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Seth oddly looks relieved.
“You almost look happy to hear that,” I say curiously.
“You didn’t stay there long enough to be affected like the other women,” he says gently. “They must’ve been forced to take drugs that rendered them incapable of any action. Their emotions and instincts were suppressed so that they couldn’t resist their captors. I’m sure that’s how the Black Widow controlled so many omegas and managed to keep them hidden for so long.”
A bitter scoff escapes me. “They didn’t have to force anyone to take those mind-numbing pills. Everyone wanted them. No one wanted to think about what was happening to them. No one wanted to feel the aches and bruises on their bodies. The drugs gave them an easy escape from the constant abuse they suffered.”
“But you didn’t take them. You were strong enough to resist the temptation.”
I shrug. “I still have no idea why I never took them. It’s not like I was waiting for someone to come down there and save me. Maybe, I just liked the pain.” A choke tightens my throat, suffocating me. “I’ve been a horrible person most of my life. The pain reminded me of the people I abandoned to go after a fake fairy tale. I punished myself for the mistakes I committed against the people who loved me the most.”
Seth’s hand closes over mine.
The gesture is so tender, it sends a spike of emotions through me.
I snatch my hand away like he’s burned me. “Get away from me!” I snap, jolting off the bed and stomping away from him.
When there’s sufficient distance between us, I turn around to face him. “Don’t try to act like you care. I know very well that you’re just curious about the omega who was a captive down there. The rest of the women will have no answers for you, so you’re trying to use me to get all your answers.”
Hurt descends into those beautiful green eyes. He swallows hard and balls his hands into fists at his sides. That’s when I notice the bloody marks on the sleeves of his shirt.
Seth is built like a truck. He’s taller and bigger than any alpha I’ve met in my life. If he wanted, he could easily squeeze the life out of my petite, weak body.
The fact that he’s enduring my barbs and jabs tells me he’s stronger mentally too. He doesn’t try to hurt me back no matter how much I’ve goaded or insulted him.
He makes me feel like an asshole. And, I hate it.
“What happened to you?” I ask, gesturing at his bloodied sleeves.
He looks confused for a moment before he spots the dark crimson spots on his white sleeve. “Oh, this?” he says, lifting his arm. “It’s nothing.”
I march forward and capture his hand. “Let me see.”
“You don’t have to, Rory—” I lift the sleeve of his left arm before he can stop me.
Bloodied, crescent marks cover the length of his muscular forearm. It takes me a moment to understand how he got these wounds.
“Did you bite yourself?” I whisper, staring at the still-bleeding marks.
“I couldn’t help it,” he says, looking away. “Your perfume affects me so strongly, I can’t keep control over myself.”
“What’re you talking about?” I whisper, looking up at him. “I haven’t met anyone who’s got as much self-control as you. I keep talking shit to you but you never hurt me for it. Some alphas even end up breaking their mate’s bones when they’re in heat. You never let me feel the slightest of pain. You didn’t even bite me...”
“I promised to protect you,” he says with a grim look in his eyes. “You may not trust me but I intend to keep my promise to you.”
I step away from him immediately.
Seth makes my heart throb against my chest. Emotions I’ve long suppressed rise within me. I’d be less wary of him if he hurt me and abused me like the rest of the alphas I met during my captivity.
“I’ll never trust you,” I say stubbornly.
A heavy breath escapes him. “I know, Rory.” Turning away, he walks toward the bed, collects the empty dishes, and walks out of the room.
Guilt weighs down on me as I watch him disappear down the hallway. My heart aches to see him feeling so hurt. I want to go to him and tell him how grateful I’m for everything he’s doing for me but my own trauma stops me.
I’d trusted Jake with my body and soul too. He tore my heart out, stomped on it, and walked away without a backward look.
How can I trust Seth when life has already taught me the most painful lesson? How do I trust another stranger again? How would I know what they’re truly planning to do to me?
