AMANDA
"Ah!
The crane groans as it jerks me higher, my arms stretched above my head, my body suspended like a puppet with its strings tangled. My wrists burn from the restraints, my shoulders screaming under the weight of my own body. My toes barely brush the cold floor—just enough to tease relief but never enough to grant it.
I’m shaking.
Not just from the pain. Not just from the way my body has been stripped of warmth, of control. But from him.
Theodus stands below, rolling his sleeves up like this is just another chore—another mess to clean up. Blood still stains his knuckles. My blood.
"You made a fool of me tonight," he murmurs, his voice smooth, measured. But the rage simmers beneath his skin, waiting to burn. "In front of the Alpha King. You f*****g hesitated, Amanda.”
I fo
