Page 14 of Knotted By the Demon

For the first time in a long time, I slept through the night.

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The next morning...

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I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the soft, muted light filtering through the cabin’s windows. The blanket covering me was proof that I hadn’t imagined the encounter with the rogue last night. I shifted slightly, the ache in my muscles a reminder of my restraints. If he didn’t release me today, I was going to scream this damn cabin down.

My focus drifted to the quiet, measured breathing of the omega still sleeping on the couch opposite mine. His face, though bruised and marked with fading traces of pain, looked more at peace, his expression softened in slumber. There was a little color in his face now. He was doing much better than he’d been doing last night. Thanks to our captor.

Ugh! Stockholm Syndrome much, Sofia. Just call me Stockholm Syndrome Sofia!My nose twitched. Did I smell what I thought I smelled? I inhaled deeply. The rich aroma of bacon and coffee wafted into the room, and my stomach growled at the scent. I hadn’t eaten since a little after lunchtime yesterday.

My body needed some sustenance. I turned my head, looking toward the open archway that led to the kitchen. There, I could just make out the figure of the alpha moving around the kitchen. Every now and then, he passed the doorway as he worked on preparing his meal. Would he let me have a few slices of that bacon?

Then again, back when he had pigs out back, I’d stolen a few of them, leading them away from his property with fake snacks. Of course, I hadn’t slaughtered any of the animals myself. The old man who lived up the hill from me had done it in exchange for some of the meat. Technically, my thievery had fed two people.

Because of that thievery, he may not be willing to share his food with me. I should just steal... ugh. I couldn’t keep stealing from him! My mother didn’t raise a thief. Hunger pangs and desperation had turned me into one. If I apologized sweetly, would he forgive me? I licked my lips, wondering what else he was cooking. I stayed quiet for as long as I could, but I was close to becominghangry.

“Hey,” I called out in a hushed shout because I didn’t want to wake the omega. “What are you cooking?” Silence greeted me.

For a moment, I no longer heard him moving around or the sound of pots and pans clattering. That moment passed, and he was back to work, ignoring me as he cooked. I tried again, my tone more insistent.

“I like bacon. Is there enough for me and the omega?”

Damn, I wish I knew their names. I waited for the alpha to reply. Silence. Seriously, dude. Frustration sparked within me, but I forced it down, unwilling to let him see me riled. I knew I had a fiery temper. I was supposed to be working on it. I hadn’t gotten around to that yet. I’d save it as my New Year’s resolution. Again.

The rich aroma of bacon hit me, the savory scent filling the room and wrapping around me like a warm, edible blanket. My stomach let out a hungry growl, and I instantly cursed it. The alpha appeared just then, moving quietly into the room with a plate piled high with bacon, sausage, and toast, along with a tall glass of milk.

I blinked, taken aback at the sheer amount. Alphas needed more food than most, so it made sense that he’d eat this much for breakfast. Would I be able to convince him to share some with me? My mouth watered as he walked toward me and sat down beside me on the couch. He placed the tray on the center table and then turned to me.

“Good morning,” I said, trying to be nice, wanting him to share his grub with me.

The rude bear ignored me. I tensed when he gripped my shoulders and pulled me up into a sitting position. Was he about to release me so that I could have some of that savory-smelling food?Yes. Please do so. Hurry.But he didn’t untie me. He only sat me up and then reached for the tray again, placing it on his lap and then facing me.

My heart jumped into my throat as I realized... all that food was meant for me. The alpha’s gaze was dark, unwavering, andhe didn’t say a word as he picked up a slice of bacon and brought it to my lips.Wait. He planned to hand-feed me. Heat rushed to my face, the intensity of his attention and the surreal intimacy of the gesture catching me off guard.

No one had ever hand-fed me before. Not since I was a child. A knot of hunger of a kind I didn’t want to acknowledge coiled in my belly. My pride bristled at the thought of letting him feed me, but my body betrayed me.

"I...”What the hell, just let him do it, Sofia. “Okay," I murmured, opening my mouth slightly.

He slid the bacon between my lips, his fingers almost – but not quite – brushing my lips. I closed my eyes, savoring the salty crunch. A soft moan escaped me before I could stop it.

"This is... really good," I admitted reluctantly.

The alpha remained silent, but I sensed his intense focus. When I opened my eyes, he was already holding out a piece of buttered toast. I bit into it eagerly, my hunger overriding any lingering hesitation.

"Oh my gosh," I groaned. "Carbs. I've missed you."

I’d been eating just meat for days. And though that sounded sexy, it wasn’t. As I chewed, I became acutely aware of the tension humming between us. The alpha's breathing had deepened, and when I dared to glance up, his eyes were dark with an emotion I couldn't, or rather, I wouldn't, name.

I licked a stray crumb from my lower lip, and a low, primal rumble emanated from his chest. The sound sent an involuntary shiver through me, and I squeezed my thighs together, praying he couldn't smell my body's traitorous response. Unable to meet his gaze, I stared down at the tray, wishing he’d slide something else into my mouth.

Food!Slide somefoodinto my mouth. Because that was all I was willing to let him feed me. And it was only because I hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday. I wasn’t the type to skip a meal orstarve myself... not on purpose. Things had simply gotten a bit hard for me. But this spread made me feel like I was in breakfast heaven.

I wasn’t going to demand any more answers until I’d eaten my fill. So, for now, I’d be a good little kidnappee and let him feed me. Once I was full, I’d resume demanding that he set us free.Food first. Then fury. I may be a lot of things, but what you could never say about me was that I didn’t have my priorities in order.

CHAPTER SEVEN

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