Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 26 - trapped

I didn't speak a word to Leonardo as he carried me, but my heart pounded with every step he took.

We walked for what felt like hours, at least two, and, of course, just to ensure I was truly at his mercy, my hands and feet were broken again. I cursed and thrashed, but the only response was the sting of slaps. Pleading wouldn't help; I'd learned that lesson long ago.

Eventually, Leonardo shifted into his wolf form, and I was strapped onto his back. He snickered in his wolf shape, amused by my helplessness. He ran for hours, only stopping for water or, yet again, to break my bones.

At one point, I tried to shift and escape, but Leonardo was quick to overpower me, knocking me down with a swift paw. I knew I wouldn't get far, but I had to try. He bit my ear to make his point clear, and I was knocked unconscious after that. I had given him too much defiance along the way.

When I woke again, Leonardo was carrying me once more, this time in his human form. He kissed my temple and spoke softly, as though nothing had happened. "Ever since I knew you were captured, I've been searching for a place to settle down," he began, as we entered a small clearing with a breathtaking view of a blue lake in front of a cluster of houses.

Cabins, some completed and others still under construction, dotted the area. They were all made of wood, pristine and new. Some had porches, some didn't. "I wanted you to come home to somewhere safe and warm, a place where we can raise our pups," he continued, a sickly-sweet smile tugging at his lips. "Safely."

"A pack," I said, my throat dry.

I gulped. No. He'd planned everything, hadn't he? Leonardo had built an entire damn pack. "Not every rogue is bad, you know. Some long for a home," he said, "and those who do are welcome here."

I doubted it would stay peaceful. These rogues, all of them at his table, would eventually cause trouble. Coming from me, that was saying a lot.

He led me through the houses and other buildings until we reached the largest one. "Slowly, our pack grew. We've gained many new members, though neighboring packs don't recognize us as a real pack. But the council accepted us. This will be our home."

I couldn't help but stare in awe. The house was beautiful, more than I could've ever expected. It made me chuckle bitterly. Back when Leonardo had been somewhat sane, he'd listened to my dreams about a cottage near a lake, where I could take a morning swim.

I'd wanted a cozy house, with a small porch where I could drink tea in the mornings and watch the woods. Enough room for a big family, but not too much. A place where I could feel at home.

Now, I saw it. He had built it—just as I'd imagined. Exactly how I'd explained it all to him, back when we were dreaming of a future together.

If it weren't for everything he had done to me, I might have considered it sweet.

He carried me inside, and I was met with a small hallway where coats and shoes could be placed. There were already four children's coat racks. Four. Someone was ambitious.

I had wanted two toilets—one downstairs, one upstairs—because I hated walking down in the middle of the night. Plus, I woke up at least three times to go to the bathroom. And there they were.

We walked into the living room, and I was taken aback by how warm and cozy it was compared to the cold, damp tent I'd been staying in. The heat from the fire was a welcome relief from the rain that had soaked me earlier.

He placed me gently on the floor before a large, U-shaped couch. It was light gray, with pillows and blankets in varying shades of green and white. He laid me on a blanket and explained that I needed to shower first—so the dirt and blood wouldn't stain the furniture.