“I like what you think of me,” Sandro grinned, winking at ze as he walked towards Thalia. With each step, she retreated two steps backward.


    “I hate you,” she said firmly.


    “I don’t think so, darling,” Sandro mumbled, his tone almost teasing. “Have you forgotten so soon?”


    Thalia scowled. “I do hate you, Alessandro. I can’t believe I was with a man like you.”


    Sandro chuckled, brushing off her words. This wasn’t the first time he had heard such feelings from her. Arabe had echoed simr words to him, but he didn’t let them bother him. He turned his gaze toward Arabe, who remained in the same spot he had left her, a satisfied smirk ying on his lips at her current state-helpless and fragile, just as he desired.


    His attention returned to Thalia. “A lot has happened since you left. But I don’t think now is the time for catching up.” He shrugged into the id shirt he held.


    Thalia felt relief that he was wearing something. It allowed her to look at him without the intrusive thoughts of him tearing his clothes off for a spectacle.


    “Are you acquainted with her?” Sandro inquired, his eyes searching Thalia’s.


    Thalia looked down briefly before meeting Sandro’s gaze. “I don’t know who she is.”


    “Are you sure, Thalia? I’m quite perceptive when ites to lies and fear.”


    “I don’t know her, and I’ve never met her until today,” Thalia replied, catching a glimpse of ze’s audible exhale. She wondered if he had feared she might say otherwise. The consequences of doing so were clear to her.


    “Why do I sense deception?” Sandro’s voice was assertive. “And why can’t you meet my gaze when you speak?”


    “There’s nothing to find in your eyes.”


    “Fair enough,” Sandro smirked. “I suppose you need to look at my face to see whatever you’re seeking.”


    “Your face is bothersome,” Thalia retorted with a huff.


    “But you’ve always loved staring at me. Even while I’m inside you, you enjoyed…”


    “Stop!” Thalia’s face turned crimson. She shifted her gaze to ze, who remained expressionless, his attention fixed on the still-unconscious Arabe.


    “We need to do something for her. She might die,” ze blurted out after a lengthy spell of staring at Arabe’s bloodied face.


    Sandro shrugged. “She was meant to die, anyway.”


    “But she’s not dead. She needs treatment urgently,” ze’s hands clenched in frustration.


    “Who are you to dictate what I should do with her?” Sandro’s brow arched, eyes narrowing as he locked a re onto ze.


    ze seethed, a low growl escaping him. His anger was directed at Sandro for the harm he had inflicted on Arabe, at Arabe for venturing out of the safety of their home, and most of all, at himself. He had promised her safety but failed to provide it. He had let her down, and the voice of his wolf, Red, seemed to revel in his failure. ‘She is yours, but you couldn’t protect her.’


    Shaking his head, ze countered the voice. Arabe wasn’t his; she belonged to another. Yet, his wolf’s persistent reminder echoed Thalia’s words about Arabe being his mate. Nevertheless, he had let her down.


    Exhaling heavily, ze locked eyes with Sandro. “I’m sorry. She’s injured and might not survive without help. I’m sure you don’t want her to die immediately. She can entertain you in various ways. You need to save her.”


    “Smart move. She used to be my ything, and this time, I’ll make it even more torturous for her. You can take her to the infirmary,” Sandro dered before turning his attention to Thalia.


    “Stay the night.” He brushed his fingers against her cheek and ced a kiss on the corner of her lips before exiting the room.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    “Ugh,” Thalia grimaced, wiping her mouth. “Such a detestable person!”


    As soon as Sandro departed, ze hurried to Arabe’s side.


    “Arabe, please, stay with me,” he choked, his voice trembling as he held her in his arms.


    “I’m sorry, Cole. I should have been-”


    “It’s my fault,” ze interjected, blinking back the threatening tears, his gaze shifting to her pulse.


    Faint, nearly fading, her pulse told a worrisome tale.


    Lifting her carefully, ze hurried out of the torture chamber and toward the infirmary.


    ___


    Arabe winced, her head throbbing, her eyelids seemingly weighed down. But that wasn’t all; her chest felt constricted, and her hands moved sluggishly.


    Turning her head slightly, she spotted ze beside her bed. “B-ze,” she managed to whisper.


    ze jolted awake at the sound of his name, bleary eyes widening as they met Arabe’s. She slowly rose from the bed.


    “You’re awake!”


    “Yes,” Arabe nodded, trying to lift her head.


    A relieved breath escaped ze, and he stood from his chair, positioning a pillow behind her for support, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.


    His touch left a tingling sensation on her skin, and she blushed.


    “What happened?” Arabe’s voice broke his reverie.


    “Sandro happened,” ze mumbled. “But the gruesome details aren’t important right now. Making sure you’re alright is.”


    “I’m fine,” Arabe insisted as he ced his palm on her forehead.


    “You’re not,” ze disagreed. “I need Francis to run some tests on you.”


    “I’m okay, ze. It’s just-”


    “You’re not!” ze’s exmation was forceful, his hand pping hers away as it tried to grip his.


    “Why in the world did you leave the safety of the house? Why do you keep getting into trouble?”


    “Why can’t you listen to me for once? I’m trying to help you, but you’re making everything so damn difficult!”


    Arabe clenched the bed linen, biting her trembling lower lip.


    Her eyes filled with tears, and she sniffled, gazing up at him. “Why are you ming me for this?”


    “Who else should I me if not you?” ze’s voice was heated. “You had one crucial task-to stay indoors!”


    ze clenched his teeth and tugged at his hair, his scowl aimed at her. “Why did you leave the house, Arabe? Why do you insist on hurting yourself?”


    “I’m not trying to hurt myself,” she replied softly. “I didn’t just leave without reason. Thalia called, asking me to pick something up, and it all went downhill from there.”


    “Thalia called you out at that hour despite the clear instruction not to jeopardize your life? That’s beyond belief,” ze scoffed.


    “She did, but I realized it was a trap. She wanted me away from you. I don’t know why she despises me so much.”


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as her body trembled. The disdain Thalia held for her was obvious and unhidden. Memories of the torture room and Sandro’s actions flooded her mind. He had nearly ended her life twice without remorse. She believed that ze and Thalia’s arrival had saved her from whatever sinister n he had devised.


    “Hey,” ze’s voice drew her attention.


    Her gaze shifted back to him.


    “I’m sorry for being so harsh,” he murmured, his thumb caressing her knuckles. He gently squeezed her hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss.


    A sigh escaped him as her sobbing grew more pronounced. “I didn’t mean to shout.”


    “I suppose I deserved everything that happened,” Arabe mumbled, her voice heavy with regret.


    “Maybe.” The door creaked open, and Thalia walked in.


    “Thalia!” ze growled, striding angrily towards her.