Chapter 20
I watch him leave my rooms and I set back on the couch. I have a few hours to think of anything I want to ask him. Do I have anything to ask him? This whole situation is overwhelming. I’m staring at the wall, thoughts flowing through one after another when it suddenly hits me. I have been safe all day. I have been free and safe all day. No abuse, no cage, no putrid smells and no disgusting alphas. Free. I let out a breathy laugh. I can’t hear it, but I know it’s there. Maybe someday I will speak again. At this point, I have gone so long without, I think the sound of my own voice would startle me.
A few hours go by of me doing nothing. Thinking, arguing internally about staying vs going. Being trapped in my mind is exhausting. I change into sleep pants and a tank top. Hopefully Thane doesn’t mind my attire for supper, but my body has years of sleep to catch up on and it feels like the revelation that I have been safe all day has switched something inside of me causing to become excessively tired. Almost like my body knows that it doesn’t need to be on high alert right now. I hear a knock on the door and realize Thane is here with our supper. I unlock the door and I am greeted with that dimpled smile and those green eyes. His earthy pine smell is invading my senses and I immediately feel more peaceful. I believe he truly is a good alpha and my shifter senses, although not in full force currently, sense it about him.
I brought our food, may I come in?” He asks, although for no reason he is the alpha and can do whatever he wants, but I smile and step aside anyway. He carries it over to the small island and it smells delicious. “I didn’t know how your stomach was feeling, so I just brought some baked potato soup, homemade bread and a chocolate cake for dessert. The thought of having cake causes my eyes to go wide and for him to chuckle. “I take it you like chocolate?” he asks and i quickly nod my head “yes. “Me too. Don’t tell anyone though. I don’t need my shifters thinking their alphas slugs around all day stuffing his face on chocolate. Also, I keep candy bars in my desk back in the office.” He gives me a huge grin which causes me to smile back.
Thane begins dishing up my food and I take a seat next to him at the island. I wait for him to begin eating; however, he is waiting for me to do the same. He smiles and states “Eat.” and that’s all I need to hear before I dig in cake first causing him to laugh dramatically. I mean, the soup smells great, but this omega needs her cake. He then slides his over to me. I stop eating and glance over at him and he is smiling at me sweetly. “Here, take mine. I know where it is kept. Don’t tell Monica though. If the kitchen finds out I sneak their cake I will catch a rolling pin upside the head.” I do take it, and I plan on starting it when I am finished with mine.
“Ayla, would you like to tell me about your family?” I look at him apprehensively, but I take my notepad and begin writing and when I am through, I pass it over to him and he begins to read it out loud to me. “I come from a small family. One younger sister, mother and father. All were murdered when I was kidnapped. They killed them in front of me. All except my dad, but the warden told me he killed him and burnt down our home.” I carefully chose my words, hoping to get away with not giving out too much information. “Had you shifted prior to your kidnapping? You would have been 14, correct?” I nodded my head “yes.” and wrote “one time on the note pad now resting on the island between us. He leans in towards me to read it and looks at me with a little sadness and a tight smile that doesn’t meet his eyes. I hope you can tell me more about them sometime. Can I ask why you don’t want to return to your old pack?” I look at him apprehensively, but then I answer him on the notepad. “They are all gone in the fire? A whole pack wiped out? Are you sure?” He reads and I nod my head “yes.” I didn’t see the annihilation of my pack, but the warden made sure to tell me about it in length. He starts to ask another question, but we are interrupted by a knock on my door.
Chapter Comments
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.