Page 11 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
Luke’s jaw tightens with visible restraint, but he doesn’t rise to meet my irritation. “I know that.”
“Do you?” I ask, knowing I’m pushing my luck. “Because it sounded like you were discussing exchanging me for hunting rights.”
Something flickers through his features at that, looking like what I can only assume is guilt before it vanishes just as quickly as it arrived.
“I know how it sounded, but if I had attacked them, it would’ve escalated into something bigger than any of us want right now. Seeing as you apparently came from Wraith Peak, I can only assume you know exactly what Dawson Voss is like.”
I do, but that doesn’t change much.
“So you bought me like a belonging.”
Luke studies me again like he’s trying to recalibrate, and he takes a breath. “You don’t belong to me, but I did what I had to. Look, just tell me your name, and I’ll leave you to get the rest you clearly need. You can argue with me all you want tomorrow.”
That rage in me continues to burn, but the prospect of being left alone is too good to pass up.
Begrudgingly, I force myself to calm down a bit more as I utter, “Sera.”
“Sera,” he says, more like he’s trying it out. A hint of curiosity surrounds his words. “Is that short for anything?”
I nod despite myself. “Seraphine.”
Those blue eyes take me in a moment longer, then he nods, almost like he approves of it somehow. “That’s all I needed to know for now. I’ll be down the hall putting everything together if you need me.”
I bristle at the implications of ‘everything’, but I hold my tongue.
He watches me for another beat before approaching the door. “I’m not locking you in here…but just try to get some sleep, alright?”
When I refuse to dignify his search for confirmation, Luke takes a breath in before leaving, closing the door just enough to offer privacy without seeming too confining.
Once he’s gone down the hall, leaving me in the spare room, it sets in just how quiet the big house really is.
It allows my thoughts to grow louder, shouting at me that none of this is right. Regardless of the peace and the sense of security within these walls, this is how it all starts.
First comes the space and patience made to seem like kindness, only for expectations, obligation, and control to swoop in once my guard is down.
The scarred part of me wants to get up and slip out through the front door, or to leave through the window if I can manage it, but I don’t move. I already know I barely have enough energy left in me to make an exit plan, let alone stand.
If I run now with my magic and energy completely depleted, I won’t make it far at all. My efforts will have been for nothing, and the Wraith Peak wolves would be on me in minutes.
As much as I don’t want it to be, Coldreach will have to be a temporary shield. But that’s it.
Sinking back onto the bed, the mattress dips perfectly to my contours, and its softness surrounds me like a long-awaited hug. I ease into it, allowing that relief to soothe the aches in places I’ve never felt them before.
I don’t want to leave myself vulnerable by falling asleep, but the longer I lie there while the house is draped in near silence, I can’t help as my body relaxes more and more, and my mind begins to slip.
My body doesn’t care whether I trust Luke or not. It needs this.
More than anything, I need a break and the chance to gather myself up again.
Still, even as I start to doze, the memory of him cradling me in his arms lingers like an unwanted thing, not leaving, regardless of how hard I try to force the thought away.
That steadiness carries me into sleep, too weak to fight it now.
Chapter 4 - Luke
Despite wanting to, I don’t sleep.
After putting together the payment and meeting the Wraith Peak shifters again, I sit in the living room and stare at the ceiling while the usual silence of the house settles around me, with the occasional creak of the wood beams reminding me of where I am.
