The walk to my room felt endless.
. My cheek burned where Kade's hand had slapped me.
In front of his brothers. In front of witnesses.
Like I was nothing. Like I was property that had misbehaved and needed correction.
My hands clenched into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms hard enough to leave crescents. The sharp sting helped. Grounded me. Kept me from falling apart in the middle of the hallway where anyone could see.
I wouldn't cry.
I refused to give him that satisfaction.
Wouldn't let Kade or Selene, or any of them see me break.
I reached my room and shut the door behind me with more force than necessary. The sound of it slamming echoed like a gunshot, satisfying in its violence.
My room.
The word tasted bitter. This wasn't my room. Nothing here was mine. Not the furniture, not the clothes in the closet, not even the air I breathed. Everything belonged deep to them,the pack, the Alphas, the mate bond I'd been forced into.
