I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it gently, his touch firm enough to stop me. His eyes searched mine, too intense, too knowing.
"Freya," he said, my name falling low from his lips.
I should have stepped back. I should have told him to leave me alone. Instead, I froze, every thought scattering when his face lowered toward mine.
His mouth brushed mine, soft at first, hesitant, but it set fire through my chest. I gasped, and the sound only gave him courage.
His lips pressed harder, his arm circling my waist as though he feared I would vanish if he let go.
My hands trembled. I wanted to push him away, I told myself I should—but my body betrayed me, leaning into the warmth I had missed for too long.
A small laugh drifted across the room. We both turned quickly. Zara was crouched by the window, chasing after a butterfly with her tiny fingers, her laughter echoing as if she hadn't a care in the world.
I pushed against Zac's chest, stumbling back, my breath coming too fast. My fingers went to my lips, as if I could erase what just happened.
"This… this isn't right," I whispered. I couldn't look at him, not when my face burned so hot. My eyes stayed on Zara, safe and carefree. "You don't care about me, Zac. You just… pity me. And when this ends, it will only end in more tears."
For a long moment, he said nothing. I braced myself for denial, for anger, for anything.
But when he finally spoke, his voice was quiet.
"I don't blame you for not trusting me. I know I hurt you, and it hurts me every day of my life. I can't imagine what you might have gone through, I—"
I cut him short before he could continue. I didn't want to hear it. He couldn't possibly comprehend the things I've been through, so there was no point in saying it.
"It's fine, you don't have to say anything," I said without an inkling of tears in my eyes. If there was one thing I was grateful for, it was my numbness to pain after everything I've been going through.
"How did you cope all this while?" he asked, with so much guilt written on his face. I was still surprised to see him in this state. Was this another prank? Or what was he playing at? These questions ran through my head. What was he planning? Only God knows. I couldn't endure any more pain, especially if it came from him. All I knew was that I had to protect Zara at all costs.
His piercing gaze brought me back to reality while he waited for the answer to his question. Umm, where do I even start? Just as I was about to open up, an urgent knock hit the door.
"Go away," Alpha Zac instructed.
Before I could continue, we heard another knock, this time more urgent. He didn't wait for the order to come in. He opened the door. A young man, who looked like a guard, stepped in.
"Alpha, I'm very sorry to disturb you, but this is extremely urgent."
Alpha Zac saw the seriousness in his face and immediately jolted up.
"Okay. Freya, please give me a minute, I'll be back."
I waited there for a long while. He didn't come back. I decided to go look for Zara.
I found her running around in the garden. I could tell Zara had fallen in love with her new home. I paused mid-thought. Could I even call here home? I still don't know why Alpha Zac exchanged us with his prisoner.
My thoughts were interrupted when one of the workers came by.
"Good afternoon, madam," she said.
"Oh, please call me Freya," I said.
"I'm not sure I could call you that, ma'am. After all, I'm here to serve you and your daughter. She's such a bundle of joy. It's nice having you guys around. Here used to be so lonely before you came."
"What do you mean?" I asked her.
"Well, this place is initially for this mysterious lady Alpha Zac is obsessed about. We keep it clean every day, like we're expecting her arrival, yet the days go by and we haven't seen her. But still, he's obsessed with her. Also, I noticed you and the Alpha are quite close. I know it's not my place, but I'd advise you not to get too close to him. If not, you'll get hurt. His heart belongs to another from what we can see."
"Mummy, look! See, it's a bunny!" Zara exclaimed from the garden.
The worker quickly left to continue her duties. As she walked past Zara, she blew her a kiss, which left Zara smiling.
I thought again, out loud this time. "Seriously, why did Alpha Zac bring us back here?"