Chapter 14
Elowen's POV
I slipped away from the reception as the wedding celebration continued into the night. After we'd returned to the party, I'd endured another hour of watching Ethan and Cindy dance, smile, and accept congratulations from what felt like hundreds of pack members. The whole time, I could feel Casper's eyes following me, that knowing smirk never leaving his face. Cassian had vanished back into the throng of people shortly after we returned, leaving me alone with Casper's intense focus.
"I need some air," I'd muttered to no one in particular, though Casper had caught my arm as I tried to escape.
"Running away already, cutie?" he'd whispered, his breath hot against my ear.
I'd jerked my arm free. "Bathroom. Unless you want to hold my hand for that too?" The lie had slipped out easily, and I'd pushed through the crowd before he could respond. Instead of returning, I'd headed straight for the exit, desperate to escape the suffocating tension between us.
Now I stumbled back into the Packhouse, my heart still pounding from the chaos of the wedding. My silver dress clung to me, the hem fluttering in the cool night breeze as I hurried through the entrance. I couldn't shake the memory of Casper's eyes burning into me, or the way my skin still tingled from where he'd touched me earlier. My chest felt tight, my breaths shallow, and all I wanted was to hide away from everything.
A servant greeted me at the door, her voice soft and respectful. "Young Master Casper asked me to inform you that a new guest room has been prepared, Miss Elowen. He said you might need... some space tonight." The knowing look in her eyes made my stomach clench. Was I that obvious? Or was Casper just announcing his intentions to the entire household staff?
I nodded, barely listening as she led me down the dimly lit corridors of the Packhouse. The wooden floors creaked under my heels, and the faint scent of pine wood hung in the air, grounding me just enough to keep moving.
In the guest room, I kicked off my heels and peeled the dress from my body, letting it pool on the floor. The hot shower was a brief escape—steam wrapped around my naked skin, water cascading over my shoulders and down my back. I couldn't help it; my fingers traced my collarbone, and my mind betrayed me with the memory of Casper's hot breath too close to my neck. I cursed under my breath and shut off the water, wrapping a towel around myself before collapsing onto the bed.
My chest heaved with unresolved crap, but I forced my eyes closed. A text from Drake flashed on my phone—his fifth unanswered message: "I'll be back for what's mine, bitch." I silenced the phone.
I drifted into a restless nap, troubled by the growing realization that I was beginning to rely on the Thornwood twins more than I wanted to admit.
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Hunger woke me up. I'd been scrolling through eating videos on my phone, watching greasy burgers and crispy fries, and my stomach growled loud enough to echo in the quiet room. "Damn it," I muttered, tossing my phone aside. I needed food. Now.
The Packhouse kitchen was dark when I crept in, the only light coming from the faint glow of the fridge. My wolf senses didn't need more than that—I moved easily, grabbing a bag of chips, a chocolate bar, and a pack of instant noodles from the shelves. The salty scent of the chips made my mouth water as I ripped the bag open, crunching down hard.
Juno snickered in my head. "Chips? Chocolate? What kind of trash are you shoving in your face? Bet Casper would pin your wrists and force something 'real' down your throat. Like… him." I nearly choked, biting into the chocolate bar with extra force. "I'm just fucking hungry, Juno! Stop trying to make this weird!"
I was halfway through setting up the noodles when I felt a shift in the air—a presence that made my breath catch in my throat. The tiny hairs on my arms stood up, and a shiver raced down my spine. Before I could react, I screamed, the chip bag slipping from my hands and spilling across the floor. I spun around, only to find Casper leaning against the fridge, his amber eyes glinting with amusement in the dim light, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Cutie, what are you doing eating this crap in the middle of the night?" he drawled, eyeing the junk food in my hands with a disapproving frown. "This stuff is full of chemicals and empty calories. You know it's no good for your healing." His tone carried genuine concern beneath the criticism.
My mind was still foggy with sleep, body heavy with exhaustion from the day's events. But something about his condescending tone cut through the haze like a splash of cold water. I felt my spine straighten, irritation clearing away the last traces of drowsiness as adrenaline flooded my system.
I lifted my chin, refusing to back down. "Booze isn't good either, but I drank it! I told you, I do what I want!" To prove my point, I snatched a chocolate-covered chip and bit into it hard, letting the crumbs stick to my lips. His gaze dropped to my mouth, lingering there for a split second too long.
Casper stepped forward, his movements slow but predatory. "After everything that's happened, you need real nutrition, not this garbage. Your body needs to recover." In one swift motion, he snatched the noodles and chips from my hands, tossing them back into the cupboard. "If you're not eating with me, you're not eating at all," he growled, his voice low and rough. "I'll wake the kitchen staff to make you something proper. Something that'll actually help you heal."
I lunged to grab the stuff back, stretching for the shelf, but he was faster. He slammed the cupboard shut with one hand and caught my wrist with the other, his grip tight enough to make me gasp.
"Let go of me!" I snarled, twisting my arm in his grip. The hunger, the exhaustion, the frustration of the entire day—it all came boiling to the surface. "Who do you think you are? My keeper?" I tried to wrench free, my other hand shoving hard against his chest. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through my fingertips, but I refused to acknowledge it.
His eyes flashed dangerously, pupils dilating as his nostrils flared. "I'm whatever you need me to be, Elowen," he growled, catching my other wrist too. "And right now, you need someone who actually cares enough to look after you properly."
"I don't belong to you, Casper. I don't belong to anyone." Yet even as I said it, I felt the lie in my words. With each passing hour, I was becoming more entangled with the twins, more dependent on their protection, their presence. It terrified me.
Something primal flickered across his face. "We'll see about that."
Blood rushed to my face, making my cheeks burn hot. My throat went dry, and I felt lightheaded as his scent—pine and leather and something uniquely him—wrapped around me. I cursed inwardly, "This asshole! Who does he think he is?" Juno, of course, had to chime in, her tone gleeful. "Oh, damn, he's got you good. Bet you're already wet, aren't you? Not like Drake ever made you feel this way."
Casper's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Keep pushing me, Elowen, and I'll treat you like the wild thing you are." Before I could snap back, he yanked me toward the counter, shoving me down over a high stool. My chest hit the edge, and I yelped, "Casper! What the fuck are you doing? Are you insane?"
His hands pinned mine behind my back, his strength overwhelming. I squirmed, but he held me firm, his other hand flipping up my sleep skirt. Cool air hit my bare thighs, and I realized with a jolt of shame that my pink lace panties were on full display. My skin prickled, a humiliating heat pooling between my legs despite myself.
Juno screamed in my head, "He's gonna fuck you right here! Admit it, Elowen, you want this!" I gritted my teeth, hissing back mentally, "No way! Not in a damn kitchen where anyone could walk in!" But my voice wavered even in my own mind, my body betraying me. My mother would have a heart attack if she saw me now.
Casper leaned close, his warm breath ghosting over the shell of my ear, sending involuntary shivers down my spine. "Don't act like you don't love this, Elowen. You're begging for it, aren't you?" I squeezed my eyes shut, torn between shame and a sick thrill, my breathing turning shallow and rapid.