Chapter 27 Chapter 27

Chapter 27 Chapter 27
_Anya’s POV_

My vision was blurred from the lack of air and tears filled my eyes so heavily that I could barely see what was happening around me.

Everything looked distorted. Shapes moved in shadows and flashes. My ears rang loudly and my chest burned with pain as I fought to drag air into lungs that would not obey me.

Then suddenly the crushing weight above me vanished.

The hands around my throat disappeared so fast that I gasped violently, rolling onto my side as I sucked in air in broken and painful breaths. My throat felt like it was on fire. Every inhale stabbed through me but I did not care. I could breathe again.

The room exploded into chaos around me. Growls thundered through the darkness. Furniture crashed. A man screamed.

I lifted my head weakly. I was still coughing and through my blurred vision I saw a massive black wolf tearing across the room like death itself.

It was Jacob's wolf, Storm.

His black fur gleamed in the moonlight pouring through the windows. His eyes glowed with savage fury as he launched himself at one of the masked men, slamming him so hard into the wall that the entire room shook.

The attacker cried out in pain. But then I saw movement beside the bed. There was another masked man.

My breath caught.

A second intruder. He rushed toward Jacob from behind with a dagger in his hand.

“Jacob!” I croaked. My voice came out weak and broken.

He did not hear me.

Panic surged through me. My eyes darted wildly around the room until they landed on the heavy glass lamp that had fallen from my bedside table during the struggle.

Without thinking, I grabbed it with both hands and threw it with all the strength I had left. The lamp flew through the air and smashed directly into the second attacker’s head.

He cried out and staggered sideways. That split second distraction was enough. Jacob spun with terrifying speed and lunged at him. His massive body slammed into the man and sent him crashing across the floor.

The attacker screamed as Jacob’s jaws snapped inches from his face. Then the door burst fully open. Dominic stormed in first with several guards behind him.

“What the hell is happening?!” he roared.

The guards rushed forward instantly. One grabbed the masked man I had hit while another tackled the one Jacob had pinned down.

Jacob stepped back from them. He was breathing hard. His fur was stained with blood near his shoulder.

My heart stopped.

He was injured.

“Jacob!” I cried.

His body shimmered immediately and within seconds he shifted back into human form.

He stood there bleeding, chest heaving, his eyes wild with fury and panic. But the moment his gaze found me, all his focus shifted.

“Anya.”

He crossed the room in two strides and dropped to his knees beside the bed. His hands cupped my face gently. His eyes searched me frantically.

“Are you hurt?” he asked sharply. “Did they injure you? Tell me where they touched you.”

I was still shaking so badly I could barely speak.

“I... I cannot breathe properly...”

His face darkened with rage.

His fingers brushed the bruises forming around my throat and his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack.

Behind him, Dominic ripped the mask off one of the attackers. Then his expression changed. His brows furrowed deeply.

“These are not rogues,” he said.

Jacob turned slowly. “What?”

Dominic grabbed the second man’s mask and yanked it off as well. Both men were wolves from another pack. Neither looked like rogues.

Dominic narrowed his eyes. “Who sent you?”

Neither answered.

Dominic punched one of them hard across the face.

“Answer me!”

The first man spat blood and glared. The second remained silent.

Jacob stood slowly. I could feel the fury radiating from every inch of him. His voice turned deadly calm.

“If you do not answer him, I will skin you alive.”

The first man trembled. But still, he remained silent.

Dominic grabbed him by the throat. “Who sent you?”

Finally the man broke. “Leon!” he shouted.

The room froze. My blood ran cold.

Dominic stared. “What?”

“He sent us!” the attacker cried. “He paid us to take the girl!”

I felt like the world tilted beneath me.

No.

Leon?

My stomach twisted violently.

Jacob’s face turned murderous. “He did what?”

The second attacker quickly shouted, “He said to bring her alive! He said he wanted her returned to him!”

My entire body went cold. Leon had done this? He had sent men here? To kidnap me?

My chest tightened painfully.

Maya whimpered inside me. He really came for us...

Jacob’s eyes became pure hatred. “Take them to the cellar,” he growled.

Dominic straightened. “Alive?”

Jacob’s voice dropped lower. “Alive. I will deal with them personally later.”

The guards dragged the screaming men out of the room. Their pleas echoed down the hallway until silence returned.

Jacob turned back to me immediately. All the fury on his face vanished the second he looked at me. He knelt beside me once more. “You are safe now,” he said softly.

Tears filled my eyes. “Leon sent them?”

His jaw tightened. “Yes.”

I shook my head weakly. “Why... why will he not leave me alone?”

Jacob brushed trembling strands of hair away from my face. “Because he is obsessed and deranged. But listen to me carefully, Anya.”

His eyes locked onto mine. “He will never touch you.”

My throat tightened.

“I promise you that.”

I nodded shakily. Then my gaze dropped to the blood running down his shoulder.

“You are hurt,” I whispered.

He glanced down dismissively. “It is nothing.”

“It is bleeding.”

“My wolf heals fast.”

“That does not mean you should ignore it.”

He gave me a faint smile. “Still worrying about me after nearly being murdered?”

“Yes,” I said stubbornly.

His expression softened. “There is no need for a doctor. This will heal.”

“Then let me bandage it.”

He blinked. “You?”

“Yes.”

Something warm flickered in his eyes. He nodded slowly. “Alright.”

He called for a maid, who quickly brought the first aid kit. I cleaned his wound with trembling hands while he sat beside me on the bed. He never once complained even when I knew it must hurt.

“You should have been more careful,” I muttered softly.

He smiled faintly. “I was more worried about you than myself.”

My heart fluttered painfully. When I finished bandaging him, he took my hand.

“You are not sleeping here tonight.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You are coming with me.”

“To... your room?”

“Yes.”

His tone left no room for argument.

“I will place guards outside your chamber, but I still will not trust leaving you here alone. Not after tonight.”

His eyes darkened. “I need you where I can see you.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “Oh.”

“You will stay in my room.”

I hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Okay.”

He helped me to my feet and led me down the hall. My legs still felt weak from the attack but his hand around mine grounded me.

When we entered his room, I looked around nervously. It was larger than mine and darker in color. Everything was masculine and elegant.

Jacob gestured toward the bed. “You sleep there. I will take the couch.”

I frowned immediately. “The couch?”

“Yes.”

“You are injured.”

“It does not matter.”

“You need proper rest.”

He gave me a small smile. “I will survive.”

I bit my lip. Then quietly I said, “You can sleep in the bed too.”

He froze. “What?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I trust you.”

His expression shifted instantly. Something deep and intense flashed in his eyes.

“Anya...”

“It is a large bed,” I said softly. “You will not make me uncomfortable.”

He hesitated. “I do not want you to feel pressured.”

“I am not pressured.”

Maya giggled inside me. You just want to sleep next to him.

I ignored her furiously.

“I simply think you deserve comfort after saving me,” I muttered.

His lips twitched. “If you are certain.”

“I am.”

We climbed into bed carefully. He stayed on top of the blankets at first, keeping distance between us.

The room fell quiet.

But despite the silence, my heart would not calm down. I stared at the ceiling.

Leon had sent men after me. He had truly done it. How far was he willing to go? Would he keep trying? Would I ever truly be safe?

Maya stirred softly. Storm will protect us.

“You trust him that much?”

Yes.

I turned slightly and looked at Jacob beside me. Even while lying still, he radiated strength. His eyes were open. He was watching the ceiling like he was still alert for danger.

“You should sleep,” he murmured.

“I am trying to.”

His voice softened. “You are safe here.”

I swallowed hard. “Do you promise?”

He turned his head and looked directly at me. “With my life.”

Something in me eased. Slowly and carefully, I shifted closer. His body went still. I rested my head lightly against his shoulder. He tensed in surprise....then relaxed.

His arm came around me cautiously, as if asking for permission. I did not pull away. Instead, I curled closer.

Maya purred happily. Much better.

I ignored her.

Jacob’s voice came low and soft above me. “Sleep, little wolf.”

My eyes fluttered shut.

For the first time since I woke up to those cruel hands around my throat, I finally felt the terror begin to loosen its grip.

Leon frightened me. The future frightened me. What he might do next frightened me even more.

But as Jacob’s warmth surrounded me and his steady heartbeat echoed beneath my ear, one thought slowly settled into my heart.

Maybe Maya was right.

Maybe Storm and Jacob truly would keep me safe.

And with that final thought, I let sleep claim me in the arms of the man I trusted the most.