Chapter 36 36
He had hurt her.
The proof was still there the faint, angry marks of his fingers wrapped around her delicate neck.
He had watched her in silence like a damn creep while she changed, and he didn’t regret that part for a second.
What he regretted…
Was striking her yesterday.
He never should have raised his hand.
Now, in her eyes, he would be no different from the monsters who’d touched her tonight.
At least she hadn’t seen his glowing golden eyes.
Hadn’t witnessed the shift when Hunter surged forward.
If she had, she would’ve run for the hills.
She was already terrified of him.
He couldn’t let her learn what he truly was.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Let’s go home,” he said gently.
Her gaze locked on his hands.
As though they were weapons.
Dangerous.
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she inched backward, shrinking into herself as if she could melt into the wall.
Hunter snarled inside him demanding he grab her, throw her over his shoulder, and take her back where she belonged.
But Fernando resisted.
For reasons he couldn’t fully understand…
He wanted her trust.
Twisted as it was, he wanted to prove he wasn’t like those men.
He inhaled deeply, forcing calm into his system.
He knew exactly what he had to do now.
“I promise I won’t hurt you.”
His voice was steady.
Controlled.
Her big tear-filled eyes blinked up at him, overflowing with doubt.
“P-pr… promise?” she whispered shakily.
Fuck.
She looked so fragile.
So broken.
Like a tiny abandoned kitten with those wide doe-blue eyes.
“Promise,” he said softly.
For the first time, she truly looked into his eyes.
Something there must’ve convinced her.
She began to rise
Pain shot through her.
A hiss escaped her lips as her knees buckled.
Before she could fall, strong arms wrapped firmly around her waist.
Her hands instinctively clutched his bicep and shoulder for balance.
Sparks exploded through him.
And judging by the sharp inhale she took
She felt them too.
His arms slid beneath her legs.
He lifted her easily into his chest, carrying her bridal-style.
She weighed almost nothing to him.
His eyes drifted to the half-packed suitcase on the bed.
The open wardrobe.
She’d been trying to run.
Anger flared in his jaw, though his face remained calm.
Sofía didn’t protest.
She couldn’t walk anyway.
Her mind was spinning.
She had no idea what happened to those men.
Were they dead?
Did they escape?
And how had Fernando fought four grown men alone?
They were big strong just like him.
Yet he looked untouched.
As if they hadn’t even landed a blow.
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face against him.
Her warm breath brushed his skin, making his muscles tense.
“Close your eyes,” he murmured.
She obeyed quietly.
Her head throbbed from the blows.
Her face felt numb and swollen.
And her foot…
She couldn’t feel it at all anymore.
As he walked out, his gaze caught something on the floor.
A phone.
The one that bastard had been using.
He stepped on it once.
Then again.
Until it shattered completely.
Sofía slowly opened her eyes when cool night air brushed her legs.
They were outside.
Fernando opened the car door and carefully settled her into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt gently.
Her body remained stiff, tense, alert.
She was wary of him.
But he was grateful she was at least coming with him.
None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t tried to escape his house.
He slid into the driver’s seat and handed her a box of tissues.
“Try to stop the bleeding.”
She followed his instruction slowly, her movements hazy.
Her body was in shock.
Her mind traumatized.
The engine roared to life.
Silence filled the car.
He glanced at her every few seconds.
She stared ahead blankly.
When they arrived, he stepped out and opened her door.
Sliding one arm behind her waist and the other beneath her thighs, he lifted her again.
The sparks flared once more.
She inhaled sharply.
He closed the car door and carried her inside.
Instead of heading to his room, he turned into the guest room beside it.
He wanted her to feel safe.
Her gaze stayed lowered.
She winced softly as he placed her gently on the bed.
Sofía leaned back against the headboard.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Then he left.
A low growl vibrated in his chest.
The scent of those men clung to her skin.
It drove Hunter insane.
One thought echoed through his mind over and over.
Mark our mate.
Werewolves were territorial by nature.
And as an Alpha, that instinct was stronger than most.
Protect.
Claim.
Guard.
She was his.
He could easily wipe those scents away…
But that would terrify her even more.
After forcing himself to calm down, he grabbed the first-aid kit and headed back to the guest room.
Empty.
His heart jumped.
Did she run again?
The sound of running water answered him.
Bathroom.
Relieved, he went back to his room and grabbed a hoodie and a pair of shorts.
They’d be huge on her.
But she could tie them.
He placed them on the bed and dropped down, elbows on his thighs, running frustrated fingers through his hair.
Minutes passed.
The shower finally shut off.
The bathroom door creaked open.
Her soft, shaky voice followed.
“M… Mr. Ruiz…”