The woman who threatened to kill me repeatedly, the one who ordered my fingernails be ripped out, was the one who bandaged my hands after I came out of the shower. She was also the one who stood guard by the door, making sure I didn't try to escape, and the one who offered me fresh clean clothes.

She eyed me when I came out of the bathroom wearing what I could only assume were her clothes. "They're really baggy on me, but they fit you well," she remarked. "Compared to me, you're absolutely shredded."

That wasn't an untrue statement. While she sat pretty on a throne and ordered Noah about, I lurked in the darkest corners of the forest with my bow drawn. In my world, being out of shape could be a death sentence. But I still said nothing, just stared at the fingers that she had wrapped for me.

The silence carried on when we returned back to the main floor where Ajax was still with Ryder.

I tried to meet Ryder's gaze, but he kept his eyes trained out the window above the kitchen sink, staring at the quiet forest that surrounded the cabin. Probably wishing he was anywhere but here. I couldn't help but feel the same.

Ajax noticed this his tense shoulders too. "I know that this is hard for you. I can't even imagine what you're going through. But the offer still stands. You say the word and I will be happy to make this all just...go away. No one would have to know. it could just stay between the four of us."

Ryder's jaw flexed. "Where is Hades? I just saw him in town a few days ago."

"He got called away. We don't decide when issues come up that he has to deal with," Ajax explained. "He'll be back soon, three days maximum, but probably sooner. He doesn't know exactly what is going on, but I told him it's urgent."

"Hades decides," Ryder announced. "I stay with her until then."

"Ryder, honey, you don't need to do that to yourself," Keiko piped up. "We can put her in a cell and have a guard with her at all times. There's zero reason for you to be involved more than you need to."

"The reason I need to be there with her is the fact that she's my mate."

I know that it had been said before. And I know there had been grand reactions to the whole thing, but then my head hadn't been on just right. With an empty stomach and no water in my system, I had other priorities. Now, I was able to process what was happening before me. now, I could think about things other than the ache of my shoulders or the throbbing in my fingers or the exhaustion in my legs. And I burst out in laughter.

All three heads turned towards me.

"I don't know a lot about werewolves, but I know that there is no way that you are anything to me," I spat.

Ryder's eyes narrowed and I realized that this was the first time we had actually spoken words directed at each other. "We're mates, Georgia. You can throw a fit if you'd like, but that's the reality. Why else would I keep going to that coffee shop? Why would I try and take you on dates? Werewolves don't date. It's a waste of time when you have someone that you're destined to be with waiting for you."

"Wait, this is the girl you were asking for dating advice about?" Keiko sputtered.

"Yes."

"Fuck, Ryder, I thought I was just helping you get laid; I didn't think I was setting you up with a werewolf killer," the queen gasped.

"Yeah, I didn't know what I was getting myself into either."

I held up my hands, a twisted grin on my features. "You're so full of shit. I'm a human being. I don't care what you are, but we are not the same. Therefore, I cannot be anything to you and you are nothing to me."

"Human to werewolf matings are considered uncommon, but aren't exactly rare or anything. They are complicated, but not unheard of," Ajax explained.

"Why do you think it felt so natural to be together?" Ryder asked just as I opened my mouth to protest. "Why do you think you felt so drawn to me all the time? why did you invite me to your house when you clearly never have anyone over? Why did you tell me your name when you try so hard to keep it a secret?"

"Because I thought we were dating!" I sputtered.

"Right." He rolled his eyes. "Trust me, Georgia, if we weren't mates, you would have been dead a long time ago."

"If I had known you were a werewolf, I would have gutted you the first second I saw you. Mate or not," I shot back.

"Really?" An eyebrow quirked, but there was no fear swirling in his eyes. "There's a knife block right here." He gestured to set I had seen previously, the one I had dismissed. "If you think you can do it, why don't you try right now?"

"Oh Jesus Christ," Ajax hissed, but no one physically interjected.

I willed myself to go over to the knife block and grab one of the black handles. I was dead anyway, right? This Hades was going to reveal himself and slaughter me. I was already done for. It was just a waiting game at this point, one that I could speed along if I so decided. And didn't I want to? The rage brewing in my belly told me that I could do it, but every time I glanced from the knives to Ryder, I felt ill. I couldn't even bring myself to move closer to him. The thought of plunging my knife into his chest...

"Right, now that we got that out of the way, I think we should get you guys set up in the cell. Then, whatever you two need to do to each other, you can," Ajax blurted.

Keiko, who had been rummaging in the kitchen drawers now came beside me. her movements were quick as she wrapped on wrist in a thin nylon rope. The second I registered what she was doing, I rolled my eyes and offered her my other hand. Maybe I could've caused more of a fuss, but I knew there was no way I was winning in a battle of three against one.

It was decided that Keiko would be remaining here with Clementine while Ajax escorted us to the cells, whatever and wherever those were. Ryder no longer seemed so chatty. No one spoke a single syllable as we made it outside the cabin again. Ajax approached a massive SUV, swinging a back door open. I stalled on the porch.

"Get in," Ajax said, losing a pinch of sweetness that I was noticed he had around his mate. "I'm not looking to do a leisurely stroll right now. The sooner I get rid of you, the sooner I can come home to my daughter."

Ryder didn't even glance at me. he climbed into the behemoth without a second thought. When Ajax narrowed his eyes at me, I took in his hulking form. It wouldn't take much effort for him to toss me over his shoulder. I could scream and thrash, but a man of that size and of that strength probably wouldn't even notice.

I ticked my chin up stomped up to the vehicle, trying to not flinch when Ajax gripped my arm to help me onto the backseat.

Once I realized how far the destination was from the main cabin, I was stunned by how much land the royals had under their territory, though it wasn't clear if they actually owned it or just guarded it. about fifteen kilometers down a windy and dusty gravel road, we pulled into a short driveway and there was a small, low tin building.

There was no delay getting us inside. From the outside it was nothing more than a dumpy outbuilding you would find in a farmer's field. From the inside, it was a simple space with two separate rooms. One was something of an office. I assumed it was where a guard would be stationed now that there were actual prisoners in here. The other room, the cell as everyone seemed to call it. I don't know where I thought the werewolves would shove me, maybe somewhere dark and wet with mice and crows and an awful aroma in the air. It was certainly no five star hotel, but there was a single bed. Uncomfortable looking and small, but a bed nonetheless. A simple sink in the corner and a door that I assumed led to toilet.

Ryder plowed into the tiny space and didn't look back.

I hesitated outside the doorway. I knew it was better than being strung up in a shed.

Ajax's massive hand shoved against my back, forcing me in. the door was slammed shut behind me. a heavy lock slid into place.

"I'll be back in a while with food for you two. Try not to kill each other," Ajax shouted.

I turned around, hands still bound, to see Ryder, my supposed mate, sitting on the only bed.

"Get comfortable, George. It's going to be a long night."

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is your number one travel destination?