Angelise's POV
I squeezed my eyes shut as he grabbed my ankle, lifting it effortlessly. My body trembled under his loose grip, fragile like a rabbit hunted down by a wolf. My mind played Azrael in his study, the way he had forced on me. I braced for the inevitable, for this man to also turn into a monster and attack me.
A few terrifying seconds passed, and he didn't move.
I slowly opened my eyes in confusion. Fortunately, the lights had returned, and I gasped at the sight.
He was looking at my feet, observing the bruises from all the running. Feeling my gaze, he looked at me, his brows slightly creased in worry.
My heart skipped.
"It's nothing serious," I murmured, quickly averting my gaze. "I will be fine by tomorrow."
He didn't speak. Instead, he moved closer and scooped me up in his arms. I gasped, my hands instinctively circled his neck as he carried me in princess style. Heat rushed through me, growing with every step he took toward the bed.
Dropping me on the mattress, he walked toward the cupboard. He dug through every drawer, searching for something, throwing things away carelessly as if he owned the entire place.
Finding the first aid kit, he returned and sat in front of me. Lifting my right leg, he cleaned the wounds on my feet before applying the ointment.
His touch heated my skin. The cool cream should have been soothing, but it felt like ice on fire.
I couldn't think straight. My mind stayed on his hand, the way it grazed my skin. Every time his thumb slid over a bruise, a jolt of electricity shot straight to my core. His masculine scent wrapped around me again, making it harder to breathe, harder to think.
"Ow," I hissed when the medicine stung on a deeper cut.
He stopped instantly, his gaze meeting mine for a second. Then he leaned closer and gently blew on the wound.
My toes curled. His breath against my skin sent a sharp shiver up my spine. He moved lower, his fingers trailing down my foot, treating another scratch before gently blowing on it again. This was worse, infinitely worse. It did more damage than his touch.
My hand shot out, grabbed his instinctively. "Please stop," I choked, my voice uneven.
Our gazes locked. He looked confused for a heartbeat before his eyes dropped to my lips. They glinted gold, watching the way I struggled to breathe.
My grip tightened on his hand, my knuckles turning white. I was begging him to stop, but I couldn't pull away. His presence was magnetic; the pull between us was like an addiction I couldn't name. It was stronger than what I had with Azrael.
Fuck… Was I fated to both brothers?
My eyes widened at the wild thought. I looked at him, at the way he was struggling to hold back. His eyes darkened, a bruised, stormy crimson swallowing the gold.
The air between us thickened. Suddenly, his hand slid from my ankle to the back of my knee and pulled me closer.
I gasped as I was hauled forward, my body colliding with his chest before I toppled onto his lap. My breath stuck in my throat as my thighs brushed his jeans.
His hand circled my waist, holding me firmly. While his other hand moved to my collar, slowly taking off the jacket he had draped on me earlier.
Slowly, his head dipped, and I shivered, the nightgown offering little protection. His nose grazed the sensitive pulse point of my neck. I let out a broken gasp, my fingers clutching his tee as he inhaled my scent.
I should have fought. I should have screamed. But his scent, sandalwood and smoked vanilla wrapped around me like a sinful spell.
The cool air brushed my collarbone, but I barely felt it, not when his thumb trailed up my chin. He slowly caressed my lower lip, as if asking for my permission. As if giving me a final chance to bolt. But instead of pulling away, my body arched closer, begging him to kiss me.
This was forbidden, treacherous, and would cost my head, but stopping him wasn't a solution. It rather felt like a death sentence.
His hand slid to my neck, tilting it slightly and closing the remaining inch between our lips. My eyelids fluttered shut. A shiver ran down my spine as his lips grazed mine. I leaned closer, but before he could properly kiss me-
Knock. Knock.
"Angelise, are you awake?" A voice echoed from the other side of the door.
My eyes widened in shock.
"Angelise! Open the door!" The banging grew louder, and I jumped out of his lap.
"Margaret?" I murmured, glancing at the door, my heart thundering against my chest.
"Angelise?"
I turned back to the bed, only to find it empty.
He was gone. Not just him, even the jacket was not on the bed. It seemed as if he didn't wish to leave any traces behind.
My eyes wandered around the room before fixing on the window.
"Angelise, are you alright?" Margaret's voice grew louder, and I quickly rushed to the door. Taking a deep breath, I opened it.
Margaret rushed in, her eyes scanning me. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Yes." I nodded. "I was just treating my wounds," I added, turning toward the bed.
Only if she has been a few minutes late. Maybe a few hours? My dirty mind ran all the things we might have ended up doing. Heat flushed my cheeks, and I shook my head.
'Shut up!' I scolded myself.
"Oh, okay." Margaret sighed in relief. But then her eyes caught the mess in the room. The drawers were open, clothes scattered on the ground.
"I was trying to search for the kit," I lied, pursing my lips.
But Margaret didn't look convinced. She sniffed the air, her eyes wandering around before they landed on the window.
With a gulp, I tried to cover up, "I am sorry-"
My words cut off as she suddenly grabbed my shoulders, gripping them tightly. "Was the Alpha here?" she asked, her voice sharp.
My breath hitched.
Shaking my shoulders, Margaret asked again, "Tell me, Angelise! Was Alpha Zaerian here?"
Zaerian? I frowned in confusion. The name thundered in my head. Was that my saviour's name? But why was she calling him an Alpha? Azrael was the next Alpha of my pack, not his brother, who was here a minute ago.
"No." I shook my head firmly. "No one was here."
Margaret's eyes pierced into mine, darkening in anger. Nervously biting my lip, I added, "I swear! No one was here."
For a second, Margaret said nothing. Then she scowled, releasing my shoulders. Before I could relax-
Pak.
She slapped so hard that I staggered back. The world tilted, my vision slightly blurring into grey. I held my stinging cheek, shock filling my face as the woman glared at me.
"Don't lie, you ungrateful bitch." Margaret lunged forward, her hands curled around my neck. Gripping tightly, she spat, "I will kill you for him tonight!"