Worth Fighting For

 Doriane stumbled along the frosted pavement, her flip-flop temporarily slipping out from her foot.She held back a whimper as she stopped to slip her shoe back on her numb toes. Rapidly turning, she darted back onto the street.She had to get out of here. Oliver was going to kill her.The steps behind her were coming closer, a result of her slight setback. Doriane's mind was fogged with fear as she swung her arms harder, willing her body to propel faster. Her injured foot cried in protest at her quick pace and lack of support, but she couldn’t afford to take a break.A gas station appeared before her and she bolted for the slight glimmer of hope. Her legs pumped under her, carrying her through the chilly winter night.She felt her flimsy shoe slip off her foot again, but this time she refused to

 Seeing his mate securely on the bed, all her wounds tended to, helped the tight feeling in Levi's chest.Worry still gripped his mind, but seeing her taken care of was enough for the moment to be able to leave her momentarily and see his brother.He needed to know what was going on.Levi pressed a gentle kiss to his mate's forehead, his hand combing between the thick, mesmerizing strands of her hair.He reluctantly turned and exited the room before he lost his motivation to speak to his brother, promising himself he would only be away for a few minutes and nobody else had access to her.Laurence was resting in the lobby, his body slumped in a small chair, his large form filling up the wooden frame. His head was leaned back, resting against the wall above the chair and his hands were poised in h

 Levi mentally smacked himself as he walked into the kitchen, replying her reaction to him in his mind.His mate was utterly scared of him.Completely and wholly terrified of him.Her reaction tore a hole in his heart. He hadn't known her for more than a day and he had already made her afraid of him.Levi shook his head, focusing on what he was doing.Water, right. Doriane was thirsty.Levi grabbed a cup from the cupboard and walked over to the fridge to get some water when he froze.What if she wanted something else? All he offered her was water, but what if she wanted tea or cocoa? It was really cold outside.But he didn't wanna bring her something she didn't like. That would seem rude and

 It was strange to watch Levi clean up.He rinsed off the dished before sticking them in the dishwasher, arranging them carefully.Doriane only watched. She tried to jump up and do the work before Levi could even finish his meal—the way Oliver wanted her to do it—when he strictly rebuked her offer and told her he was going to do them.Doriane couldn't help but feel this was a test. This had to be some joke, right? Men aren't supposed to clean up the kitchen.Her curious eyes continued to watch him until he was finished and turned around. She quickly revoked her eyes and looked at her lap, staring at her red fingers resting in her lap.“Are you comfortable?” Her new master asked, still leaning against the sink.“Umm, yes. I am.”Nobo

 Doriane was so confused she felt her head was spinning.She had never heard another man speak with so much emotion and gentleness before.Even her father was willing and happy to be rid of her and sell her as soon as she turned eighteen. She stared at Levi for a long time, trying to decide if he was real.Doriane made a mental note of the second rule he had given her since being here.First, don't try to escape.Second, don't cause yourself any harm.She stared shamelessly at Levi, who was gripping the steering wheel leisurely and calmly commanding the sleek silver truck. She had to jump in the truck to be able to get in but was grateful she could still do it on her own.She didn’t want him to touch her, no matter