Page 13 of Knotted By the Demon

His eyelids grew heavy, his body sagging as he slipped back toward unconsciousness, but his breathing had softened, evened out. His face lost some of its tension, the lines of pain easing just a bit, and I felt a fierce sense of relief. As I watched him drift into a more peaceful sleep, I felt a sudden surge of protectiveness toward this man I didn’t even know.

Whatever it took, whatever happened, I was going to make sure he found a life where he didn’t have to be afraid anymore. No, I wasn’t a beta patroller who protected omegas, but I would protect this one. The omega’s breathing had finally settled into a smooth rhythm, his face softened by the gentleness of sleep.

A wave of relief washed over me, knowing my whispered words had chased away his nightmares. But that fleeting comfort evaporated as the door creaked open. My heart leapt into my throat. He was back. I forced my muscles to relax, feeling my pulse thudding against the ropes that bound my wrists and ankles.

Through barely open eyes, I watched the alpha enter. His footsteps were oddly hesitant, cautious as he strode into the room. His gaze went first to the omega, his face etched with tension. He moved closer to the couch, his hand reaching out to adjust the blanket around the omega with careful fingers, almost reverently.

He brushed a stray lock of hair from the sleeping man's forehead, the gesture achingly intimate. He lingered a moment longer, fingers resting on the omega’s throat, checking his pulse. His face softened, his guard lowered in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible.

The sight of it stirred something in me I hadn’t expected – curiosity and, worse, doubt. Maybe I’d been wrong about him. I lay motionless, afraid the slightest movement would shatter this strange, suspended moment. But as the alpha turned, his gaze sweeping over me, I squeezed my eyes shut.

My pulse thundered, certain he'd seen through my ruse. His footsteps approached, and I felt him looming over me, his presence both intimidating and oddly comforting. When he got closer, I felt him checking my bindings.

"Damn it, Little Fox," he muttered, his voice a gruff whisper that stirred the air near my face. "Why couldn't you stay still?"

My pulse raced as he lingered by my side, his fingers probing the rough bindings around my wrists and ankles. I braced myself, unsure of his intentions, but the low growl that escaped him didn't feel threatening. To my surprise, it almost sounded... concerned? His hands fell away, and I heard his footsteps retreating.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I dared to open my eyes, blinking in confusion at his sudden departure. What game was he playing? Moments later, he returned, carrying a small tin of ointment and a handful of handkerchiefs. I closed my eyes again, but I could feel his movements when he knelt beside me. His fingers were surprisingly gentle as he inspected the raw skin around my wrists.

"I told her to stay still," he muttered, his voice a low rumble of frustration tinged with... was that guilt?

Because of his guilt, I now felt guilty for not staying still. Ugh! A cool sensation spread across my raw skin as he appliedointment. The relief was immediate, and I had to stifle a sigh of gratitude. His touch remained careful as he tended to my self-inflicted wounds.

With meticulous care, he wrapped each of my wrists in a folded handkerchief. The soft fabric was a stark contrast to the rough rope. I felt him tuck the edges under the bindings to prevent further chafing and ensuring the makeshift bandages were secure.

Then he moved to my ankles, repeating the same careful routine. I could feel the warmth of his body as he leaned over me, his scent enveloping me like a cocoon.Smoke with an earthy, rugged undertone and a hint of chemicals. Did he use scent blockers?

As he finished tending to my ankles, I sensed him pause. The air between us felt charged, heavy with unspoken words and conflicting emotions. I kept my breathing shallow, fighting the urge to open my eyes and confront him.

His presence loomed over me, commanding and intense. The heat radiating from his body seemed to seep into my skin, making me acutely aware of every point where we almost touched. My heart thundered in my chest, and I prayed he couldn't hear its betraying rhythm.

He lingered, standing close, making me feel self-conscious. What did he see when he looked at me? My thighs were a bit plumper than I’d like. Without makeup, I knew my freckles were on full display, stark against my pale skin. My clothing was dirty from hiding in the bushes when I’d seen him heading my way, carrying a body.

I cringed inwardly, imagining how wild my hair must look after hiding in the bushes. I know I looked a fright. I wish I could see the expression on his face as he watched me. A low growl filled the room, deep and primal. To my horror, my bodyresponded, nipples tightening and a pulse of heat between my thighs causing my clit to throb.

Ugh! Please don’t get aroused, body. He’ll smell it.

I nearly heaved a sigh of relief when I heard him step back and leave the room. I was just about to open my eyes when I heard him returning. What was he going to do now? Did he think the scent of my arousal was an invitation to do something?Oh, hell no.I tensed instinctively, every muscle in my body going rigid as I felt something being draped over me.

It was a blanket, I realized, as its warmth settled over me. My mind reeled, struggling to reconcile this act of kindness and consideration with the alpha who had karate-chopped and bound me.

I wanted to ask him why he was giving me this, the words burning on the tip of my tongue. But I held back, clinging to my facade of sleep even as confusion threatened to overwhelm me.

The blanket smelled of him. Despite myself, I felt my body begin to relax, tension slowly ebbing away. Did he know it would make me feel this way? Was this some ploy to lull me into a false sense of security? Or was there more to this alpha than I had initially assumed?

His hand moved, and I felt the whisper of air against my face. My pulse quickened as I sensed his fingers hovering near, almost close enough to touch. A part of me yearned for that contact, craving the warmth of skin against skin. But the touch never came, leaving me with an inexplicable sense of loss.

“I know you’re awake. Sleep, little thief,” he whispered, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down my spine. “And stop hurting yourself. Be still and rest. We’ll talk in the morning. Tonight, I’ll stand guard over you and the omega.”

Busted!Even so, I refused to break character. I stayed perfectly still, listening as his steps faded away. It took everything in me to keep up the pretense of sleep until I wassure he was gone. Only then did I allow myself to breathe, my thoughts a tangle of confusion and frustration.

Who was this alpha? Though his tone was gruff, his touch had been anything but harsh. His muted scent clung to the blanket he’d left, wrapping around me like a strange, protective shield. I wiggled my body, trying to get more comfortable under the blanket.

My body relaxed in spite of myself, the ache in my wrists and ankles soothed by the alpha’s unexpected care. I found myself letting his scent lull me, his whispered words echoing in my mind as I drifted into a sleep that, for the first time in days, felt safe.

I didn’t fear anyone breaking into my cabin while I slept. I didn’t fear animals getting in and mauling me while I slept. The rogue alpha with the tender touch was watching over me. That should keep me awake.

But damn it, because of him, I drifted off into a peaceful slumber that had evaded me for weeks. If I’d known all it took was a kidnapping to help me sleep at night, I would’ve come across the rogue alpha sooner. The omega too.

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