Page 327 of Fated to the Wolf Prince
“Can I ask your name?” I asked, hoping to learn more about her.
She gave me a hesitant smile. “It's Anna,”
“Nice to meet you, Anna. I’m Liza.”
“Likewise.” Her eyes softened. “I hope you enjoy your lunch.”
The wordmasterechoed in my mind as Anna motioned to leave the room. It didn’t sit well with me, and I couldn’t shake my unease. Why would someone insist on being called that? What kind of power did he hold over people like Anna?
“How did he save your life?” I asked before she could disappear through the door.
Anna hesitated and bit her lip. “I was in a bad situation before I came here. The master found me, took me in, and gave me a purpose. I can never repay him for that.”
I studied her face, searching for any hint of deception or fear. I found none. Her words seemed genuine. Heartfelt, even. How could that be? How could the man who kidnapped me also be a savior to this girl?
“I understand why you’re afraid,” Anna said softly. “Please, trust me when I say the master is a good man. He has his reasons for doing what he does, even if they don’t always make sense.”
If he was such a good man, why did he kidnap people and lock them up? There had to be more to the story.
“Enjoy your lunch.” Anna gave me one last reassuring smile before she left and closed the door behind her.
Alone again, I stared down at the food, my appetite momentarily forgotten as I pondered Anna’s words. Who wasthis mysterious master? What had he done to earn such loyalty from her?
I picked up my fork, hesitating for a moment before taking a bite of the tender chicken.
The rich flavors exploded on my taste buds as I ate, though I was reluctant to admit it was delicious. In front of me lay a salad mixed with fresh vegetables topped with a tangy dressing, a heavenly piece of grilled chicken cooked to perfection, and a side of creamy mashed potatoes that melted in my mouth. The aromas wafting from the plate were irresistible, but still, I kept reminding myself that I shouldn’t be enjoying this, no matter how delicious it was.
“Ugh.” I took another bite. “It’s not fair that the food is so good when I’m stuck in this situation.”
Sometime later, long after my meal had settled, the door to the study opened, revealing the same guard who had brought me here. He stood tall and imposing, his arms crossed over his broad chest like usual. I studied him carefully, trying to gauge his intentions.
“Time to go back to your room,” he said gruffly and motioned for me to follow him. I hesitated only for a moment before deciding to comply, figuring I’d use this opportunity to learn more about this master and his motivations.
“Can I ask you something?” I blurted as we walked down the elegant hallway, our footsteps echoing softly on the polished marble floors. The guard glanced at me, his expression unreadable.
“Sure. Shoot.” He sounded almost bored.
“Are you indebted to the master, too? Or do you really just not care that you’re helping keeping someone captive who’s done nothing wrong?”
He didn’t break his stride or give any indication that he was bothered by my blunt inquiry. After a moment, he sighed andsaid, “I do owe him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about your situation.”
“Then, why help him?” I asked, trying not to sound whiny.
“Because he saved my life once,” he replied without hesitation. “In this world, loyalty is everything.”
His words echoed Anna’s earlier statement. What kind of man could inspire such devotion from two completely different people?
“Is what you’re doing worth it, though?” I was genuinely curious. “Keeping someone captive like this?”
“Look.” He stopped in front of the door to my room. “I won’t pretend to understand everything that’s going on or why you’ve been brought here, but I do know that the master isn’t a cruel man. He’s got his reasons for doing what he does. If you give him a chance, maybe you’ll see that, too.” The guard’s words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. “You’re lucky. If any of the people wanting that bounty on your head had gotten to you, you’d likely be somebody’s fuck toy right now.”
My stomach twisted at the thought, and bile rose in my throat. The idea of being captured and used like some disposable object made my skin crawl. It didn’t make sense. If that was all this master guy wanted from me, why was I here? Why hadn’t he just done whatever he wanted with me already?
He stepped aside so I could walk into the bedroom, which I did. No point in trying to fight him again.
“Then, why am I here?” I asked defiantly. “Why go through all this trouble if not to use me as an omega?”
He leaned against the doorframe, his arms taking up their usual residence over his broad chest as he regarded me with an unreadable expression. “That’s not for me to say. All I can tell you is that the master has his reasons.”
