Leaving My Cruel Mate

Chapter 5

I stared, stunned. "What are you saying?"

"It's for a good cause!" Sylvia snapped. "That poor woman needs help!"

Her logic was insane. I turned to leave, but a sharp pain hit my neck, and everything went black. Her smug smile was the last thing I saw.

I woke to the reek of cheap perfume, lying on a gauzy bed in a sheer slip, my skin exposed. A painted madam pinched my chin. "Not a virgin, but that face'll do."

She shouted, "Get her ready for tonight's clients!"

"I'm Lord Adrian's mate!" I yelled, struggling. "You can't do this!"

She slapped me hard. "You're nobody now. You'll work, or else!" She signaled, and six brutes stormed in, beating me with clubs until I spat blood.

"Work or suffer!" the madam sneered.

As a club rose again, the door crashed open. Adrian stood there, radiating fury. "Stop!"

I collapsed, blood pooling, as darkness took me.

Pain jolted me awake. Adrian's voice came from behind a screen, cold as ice. "Is it done?"

"Yes, sir," a guard replied. "The brothel's thirty-eight souls are dead. The ones who touched her lost hands or eyes. Bodies are in the pit for the dogs."

"And who sold her there?" Adrian asked.

The guard hesitated. "Sylvia, sir. She claims it was to help a debtor."

"Enough," Adrian snapped. "Leave."

He stepped out, his white robe swaying, looking like the noble alpha I once loved. "Isabella," he said softly, his eyes almost tender, "are you still in pain? Those who hurt you are gone."

I turned away, blood in my throat. "You should've killed Sylvia."

His hand froze midair. "She didn't mean it. She was helping someone, too kind for her own good."

"Kind?" I laughed, tears streaming. "She knocked me out and sold me to a brothel!"

I shoved his hand away as he tried to help me up. "Is my life worth less than her tears? You knelt in the snow, swearing you'd never betray me. Was your ‘forever' just three years?"

The room was silent except for my sobs. Adrian stood there, toying with his jade pendant, unmoved.

When I quieted, he said, "This ends here. Don't trouble Sylvia."

I closed my eyes, tears falling. I was done. Broken body, shattered heart. Ruby would be back with the decree soon.

I was leaving. Forever.

I stayed shut in my room for days, staring out the window, alone. The royal hunt came, and I had to go, still battered.

The hunting grounds were alive with banners and galloping nobles. Adrian, in black riding gear, was helping Sylvia onto a horse.

"I'm scared," she whined, leaning into him.

"Don't be," he murmured, guiding her hands on the reins, just like he once did with me.

A noble she-wolf offered me a bow. I took it, aimed at a deer, and hit true. Cheers erupted, but Sylvia squealed, "What a gorgeous deer! I want it!"

Adrian looked at me. "Isabella, let Sylvia have it."

My hand shook, but I nodded, numb.