Chapter 2

Logan's face changed the second he heard me say that.

"Evelyn, are you done? It was a simple test. Do you really have to act like it's the end of the world? And now you're threatening to call off the mating ceremony?" he demanded.

The cold wind cut right through me as I let out a bitter, broken laugh. "A simple test? Your idea of a test is letting your best friend put his filthy hands all over me?

"Logan, if you had any respect for me, you never would have done something like this."

Logan frowned, "He didn't actually do anything to you. He touched you a little and looked at you. In the werewolf world, that's nothing, so don't make such a big deal out of it."

But I wasn't an animal like them. I was human.

When Logan had confessed his feelings to me, he had promised me with all seriousness that he would always respect me and make me feel completely safe.

So why was he treating me like I didn't matter now?

Lila pouted and turned to Logan with a teasing smile. "Logan, the more you spoil her, the less she will appreciate you. That's the ugly side of humans. If you really want to conquer her, you have to tame her first.

"Take her back and treat her like any wolf girl. Once she learns to bend, she'll never try to walk all over you again. Anyway, she can't survive here without you."

Then she shot me a smug look.

I stared at her in terror and frantically backed away, not even caring that I was exposed.

I'd seen how they tamed wolf girls, either beaten until they submitted or psychologically broken down.

I didn't want to go through any of that.

"No! I don't want this," I yelled.

But nobody bothered to listen.

Logan nodded in approval. "Lila is right. I've spoiled her for too long. It's about time I put her in her place before the mating ceremony."

Then he started walking toward me.

I shook my head and begged him, tears streaming down my face. "Please don't do this to me, Logan."

But he didn't care what I said. He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder without hesitating.

I burst into tears. "Please don't drag me out like this!"

I had nothing on, so if he carried me outside, everyone would see everything.

I didn't want to be paraded around for the werewolves to stare at like some kind of spectacle.

Logan ignored me completely. He hauled me out the door, completely naked, for everyone to see.

Behind us, Marcus's teasing voice rang out. "Bro, I didn't do all this for nothing. When you're done with her, don't forget to send her over to me."

I squeezed my eyes shut in despair and let the tears stream down, powerless to stop them.

*****

Logan carried me all the way back to his territory with everyone watching.

My tears had already dried up, and even my heart felt numb.

When one had lost everything, they stopped being afraid.

I looked up at him with a sarcastic smile curling on my lips.

He threw me into the room and acted all generous. "Evelyn, if you crawl over here and kiss my feet, I'll set you free."

That was how a tamed wolf girl showed her submission and loyalty to her master.

But I was supposed to be his equal.

That had been one of my conditions for accepting Logan's love back then.

It was also my bottom line.

He wanted to destroy my dignity so that I'd submit to him, treat him like my master, and love him as if I were nothing but a slave.

I couldn't do it.

Seeing that I wouldn't say anything, Lila let out a vicious laugh. "Logan, you can't tame her with words alone. Watch how I make her obey."

She didn't even wait for an answer. She unfastened the bone whip from her belt and swung it right at me.

Without thinking, I threw up my arm to block the blow.

A hot gash opened up on my forearm, blood spilling out immediately, and the sting didn't hit me until a moment later.

I clenched my jaw and shot a look at Logan.

Back then, if I'd nicked my finger, he'd have fussed over me and blown on it like it was the end of the world.

But now, blood was dripping from my fingers onto the floor, my wound was burning, and my whole body wouldn't stop trembling.

He only frowned and said, "Lila, cut it out."

Then he looked me over coldly. "Evelyn, I've been far too lenient with you. Take these next few days to reflect on yourself."

With that, he wrapped his arm around Lila's waist and strode out without a second glance.

Before leaving, he ordered the guards, "Don't let her take a single step outside."