Eternal

Chapter VIII - Fract

Fract - (v) to break; to violate

Origin - Latin

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Adelaide found herself back at the western tower. She couldn't shake off the images of that room out of her head, and due to the maidens of the palace finding her the last time she was there, she couldn't inspect it properly. She had no choice but to leave. Now, however, she was informed that everyone was busy preparing for the lunar ceremony for the following day - a tradition that lycans followed monthly to welcome the full moon.

Adelaide took it as her chance to escape to the forbidden wing. She wanted to examine the room; properly this time.

She eagerly opened the doors, her hands clenching the brass handles tightly. Adelaide checked behind her one last time before she slipped inside and closed the doors.

Her eyes eagerly took in her surroundings, lingering on the large four-poster bed. The purple colours of the room clashed beautifully with the black and white splashes cluttered around. It took her breath away.

She suddenly wished to live in a space as beautiful as this.

Adjacent to the bedroom, and archway opened to small but cosy living room. Two small couches faced the fireplace. The only way that Adelaide could describe them was as "His and Her" couches. She could almost imagine who sat on what chair.

However, as she ventured further inside, she caught sight of a tiny wooden crib.

A baby lived here.

Before she could think it over, her feet carried her closer. Almost unconsciously, she stretched her hand and ran it across the smooth surface in front of her. What could have happened that this room was off-limits? What was so bad that a whole wing had to be closed because of it?

In the middle of her scrutiny, Adelaide failed to take notice of her surroundings. The loud and hurried footsteps took her by surprise as they approached the room she was standing in. Her heart started racing, and she could feel her hands beginning to shake. She didn't have time to react before the thundering footsteps reached the room. She turned around in fright, facing whoever seemed to be there.

Her heart dropped to her feet once her eyes met blazing green ones.

"What are you doing here?" Theodore growled venomously. His eyes strayed to what she was touching, and if his eyes could shoot, she'd be a punctured canvas standing in front of him. She could feel the fury rolling from him in waves, and it only made her fear increase.

"I-I... I just, I was," Adelaide stuttered, unable to form a single sentence. Her mind deserted her body, leaving her filled with uncertainty. She felt that even though he was her mate, it wouldn't stop him from hurting her. He may not be able to kill her, his beast won't allow it, but he could cause her serious harm if he wanted. And at the moment, it wasn't farfetched.

Her stammering only seemed to increase his anger, and suddenly, he lurched forward, reaching her side with very few steps. He reached out to take hold of her arm, dragging her with him across the room.

When she saw how he was handling her, her own rage flared, overcoming the tinge of fear inside. She won't be treated like some lowly person just because he felt whatever he did. He had no right to manhandle her this way.

"Hey! Let go!" She snarled furiously. She tried yanking her arm away to no avail, and her yelling grew in volume, "Let me go, you bastard!"

Again, her mind was too late to catch up, and the minute she registered the deepening sneer on his face, she became aware of her mistake. In the middle of her screaming, she failed to control her tongue, and she just realized where she went wrong. The fingers circling her limb were squeezing her so hard that she could almost feel them cutting her circulation; if they haven't already done that.