BACK TO DANGER VALERIA Mmmmnnn ggrr , I growled , and tears of helplessness rolled down my cheeks .
I despised feeling so defenseless .
I hated this .
And a growing rage stirred deep within me as my legs were forcibly spread , sharp pain radiating through me while his fingers tore at my panties , trying to gain access to my most intimate place .
Everything started turning red- the same sensation I felt when I killed my ex .
A raven cawed from the treetops above , and my mind began slipping into darkness , surrendering to the fury building inside me .
Kill : Kill .
Kill .
It was the only thing I could think about now .
Aaahhh ! What the fuck ?! No , no , no … Aahaahhh ! Screams filled the air , pulling me from my trance , and the weight on my hips suddenly lifted .
My hands were released too , and I shot up , trembling , ripping that filthy shirt off my face and yanking the gag from my mouth .
Something warm splattered across my face .
I touched my lips , feeling the thick liquid that stained my scars .
In the darkness , I saw the fresh blood … and 1 could smell it in the air .
My head snapped up in time to see a clawed hand ripping through the chest of the man who had been about to violate me , bursting from his back.
His still beating heart was gripped tightly between those claws , crushed into nothing but pulp .
Terror flooded my veins as I scrambled backward on the forest floor , trembling , unable to tear my gaze away from the bloody scene in the clearing .
Wait ! Please , wait ! I can explain ! the warrior leader was now on his knees before a towering blond figure dressed entirely in black , looking like a messenger of death The other two corpses lay lifeless on the ground , massive liples torn through their chests , their hearts ripped out by a woman I had never seen before .
Speak.
Fast , the Lycan snarled , his voice sharp and commanding .
Under the pale moonlight filtering through the trees , I recognized him he was the Guardian who had once asked me for a towel .
This woman … we caught her trying to escape .
Look ! She stole from His Majesty and poisoned him ! We were only teaching her a lesson in the Kings name ! Liar ! Youre lying ! I snapped out of my daze , my voice hoarse and shaking with rage .
I was at the housekeepers home ! They kidnapped me and tried to violate me ! I didnt steal anything the King gave me that money ! 1 defended myself , my voice trembling with anger , but he kept accusing me .
BACK TO DANGER Both of you , SHUT UP ! The brunette woman beside the Lycan roared , silencing us .
1 bit down on my trembling lower lip , filled with fury and despair , biting back my words .
He was part of their pack .
Of course , they would believe him .
But the King knew I hadnt stolen anything … Yet it still wasnt clear if Aldric himself had ordered this out of revenge .
Were returning to the castle .
The Lycan King will decide .
But in this pack , we dont tolerate rape against women .
Youll pay for this , the Guardian threatened , glaring at the warrior , who only bowed his head in a fake show of remorse .
Move .
And for your own good , dont try anything , the Guardian warned coldly , and I nodded in silent cooperation .
Whatever fate awaited me , as always , I had no control over it .
We walked back in complete silence , a line of prisoners , our hands tightly bound behind our backs to prevent shifting .
My mind raced with thoughts of escape .
Returning to the castle could only end in tragedy .
I wasnt even sure anymore if seeking the housekeeper had been a good idea .
It was obvious I had tried to run away .
That alone made me look guilty .
I trusted no one .
We walked alongside a small ravine , the depths below dark and wild , the forest stretching endlessly beneath it .
Maybe … maybe I could survive if I threw myself off suddenly catching them off guard .
If the branches broke fall , I could run like hell , like a soul hunted by a Lycan .
It all seemed foolishly possible in my head .
My feet drifted clos made the decision for me .
to the edge , but I hesitated until someone The bastard behind me stuck out his combat boot , tripping me forward .
I stumbled right at the edge , and the loose earth gave way under my weight .
I was falling tumbling into the void, my balance lost , my bands still bound behind my back .
It was that feeling again … of falling into nothingness .
For just a heartbeat , my blue eyes met a pair of stunning golden ones as I fell .
Then the branches caught me , tearing at my skin , scratching , cutting marking my body even more .
I closed my eyes , screaming in pain as my back collided hard against a thick branch , knocking the air from my lungs .
my It was like a whirlwind , leaves and pain spinning all around me , until finally , I hit the ground with a brutal thud .
Blackness consumed my vision .
I dont know how I could be so stupid thinking I could escape like that .
Something warm trickled down my sore throat though , in truth , everything ached .
A large hand gripped the back of my neck , lifting me slighty .
A protective presence loomed over me as I lay on what felt ke a bed .
BACK TO DANGER My heavy eyelids cracked open , just barely , and I saw him .
He was close to my bruised face , patiently helping me drink a bitter brew with the scent of herbs … and blood .
He was so breathtakingly handsome , even with the danger he represented , that I couldnt help but stare at him- dazed , hypnotized .
Youre awake ? His deep voice asked , his warm breath brushing my skin as he pulled the cup away from my lips .
I tried to answer , my mouth parting but then my gaze shifted beyond him .
The door had creaked open at some point .
And standing there … was the fierce monster himself .
My body trembled instinctively , filled with fear .
What the hell is going on here ?! Why are you touching my maid ?!