chapter 13

I have never thought about intimate relations with anyone, let alone a wolf, I always thought that such an attraction would be dangerous, maybe not for me, but for the children that may come from it. if Balthazar ever found me, he would use a child to bring me back, threaten them in a way that would hurt me more than them. I couldn't do that, not to an innocent, I couldn't subject them to the fact that I had before I escaped. I didn't want that for anyone, let alone my own children.

But now my mind was filled with possibilities, my attraction to Zane Wanted me toto take it further, to see where things go. he seems so sweet, so caring, like his promise to take care of me would never fail. I believe that he would do anything in his power to make sure that Balthazar never captures me, to make sure that I am never subjected to that life again.

“ Let's get you in this nice warm bath, we can talk afterwards when you eat.” He offers me his hand as he smiles and I take it willingly.

He guides me into the bathroom, the place larger than three of the slaves restrooms back with Balthazar, their was a shower with three heads to my right and a large oval bath to my left. Their was also a toilet and two sinks, though I wasn’t sure why they needed two sinks in one room. I follow Zane to the oval bath on unsteady legs, still shivering from the cold and snow outside, it was nice and warm in the bathroom though and steam was steadily filling the room, I smiled the warmth of the water when he helped me in, he was careful so that I wouldn’t slip.

I couldn’t help but notice Zane’s sweet scent as he helped me wash my hair, his hands gentle and soft, he was the kindest person I had ever met, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had someone care for me the way that he was. It was almost too much, bittersweet.

“Why are you helping me?” I ask, my voice low.

“You are my mate Annalise, it’s my duty to take care of you.” He smiles, gently rubbing soothing circles on my back with soap.

“Would you be as kind if I wasn’t?” I murmur, “would you have killed me as Sarah says?”

I could hear Zane sigh behind me, “if you were an ordinary wolf, neither red nor my mate. We would have killed you before we spoke to you.”

“I don’t understand. Do you see all rogues as dirt?” I whisper, my heart hurting. “Am I dirt?”

“Goddess no!” He shouts, pulling my wet body towards him as he hugs me. “You will never be dirt, never. You are blessed by the moon goddess for greatness.”

I sob, my heart continuing to break. “I will never be anything, just a slave.”

“Don’t say that sweetness.” He says soothingly, stroking my shoulder as he holds me, wetting his clothes.

“I will disappoint you and you will send me back, and I don’t want to go back.” I cry, tears streaming down my face. “Theirs nothing I can give you, I have nothing. But please, please don’t send me back.”
He lifts my chin and forces me to look him in the eye, something I’ve rarely done with anyone. His eyes a gorgeous shade of blue. “I will never leave you, I will never harm you in any way. This I promise to you.”

“Y-you won’t s-send me back?” I ask between sobs.

“Never.” He promises and I believe him.

I believe him more than I have ever believed anyone in my entire life.


Zane finishes helping me wash and dry myself, giving me a pair of green sweatpants and a grey jumper, he is the most kindest person that I knew. He allowed me to take my time, never once rushing me, never once complaining that I am too slow. I appreciated everything he was doing, And I knew he would do more, he said that he would always take care of me, thought he would love me more than anyone else and the alpha felt the same way, I belong to them both.

I sat on the bed whilst Zane collected a tray of food from the other door, a piping hot bowl of soup and some bread, along with a cup of coffee. I devoured the soup in no time, Not really realising how hungry I was until I smelt it. I couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty that I couldn't give them anything back, I have no money, no food, and no clothing. I have left everything behind when I ran. I had nothing to my name.

Zane watched me eat with a small smile, his eyes always kind and gentle. “When was the last time you ate?” He asked me.

I frown, trying to remember. “I had a little the night of the full moon, but that was the first time in days, I’m sorry I didn’t realise I was this bad.”

“Never apologise for being who you are.” He tells me, his voice as soft as his smile. “You must be exhausted, let’s get you into bed.”

I followed his gentle command and pulled myself up the bed as he tucked me in, but my heart was beginning to race. What if Balthazar came while I was asleep? What if he dragged me back there before Zane could stop him? So many worries we’re racing though me at a pace I couldn’t keep up with, and I didn’t know what to do. My head likely to explode.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Zane asks, and the world slows down.

Suddenly, I don’t feel as scared at the thought of him sleeping in the same bed as me, even though I had never done it before. My heart was telling me that it was safe to trust him, and I wanted to, I needed to. I nodded my head and turned onto my side, my heart racing for a new reason, one I never thought possible. I was faking deeply for this wolf and I wasn’t sure why in only a short space of time, perhaps it was the mate bond, or perhaps it was simply because of how he is. Either way I welcomed it, and as he held me in his arms I drifted of to sleep.