I woke with a groan, my body aching from the night before, the matte ribbon throbbing in my chest as a constant reminder of Ethan, of his possession, of the passion that had consumed me. I hated how he made me feel: trapped, betrayed, humiliated, like an object of his constant desires, but also desired, alive. I knew he would give his life for me, that he would always defend me, as he did with the Alphas at the club, whom he humiliated for their impudence, but his protection, his desire, and his affection came at a price, one I had to pay with my body and by always being ready for him.
I stood up, my pale skin marked by his somewhat violent touches the night before. I gently removed his arm from around my chest, so as not to wake him. On tiptoe, I entered the bathroom. I had a heavy sched
