ARTEMIS' POV:-

　　Just as he saw me submitting again, he smiled. He wiped my tears again, as gently as the last time. Maybe that was the reason. Maybe this was the reason why I felt the warmth I used to feel when my mom was around. It felt like it had been decades since I had someone who would wipe my tears or hug me while I was crying. "You can show him your ego. It's alright. But, Artemis, he is never going to hurt us. He is one of the people who are mean to everyone. But from inside, he is as lonely as you have been." After what felt like ages, I finally heard Tracy's voice again. I was not sure why she was this excited to see Elijah.

　　I could almost feel her jumping up and down inside of me in excitement.

　　Everything was new to me. I had no choice but to do whatever he would ask me to do. "That's a good girl. Now, tell me how old you are?" He asked me in a low tone. He let me go again. This time, I decided to stay in bed. What was the point in getting up again? He would pin me with the bed again after a few minutes. It was only taking my energy. Which I didn't have much. As I had not eaten anything in three days. Well, yes, Tracy had eaten that bitch's hand when she got the chance. It was funny and it served her right.

　　I knew she would think a thousand times before doing that to any of her other prisoners. She was a monster. People like her should never be the leader or leader's partner. They squeeze the life out of the people. "I just turned eighteen in that dungeon." I replied to him in a low tone. For some reason, he chuckled as he heard me. For a moment, it felt like he was laughing at my misery.

　　"He chuckled for some other reason. Just don't jump to conclusions. Have a little faith in me if not in him. You know, you can trust me." I heard Tracy trying to defend him again. I rolled my eyes as there was nothing more I could do while being there.

　　Good or bad! Dark or comforting. It was yet another prison for me. And I was supposed to endure it quietly. I was not sure if I was even allowed to speak or eat without permission. I was pulled out of the oceans of my thoughts as he grabbed my hand. I was not sure why, I felt a spark of electricity circulating through my whole body. It had been happening with every single touch of his. His hold was gentle. As if he was worried if he would break me. He gently pulled me out of the bed and took me towards the closet. I was covered with his jacket but I was still more than just half naked.

　　He pulled a turtle neck shirt out of his wardrobe, along with a pair of underwear. "Right now, it's almost impossible for me to go and get you something. But you can wear my clothes. These sluty clothes aren't for you. Go and take a warm shower. It will help you with the shivering." He gave me the clothes and asked me to shower. His tone was gentle for the first time. With that, he left me in the closet, alone. My cheeks burned as I unconsciously smiled. It proved that he was not a pervert. He let me be for a moment. It was definitely different from the dungeon I escaped from. Shaking my head, I stepped out of the closet. He was not in the bedroom as well.

　　I stripped my clothes and walked into the bathroom. It was more luxurious than my bathroom at my father's place. White tiles with golden embroidery were covering the ground and half of the walls. Two black basins at the entrance, along with lots of cabinets. Toilet cubicle was right beside the basin area. A luxurious shower cubicle right in front of the basin area and toilet cubicle. Then there was an open area. A big square black and golden bathtub in the middle of the bathroom. Golden bathroom accessories made it look almost royal. I quickly did my business and walked towards the shower cubicle. I hopped into the shower. The warm water actually felt so good on my body.

　　I was not even sure how cold I really was until I stepped into the shower. I was actually showering after a month. That's what the calendar in Elijah's bedroom told me. I couldn't believe that I was stuck in that place for a month. I was just glad that I got Tracy with me there. Once I was done with the shower, I stepped out of the cubicle and walked towards the cabinets. I looked for the towels. I forgot to ask him about the towels. I was lucky that one of the cabinets had clean towels inside. I wrapped one around my body and the other one around my hair. Showering after this long time felt like I just got myself free from a prison.

　　It made me wonder if he asked me to shower because I stunk. Sighing, I stepped out of the bathroom. I quickly wore the clothes he had left for me. I was happy that I was not supposed to wear that nightie again. I never liked to wear clothes that showed too much of my skin in front of other people. While alone in my room, I could wear anything. My stomach growled loudly. I patted my stomach helplessly. The very next moment, I heard a knock on the bedroom door. "Come in." I replied and the door opened. It was Elijah. He stepped into the room. Without saying anything, he just grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the room.

　　My curiosity turned into an excitement as a delicious aroma reached my nostrils. He pulled me towards the dining room. He made me sit on one of the chairs. "You said they starved you. That made me think if you have eaten anything until now. I thought soopy Ramin would be better for you. Eat as much as you want. I made plenty." He informed me while patting my head. I smiled widely as I looked up at him. But he didn't look at me. Instead he turned around and walked away. I grabbed the chopsticks and dug in. The bowl was way bigger than I could handle. That's what I thought. I had no idea that my appetite had gotten this big. Maybe it was because of Tracy. Or maybe it was because I was starving.

　　About five minutes later, Elijah came back inside the dining room. He had a beer can in his one hand. And a mug in the other. "Mango milk shake. It will help you get your strength back. You have to finish this all. If you want more, let me know." He ordered me as he set the huge mug of mango milk shake in front of me. I was not sure if I just got lucky or it was quite a lucky day for me. Either way, it felt like I might have won a lottery. The dinner and the flavour of the milkshake were my most favourite. Except for my mom, no one actually knew about it at all.

　　I thanked God for the food and ate like a wild animal. The whole time, Elijah was looking at me. He didn't have a shocked look on his face. In fact, he was smiling in admiration as I ate like a wild animal. Once I was done with my food, I released a satisfied sigh. It felt like, for the first time in my life, I had eaten this freely. "Are you satisfied? Do you need more? There is plenty of both Ramin and milkshake for you in the kitchen." He asked me as soon as he saw my finished bowl of Ramin. I shook my head. A wide smile was on my face. I was grateful that he was not heartless like the others.

　　He chuckled again as he saw me smiling at him. He finished the whole can of beer in one go. He grabbed all my dishes and walked away. In a few minutes, he came back to the dining room. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back on my feet again. He pulled me out of the dining room and took me straight towards his bedroom. We stepped into the bedroom and he locked the door. He walked towards the closet and came back with a soft t-shirt of his. "Wear this while sleeping. It will be comfortable. Go and change. I will get the bed ready." He spoke in a low tone as he handed me his t-shirt.

　　"Why do I have to sleep in your bedroom and in your bed? Can't I sleep on the couch? Or in any other rooms if this place has any? I am inside your apartment. That means I am safe here." I asked him in an annoyed tone. I couldn't imagine sleeping in the same bed with an unknown man. Alpha or not, I hardly knew him.

　　I gulped hard as he stepped closer to me. He cupped my face with both of his hands and gently guided my gaze towards his. "You are my responsibility. It is rare if anyone could attack any other alpha's territory. Let alone the alpha's home. But wild wolves are unpredictable. I can't take any chances. You just have to have faith in me." His gentle tone made my knees wobble. If he wouldn't have been holding me, I would have fallen down on the ground. His tone forced me to nod my head. Although I never wanted to sleep with a stranger. It was not like I was having sex or something with him. With a wide smile on his face, he pulled me towards the bed. He gently tucked me in his warm bed and left the lamp turned on for me. As if he remembered that I was afraid of the dark.