Chapter 0171

My palm meets his, skin against skin. A jolt of electricity shoots up my arm, making me flinch. His smirk only deepens my unease.

He lifts my wrist to his lips, eyes locked on mine. When his gaze drops to the wound, irritation flashes across his face. "Did you have to tear it out like that?" The question hangs in the air, demanding no answer.

His tongue glides over the injury, sealing it shut. I bite back a gasp. This feels nothing like the vampire prince's revolting touch. Sebastian's contact sends unexpected waves of pleasure through me—unwelcome and confusing.

He settles into the chair beside the bed. "Can you speak?"

"Yes." The word scrapes my throat, turning into a cough. In an instant, he's on his feet, pressing a glass of water to my lips. The cool liquid soothes the rawness. I close my eyes, savoring the relief.

When I open them again, his stare pins me in place. "Finish it." He tilts the glass back to my mouth. I obey, watching him over the rim.

"Better?"

I nod.

"Use your words, Seraphina."

"Yes." This time, my voice holds steady.

"Good." He sets the glass aside. "Your name?"

"Seraphina."

A slow smile curves his lips. "Fitting. You look like one."

"Where are you from?"

I shrug. That answer isn't simple.

"Were you always rogue?"

"No."

"What pack?" The rapid-fire questions leave no room for hesitation, but this one makes me freeze.

"Are you sending me back?"

"Never." His tone brooks no argument. "You won't set foot there again."

"Then why does it matter?"

"Why were you running from them?"

I counter, "What makes you think I was?"

"No wolf turns rogue without cause. Did you kill someone?"

I scoff. Rogues carry stigma—most assume we're violent outcasts. They don't consider those fleeing tyranny, like my family did.

"No, I didn't."

"Didn't kill or didn't run?"

"Why do you care?" Frustration tightens my chest. His interrogation spins my thoughts.

"As Alpha, my pack's safety comes first. I need to know if you're a threat."

"I'm no danger. Just point me to some clothes, and I'll disappear."

His expression hardens. "You're not leaving."

Dread coils in my stomach. He doesn't even know I'm a Guardian yet, and already he's claiming ownership. I have to escape before Valeria regains strength—before he discovers the truth.