Chapter 0173

Seven years. Seven years of torment. Those monstrous vampires stole everything from me. If I ever get my hands on them...

"I'll make them pay." Valeria's voice echoes my thoughts.

The thought of more bloodshed twists my gut. At twenty-three, I've already endured a lifetime of violence.

Sebastian's fingers tighten around mine. I hadn't even noticed he was holding my hand. Part of me wants to pull away, but his touch is strangely grounding.

"This isn't easy for you. Try to eat more—you need your strength. We can change the subject while you finish." His voice is softer than I expected.

I glance down at the half-eaten meal when another knock interrupts us. Nathaniel's cedar-and-sage scent drifts through the door before he enters, balancing a second tray and a shopping bag.

"Come in," Sebastian says, still gripping my hand.

Nathaniel hands the tray to Sebastian, who balances it on his lap without releasing me. The Beta's eyes flick to our joined hands but he wisely keeps silent, placing the bag at the foot of the bed instead.

"Wasn't sure about sizing. You're... petite. Brought a few options."

"We'll get you proper clothes once you're stronger," Sebastian adds.

My brows knit together. I don't want his charity. I need to run.

"Why would you do that?"

He arches an eyebrow. "Prefer swimming in children's clothes?"

I glare at the bag, then back at him. He taps his nose. "I know my pack's scent—including the pups. You're tiny. Kid's sizes were Nathaniel's best bet on short notice."

"I wanted to be taller," I mutter. Sebastian's sharp gaze tells me he heard. "My father was your height. Mother towered over me, but..." I trail off with a shrug. Years as a blood bag stunted my growth.

+18 BONDS

"Some of our fiercest she-wolves are pocket-sized. Doesn't make them less deadly." Nathaniel grins.

I can't help smiling back—until Sebastian's growl vibrates through the room. I try to yank my hand free, but his grip turns vice-like.

"That's enough, Nathaniel."

The Beta smirks behind Sebastian's back, ducking toward the door. "See you soon, Seraphina." He's gone before Sebastian can snap again.

Those piercing amber eyes lock onto me, impossible to look away from. "Eat." The command comes out surprisingly gentle.

He finally releases me to attack his own meal. Nathaniel's interruption helped settle my nerves enough to resume eating.

"Need to ask you something." Sebastian's tone warns me another interrogation is coming.

I sigh. "What now?"

"When you escaped the coven—you did escape, right? They didn't let you go?" I nod. "Was it during a hunter attack?"

My fork clatters onto the tray. "How could you know that?"

Instead of answering, he fires another question. "Were you Prince Damien's personal blood bag?"

Ice floods my veins. Are they allied with the vampires? Will they return me to that monster?

I push the tray away. If I'm going back, I won't give them the satisfaction of fattening me up first. "Yes. Are you sending me to him?"

Sebastian's jaw tightens. "No. But you should know—he's offering five million for your safe return. Every bounty hunter and vampire on this continent is hunting you."

Bile rises in my throat.

His hand engulfs mine again. "You're safe here. I'll protect you." He doesn't understand—no one can.

Sebastian moves both trays aside, sitting on the bed to cradle my face. "Listen to me, Seraphina. My pack is the second strongest nationwide. Our allies? The strongest. If war comes, we'll burn the world to keep you safe."

My breathing turns ragged. I can't go back. Genevieve escaped with the hunters—I only survived because of her.

Sebastian tilts my chin up. "Breathe."

I'm gasping like a landed fish, terror flooding my system—until his lips crash against mine.

His winter-pine scent overwhelms my senses, shocking me into inhaling sharply. I shove him away. "What the hell was that?"

"You stopped breathing. Needed to snap you out of it." He shrugs like he didn't just steal my first kiss.