Thalia’s POV
“How dare you touch my Thalia,” I heard Zev say, his voice cold and commanding. My heart fluttered at the possessiveness in his words, but I quickly pushed the feeling down. Now wasn’t the time to be swept away by confusing emotions.
But why did it make me feel… safe?
I stayed still in his arms, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to pull away, not wanting to appear weak in front of him or the guards, but another part of me craved his protection. The sting of the lashes still burned across my back, and I wasn’t sure I could stand on my own.
The guards exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond to Zev’s fury. They knew the power his name carried, and defying him wouldn’t end well for them. But the punishment had been ordered by Alpha Damian himself.
One of th
