Failed Attempts, Wounded Ego

Failed Attempts, Wounded Ego
She didn’t want to speak to him. Didn’t want to acknowledge him.
But her body had other ideas. Hunger gnawed at her insides, and despite the storm raging in her mind, she reached for the plate.
Adolphus said nothing, either.
He simply set the tray down and stepped back, watching as she picked at the food.
It was simple—bread, stew, water—but it was warm. He had brought it for her.
The realization unsettled her.
She focused on eating, pretending he wasn’t there, pretending her hands weren’t trembling from exhaustion.
But Adolphus wasn’t fooled.
His gaze swept over her, taking in every detail—her paleness, the stiffness in her posture, the way she barely moved her injured leg.
Without a word, he crouched beside her, his fingers reaching for her bandages.
Seraphina flinched.
“I’m just checking,” he murmured. His voice was calm, careful. Like he was dealing with a wounded animal.
She hated it.
Hated that he saw her like this. Weak. Helpless.
But she said nothing.
He peeled back the bandages with practiced ease, his hands surprisingly gentle for a man who had torn apart a beast with his bare hands.
The wound was healing—slowly, but healing. The flesh was still tender, the edges raw, but there was no infection.
Adolphus exhaled, seemingly satisfied.
“Keep off your leg,” he said, rewrapping the bandage. “It’ll heal faster.”
She didn’t respond.
He stood, watching her for a long moment.
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
The door clicked shut behind him.
And Seraphina was alone again.
She stood up sharply, her mind racing.

Maybe she could jump out the window, run through the woods, disappear before anyone noticed she was gone.
Her pulse thundered in her ears as she limped toward the window, ignoring the sting in her leg.
The cold air rushed in as she pushed it open, the scent of damp earth and pine filling her lungs.
She glanced down. It was a long drop, but the dense foliage below could cushion her fall.
Maybe. If she was lucky.
She swung one leg over the ledge, her breath hitching—
The door creaked open.
“Going somewhere, Butterfly?”
Her stomach twisted at the familiar drawl. She didn’t turn around. She didn’t need to.
She could feel Adolphus’s presence like a storm rolling in, heavy and suffocating.
His footsteps were slow, deliberate. “You really thought you could escape?” His voice was almost amused. “With an injured leg?”
Seraphina clenched her jaw. “I thought I’d rather die than stay here,” she muttered.
Silence.
Then—laughter. Low, rich, and infuriating.
“You’re bold,” he said, stepping closer. “Stupid. But bold.”
She finally turned to face him, gripping the window ledge behind her. His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light, full of something unreadable. A challenge.
“Go ahead,” he said, tilting his head. “Jump.”
Her fingers tightened on the ledge.
“Do it, Seraphina.” His voice dropped, becoming almost gentle. “But know this—if you survive that fall, my wolves will find you before you make it a mile. And if you die…” He reached forward, trailing a lazy finger along her collarbone. “What a waste that would be.”
She shoved his hand away. “You don’t own me.”
Adolphus smirked. “No. But I will.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs. Fury burned through her, hot and consuming, but she swallowed it down.
She needed to be smart. Calculated. If she played along—just enough—she’d find a real way out.
She took a slow breath and stepped away from the window.
Not because he won. But because she had to.
Adolphus smiled like he knew exactly what she was thinking. “Good girl.”
She glared at him. “Go to hell.”
He only chuckled, grabbing her wrist suddenly, pulling her closer until their faces were inches apart. “Oh, Butterfly,” he whispered, his breath warm against her lips. “I am hell.”
Then he let her go, stepping back as if he hadn’t just shattered her resolve with a single touch.
“Sleep well,” he murmured before disappearing through the door, leaving her standing there, breathless, furious—trapped.

The door swung open again, “In fact come here,” Adolphus bellowed as he reached her and lifted her into his arms.