Loving the enemy

10. Change of perspective

"What's gotten into you?!" Jonathan hisses but I ignore him.

Fuck. I'd overdone it. One of my men was unconscious and the other two pretty hurt. I looked towards to the girl who's flightendly met my gaze. She was visibly shaking and curled up into a ball. Her cheeks and eyes were red from all the tears. With all the commotion others had come running and were now surrounding us.

My heart dropped at her sight. I walk over to her, wanting to take her into my arms. "Are you alright?"

"Don't touch me!!" She screamed as she trembled and sobbed as she spoke. I flinch back my hands.

I take off my cloak and gently hold it around her. She notices and quickly grabs it to cover herself in the expensive red material. "We're going back into the tent." I say sternly. I knew she was scared but bringing her back inside might calm her down a bit.

I reach out my hand to help her get up, but her puffy swollen eyes stare at me disgustedly. She shakingly comes to a stance without thinking about taking my hand for even a second.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you." I announce loudly, making Bella flinch. I didn't mean to scare her. Fuck.

"Anyone! Who dares to touch my mated, will dearly regret it."

Gasps erupts from the crowd and my men were staring back and forth between us both. But it was Bella's reaction that made me feel horrible. She stares at me wide eyed, tears still falling from her eyes. She shakes her head in disbelief, but now wasn't the time to talk.

"Come." I say as I gesture for us to go back.

I walk around the tent slowly making sure she could keep up with me. All eyes were on us with the exception of the man who was unconscious.

Critical whispers could be heard but I ignored them as I hold open the curtain for Bella to go inside.

Once we're inside I look at the small figure who's wrapped herself tightly in my cloak. She looks at me in disbelief.

"Bella."

"What do you mean I'm your mated?!" Her voice is almost gone and she's still shaken to the bone.

I unbutton my long sleeve and pull it up to my shoulder to show her my tattoo.

Her eyes widened again as she inhaled anxiously. "Listen, Bell-."

"I don't want to hear it!" She interrupts me. "Not now, please." She whispers defeatedly as she wipes her tears away with the red fabric.

I bite my lip to stop myself from arguing. She'd been through enough today and I needed to respect that.

Fuck. Not just today. These last few days. Guilt and sorrow make my heart fall.

"Okay." I whisper. "Just lay down then." I gesture towards my bed.

She looks at me for a few seconds, with spite in her eyes. It stung when she did that. It had stung before but now I could pinpoint why. She was supposed to be mine.

To my surprise she turns and walks back to the pole I'd tied her to before. She sits down, and then lays down, after rolling herself up in the cloak. She had purposely turned her back on me.

Anger took over my feelings again. Not just anger but rage. Rage at myself for doing the things I did. Rage for hurting her, for tying her up.

I walk over to my desk and drop into the seat. I lean my elbows on the table and hold my head with my hands.

It all made sense now. Why I saved her from the fall. Why I had taken her into my tent and kept her there. Why her scream made rage run through his veins.

Id acted so out of character these past few days, I should have known. Every cell in my body wanted to go and bandage her up and give her whatever she'd like. But here she was, probably traumatized, laying on the floor.

I'd make it up to her. Things would change from here on. Small sniffling sounds came from Bella's direction, making me grip my hair tightly. I wish I could turn back time. Start anew, with her.

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*Bellas POV*

I peel open my aching eyes. Dried tears were stuck on my cheeks making hair stick to it. I feel exhausted even though I'd slept. I bring my hand to my face making me realize that the floor was soft. Softer than anything I've ever felt.

I sit upright and realize that I was no longer on the ground but in the Lords bed.

My supposed soulmate.

I never wanted a prince, but this? I would have taken the bakers boy any day.

I wipe my face and take in my surroundings. Lord Asher is sitting at his desk. Or laying, I guess.

His arms are folded and his head was laying on them. Had he put me into his bed. The thought of him touching me makes me shiver.

I needed to get out of here. Having Lord Asher as my bonded hadn't changed anything.

I look down at myself and memories of the men touching me and leaving my dress ripped like this made tears sting in my eyes. I'd get out of here. At least I wasn't being tied up for the time being. I peek over to Lord Asher who seems to be sleeping. I swing my feet over the edge of the bed. And claw for the red cloak which was spread all around.

I shorty marvel at it. It was so soft and so comfortable, it was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. Just as I finished wrapping it around myself, I heard shuffling from the desk followed by a groan.

As Lord Asher stretches his arms into the air his messy short curly hair seems to be decorating his face, when those sleepy jade eyes start looking at me.