Chapter 40: Cruel Bargains
(Charlotte's POV)
The air in Gabriel’s den felt heavy, almost choking. Every breath I took tasted of his overpowering woodsy scent mixed with faint traces of wolfsbane. My pulse pounded, but I forced myself to remain calm, controlled.
His golden eyes gleamed with the same arrogance that had haunted me for years, as if he already owned everything in the room—including me. I clutched my hands together tightly, my nails pressing into my palms to keep my emotions from showing on my face.
Gabriel leaned back lazily in his opulent chair. He didn’t rush, didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he held a crystal goblet in his hand, swirling the deep red liquid inside. “Blood wine?” he offered, tilting the glass toward me. His voice was smooth, like silk masking steel.
