her head and her beautiful, grey eyes sparkled with a vivid gleam. That was when I knew I had succeeded in making her feel better. But the business trip was a cover-up. I was going away for three days but it wasn’t for a business meeting or trip. I was going to make Nolan pay for what he did to her at that cocktail party. I vowed to myself never to let anyone hurt her as long as she was with me. But Nolan did hurt her. And